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Sunaina
Sunaina
Sunaina
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Sunaina Yella is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films. She debuted in Telugu with Kumar Vs Kumari (2005) and in Tamil debut with Kadhalil Vizhunthen (2008).[1][2][3] She has since starred in the films Vamsam (2010), Neerparavai (2012), Trip and Raja Raja Chora (both 2021), and the television shows Nila Nila Odi Vaa (2018), Chadarangam (2020) and Inspector Rishi (2024).

Key Information

Early life and career

[edit]

Sunaina was born in April 1989 in Nagpur, India into a Telugu family. She was raised in Nagpur and later moved to Hyderabad along with her parents.

She had her first screen appearance in Kumar Vs Kumari (2005), a Telugu film. Her next film 10th Class (2006) was her first breakthrough in Telugu cinema. She next made her Malayalam and Kannada cinema debut in Best Friends (2006) and Gange Baare Thunge Baare (2008) respectively.

She rose to fame starring with Nakul in Kadhalil Vizhunthen (2008) which was her Tamil début film. Prior to that, she shot for a short scene in Sivaji (2007), which did not make the final cut. She later starred in Vamsam (2010) in which she appeared as a beautiful village girl and did very well, and continued with performance oriented films where she secured her first Filmfare nomination for Neerparavai (2012). Her performance was critically praised and she was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil.

After that she appeared in films like Samar (2013), Vanmam (2014) and also gave a guest appearance opposite Vijay in Theri (2016). She then appeared in Nambiyaar (2016), Kavalai Vendam (2016), Thondan (2017). In 2018, she acted in the drama film Kaali starring Vijay Antony and Anjali. Next, she appeared in Nila Nila Odi Vaa, Viu original romantic thriller series that released in September 2018.[4] She has also done Sillu Karupatti (2019), and comedian Yogi Babu’s film titled Trip (2021).

Raja Raja Chora (2021) was considered to be her comeback in Telugu cinema after 10th Class (2006). She had also appeared in the Amazon Prime Video series Inspector Rishi, released in 2024.

Filmography

[edit]
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Films

[edit]
Year Film Role Language Notes
2005 Kumar Vs Kumari Sudha Telugu
2006 Something Special Mahi
10th Class Sandhya
Best Friends Kavya Malayalam
2007 Pagale Vennela Swapna Telugu credited as Mythili
Missing Kavya
2008 Gange Baare Thunge Baare Ganga Kannada
Kadhalil Vizhunthen Meera Tamil
2009 Maasilamani Divya Ramanathan
2010 Yaathumagi Anna Lakshmi
Vamsam Malar Kodi
2012 Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam Valar Mathi
Thiruthani Sugeesha
Neerparavai Esther Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
2013 Samar Roopa
2014 Vanmam Vadhana
2016 Theri Bride Cameo appearance
Nambiar Saroja Devi
Kavalai Vendam Deepa
2017 Thondan Bagalamugi
Pelliki Mundu Prema Katha Anu Telugu
2018 Kaali Poo Mayilu (Parvathy) Tamil
2019 Enai Noki Paayum Thota Mythili
Sillu Karupatti Amudhini
2021 Trip Lidi (Paapi)
Raja Raja Chora Vidya Telugu
2022 Estate Reba Tamil
Laththi Kavitha Muruganantham
2023 Regina Regina
2024 Rocket Driver Kamala
2025 Kuberaa Shilpa Telugu
Deepa Tamil

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Language Network Notes Ref.
2018 Nila Nila Odi Vaa Nila Tamil Viu [4]
2019 High Priestess Radhika Telugu ZEE5 Appears in the episode "Friends" [5]
Fingertip Rekha Tamil Season 1; Appears under segment "Greed". [6][7]
2020 Chadarangam Kranthi Telugu [8]
2022 Meet Cute Kiran SonyLIV Appears under segment "Ex-Girlfriend" [9]
2024 Inspector Rishi Kathryn "Kathy" Tamil Amazon Prime Video

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sunaina

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sunainaa Harish Yella, known professionally as Sunaina, is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in the Tamil film industry, with additional roles in Telugu, , and . Born on 17 April 1989 in , , she began her acting career as a child artist in the 2005 Telugu film Kumar Vs Kumari. She rose to prominence with her lead debut in the 2008 Tamil romantic drama , co-starring , which marked her entry into lead roles in South Indian films. Sunaina's career spans diverse genres, from romantic dramas to action thrillers, showcasing her versatility as an trained in . Her breakthrough performance came in the 2012 Tamil drama Neerparavai, where she portrayed the younger version of the protagonist Esther, earning critical acclaim and a nomination for the – Tamil at the South. She followed this with supporting roles in commercially successful films such as the 2013 action thriller Samar opposite and the 2016 blockbuster Theri alongside Vijay, which became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year. In recent years, Sunaina has continued to take on challenging roles, including in the 2019 neo-noir film Enai Noki Paayum Thota with Dhanush, the 2021 Telugu heist comedy Raja Raja Chora, the 2022 horror-thriller Estate, and the 2023 action-drama Regina. She appeared in the early Telugu film 10th Class (2006) and ventured into Tamil films with the 2024 drama Rocket Driver. Beyond feature films, she has appeared in the 2022 Tamil web series Suzhal: The Vortex on Amazon Prime Video and the 2024 series Inspector Rishi on SonyLIV, highlighting her transition to digital streaming platforms, with the 2025 film Kuberaa upcoming. With a social media following of over 1 million on Instagram as of 2025, Sunaina remains an influential figure in South Indian entertainment.

Early life

Family background

Sunaina was born on 17 April 1989 in , , . Her parents are Harish Yella and Sandhya Yella. She has two siblings: a brother, Vijayent Yella, who works as a , and a sister, Sapna Yella. Raised primarily in , Sunaina grew up in a household in a predominantly Marathi-speaking environment. Later in her youth, she relocated to Hyderabad with her parents and siblings.

Education and early interests

Sunaina completed her schooling at Girls' High School in , . She later moved to Hyderabad for higher education, enrolling in a private college. From an early age, she showed a keen interest in , participating in activities during her school years that sparked her passion for acting. She was also a trained dancer, honing skills that later complemented her expressive on-screen presence. In 2004, Sunaina entered the Miss beauty pageant and won the title, marking her first significant exposure to modeling and boosting her confidence in the public eye.

Career

Debut and breakthrough films

Sunaina made her acting debut in the Telugu film Kumar Vs Kumari (2005), directed by Suresh Kumar, where she played the lead role opposite Vijay Bhaskar. She subsequently debuted in with Best Friends (2006) and in with Gange Baare Thunge Baare (2008), before transitioning to Tamil projects. In this , she portrayed Sudha, a character that marked her entry as a leading in following her modeling background. The film, produced by Tadakala Rajesh and Aavula Venkatesh, focused on lighthearted themes of love and family dynamics but received limited critical attention due to its modest production scale. Transitioning to Tamil cinema, Sunaina debuted in Kadhalil Vizhunthen (2008), a romantic directed by P. V. Prasath, starring alongside Nakul. She essayed the role of Meera, a wealthy young woman entangled in a complex love story involving guilt and obsession after a tragic accident. Critics praised her natural performance as a newcomer, noting her ability to convey emotional depth in key scenes, while the film itself was appreciated for its unconventional narrative and achieved commercial success as a . This role signified her shift toward Tamil projects, broadening her presence in South Indian cinema. In the intervening years, Sunaina appeared in supporting and lead roles in other Tamil films, consolidating her early career. In (2009), directed by , she played Divya Ramanathan, a instructor from an affluent background who becomes the love interest of the , an navigating neighborhood conflicts. The action-comedy received mixed reviews for its formulaic plot but was noted for its entertaining elements, with Sunaina's portrayal adding charm to the romantic subplot. Similarly, in (2010), directed by , she portrayed Malar Kodi, the female lead in a drama starring debutant Arulnidhi Ravi, where her character provides emotional support amid themes of revenge and . The film earned positive feedback for its realistic rural setting and Sunaina's sincere performance, contributing to its moderate box-office run. Sunaina's breakthrough came with Neerparavai (2012), directed by Seenu Ramasamy, where she played Esther, a young orphan raised in a church who arrives in a coastal fishing village to pursue missionary work and becomes central to a poignant tale of love, loss, and community struggles. Her intense and nuanced portrayal of the resilient character garnered widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers highlighting her ability to embody vulnerability and strength without heavy makeup, earning her comparisons to established performers. The film, co-starring Vishnu Vishal, was lauded for its poetic realism and authentic depiction of fisherfolk life, achieving both commercial success—ranking among the top performers in Chennai theaters during its run—and cultural resonance. This role elevated her prominence, establishing her as a versatile actress capable of handling demanding, character-driven narratives.

Expansion into television and recent roles

Following her early film successes in Tamil cinema, Sunaina expanded her career into television and digital platforms, marking a diversification in her portfolio. In 2018, she made her television debut with the web series , portraying the lead role of Nila, a who falls in love with a , in this Viu Original production co-starring . Sunaina further ventured into streaming content with her prominent role in the 2024 Amazon Prime Video series Inspector Rishi, where she played Kathryn , a key in the supernatural thriller led by . The series, directed by J. S. Nandhini, became the most-watched Tamil web show of 2024, highlighting her ability to contribute to ensemble narratives in the digital space. From 2013 onward, Sunaina continued her film work across multiple South Indian industries, often taking on roles that showcased her range from supporting parts to leads. In the 2014 Tamil drama , directed by Jai Krishna, she essayed Vadhana, a pivotal character in the story of friendship and revenge alongside and Kreshna, contributing to the film's exploration of rural life and moral dilemmas. Her collaboration with Vijay in the 2016 action thriller Theri, directed by Atlee, saw her as the bride in a brief but memorable sequence, adding to the film's high-energy family dynamics and marking a full-circle moment in her Tamil career. Sunaina's post-2016 projects reflected her growing presence in , including the 2021 heist comedy , where she played Vidya opposite , bringing emotional depth to the film's lighthearted take on thievery and relationships. In 2022, she portrayed Kavitha, the wife of the protagonist, in the Tamil , directed by A. Vinoth Kumar and starring Vishal, emphasizing themes of family protection amid high-stakes conflict. Her titular lead role as Regina in the 2023 Tamil revenge thriller Regina, directed by Domin D. Silva, allowed her to depict a woman's transformation from vulnerability to empowerment, earning praise for her nuanced performance alongside Ananth Nag. In 2024, Sunaina appeared as Kamala, a traffic constable, in the Tamil fantasy dramedy Rocket Driver, directed by Sriram Ananthashankar, where her role supported the whimsical narrative centered on a young A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, blending humor with inspirational elements opposite debutant Vishvath. Looking ahead, she is set to feature in the 2025 pan-Indian crime drama Kuberaa, directed by Sekhar Kammula, playing Shilpa, the wife of Nagarjuna's character, in a story of transformation and wealth, collaborating with Dhanush and Rashmika Mandanna. Throughout this period, Sunaina navigated career challenges, including gaps after films that she felt deserved better audience reception, such as (2012) and (2014). These setbacks prompted a selective approach to roles, leading to periods of reduced visibility before her resurgence in the 2020s. Her versatility shines through work spanning Tamil, Telugu, , and industries, allowing her to adapt to diverse genres from thrillers to comedies while maintaining a focus on character-driven stories.

Filmography

Feature films

Sunaina's feature film career spans Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and other South Indian languages, with her debut in 2005 and ongoing projects as of 2025. The following table catalogs her roles in chronological order.
YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
2005Kumar Vs KumariTBATeluguLead
200610th ClassSandhyaTeluguSupporting
2007Best FriendsTBAMalayalamLead
2008Kadhalil VizhunthenMeeraTamilLead
2008Gange Bare Thunge BareThungaKannadaSupporting
2009MasilamaniTBATamilSupporting
2010VamsamTBATamilSupporting
2010YathumagiTBATamilSupporting
2012NeerparavaiEstherTamilLead
2012ThiruthaniTBATamilSupporting
2012Pandi Oli Perukki NilayamTBATamilSupporting
2012KathirvelTBATamilSupporting
2013Vetadu VentaduTBATeluguSupporting
2013SamarRoopaTamilSupporting
2014VanmamTBATamilSupporting
2016TheriVijay's prospective brideTamilSupporting
2016NambiyaarTBATamilSupporting
2017Pelliki Mundu Prema KathaTBATeluguSupporting
2017ThondanTBATamilSupporting
2018KaaliTBATamilSupporting
2018KaasiTBATeluguSupporting
2019Sillu KaruppattiTBATamilSupporting
2019Enai Noki Paayum ThotaMythiliTamilSupporting
2020ThootaTBATeluguSupporting
2021Kutty StoryTBATamilSupporting (anthology segment)
2021Vasco The RebelTBATeluguSupporting
2021Raja Raja ChoraTBATeluguSupporting
2021TripTBATamilSupporting
2022LaththiKavithaTamilSupporting
2022LaattiTBATeluguSupporting
2022EstateTBATamilSupporting
2023ReginaTBATamilSupporting
2024Rocket DriverKamalaTamilSupporting
2025KuberaaShilpaTamilSupporting

Television and web series

Sunaina made her foray into web series with the Tamil-language romantic comedy Nila Nila Odi Vaa in 2018, where she portrayed the lead role of Nila, a vampire, on the Viu platform. The 13-episode series, directed by Nandhini JS, follows a tattoo artist who falls for his college crush, unaware of her supernatural identity. In 2024, she appeared in a supporting role as Kathy in the Tamil horror-crime drama web series Inspector Rishi on Amazon Prime Video. Created and directed by J. S. Nandhini, the series stars Naveen Chandra as a skeptical police inspector investigating mysterious deaths in a village plagued by supernatural elements, and it became one of the most-watched Tamil shows of the year.

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards

Sunaina received a nomination for the – Tamil at the South for her portrayal of the lead role in the 2012 film . The ceremony, honoring achievements in South Indian cinema for 2012, was held on July 20, 2013, at the Hyderabad International Convention and Exhibition Centre (HITEX) in Hyderabad, . In the Best Actress – Tamil category, Sunaina competed alongside for , Lakshmi Menon for Kumki, for , and for 3. The award was ultimately presented to for her performance in . This nomination marked Sunaina's sole recognition from the Filmfare Awards across all regional categories as of November 2025.

Other recognitions

Sunaina was crowned Miss in 2004 while still in school, a local title that marked her early entry into modeling and provided a launchpad for her acting career by connecting her with industry opportunities in Hyderabad. In recognition of her critically acclaimed performance as in the 2012 Tamil film , she received a nomination for the Vijay Award for , highlighting her ability to portray complex rural characters with emotional depth. By 2025, Sunaina had amassed over one million followers on , reflecting her enduring popularity and fan engagement across platforms.

References

  1. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/sunainaa/1083452
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3977708/
  3. https://starsunfolded.com/sunaina/
  4. https://www.harpersbazaararabia.com/culture/celebrity/sunaina-yella
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  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5483626/
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  25. https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/neerparavai/neerparavai-box-office-dec-23.html
  26. https://cinemaspice.in/2025/09/16/neerparavai-revisited-fans-champion-sunainas-unforgettable-performance/
  27. https://www.siasat.com/who-is-sunaina-khalid-al-ameris-rumoured-fiancee-from-hyderabad-3055950/
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  40. https://www.ottplay.com/interview/rocket-driver-actor-sunainaa-interview-i-like-to-be-part-of-project-instead-of-stand-out-and-be-selfish-exclusive/9ff21702af493
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  54. https://www.instagram.com/thesunainaa/
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