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
Occupation | Actress and Doctor |
Birthplace | Kotagiri, The Nilgiris, Tamilnadu, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Age | 32 Years |
Hometown | Tamilnadu |
Date of Birth | 9 May 1992 |
Net Worth | USD 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 Member | Name |
Father | Senthamarai Kannan |
Mother | Radha Kannan |
Sister | Pooja (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.

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
Weight | 55 Kg |
Height (centimeters) | 165 cm, 1.65 m |
Height | 5 feet 5 inches |
Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Religion | Hinduism |
Figure Measurement | 34-26-34 |
Eye color | Dark Brown |
Hair color | Black |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Husband Name | not 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 :
Year | Award Name | Award Category |
2015 | Asiavision Awards | New Sensation in Acting – Female |
2016 | Asianet Film Awards | Special Jury Award |
2016 | 63rd Filmfare Awards South | Best Female Debut – Malayalam |
2016 | 5th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Female Debut – Malayalam |
2016 | Vanitha Film Awards | Best Newcomer – Actress |
2016 | IBNLive Movie Awards | Best Southern Debut |
2017 | Asianet Film Awards | Most Popular Actress |
2017 | Behindwoods Gold Medal | Best Actress – Malayalam |
2017 | CPC Cine Awards | Best Actress |
2018 | 65th Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu |
2018 | 7th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Telugu |
2019 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Actress – Malayalam |
2019 | Behindwoods Gold Medal Awards | Best Actor Critics’ Choice – Malayalam |
2019 | Vikatan Awards | Best Actress – Tamil |
2021 | Critics Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress |
2022 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress Telugu |
2022 | SIIMA Awards | Entertainer of the Year (South) |
2023 | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | Best Actress Tamil |
2023 | Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards | Best 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 Release | Title | Language |
2003 | Kasthuriman | Tamil, Malayalam |
2008 | Dhaam Dhoom | Tamil |
2015 | Premam | Malayalam |
2016 | Kali | Malayalam |
2017 | Fidaa | Telugu |
2017 | Middle Class Abbayi | Telugu |
2018 | Diya | Tamil |
2018 | Kanam | Telugu |
2018 | Karu | Tamil, Telugu |
2018 | Padi Padi Leche Manasu | Telugu |
2018 | Maari 2 | Tamil |
2019 | Athiran | Malayalam |
2019 | Dhanush & Dhee: Rowdy Baby | Short video in Tamil |
2019 | NGK | Tamil |
2020 | Paava Kadhaigal | Tamil |
2021 | Love Story | Telugu |
2021 | Shyam Singha Roy | Telugu |
2022 | Gargi | Tamil, Hindi |
2022 | Virata Parvam | Telugu |
2024 | Amaran | Tamil |
Favorites
Food | Sweets |
Actor | Kamal Hassan |
Actress | Jyothika |
Character | Abhimanyu (Mahabharat) |
Color | Pink, 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.

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.

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’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.