Priyamani

This Indian model and actress is originally named as Priya Vasudev Mani Iyer. This South Indian cinema actress is known in the industry by her stage name as Priyamani. She was born on 4th June, 1984 in Palakkad, Kerala to parents Vasudeva Mani Iyer and Latha Mani Iyer. Priyamani is the granddaughter of the late Carnatic vocalist Kamala Kailas. The actress was raised in Bangalore. She used to do modeling for print advertisements, when she completed her schooling. She is fluent in languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. Priyamani is the cousin of famous Bollywood actress Vidya Balan.

The South Indian beauty commenced receiving film offers owing to her extensive modeling. She debuted in a Tamil movie titled 'Kangalal Kaidhu Sei' in the year 2004. After debuting in Tamil industry, Priyamani entered in Telugu movies with the film 'Evare Atagaadu'. She stepped in Malayam movies with the film 'Satyam' in 2004. Priyamani's acting performance in her next movie 'Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam' was largely acclaimed. The filmmakers also showered praises upon her for this role. Her next Telugu movie 'Pellaina Kothalo' with Jagapathi Babu in 2006 proved a super hit film. 'Paruthiveeran' was another blockbuster movie by Priyamani, which was based on a real story, made the actress attain critical acclaim.

Priyamani has various awards to her credits like National Film Award, Tamil Nadu State Film Award, South Filmfare Award and Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema.

In 2007, Priyamani's Telugu flick 'Yamadonga' became a blockbuster. Her Malayalam film 'Thirakkatha' made the actress gain critical acclaim once again, being a real life-story of late movie actress Srividya. For this, she won Film fare Award once again for her excellent performance. 'Thotta' was her only Tamil release in 2008.

The Tollywood beauty was seen in several Telugu flicks like 'Toss', 'Nava Vasantham', 'Hare Ram', 'King', 'Drona', 'Mitrudu', 'Pravarakyudu', 'Shambo Shiva Shambo', 'Sadhyam', 'Golimaar', 'Ragada', 'Raaj', 'Kshetram', 'Chandee' and 'Angulika'. The Tamil films in which Priyamani acted in are 'Malaikottai', 'Arumugam', 'Ninaithale Inikkum', 'Raavanan' and 'Chaarulatha'. Priyamani's Malayalam movies include 'Otta Nanayam', 'Puthiya Mukham', 'Pranchiyettan and the Saint' and 'Grandmaster'. The Kannada films in which the South Indian actress performed include 'Raam', 'Eno Onthara', 'Only Vishnuvardhana', 'Ko Ko', 'Anna Bond', 'Chaarulatha' (Kannada Version) and 'Lakshmi'.

Priyamani was seen in a few Hindi movies like 'Raavan', 'Rakht Charitra - 2' and 'Chennai Express'. She received Apsara Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Jamuni in the film 'Raavan'.