Sai Pallavi

Sai Pallavi Senthamarai Kannan (pronounced; born 9 May 1992) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. Known for her natural, girl-next-door screen presence and for portraying women in emotionally challenging circumstances. She has received several accolades, including a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, seven Filmfare Awards South, and three SIIMA Awards. One of South India's highest-paid actresses, she was featured in Forbes India's 2020 list of 30 Under 30. She was honoured with the Kalaimamani award by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2021.

Following early appearances in films as a child artist and background dancer in uncredited roles, as well as participation in regional television dance shows and commercial advertisements, Her breakthrough as a leading actress came with Alphonse Puthren's 2015 Malayalam romantic film Premam. She portrayed Malar, a lecturer who becomes the romantic interest of the protagonist. Pallavi's performance received widespread critical acclaim and established her as a prominent actress in Malayalam cinema, earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. Her Telugu debut came with Sekhar Kammula's romantic drama Fidaa (2017). She portrayed Bhanumathi, an independent, outspoken village girl from Banswada, Telangana. Pallavi insisted on dubbing in her own voice, mastering the local Telangana dialect, which was critically praised alongside her dance performance in the viral song "Vachinde". Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu at the 65th Filmfare Awards South. She made her debut in Tamil cinema with A. L. Vijay's bilingual horror drama Diya (2018). However the film failed to make a significant mark at the box office.

Pallavi has since appeared in films across Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam cinema, including Kali (2016), Middle Class Abbayi (2017), Maari 2 (2018), Athiran (2019), Paava Kadhaigal (2020), Love Story (2021), Shyam Singha Roy (2021), Virata Parvam (2022), Gargi (2022), Amaran (2024), and Thandel (2025). Her performances in Gargi, Amaran, and Love Story earned her Filmfare recognition, while her performances in Shyam Singha Roy and Virata Parvam earned her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu.

Pallavi made her debut in Hindi cinema with the romantic drama Ek Din (2026). Despite high expectations surrounding her Bollywood debut, the film struggled at the box office and received mixed reviews. She is set to star as Sita in Nitesh Tiwari's two-part mythological epic Ramayana.

In addition to acting, Pallavi is noted for her dancing performances. Her song "Rowdy Baby", performed with Dhanush in Maari 2, became the first South Indian video song to surpass one billion views on YouTube.