Rising with Grace: The Cinematic Debut of Sangeetha Kalyankumar
Sangeetha Kalyankumar, born and brought up in Madhavaram, Chennai, is quickly emerging as a promising talent in Tamil cinema. A proud Chennai native, she completed both her schooling and college education in the city, graduating in Visual Communication in 2021. Though her original ambition was to work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, her journey took a different turn, steering her in front of the camera.
From childhood, Sangeetha has been immersed in the arts, particularly as a classical dancer. This strong foundation in expressive movement made her transition into acting a natural one. While she had no initial plans to join the film industry, her academic exposure to media and her surroundings encouraged her to step into the limelight. Her passion for performance and comfort in front of the camera ultimately led her to embrace acting.
Interestingly, her entry into cinema was unplanned. During her college years, she auditioned for a role that would go on to define her debut — the female lead in the Tamil political drama “Parari” (2024). Directed by Ezhil Periyavedi, a former assistant to director Raju Murugan, the film stars Harisankar as Maran and Sangeetha Kalyankumar as Devaki. The story is set in rural Tamil Nadu, revolving around two neighboring villages locked in a feud over a hill of symbolic and political significance. Maran, belonging to a lower caste, faces both caste-based oppression and resistance to his love for Devaki.
Sangeetha’s portrayal of Devaki, a village woman caught in a web of social injustice and personal conflict, is both grounded and powerful. She has described the role as extremely challenging, requiring her to step far outside her comfort zone. The character demanded emotional depth, fluency in a regional Tamil dialect, and a complete rejection of glamour. It was a performance deeply rooted in realism and social relevance.
To truly embody Devaki, Sangeetha committed herself to an intensive preparation period. She relocated to Tiruvannamalai for five to six months before shooting began. There, she immersed herself in village life and underwent physical and emotional training, learning traditional farming techniques such as sugarcane and peanut harvesting. The cast and crew shot in real village locations, surrounded by genuine agricultural work, bringing authenticity to every frame.
Despite it being her debut, Sangeetha approached the role with professionalism and sincerity. She credits her training and the support of her team for helping her adjust to the raw and demanding environment of the film. The director, Ezhil Periyavedi, saw something unique in her — a spark that stood out among many auditions. Sangeetha felt a deep responsibility to live up to his expectations, pushing herself to deliver a performance that resonated with the film’s message.
She has expressed gratitude for being part of a project that tackles social issues, and is proud that her first role carries such weight and relevance. However, Sangeetha doesn’t want to limit herself to serious roles. She aspires to play a wide range of characters — from soft, emotional roles to rugged and versatile ones — across genres. Her goal is to take on more meaningful cinema that reflects both society and individual transformation.
In addition to her Tamil debut, she has already gained experience in television, having acted in a Telugu serial. Her mother is Telugu and her father is Tamil, which makes her fluent in both languages. Impressively, she also manages to speak Malayalam and Kannada, further broadening her reach across South Indian industries. A true “Chennai Ponnu,” she embraces her roots while looking forward to expanding her horizons.
While studying in her second year of college, Sangeetha received the opportunity that launched her acting career. From the moment she read the script of “Parari,” she was drawn to its narrative and the respectful way the team treated her. That early positive experience gave her the confidence to pursue acting seriously.
Today, she continues to seek out roles that challenge her both artistically and intellectually.
Sangeetha Kalyankumar delivers a standout performance in “Parari” — a role that marks a powerful debut in socially rooted cinema. With emotional restraint and natural grace, she brings authenticity to a complex character, proving her potential as one of the emerging faces in meaningful Tamil cinema.
As Sangeetha Kalyankumar begins her journey in the world of cinema, we wholeheartedly wish her continued success, creative fulfillment, and a future filled with memorable and versatile roles. May her dedication and passion continue to shine through in every performance she takes on.
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