Devayani (actress)

Indian actress (born 1974)

Devayani

Devayani at Mumbai International Film Festival, 2014

Born|

Sushma Jayadev

(1974-06-22) 22 June 1974 (age 50)

Bombay, Maharashtra, India (now Mumbai)

Occupation| Actress
Years active| 1993–present
Spouse|

Rajakumaran

(m. 2001)​

Children| 2
Relatives| Nakul (brother)
Awards| Kalaimamani

Devayani Rajakumaran (born Sushma Jayadev 22 June 1974) is an Indian actress known for her works primarily in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. She also appears in few Kannada, Hindi and Bengali.

She has received for the Best Actress for her performances in Kadhal Kottai (1996), Suryavamsam (1997) and Bharathi (2000). She was honoured with a Kalaimamani Award in 2000. She won the Best Supporting Actress for the movie Azhagi (2002). She also won the Best Television Actress for her role in the serial Kolangal (2003–2009).She is one of the successful actress in 90s.She won various accolades for her contribution to cinema and TV. She won twice time Sun tv award and a Zee Tamil award for serials. She won lifetime achievement award in 2017 and 2022.

Devayani has directed a short film named ‘Kaikuttai Rani’.[1]

## Personal life

[edit]

Devayani was born on 22 June 1974[2] in Mumbai, Maharashtra to a Konkani father from Mangalore and a Malayali mother.[3] She has two younger brothers Nakkhul and Mayur. The former is working as an actor and singer in the Tamil film industry,[4] while the latter would also make his acting debut in an upcoming film.[5]

She dated director Rajakumaran, with whom she had worked on a few films for several years. Both their parents did not approve of their relationship, which led the couple to elope,[6] and marry privately on 9 April 2001.[7] They have two daughters, Iniya and Priyanka.[8][9]

## Career

[edit]

Devayani began her career in the Hindi film Koyal, which was later cancelled during its production stage.[10] She later appeared in Bengali film Shaat Ponchomi (1993).[11] She also acted in a Marathi film before debuting in the South with lead roles in Malayalam films as Kinnaripuzhayoram (1994).

Devayani made her debut with the film Thotta Chinungi (1995). Flaunting her glamorous avatar, the actress gained popularity in 1996 with the film Kadhal Kottai. She starred opposite Ajith in the film which was directed by Agathiyan. The film received positive acclaim among the audience.[12] The movie was successful in establishing Devayani as the most successful actress in South Indian Cinema.[13] Devayani, later, appeared in many films opposite several renowned names in the film industry.[14]

She was a part of several successful films, including Surya Vamsam (1997), Marumalarchi (1998), Ninaithen Vandhai (1998), Nee Varuvai Ena (1999), Bharathi (2000), Thenali (2000), Friends (2001), Aanandham (2001) and Azhagi (2002).She worked with various top directors Agathiyan, vikraman, K. Ragavendra rao,Bhimaneni Srinivasa Rao, k.S Ravikumar, Dhinesh babu, gana rajasekar,vasanth, rama narayana, siddque, lingusamy, thagarbachan, V. V vinayk,Sj surya, sundarc, joshy, T. K rajeevkumar, koratala shiva, krish, sekar kamula, p. Vasu (screen sharing in 2 movies), Her first Malayalam movie story by priyadharshan.

The late 90s and early 2000s were the golden years for Devayani as she delivered over 50 films, and most of them were blockbusters.[15]

Devayani over the years played powerful female characters until 2001 when she fell in love with Rajakumaran who directed her Vinnukum Mannukum. She has also played small cameos in hit movies like Panchathantiram (2002) alongside Kamal Haasan.

She has become a virtual cult figure in Tamil Nadu after the success of the Mega Serial Sun TV's serial Kolangal (2003–2009).

She has produced a few films that her husband directs, a notable one being Thirumathi Thamizh (2013) where she played an important role.[16]

In the late 2010s she was a judge on a reality show on Mazhavil Manorama titled Ugram Ujwalam. In 2021, she acted in Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, a Tamil serial of Zee Tamil.[17] Later, she slowly took up the role of mother.[18]

## Filmography

[edit]

List of Devayani film credits  Year  | Title  | Role  | Language  | Notes

|
|
|
|

1993 | Shaat Ponchomi |  | Bengali | Credited as Sushma
Dhusar Godhuli | Moulika | Credited as Koel
1994 | Kinnaripuzhayoram | Indhu | Malayalam | Malayalam Debut
1995 | Achan Rajavu Appan Jethavu | Alice |
Three Men Army | Shubha |
Kakkakum Poochakkum Kalyanam | Latha.S.Pillai |
Dil Ka Doctor | Dolly | Hindi | Credited as Koyal and Hindi cinema debut
Thotta Chinungi | Ramya | Tamil | Tamil Debut
1996 | Kalloori Vaasal | Nivetha |
Chhota Sa Ghar | Vidya | Hindi | Credited as Koyal
Kadhal Kottai | Kamali | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
Poomani | Vijaya |
Sivasakthi | Guest Appearance |
Mahathma | Saraswathi | Malayalam |
Kinnam Katta Kallan | Anju |
Mr. Clean | Nirmala |
Kaathil Oru Kinnaram | Megha |
Ajay | Anjali | Hindi |
1997 | Vivasaayi Magan | Jyothi | Tamil |
Kaadhali | Soubhagyavathi |
Periya Idathu Mappillai | Lakshmi |
Surya Vamsam | Nandhini | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1998 | Suswagatham | Sandhya | Telugu | Telugu Debut
Kizhakkum Merkkum | Malli | Tamil |
Marumalarchi | Jayanthi |
Udhavikku Varalaamaa | Mythili |
Swarnamukhi | Swarnamukhi |
Ninaithen Vandhai | Savithri |
Moovendhar | Vaidegi |
Poonthottam | Sundari |
Senthooram | Otta Rosa (Megala) |
Srimathi Vellostha | Archana | Telugu |
En Uyir Nee Thaane | Janaki | Tamil |
Pudhumai Pithan | Aarthi |
1999 | Thodarum | Seetha Anand |
Kummi Paattu | Amaravathi |
Nee Varuvai Ena | Nandhini | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
Oruvan | Nandhini |
Premotsava | Chandana | Kannada | Kannada Debut
Nilave Mugam Kaattu | Kasthuri | Tamil |
Paattali | Sakunthala |
Manikyam | Meenakshi | Telugu |
2000 | Vallarasu | Anjali Vallarasu | Tamil |
Appu | Seetha |
Ennamma Kannu | Gayathri |
Bharathi | Chellamal Bharathi | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
Thenali | Jalaja Kailash |
Kannukku Kannaga | Devi |
2001 | Friends | Padmini |
En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri | Maheswari |
Vinnukum Mannukum | Devayani |
Aanandham | Bharathi | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
Ninaikkaadha Naalillai | Kavitha |
Sundara Purushan | Jyothika Menon | Malayalam |
Kottai Mariamman | Rajeswari | Tamil |
2002 | Vivaramana Aalu | Pappu |
Azhagi | Valarmathi Shanmugham | ITFA Best Supporting Actress Award
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil
Panchathantiram | Nirmala |
Thenkasi Pattanam | Sangeetha |
Guruvamma | Guruvamma |
Samasthanam | Divya |
Padai Veetu Amman | Samundi |
Chennakesava Reddy | Chennakesava Reddy's sister | Telugu |
2003 | Kadhaludan | Kavitha | Tamil | Also producer
Bheeshmar | Gowri Bheeshmar |
Balettan | Radhika | Malayalam |
2004 | Naani | Indira Devi | Telugu | Simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil
New | Indira | Tamil
Sivaram | Nandhini | Telugu |
Giri | Suryaprakash's wife | Tamil |
Sema Ragalai | Devi |
Senthalam Poovae |  |
Soumyam |  | Malayalam |
2005 | Naran | Janaki |
2009 | Aiyantham Padai | Kalpana | Tamil |
2010 | Oru Naal Varum | Rajalekshmi | Malayalam |
2011 | Sarkar Colony | Padmini |
2013 | Thirumathi Thamizh | Jothi | Tamil | Also producer
2015 | Sagaptham | Lakshmi |
Strawberry | Shanthi |
2016 | Janatha Garage | Prabha Sathyam | Telugu |
2017 | My School | Mahalakshmi | Malayalam |
2018 | Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava | Suguna | Telugu |
Ezhumin | Bharathi | Tamil |
Kalavani Mappillai | Rajeswari |
2019 | NTR: Kathanayakudu | Akkineni Annapurna | Telugu |
2021 | Love Story | Mounica's mother | Telugu |
Madhagaja | Rathnamma | Kannada |
2023 | Anuragam | Mercy | Malayalam | [19]
2024 | Devaki Nandana Vasudeva | Devaki | Telugu |
2025  | Nizharkudai | Jothi  | Tamil  | [20]
Genie † | TBA | Filming[22]
Key  †  | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

|

## Television

[edit]

### Serials

[edit]

Year | Serial | Role | Language | Channel

|
|
|
|

2003–2009 | Kolangal | Abinaya(Abi) | Tamil | Sun TV
2007–2008 | Manjal Magimai | Soundarya/Neeraja | Kalaignar TV
2010–2011 | Kodi Mullai | Anna Kodi/Malar Kodi | Raj TV
2011–2013 | Muthaaram | Ranjini Devi / Sivaranjani | Sun TV
2019–2020 | Rasaathi | Illavarasi Soundaravalli
2021–2022 | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal | Lakshmi | Zee Tamil
2021 | Sembaruthi | Amman (Cameo)
2023 | Maari | Muthupechi (Cameo)

### Shows

[edit]

Year | Serial | Role | Language | Notes

|
|
|
|

2015–2016 | Ugram Ujjwalam season 2 | Judge | Malayalam | Mazhavil Manorama
2016–2017 | Jodi Number One | Tamil | Vijay TV
2017 | Junior Super Stars Season 2 | Zee Tamil
2022 | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Niraivu Vizha | Lakshmi

## Awards and honours

[edit]

Year  | Award Category  | Work  | Result

|
|
|

1996 | Tamil Nadu State Film Special Award for Best Actress | Kaadhal Kottai | Won[23]
1997 | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress | Surya Vamsam | Won[24]
2000 | Bharathi | Won[citation needed]
Kalaimamani Award by Tamil Nadu Government | Contribution to Tamil Cinema | Won[25]
2002 | ITFA Best Supporting Actress Award | Azhagi | Won[26]
2004 | Pace Awards Best Television Actress | Kolangal | Won[27]
Vivel Chinna Thirai Awards Best Actress | Nominated[28]
2007 | Tamil Nadu State Television Award for Best Actress | Won[29]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Devayani interview: On directing short film, 'Kaikuttai Rani', and how 'Kolangal' changed her life". The Hindu. 3 February 2025. Archived from the original on 5 February 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
2. ^ Devayani on Record July 03,2011 Part 1. Event occurs at [time needed] - via YouTube.
3. ^ "Devayani latest interview: Actress shares the love story". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). 28 April 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
4. ^ "I never gave her a gift: Nakul". The Times of India. 5 August 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
5. ^ "I want to earn a good name: Nakul". The Times of India. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
6. ^ "The Hindu: Tinsel to TV". The Hindu. 6 December 2003. Archived from the original on 30 May 2004.
7. ^ "Devayani's wedding". Tamil Movies. 19 April 2001. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008.
8. ^ "Taking care of children, my first priority: Devayani". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012.
9. ^ "Former South Actress Devayani is Now a School Teacher". NDTV.com. 5 December 2014.
10. ^ "The Hindu: Cinema Plus / Columns: My first break – Devayani". The Hindu. 11 April 2008. Archived from the original on 13 April 2008.
11. ^ "Actress Devayani acted in Hindi, Bengali and Marathi films before making her Tamil debut". The Times of India. 21 May 2018.
12. ^ "Actress Devayani Rajakumaran's Pictures With Daughters The Cutest Thing On Internet Today". 10 January 2024.
13. ^ "Actress Devayani Rajakumaran's Pictures With Daughters The Cutest Thing On Internet Today". 10 January 2024.
14. ^ "Actress Devayani Rajakumaran's Pictures With Daughters The Cutest Thing On Internet Today". 10 January 2024.
15. ^ "UnforgettableOnes: Actress Devayani". The Times of India. 25 May 2022.
16. ^ "Devayani's comeback in Thirumathi Thamizh". The Times of India.
17. ^ "Devayani Rajakumaran set to make her TV comeback with Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal; details inside". The Times of India. 9 March 2021.
18. ^ "Senior Actress Devayani turns school teacher for a private school".
19. ^ "Gautham Vasudev Menon's Malayalam Film Anuragam To Be Released On This Date". News18. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
20. ^ M, Narayani (30 April 2025). "Nizhar Kudai Trailer: Devayani becomes entangled in a tale of love and longing". Cinema Express. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
21. ^ "Jayam Ravi's next titled Genie: Krithi Shetty, Kalyani Priyadarshan, and Wamiqa Gabbi roped in for the project". The Indian Express. 5 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
22. ^ "Jayam Ravi's next titled Genie: Krithi Shetty, Kalyani Priyadarshan, and Wamiqa Gabbi roped in for the project". The Indian Express. 5 July 2023. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
23. ^ "Tamilnadu Government Cinema Awards". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
24. ^ "Tamilnadu Government Cinema Awards". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 3 February 1999. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
25. ^ "Kalaimamani Awards Announced". The Hindu. 8 October 2000. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012.
26. ^ "Best Malaysian Tamil DVD VCD AUDIO Tamil Movies selling portal veenaimovies.com". Archived from the original on 4 July 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
27. ^ "Devayani, Venu Aravind get awards". The Hindu. 20 September 2005. Archived from the original on 8 December 2006.
28. ^ "Winners List of Vivel Chinna Thirai Awards 2008". Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
29. ^ "Tamil Nadu State Television Awards Announced: Best Actress Devayani". Dinamani. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Devayani at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress

1967–1980|

* K. R. Vijaya (1967)
* Padmini (1968)
* Sowcar Janaki (1969)
* K. R. Vijaya (1970)
* — (1971)
* — (1972)
* — (1973)
* — (1974)
* — (1975)
* — (1976)
* Latha (1977)
* Lakshmi (1978)
* Saritha (1979)
* Suhasini (1980)

1981–2000|

* Sridevi (1981)
* Saritha (1982)
* — (1983)
* — (1984)
* — (1985)
* — (1986)
* — (1987)
* Saritha (1988)
* Radhika (1989)
* Revathy (1990)
* Khushbu Sundar (1991)
* Sukanya (1992)
* Meena (1993)
* Rajashree (1994)
* Khushbu Sundar (1995)
* Shruti (1996)
* Meena & Devayani (1997)
* Roja (1998)
* Simran (1999)
* Devayani (2000)

2001–present|

* Sneha (2001)
* Meena (2002)
* Laila (2003)
* Jyothika (2004)
* Jyothika (2005)
* Priyamani (2006)
* Jyothika (2007)
* Sneha (2008)
* Padmapriya Janakiraman (2009)
* Amala Paul (2010)
* Ineya
* Lakshmi Menon (2012)
* Nayanthara (2013)
* Aishwarya Rajesh (2014)

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* Australia

People|

* Trove

*[m.]: married
*[†]: Film has not yet been released
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