sai pallavi age

Sai Pallavi: Journey from Medical Student to South Indian Cinema Sensation

Sai Pallavi Senthamarai, popularly known as “Sai Pallavi” is an actress as well as a dancer in the Indian film industry who is popular for her roles and appearance in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films.

Ranked 1st in Kochi Times list of a most desirable woman of 2016.

She is the only actress to be featured in “Forbes 30 under 30” in 2020 in the Entertainment category.

Raised in Coimbatore, she graduated with an MBBS degree from Tbilisi State Medical University (2016) but chose acting over medicine. Her breakthrough role as Malar in Premam (2015) catapulted her to fame, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. A trained dancer, she balances her career with humility, earning titles like “Natural Lady Star” for her authentic performances.

Biography/Wiki

OccupationActress and Doctor
BirthplaceKotagiri, The Nilgiris, Tamilnadu, India
NationalityIndian
Age32 Years
HometownTamilnadu
Date of Birth9 May 1992
Net WorthUSD 5 Million

Family and Education

Her family belongs to the Badaga community and her younger sister is also an actress.

She has done her schooling at Avila Convent School, Coimbatore and completed her higher medical studies at Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia in 2016.  

Family MemberName
FatherSenthamarai Kannan
MotherRadha Kannan
SisterPooja (Younger)

Sai Pallavi Sister

Sai Pallavi’s sister, Pooja Kannan, is also an actress. While Pooja is not as widely known as Sai Pallavi, she has carved her niche in Tamil cinema and is steadily making her mark. The two sisters share a strong bond and often support each other’s endeavors in the industry.

sai pallavi photo

Click here to know about south Indian actresses in saree

Sai Pallavi Net Worth

With a net worth of ₹40 crore ($5 million), Sai Pallavi earns through films (₹1–2 crore per project), endorsements (Titan, Kalyan Jewellers), and music royalties. She owns properties in Coimbatore and Hyderabad.

Height and Weight

Weight55 Kg
Height (centimeters)165 cm, 1.65 m
Height5 feet 5 inches
Zodiac SignTaurus
ReligionHinduism
Figure Measurement34-26-34
Eye colorDark Brown
Hair colorBlack
Marital StatusUnmarried
Husband Namenot known

Social Media Instagram

She is also active on Instagram with more than 6 million followers.

Sai Pallavi Social Media

Sai Pallavi stays connected with her fans through various social media platforms, primarily Instagram and Twitter. On Instagram, she shares behind-the-scenes moments from her films, candid photos, and updates on her projects. Her Twitter handle @Sai_Pallavi92 is another platform where she communicates with her followers and shares her thoughts on various topics.

Career

Sai started her career as a child actress with the film “Kasthooriman” in 2003 and “Dhaam Dhoom” in 2008 respectively. She got her first offer for the Malayalam film “Premam” in 2014 while studying in Georgia. She was also crowned with Filmfare award for her role in the movie.

In 2017. she appeared in the Tamil film “Maari 2” opposite Dhanush and the song “Rowdy Baby” was one of the highest-viewed songs on YouTube of that time.

Sai Pallavi in Fidaa

Sai Pallavi’s role in Fidaa (2017) as Bhanumathi was one of the standout performances of her career. Her portrayal of the spirited and independent woman captured the essence of the character, earning her widespread acclaim and several awards. Fidaa was a major hit and contributed significantly to her success.

Sai Pallavi Role in Premam

Sai Pallavi’s role as Malar in Premam (2015) is iconic and remains one of the most memorable performances in Indian cinema. Her simplicity, charm, and natural beauty made her a beloved character, propelling her to stardom and earning her a dedicated fanbase.

Sai Pallavi Medical Career (MBBS)

Despite completing her MBBS in 2016, Sai Pallavi prioritized acting. She cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) in 2020 but hasn’t registered with the Medical Council of India. In interviews, she credits her medical training for enhancing her empathy in roles like Gargi.

Sai Pallavi Controversies

In 2022, she faced backlash for comparing the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits to cow vigilantism during an interview. Critics accused her of insensitivity, but she clarified her intent was to highlight communal violence.

Awards

She has been nominated for 13 awards till now and has won 10 of them listed below :

YearAward NameAward Category
2015Asiavision AwardsNew Sensation in Acting – Female
2016Asianet Film AwardsSpecial Jury Award
201663rd Filmfare Awards SouthBest Female Debut – Malayalam
20165th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Female Debut – Malayalam
2016Vanitha Film AwardsBest Newcomer – Actress
2016IBNLive Movie AwardsBest Southern Debut
2017Asianet Film AwardsMost Popular Actress
2017Behindwoods Gold MedalBest Actress – Malayalam
2017CPC Cine AwardsBest Actress
201865th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Actress – Telugu
20187th South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Actress – Telugu
2019Asianet Film AwardsBest Actress – Malayalam
2019Behindwoods Gold Medal AwardsBest Actor Critics’ Choice – Malayalam
2019Vikatan AwardsBest Actress – Tamil
2021Critics Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actress
2022Filmfare Awards SouthBest Actress Telugu
2022SIIMA AwardsEntertainer of the Year (South)
2023Ananda Vikatan Cinema AwardsBest Actress Tamil
2023Norway Tamil Film Festival AwardsBest Actress Tamil

Sai Pallavi Religion and Caste

Sai Pallavi follows Hinduism and belongs to the Badaga tribe of Tamil Nadu. She often visits temples and cites her faith as a source of strength.

Sai Pallavi Bigg Boss

Sai Pallavi made an appearance on Bigg Boss Telugu 4 as a guest. Her natural charm and down-to-earth personality won her many fans during her time on the show. While she is not a regular participant, her appearance on Bigg Boss added to her already growing popularity.

Films Appearance

Sai Pallavi has been featured in the following films so far released in different languages.

Year of ReleaseTitleLanguage
2003KasthurimanTamil, Malayalam
2008Dhaam DhoomTamil
2015PremamMalayalam
2016KaliMalayalam
2017FidaaTelugu
2017Middle Class AbbayiTelugu
2018DiyaTamil
2018KanamTelugu
2018KaruTamil, Telugu
2018Padi Padi Leche ManasuTelugu
2018Maari 2Tamil
2019AthiranMalayalam
2019Dhanush & Dhee: Rowdy BabyShort video in Tamil
2019NGKTamil
2020Paava KadhaigalTamil
2021Love StoryTelugu
2021Shyam Singha RoyTelugu
2022GargiTamil, Hindi
2022Virata ParvamTelugu
2024AmaranTamil

Favorites

FoodSweets
Actor Kamal Hassan
Actress Jyothika
CharacterAbhimanyu (Mahabharat)
ColorPink, blue, White

Sai Pallavi in Saree

Sai Pallavi has made a name for herself as a saree icon, and her fans love to see her in this traditional Indian attire.

One of the reasons why Sai Pallavi looks so stunning in a saree is because of her natural beauty. She has a simple yet elegant look that perfectly complements the saree. Her charm and grace make her stand out in any crowd, and her fans love to see her in this traditional Indian attire.

sai pallavi saree

One of Sai Pallavi’s most popular saree looks is from her movie Fidaa. In the movie, she wears a green and gold saree with a contrasting red blouse. This look became an instant hit among her fans, and many women were inspired to recreate the look. Sai Pallavi’s natural beauty and grace add to the charm of the saree, making it a popular choice for weddings and other traditional events.

sai pallavi saree

Another reason why Sai Pallavi looks so beautiful in a saree is because of her choice of colors and fabrics. She often wears bright and vibrant colors that complement her skin tone, and she chooses fabrics that drape well and accentuate her curves. Whether she is wearing a simple cotton saree or an embellished silk saree, Sai Pallavi always looks stunning.

sai pallavi saree

Sai Pallavi’s saree looks are also a reflection of her personality. She is known for her down-to-earth and humble nature, and this is reflected in her choice of sarees. She often chooses simple and elegant sarees that reflect her personality, and her fans love her for it.

Brand Ambassador

She is not doing endorsements for any brand or product for now. Reportedly, she turned down an offer of whooping Rs 2 crore contract for advertising a skin care beauty cream, saying she does not believe in such things.

Sai Pallavi Style

Sai Pallavi’s style is refreshing, simple, and elegant. She is known for her minimalistic fashion choices, often opting for traditional wear like sarees and salwars. Her down-to-earth personality reflects in her style, making her a role model for many.

Sai Pallavi and Nani Chemistry

Sai Pallavi and Nani’s chemistry in Fidaa (2017) was widely appreciated. Their natural, effortless camaraderie added depth to their characters and helped the film become a huge hit. The pairing became one of the most talked-about duos in Telugu cinema.

Some Other Facts

  • Her dancing idol is her mother.
  • Ranked 9th in Kochi Times list of a most desirable woman of 2019.
  • She participated in the dance reality show “Ungalil Yaar Adutha Prabhu Deva” in 2008.
  • Appeared in the dance show “Dhee Ultimate Dance Show (D4)” in 2009.