Aishwarya Rajesh

Indian actress (born 1990) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aishwarya Rajesh

Aishwarya Rajesh (born 10 January 1990) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. Aishwarya is a recipient of several awards including four South Indian International Movie Awards, two Filmfare Award South and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award.[2]

Quick Facts Born, Education ...
Aishwarya Rajesh
Thumb
Aishwarya in 2014
Born (1990-01-10) 10 January 1990 (age 35)
EducationEthiraj College for Women (B.Com)
OccupationActress
Years active2010–present
Relatives
HonoursKalaimamani (2020)[1]
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Aishwarya started her career as television presenter in a comedy show called Asatha Povathu Yaaru?. After winning the reality show Maanada Mayilada, she was cast in the film Avargalum Ivargalum (2011) and came into prominence after starring in Attakathi (2012).[3] She has received Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for the 2014 film Kaaka Muttai.[4] Aishwarya had her career breakthrough roles in the film, Vada Chennai (2018) and her solo film Kanaa (2018). For the latter, she won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Tamil.[5] She made her Malayalam debut with Jomonte Suvisheshangal (2017),[6] Hindi film debut in 2017 with Daddy,[7] and Telugu debut with Kousalya Krishnamurthy (2019), which was a remake of Kanaa.[8]

Aishwarya received praises for her portrayal of a struggling married woman in World Famous Lover (2020), a woman who strives to bring her deceased husband's body back in Ka Pae Ranasingam (2020), an NRI in Republic (2021) and a cop in Thittam Irandu (2021).[9]

Early life and education

Aishwarya Rajesh was born on 10 January 1990 in a Telugu family in Chennai (then Madras).[10][11][12] Her father Rajesh was a Telugu film actor[13][14] who died when she was still young.[15] Her mother Nagamani was a dancer.[16] Her grandfather Amarnath was also a Telugu film actor,[14] while her aunt Sri Lakshmi, is a Telugu comedian with over 500 films to her credit.[15] She is the youngest of four siblings, whose two elder brothers died during her teenage years.[12]

Aishwarya grew up in Chennai, and she described her background as "lower middle class."[12] She studied in Shrine Vailankanni, Chennai, Sree Vidyanikethan International School, Tirupati, and Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai.[17] In 1995, she performed as a child actress in the Telugu film Rambantu.[18]

She studied at Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai and graduated with a B.Com degree.[19] She started to learn dancing since she needed to choreograph a stage show for a student cultural festival. This opened an opportunity for her to enter the reality show Maanada Mayilada on Kalaignar TV. She won the show's third season and got offered roles in films after this TV appearance.[15]

Career

Summarize
Perspective

Debut and early work (2010–2015)

In the early stages of her career, Aishwarya also worked as an anchor on the sets of the TV show Asathapovathu Yaaru.[20] In 2010, she was cast in Avargalum Ivargalum (2011) although the low-key film Indrasena (2010) was released first.[21][22][23] Her first big hit was the critically acclaimed Attakathi in 2012, where she was cast as Amudha, a simple village girl, by Pa. Ranjith in his debut as a director. In 2014, she was seen alongside Vijay Sethupathi in two films, Rummy, and Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, released within two weeks. While the first film was a village drama set in the 1980s, the latter was based on a short film of the same name, and revolved around an old man and his vintage car Premier Padmini.[24][25] Critics praised her performances, especially in Rummy.[26] Hindustan Times wrote that she was "extremely promising"[27] while film critic Baradwaj Rangan noted that she was "expressive", calling her "a tonic for nerves frayed by the alabaster automatons we usually get as heroines".[28][29] Later that year, she appeared in a song sequence in R. Parthiepan's Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam and as the female lead in Thirudan Police.[30] In April 2014, she began filming for Seenu Ramasamy's Idam Porul Yaeval, but the film remains unreleased as of May 2020.[31]

Her first release in 2015 was Kaaka Muttai. Initially, she was very hesitant to play a mother role at such an early stage in her career, but, after seeking advice from her Pannaiyarum Padminiyum co-star Vijay Sethupathi and after gaining interest in the script herself, she decided to be part of the film. Her portrayal of a slum dweller and mother of two children was lauded unanimously by critics and is regarded as one of "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion. Critic Baradwaj Rangan wrote, "it features stunning performances from everyone...especially Aishwarya Rajesh, who plays the kids' mother with a world-weariness that belies her years".[32] Other reviewers stated that she was "excellent",[33] played her role "with extraordinary ease"[34] and that she "leaves you awe-struck".[35][36] That year, she also made her stage debut, playing Cinderella from the same-titled fairytale that was adapted as a "musical dance drama".[37][38]

Success and expansion (2016–present)

Aishwarya had the most releases for a Tamil actress in 2016 with 8 films out of which Aarathu Sinam, Hello Naan Pei Pesuren, Manithan and Dharma Durai were commercially successful. She was critically appreciated for her performance in the films Dharma Durai and Kuttrame Thandanai, where she collaborated with Kaaka Muttai director Manikandan. She became the number one choice for acting in performance oriented roles in the industry. In 2017, Aishwarya made her entry in Malayalam films acting in two commercially and critically successful films Jomonte Suvisheshangal and Sakhhavu.[39] Based on her performance in Kaaka Muttai, Arjun Rampal selected Aishwarya in the role of Zubeida for the film Daddy. With this, Aishwarya made her debut in Hindi and was recognized for her performance in her first Hindi film.[40][41][42][43] In 2018, she completed shooting for Idhu Vedhalam Sollum Kathai. The film remained unreleased as of April 2020.[44]

She starred in her solo film as a cricketer in Kanaa under Sivakarthikeyan's production.[45] She reprised her role in the Telugu remake Kousalya Krishnamurthy, which marked her lead Telugu debut.[46] She starred in sister roles in Namma Veettu Pillai and Vaanam Kottatum.[47][48] She played a village belle in World Famous Lover.[49] She played a woman who lost her husband in Dubai in Ka Pae Ranasingam. Regarding her performance, a critic noted that "Aishwarya Rajesh is a revelation. She displays hopelessness, powerlessness, vulnerability, grit and determination with ease and impressive conviction".[50] Subsequently, she performed in leading roles such as Thittam Irandu (2021), Boomika (2021) and Driver Jamuna (2022). The action thriller, Run Baby Run (2023) with RJ Balaji has received positive response.[51] While, The Great Indian Kitchen (2023), Aishwarya Rajesh saves the Tamil remake of the brilliant family drama.[52]

Media image

S. Subhakeerthana of The Indian Express noted, "Aishwarya Rajesh's carefully thought-out and prudent choices reflect on her filmography."[53] For the actress performance in Kaaka Muttai, S Saraswathi of Rediff.com said that she was the film's "biggest surprise".[54] News18 India noted, "Be it nailing exceptional roles or mesmerising the audience with her dialogue delivery, acting comes naturally to her."[55] Aishwarya is known for her strong women portrayals in films such as Kaaka Muttai, Kanaa, World Famous Lover, Ka Pae Ranasingam and The Great Indian Kitchen.[56]

Aishwarya has frequently featured in Chennai Times' 30 Most Desirable Woman list. She became the Chennai Times' Most Desirable Woman in 2018.[57] She ranked 13th in 2017, 2nd in 2019 and 6th in 2020.[58][59][60] Aishwarya ranked 3rd in Rediff.com's "Top Tamil Actresses" list of 2015.[54] Her performance in Kakka Muttai is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.[61] She received the Kalaimamani award in 2020, for her contributions to the Tamil cinema.[1] She has also spoken about her childhood, sexual harassment and more on TedX talk in 2020 at IIM Trichy.[62]

Filmography

Key
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Films

More information Year, Title ...
List of Aishwarya Rajesh film credits
Year Title Role Language Notes Ref.
1995 Rambantu Unnamed Telugu Child artist;
Special appearance in the song "Emo Gurram Egaravachu"
[18]
2010 Indrasena Unknown Tamil Credited as Aishwarya [63]
Neethana Avan Nandhini
2011 Avargalum Ivargalum Swetha
Uyarthiru 420 Charu
Sattapadi Kutram Sumathi
2012 Vilayada Vaa Anu
Attakathi Amudha
Aachariyangal Anu
2013 Puthagam Thara
2014 Rummy Sornam
Pannaiyarum Padminiyum Malarvizhi
Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam Herself Cameo appearance
Thirudan Police Poornima
2015 Kaaka Muttai The Mother
2016 Aarathu Sinam Mia Aravind
Hello Naan Pei Pesuren Kavitha
Manithan Jennifer
Dharma Durai Anbu Selvi
Kuttrame Thandanai Swetha
Kadalai Kalai
Parandhu Sella Vaa Madhavi
Mo Priya
2017 Jomonte Suvisheshangal Vaidhegy Perumal Malayalam
Mupparimanam Herself Tamil Cameo appearance
Kattappava Kaanom Meena
Sakhavu Janaki Malayalam
Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum Pooja Tamil
Daddy Zubeida Mujawar / Asha Gawli Hindi
2018 Lakshmi Nandhini Tamil
Saamy Square Bhuvana
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam Renuka Thyagarajan
Vada Chennai Padma
Kanaa Kousalya Murugesan
2019 Vilambaram Aishwarya
Kousalya Krishnamurthy Kousalya Krishnamurthy Telugu
Mei Uthra Tamil
Namma Veettu Pillai Thulasi Ayyanar
Mismatch Maha Lakshmi Telugu
2020 Vaanam Kottatum Mangai Tamil
World Famous Lover Suvarna Telugu
Ka Pae Ranasingam Ariyanachi Rana Singam Tamil
2021 Thittam Irandu Athira [64]
Boomika Samyuktha Gowtham [65]
Tuck Jagadish Chandra Telugu [66]
Republic Myra Hanson [67]
2022 Driver Jamuna Jamuna Tamil [68]
2023 The Great Indian Kitchen Wife [69]
Run Baby Run Tara [70]
Soppana Sundari Agalya [71]
Farhana Farhana [72]
Theera Kaadhal Aaranya [73]
Pulimada Mahishmathi Emily Jayaram Malayalam [74]
2024 DeAr Deepika Tamil [75]
Ajayante Randam Moshanam Chothi Malayalam [76]
Her Anamika [77]
2025 Sankranthiki Vasthunam Bhagyalakshmi Sinaraju Telugu [78]
Karuppar Nagaram TBA Tamil Post-production [79]
Mohandas TBA Tamil Post-production [80]
Theeyavar Kulaigal Nadunga TBA Filming [81]
Uttarakaanda Durgi Kannada Filming [82]
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Television

More information Year, Title ...
List of Aishwarya Rajesh television credits
Year Title Language Role Notes Ref.
2007 Asatha Povathu Yaaru Tamil Host
Maanada Mayilada Contestant Season 3; Winner [17]
2022 Suzhal: The Vortex (season 1,2) Nandini [83]
2023 Cooku with Comali (season 4) Herself Guest appearance
2025 Suzhal: The Vortex (season 2) Nandini
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Music videos

More information Year, Title ...
List of Aishwarya Rajesh music video credits
Year Title Artist Director Ref.
2018 "Bodhai Kodhai" Sanjith Hegde Gautham Vasudev Menon [84]
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Award ...
List of awards and nominations received by Aishwarya Rajesh
Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
2015 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Tamil Kaaka Muttai Nominated [85]
Edison Awards Best Actress Nominated [86]
2016 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actress – Tamil Nominated [87]
IIFA Utsavam Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Nominated [88]
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards Best Actress Won [89]
2017 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Best Actress Won [90]
Filmfare Awards South Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Dharmadurai Nominated [91]
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Won [92]
Asiavision Awards Outstanding Performer – National Sakhavu & Jomonte Suvisheshangal Won [93]
2018 Filmfare Awards South Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam Jomonte Suvisheshangal Nominated [94]
2019 Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards Best Actress Kanaa Nominated [95]
Edison Awards Best Actress Nominated [96]
Young Inspirational Actress Won
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actress – Tamil Nominated [97]
Best Actress Critics – Tamil Won
Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Tamil Nominated [98]
Critics Best Actress – Tamil Won
2020 Zee Cine Awards Tamil Best Actor - Female Won [99]
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards Best Supporting Actress Namma Veettu Pillai Nominated [100]
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards Best Supporting Actress Won [101]
2021 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actress – Telugu World Famous Lover Won [102]
Best Actress Critics – Telugu Nominated
Best Actress – Tamil Ka Pae Ranasingam Won
2022 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Tamil Nominated [103]
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actress – Tamil Thittam Irandu Nominated [104]
Best Actress Critics – Tamil Won
2024 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Tamil Farhana Nominated
Critics Best Actress – Tamil Won [105]
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actress – Tamil Nominated [106]
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References

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