Shanthi Krishna

Shanthi Krishna, born on January 2, 1964, is one of those faces you just don’t forget if you’re into Malayalam cinema. She’s been around since the 80s, popping up in all sorts of roles, but honestly, people still talk about her comeback in Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela back in 2017. That film? Total crowd-pleaser. She played Sheela Chacko, a mom dealing with cancer, but she still brought so much warmth and dry humor to the role—it’s the kind of performance that sticks with you. Then you’ve got Kuttanadan Marpappa from 2018, where she flips the script and gets all sassy and sharp as the protagonist’s mother. She doesn’t just play the sweet, supportive mom cliché—there’s some real bite and wit in her scenes. Seriously, she’s got range. Go back to the 90s and there she is in Pandu Pandoru Rajakumari, holding her own in a totally different era of filmmaking, rocking those classic storylines and big expressive moments. It’s wild, because through all the changes in the industry, Shanthi’s performances never feel dated. She always brings something real, even if the movie itself is a bit melodramatic or over the top (hey, it was the 90s, everyone was doing it). Off-screen, folks say she’s just as genuine—maybe that’s why people connect with her roles so much. She’s not just another actress; she’s basically Malayalam cinema royalty at this point, and honestly, she deserves that title.