Actress Kalyani Priyadarshan has been making headlines ever since the release of her film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra.The movie has taken the industry by storm.
With powerful storytelling and stunning visuals, it is Malayalam cinema’s first female superhero film. People have been wondering, who is Kalyani? Born into one of the most celebrated film families in South India, Kalyani Priyadarshan is the daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan and former actress Lissy Lakshmi. She studied architecture at Parsons School of Design in New York, one of the most prestigious design schools. During her time in the US, she also dabbled in theatre.
Kalyani Priyadarshan’s acting career
Her passion for acting started during her theatre days, which nurtured her growth as an actor. She made her acting debut in the Telugu film Hello (2017), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. She then expanded to Tamil cinema with Hero (2019) and Malayalam cinema with VaraneAvashyamund (2020). However, before her acting career, Kalyani Priyadarshan worked with Hrithik Roshan on Krrish 3 (2013) as an assistant production designer under Sabu Cyril.
Since 2017, Kalyani Priyadarshan has worked in over 15 movies. Her father, Priyadarshan, is a director and screenwriter known for films like Virasat, Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, BhagamBhag, and BhoolBhulaiyaa, to name a few. He has won three National Film Awards and was honored with the Padma Shri in 2012. In August 2025, he announced his intention to retire after completing several landmark projects, including Bhoot Bangla, Haiwaan, and Hera Pheri 3.
Priyadarshan is currently filming the Haiwaan, a remake of his own Malayalam film Oppam. The movie stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, and will also feature a cameo appearance by Mohanlal.