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Padmapriya Janakiraman Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth28 February 1980

Age45 Years

BirthplaceDelhi, India

ProfessionActor, Model, Dancer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseJasmine Shah

FamilyFather - Janakiraman; Mother - Vijaya; Brother - elder brother (name not known)

Padmapriya Janakiraman Biography

Padmapriya Janakiraman is an Indian actor, model and trained dancer known for her work across multiple Indian film industries. With awards from national to

Early life and background

Padmapriya Janakiraman was born on 28 February 1980 in Delhi and grew up with family ties to Secunderabad (now in Telangana). Her father served in the Indian Army with the rank of Brigadier and her mother’s name is Vijaya. Padmapriya began learning Bharatanatyam as a child under guru Jayalakshmi Eshwar and continued formal training, later completing a diploma in the dance form at Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University in 1997.

She attended Kendriya Vidyalaya in Trimulgherry, Secunderabad, and completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Loyola Academy. Padmapriya went on to earn an MBA in finance and marketing from KIAMS (Kirloskar Institute of Advanced Management Studies). Her later studies include a graduate diploma in environment protection and international conventions at the National Law School of India University and a master’s degree in public administration from New York University.

Career

Padmapriya built a multifaceted professional life that spans acting, modelling, dance and work in research and public service. Early in her career she worked outside the film industry, including as an analyst at GE Capital International Services and in consultancy and research roles with organisations such as Samata, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and the Centre for Policy Research. She also served as Project Head for cultural mapping at Sahapedia.

Her screen career began in the mid-2000s with roles across several regional film industries. In Telugu cinema she appeared as Vasanthi in Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi (2004); in Malayalam she played Lakshmi in Kaazhcha (2004); and in Tamil she made a noted early appearance in Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2005). She later acted in Kannada (Thamassu, 2010), Hindi (Striker, 2010) and Bengali (Aparajita Tumi, 2012) productions. She has also performed in the short film Maya (2018).

Padmapriya’s performances have been recognised with multiple awards and honours. She received a Special Mention at the National Film Awards for her work in Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009). State and industry recognitions include a Tamil Nadu State Film Award special prize, Kerala Film Critics Awards for multiple performances, Filmfare Awards South honours for debut and acting, and Vanitha Film Awards.

Public profile

Padmapriya has balanced an artistic career with academic and policy-oriented work. In 2017 she became an advisor and board member of Sahitya Kala Parishad in New Delhi, and she was a founder member of the Women In Cinema Collective, an organisation established to support women working in Malayalam cinema.

Her background in classical dance remained a visible part of her public identity; she has spoken about using a favourite stage costume, designed by her mother, in a film song. During her time at NYU pursuing public administration she experienced Hurricane Sandy while in New York and spent several days in a university shelter.

Personal life

Padmapriya is married to Jasmine Shah; the couple wed on 12 November 2014. She follows Hinduism. She won the Miss Andhra Pradesh title in 2001 during the early phase of her modelling career.

Latest updates

In addition to continuing her work in film and occasional short-format projects, Padmapriya has remained active in cultural and policy roles. Her appointments in 2017 to Sahitya Kala Parishad and her role in founding the Women In Cinema Collective are part of her more recent public activities.

She continues to be associated with organisations and projects that bridge arts, research and public policy, and her career reflects a mix of performance, academic achievement and institutional engagement.
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Recent Work

Maya

Short film in which she played the title role

2018
Aparajita Tumi

Bengali feature film; role: Kuku

2012
Striker

Hindi feature film; role: Madhu

2010
Thamassu

Kannada feature film; role: Dr Shanthi

2010
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Career Highlights

  1. Special Mention — National Film Awards for Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009)
  2. Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for Mirugam (2007)
  3. Filmfare Awards South — Best Female Debut (South) for Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2005)
  4. Multiple Kerala Film Critics Awards and Vanitha Film Awards
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Padmapriya Janakiraman born?

28 February 1980

What is Padmapriya Janakiraman known for?

Actor, Model, Dancer

What is Padmapriya Janakiraman’s marital status?

Married

Who is Padmapriya Janakiraman married to?

Jasmine Shah