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Divya Padmini
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Divya Vishwanath, also known as Divya Padmini, is an actress in Malayalam and Tamil television series. She made her television debut on Manapporuttam serial alongside Prem Prakash.
Key Information
Career
[edit]While Padmini was studying at NSS College, Changanacherry, she was selected by her teachers to play the central character in a telefilm titled Anakha, which was to be produced by the college's newly formed theatre club.[2] The telefilm was aired in Asianet on Valentine's Day in 2006. Director Biju Varkey, who has made films like Phantom, noticed her and invited her to act in a non-commercial film titled Chandranilekkulla Vazhi. She acted as a village girl from a pulluvan background in the film.[3] She was also part of the Malayalam film Indrajith.[4]
Padmini was spotted by director P. Vasu and got her Tamil film debut in the 2011 film Puli Vesham, for which she was asked to change her name to Divya Padmini, adding her mother's maiden name to her name.[5] Since then she was seen in few more Tamil films, like the Ilaiyaraaja musical Ayyan[6][7] and Vilayada Vaa a film that focussed on carrom.[8][9]
In 2007, she acted in her first serial Manapporutham. She was also part of a few other serials like Ammathottil and Sthreedhanam. She also acted in Tamil serials. She made her Tamil debut in Sun TV's serial Pillai Nila and she also acted in Kayitham, in which she plays a school teacher called Parvathy, produced by Samuthirakani.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Padmini is from Kattappana in Idukki district. She is married to Ratish, an art director, and has settled in Mumbai.[11]
Filmography
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (July 2020) |
| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Chandranilekkoru Vazhi | Indira | Malayalam |
| 2007 | Indrajith | Lakshmi | Malayalam |
| 2011 | Puli Vesham | Thamarai | Tamil |
| 2011 | Ayyan | Selvi | Tamil |
| 2011 | Kasethan Kadavulada | Mamtha | Tamil |
| 2012 | Vilayada Vaa | Divya | Tamil |
| 2012 | Husbands in Goa | Rita | Malayalam |
| 2015 | Rock Star | Vani | Malayalam |
Television
[edit]| year | Serial | Channel | Language | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Anakha | Malayalam | Anakha | Telefilm | |
| 2007 | Manaporutham | Surya TV | Malayalam | Television Debut | |
| 2008 | Velankanni Mathavu | Surya TV | Malayalam | Reachal | |
| 2008-2009 | Ammathottil | Asianet | Malayalam | Seemanthini | |
| 2009 | Sthree Manassu | Surya TV | Malayalam | ||
| 2010 | Mattoruval | Surya TV | Malayalam | Deepa | |
| 2010 | Indhraneelam | Surya TV | Malayalam | Amrutha | |
| 2012-2014 | Pillai Nila | Sun TV | Tamil | Hema | Debut Tamil series |
| 2012-2016 | Sthreedhanam | Asianet | Malayalam | Divya Prashant MLA | |
| 2013-2014 | Kayitham | Puthuyugam TV | Tamil | Parvathy | |
| 2015 | Manassariyathe | Surya TV | Malayalam | Cameo | |
| 2016-2017 | Chandralekha | Sun TV | Tamil | Mangaiyakarasi Siddarth | |
| 2016 | Mizhirandilum | Surya TV | Malayalam | Meera | |
| 2017 | Maamattikutti | Flowers TV | Malayalam | Sandra | |
| 2018- 2019 | Gouri[12] | Surya TV | Malayalam | Gouri | Replaced Navami |
| 2018 | Police | ACV | Malayalam | Ganga | |
| 2022 | Kannathil Muthamittal | Zee Tamil | Tamil | Subathra | [13] |
Awards
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (August 2022) |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Serial | Role | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sun Kudumbam Awards | Best Jodi | Pillai Nila | Hema | Nominated |
| 2013 | Asianet Television Awards | Most Popular Actress | Sthreedhanam | Divya | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Sthreedhanam | Divya | Won | ||
| Best New Face | Sthreedhanam | Divya | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Most Popular Actress | Sthreedhanam | Divya | Won | |
| Best Actress | Sthreedhanam | Divya | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Best Pair | Sthreedhanam | Divya | Won | |
| Best Actress | Sthreedhanam | Divya | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "Actress Divya Vishwanath blessed with a baby girl". 22 April 2020.
- ^ "People advise me not to be so sweet: says Divya". The Times of India. 28 January 2014.
- ^ "People advise me not to be so sweet: says Divya". The Times of India. 28 January 2014.
- ^ "People advise me not to be so sweet: says Divya". The Times of India. 28 January 2014.
- ^ "People advise me not to be so sweet: says Divya". The Times of India. 28 January 2014.
- ^ "Movie Review : Ayyan". Sify. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Ayyan". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ^ "A film on the game of carom". Deccan Chronicle. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ "Vilaiyaada Vaa: A film on carrom". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 November 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "People advise me not to be so sweet: says Divya". The Times of India. 28 January 2014.
- ^ "People advise me not to be so sweet: Says Divya". The Times of India. 28 December 2013.
- ^ "Sthreedhanam actress Divya Viswanath to replace Navami in Gouri". The Times of India. 10 June 2018.
- ^ "Kannathil Muthamittal New Entertainment Serial for ZEE Tamil Audience". English.sakshi.com. 6 April 2022.
External links
[edit]Divya Padmini
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and family background
Divya Padmini was born Divya Vishwanath on June 17, 1986, in Kattappana, Idukki district, Kerala, India.[5] She was born to parents Vishwanath and Padmini Vishwanath, in a family of Malayali heritage.[6][7] Public details regarding her siblings or extended family background remain limited, with her origins tied to the scenic, plantation-rich region of Idukki.[8]Education
Divya Padmini attended NSS College in Changanacherry, Kerala, for her higher education, where she pursued and completed her graduation.[9] During her college years, she balanced her studies with initial forays into acting, as her teachers selected her to portray the central character in the telefilm Anakha.[9] This opportunity marked her early exposure to performance while she remained focused on her academic commitments. She completed her education prior to transitioning into a full-time acting career, with no further formal degrees or specialized training documented.[9]Career
Television debut and early roles
Divya Padmini made her entry into Malayalam television through the telefilm Anakha, which was produced by her college's newly formed theatre club and broadcast on Asianet on Valentine's Day in 2006. While pursuing her studies at NSS College, Changanacherry, she took on a lead role in this telefilm, marking her initial foray into the medium and gaining initial visibility among regional audiences.[1][6] Her breakthrough came with the serial Manapporuttam, which aired on Surya TV from 2007 to 2008, where she portrayed a supporting role alongside Prem Prakash. Directed by Biju Varkey, who had noticed her performance in Anakha, the serial focused on family dynamics involving a father and his three daughters, allowing Padmini to showcase her acting range in a non-lead capacity and earn early recognition in the industry.[1][10] In the following years, Padmini appeared in minor roles in other serials, including Velankanni Mathavu (2008, Surya TV), Ammathottil from December 2008 to November 2009 (Asianet), Sthree Manassu (2009, Surya TV), and Mattoruval (2010, Surya TV), which further solidified her presence in Malayalam television before she began exploring opportunities in Tamil productions. These early assignments helped her build a foundation in the regional TV landscape, emphasizing character-driven narratives typical of the era's family dramas.[11][1]Film appearances
Divya Padmini made her entry into cinema with a minor role as Indira in the Malayalam film Chandranilekkoru Vazhi (2008), marking her feature film debut alongside Vinu Mohan and Samyuktha Varma.[3][6] She followed this with a supporting part as Lakshmi in the Malayalam action drama Indrajith (2007), directed by Haridas and starring Kalabhavan Mani and Indrajith Sukumaran.[7][6] Transitioning to Tamil cinema, Padmini debuted in 2011 with the rural drama Puli Vesham, where she portrayed the significant character of Thamarai, a village woman entangled in family conflicts, opposite Kodi Ramakrishnan and Harish. That same year, she appeared in two more Tamil films: as Selvi in the musical drama Ayyan, a story of reincarnation and devotion scored by Ilaiyaraaja, and as Mamtha in the romantic comedy Kasethan Kadavulada.[12] Her roles in these early Tamil projects were supporting yet pivotal, often highlighting emotional depth amid ensemble casts. In 2012, Padmini took on the lead role of Divya in the Tamil sports drama Vilayada Vaa, centered on a carrom tournament and themes of friendship and rivalry, co-starring Vimal and Oviya. She also featured as Rita in the Malayalam ensemble comedy Husbands in Goa, a lighthearted tale of marital escapades in Goa, alongside Lal, Jayasurya, and Indrajith Sukumaran.[13] These appearances underscored her versatility across languages while balancing concurrent television commitments. Padmini's final noted film role to date is a cameo as Vani in the Malayalam romantic comedy Rockstar (2015), directed by V. K. Prakash and starring Rahman, focusing on the life of a rock musician.[14] Overall, her film career spans approximately seven projects, predominantly in supporting capacities within Malayalam and Tamil industries, emphasizing character-driven narratives over lead stardom.Major serials and hiatus
Divya Padmini's prominent role during her peak years was as the lead character Divya in the Malayalam serial Sthreedhanam, which aired on Asianet from December 2012 to August 2016. The storyline centered on a woman's resilience amid familial and societal pressures, and her portrayal garnered widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and relatability, making the character a household favorite among Malayali viewers. The serial's extended run of over 1,300 episodes underscored its popularity and Padmini's rising stardom in the industry.[1][15] Concurrently, from April 2012 to October 2014, she took on the role of Hema in the Tamil serial Pillai Nila on Sun TV, depicting a devoted friend entangled in complex relationships and betrayals. This performance marked a significant milestone, establishing her dual-language success by appealing to Tamil audiences and demonstrating her adaptability across regional television formats. The show's focus on female friendships and family bonds further highlighted her range in ensemble casts. She also starred in the Tamil serial Kayitham (November 2013–May 2014) on Puthu Yugam TV as the school teacher Parvathy.[16][17] Later roles included Chandralekha (2016–2017, Sun TV, Tamil), Mizhirandilum (2016, Surya TV, Malayalam), and Maamattikutti (2017, Flowers TV, Malayalam). Padmini's television career spanned actively from 2006 to 2019, encompassing debut supporting roles and evolving into lead positions that solidified her presence in Malayalam and Tamil media. Following Gouri (2018–2019, Surya TV, Malayalam), she entered a hiatus prompted by family commitments, including motherhood, with no on-screen appearances until 2022.[6]Return to acting
After a three-year absence from television following her last role in 2019, Divya Padmini resumed her acting career in 2022 by taking on a lead role in the Tamil serial Kannathil Muthamittal on Zee Tamil.[4] In the show, which explored themes of family bonds and emotional resilience, she portrayed Subathra, a central character dealing with interpersonal conflicts and personal growth.[18] The serial aired from April 2022 until May 2023, marking her re-entry into the medium after prioritizing family commitments during her break.[19] Since her return, Padmini has concentrated her efforts on Tamil-language television, appearing in supporting and lead capacities in serialized dramas that highlight nuanced family narratives.[2] As of November 2025, she has not announced any new film projects, continuing to select roles that align with her established presence in regional TV.[2]Personal life
Marriage
Divya Padmini is married to Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, an Indian film director and screenwriter working in Malayalam cinema who previously served as an art director and production designer.[20][21] The couple's relationship draws from shared experiences in the television and film industry, where Poduval began his career assisting in the art department of a Malayalam TV serial.[20]Family and residence
Divya Padmini and her husband, Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, form a family of three with their daughter Varadhakshina, who was born in April 2020 following a period of anticipation for the couple.[22] Ratheesh, a film director and screenwriter who previously worked as an art director in the Malayalam film industry, having begun his career assisting in the art department of television serials before transitioning to feature films.[20] The family has resided in Mumbai, India, since their marriage in early 2012, blending their South Indian heritage from Kerala's Idukki district with the opportunities of city-based professional pursuits.[1] This arrangement allows Divya to maintain connections to her roots while supporting her selective involvement in acting projects.[1]Awards and nominations
Asianet Television Awards
Divya Padmini received significant recognition from the Asianet Television Awards for her portrayal of the lead character in the Malayalam serial Sthreedhanam, which aired on Asianet and highlighted themes of family dynamics and women's empowerment.[23][24] In 2013, she shared the Best Actress award with Shelly Kishore for their respective roles in Sthreedhanam and Kumkumapoovu, acknowledging her nuanced performance as a resilient young woman navigating societal challenges.[23][7] The following year, in 2014, Padmini won the Most Popular Actress award for the same role in Sthreedhanam, reflecting the widespread audience appreciation for her character's emotional depth and relatability during the serial's peak popularity.[24][6] In 2015, she won the Best Star Pair award (shared with Rajeev Roshan) for Sthreedhanam and received a nomination for Best Actress for the same serial.[25] These accolades underscore her prominence in the Malayalam television landscape during the early 2010s, with no additional major Asianet honors documented after 2015.[6]Filmography
Films
Divya Padmini's film career began with her debut in the Malayalam film Indrajith (2007), directed by K. K. Haridas, where she portrayed Lakshmi.[1] She next appeared in the Malayalam non-commercial film Chandranilekkoru Vazhi (2008), directed by Biju Varkey, portraying Indira, a village girl from a Pulluva background.[26][3] She entered Tamil cinema with Kasethan Kadavulada (2011), a comedy directed by Thirumalai, in which she played the role of Mamtha. In the same year, she appeared in Puli Vesham (2011), a drama directed by P. Vasu, playing the supporting role of Thamarai.[27][28] Also in 2011, she featured in Ayyan, a Tamil drama directed by Kenthiran Muniasami, in the supporting role of Selvi.[12] Her subsequent Tamil film was Vilayada Vaa (2012), directed by Vijay Nantha, where she enacted the character of Divya.[29][30] Returning to Malayalam cinema, she featured in Husbands in Goa (2012), a comedy directed by Saji Surendran, playing the role of Rita.[13] Her final film appearance to date is in the Malayalam musical Rockstar (2015), directed by V. K. Prakash, in the cameo role of Vani.[31]Television serials
Divya Padmini began her television career in Malayalam-language productions before expanding into Tamil serials. Her notable works include both lead and supporting roles across various channels.[1] The following table lists her television serials, including telefilms, with details on years, channels, languages, and roles:| Year(s) | Title | Channel | Language | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Anakha (telefilm) | Asianet | Malayalam | Lead (Anakha) |
| 2007 | Manapporuttam | Asianet | Malayalam | Supporting (debut serial role) |
| 2008–2009 | Ammathottil | Asianet | Malayalam | Supporting |
| 2012–2016 | Sthreedhanam | Asianet | Malayalam | Divya Prashant MLA (lead) |
| 2012–2014 | Pillai Nila | Sun TV | Tamil | Hema |
| 2013–2014 | Kayitham | Puthuyugam TV | Tamil | Parvathy (school teacher) |
| 2022–2023 | Kannathil Muthamittal | Zee Tamil | Tamil | Subathra |
References
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5284701
