Trisha Krishnan is one of the most recognised and enduring actresses in South Indian cinema, celebrated across Tamil and Telugu films for over two decades. Widely called the “Queen of South India,” she is among the highest-paid actresses in the country as of 2026. Fans constantly search for her latest films, net worth, personal life, and her recent public appearances alongside actor-turned-politician Vijay.
Trisha Krishnan Biography, Wiki
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Trisha Krishnan |
| Date of Birth | 4 May 1983 |
| Age (2026) | 43 years |
| Birthplace | Madras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Palakkad Iyer (Tamil Brahmin) |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 52 kg (approx.) |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Known For | 96, Ponniyin Selvan, Ghilli, Saamy, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa |
| Father’s Name | Krishnan Iyer (deceased, October 2012) |
| Mother’s Name | Uma Iyer (Uma Krishnan) |
| Siblings | None (only child) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| First Husband / Wife | Not applicable |
| Current Husband / Wife | Not publicly confirmed |
| Children | None publicly confirmed |
| School | Sacred Heart Matriculation School, Church Park, Chennai |
| College / University | Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai |
| Degree / Qualification | Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) |
| Political Party | N/A |
| Current Position / Role | Lead Actress – Tamil and Telugu Cinema |
| Net Worth (estimated) | ₹85 crore – ₹100 crore (as of 2026) |
| Monthly Income (estimated) | ₹3 crore – ₹5 crore (per film basis) |
| Twitter / X | @trishtrashers |
| @trishakrishnan | |
| Not publicly active | |
| YouTube | No official channel confirmed |
| Official Website | Not publicly confirmed |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Language | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Jodi | Tamil | Minor supporting role (debut) |
| 2002 | Mounam Pesiyadhe | Tamil | First lead role; opposite Suriya |
| 2003 | Saamy | Tamil | Major breakthrough; opposite Vikram |
| 2003 | Lesa Lesa | Tamil | Priyadarshan directorial |
| 2004 | Varsham | Telugu | Telugu debut; Filmfare Award winner |
| 2004 | Ghilli | Tamil | Opposite Vijay; blockbuster |
| 2004 | Aayutha Ezhuthu | Tamil | Mani Ratnam directorial |
| 2005 | Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana | Telugu | Filmfare and Nandi Award winner |
| 2005 | Athadu | Telugu | Commercial success |
| 2005 | Aaru | Tamil | Opposite Suriya |
| 2006 | Unakkum Enakkum | Tamil | Blockbuster |
| 2007 | Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule | Telugu | Third Filmfare Award win |
| 2008 | Abhiyum Naanum | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award winner |
| 2008 | Krishna / King | Telugu | Dual blockbuster year |
| 2010 | Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa | Tamil | Career-defining romantic role |
| 2010 | Khatta Meetha | Hindi | Bollywood debut |
| 2014 | Power | Kannada | Kannada debut |
| 2015 | Yennai Arindhaal | Tamil | Action thriller; opposite Ajith |
| 2016 | Kodi | Tamil | Filmfare Critics Award winner |
| 2018 | 96 | Tamil | Filmfare Best Actress – Tamil winner |
| 2018 | Hey Jude | Malayalam | Malayalam debut |
| 2022 | Ponniyin Selvan: I | Tamil | As Kundavai; Mani Ratnam epic |
| 2023 | Ponniyin Selvan: II | Tamil | Reprised Kundavai role |
| 2023 | Leo | Tamil | Highest-grossing film of her career |
| 2024 | Brinda (Web Series) | Telugu/Tamil | OTT debut on Sony LIV; 8 episodes |
| 2025 | Identity | Tamil | Opposite Tovino Thomas |
| 2025 | Vidaamuyarchi | Tamil | Opposite Ajith Kumar |
| 2025 | Thug Life | Tamil | Opposite Kamal Haasan; Mani Ratnam |
| 2026 | Karuppu | Tamil | Opposite Suriya; releases May 14, 2026 |
| TBA | Vishwambhara | Telugu | Opposite Chiranjeevi; release TBA |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Won Miss Salem, then Miss Chennai pageant |
| 1999 | Minor role in Tamil film Jodi (uncredited) |
| 2000 | Appeared in Falguni Pathak’s music video alongside Ayesha Takia |
| 2001 | Won Beautiful Smile award at Femina Miss India 2001 |
| 2002 | First lead role in Mounam Pesiyadhe opposite Suriya |
| 2003 | Breakthrough with Saamy opposite Vikram |
| 2004 | Telugu debut with Varsham; won first Filmfare Award |
| 2006 | Received the Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani Award |
| 2008 | Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Abhiyum Naanum |
| 2010 | Career-defining performance in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa |
| 2010 | Made Bollywood debut with Khatta Meetha |
| 2015 | Engaged to Varun Manian in January; engagement called off in May |
| 2016 | Won Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Tamil for Kodi |
| 2018 | Won Filmfare Best Actress – Tamil for 96 |
| 2022–23 | Starred in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan Part I and II |
| 2023 | Starred in Leo; became her highest-grossing film |
| 2024 | OTT debut with crime thriller series Brinda on Sony LIV |
| 2026 | Karuppu with Suriya releasing May 14, 2026 |
Trisha Krishnan Awards and Achievements Table (Major)
| Year | Award | Given By | Film / Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Best Actress – Telugu | Filmfare Awards South | Varsham |
| 2005 | Best Actress – Telugu | Filmfare Awards South | Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana |
| 2005 | Best Actress | Nandi Awards | Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana |
| 2006 | Kalaimamani Award | Tamil Nadu Government | Lifetime contribution |
| 2007 | Best Actress – Telugu | Filmfare Awards South | Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule |
| 2008 | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Tamil Nadu Government | Abhiyum Naanum |
| 2016 | Filmfare Critics Award Best Actress – Tamil | Filmfare | Kodi |
| 2018 | Best Actress – Tamil | Filmfare Awards South | 96 |
Trisha Krishnan Early Life and Family
Trisha Krishnan was born on 4 May 1983 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu. She grew up in Chennai and has spent most of her life in the city. Her family background is rooted in Tamil Brahmin culture, specifically the Palakkad Iyer community.
She was very close to her father, who passed away in October 2012. Her mother Uma Krishnan has been her constant companion throughout her career, accompanying her on film shoots, events, and public appearances. Trisha often speaks about how deeply her mother has supported her at every stage of life.
Trisha Krishnan Father Name
Her father’s name was Krishnan Iyer. He was not a public figure and maintained a private life. He passed away in October 2012. Trisha has spoken with great affection about her father in interviews over the years.
Trisha Krishnan Mother Name
Her mother’s name is Uma Iyer, widely known as Uma Krishnan. Uma has turned down several acting offers, including from filmmaker Kamal Haasan, choosing instead to dedicate her time fully to Trisha’s career. Trisha has described her mother as “the pillar of my strength.” The two have also appeared together in a television commercial.
Trisha Krishnan Siblings and Family Background
Trisha is an only child. She has no siblings. Her family belongs to the Palakkad Iyer community, a Tamil Brahmin group with roots in the Palakkad region of Kerala. She currently resides in Chennai with her mother and grandmother.
Trisha Krishnan Education and Qualifications
Trisha Krishnan completed her schooling at Sacred Heart Matriculation School in Church Park, Chennai. She later enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme at Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai.
She had initially aspired to become a criminal psychologist before modelling and film offers changed her path. Balancing a film career alongside her degree was difficult, and she attended summer classes to keep up with her coursework. She eventually completed her BBA degree.
She is fluent in Tamil, English, Hindi, and French, which reflects a strong educational foundation alongside her professional career.
Trisha Krishnan Career
Trisha Krishnan entered the entertainment world through beauty pageants in 1999. She won the Miss Salem title, then won the Miss Chennai contest the same year. In 2001, she won the Beautiful Smile award at the Femina Miss India pageant.
Early Appearances and Debut (1999–2002)
Trisha’s first on-screen appearance was a minor supporting role as Simran’s friend in the Tamil romantic drama Jodi (1999). She had no credited role and the appearance went largely unnoticed. In 2000, she appeared in Falguni Pathak’s popular music video Meri Chunar Udd Udd Jaye alongside Ayesha Takia.
Director Priyadarshan approached her for Lesa Lesa, which was meant to be her lead debut. However, the film’s release was delayed. As a result, her first lead role released in 2002 with Ameer Sultan’s Mounam Pesiyadhe opposite Suriya. The film earned her early praise for her fresh screen presence.
Breakthrough Years (2003–2008)
Hari’s action film Saamy (2003) with Vikram became a blockbuster and established Trisha as a sought-after actress in Tamil cinema. The film’s massive success brought her several high-budget offers almost immediately.
Her Telugu debut came in 2004 with Varsham, which ran in theatres for over 175 days and became one of the biggest hits of the year. Critics celebrated her performance as Sailaja, and she won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. The same year, she starred opposite Vijay in Ghilli, which also became a major commercial success.
She won her second Filmfare Award for Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2005) and a Nandi Award for the same film. She then went on to win her third Filmfare Award for Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule (2007).
Her performance in the emotional father-daughter drama Abhiyum Naanum (2008) won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress, marking the first major critical acknowledgment of her acting depth.
2010s: Sustained Dominance
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), directed by Gautham Menon, became a cultural milestone in Tamil cinema. Her chemistry with Silambarasan in the film remains fondly remembered. She made her Bollywood debut that same year with Khatta Meetha opposite Akshay Kumar.
In 2015, she delivered two notable action thrillers: Yennai Arindhaal opposite Ajith Kumar and Thoongaa Vanam. The political thriller Kodi (2016) earned her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Tamil.
Her most acclaimed performance came in 96 (2018), a deeply moving romantic drama directed by C. Prem Kumar. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for the film, and the role is widely considered among her finest work.
2020s: Epic Scale and OTT Debut
Trisha joined Mani Ratnam’s massive period epic Ponniyin Selvan as Princess Kundavai, appearing in both Part I (2022) and Part II (2023). The films were among the biggest Tamil productions ever made.
In 2023, she starred in Leo opposite Vijay, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Leo became the highest-grossing film in her career to date.
In August 2024, she made her OTT debut with the Telugu crime thriller web series Brinda on Sony LIV. She played SI Brinda Krishna across 8 episodes and received strong critical reviews for her understated, natural performance.
In 2025, she starred in Identity opposite Tovino Thomas, Vidaamuyarchi opposite Ajith Kumar, and Thug Life directed by Mani Ratnam opposite Kamal Haasan.
Her 2026 release Karuppu, a fantasy action drama with Suriya directed by RJ Balaji, is set to release on May 14, 2026.
Trisha Krishnan Acting Career
Tamil Cinema
Trisha Krishnan is the only South Indian actress to have sustained a leading role career in Tamil cinema for over two decades consecutively. Her career spans mass entertainers, emotional dramas, action thrillers, and historical epics.
Telugu Cinema
She dominated Telugu cinema from 2004 to 2008. Three Filmfare Awards and a Nandi Award from this period confirm her standing as one of the most successful actresses in the industry during that era.
OTT Debut
Brinda (2024) marked Trisha’s first web series and OTT debut. The crime thriller, directed by Surya Manoj Vangala, received positive reviews. The series premiered on Sony LIV and featured her as a police officer investigating ritualistic crimes.
Multilingual Filmography
Trisha has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam films. Her Hindi debut was Khatta Meetha (2010), her Kannada debut was Power (2014), and her Malayalam debut was Hey Jude (2018).
Trisha Krishnan Engagement and Personal Relationships
Trisha Krishnan got engaged to Chennai-based businessman and film producer Varun Manian on 23 January 2015 in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family. The engagement was called off within three months, by late April 2015.
Trisha publicly confirmed the split in May 2015 through a tweet, writing that she was “happy, single and thankful.” She later explained the reason in a detailed interview. The man she was to marry had asked her to stop acting after their marriage. She chose to end the engagement instead.
In her own words, as quoted by OnManorama: “Instead of films, I chose to put a full stop to my engagement.” She said cinema is a deeply important part of who she is and that she intends to keep acting for as long as possible.
Reports at the time also suggested differences between the two families, with Varun Manian’s family reportedly preferring a partner from a similar social background.
She was later in a relationship with actor Rana Daggubati during the late 2010s, after the two had been friends for a decade. As of 2026, Trisha’s relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
Trisha Krishnan Religion and Caste
What is Trisha Krishnan’s Religion
Trisha Krishnan follows Hinduism. This is publicly confirmed through multiple sources and aligns with her family background.
What is Trisha Krishnan’s Caste
Trisha belongs to the Palakkad Iyer community. This is a Tamil Brahmin sub-group whose ancestral roots lie in the Palakkad region of Kerala, though the community is widely settled across Tamil Nadu. Her family’s origins in Palakkad are publicly documented.
Trisha Krishnan Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Trisha Krishnan stands at 165 cm (5 feet 5 inches) tall. Her weight is approximately 52 kg. She has dark brown eyes and black hair. She is known for her graceful, elegant screen presence and has been ranked among the most beautiful actresses in South Indian cinema by several publications. Trisha follows a vegetarian diet and has maintained a consistent, fit physique throughout her career.
She has a small Nemo fish tattoo, which she has mentioned in interviews over the years.
Trisha Krishnan Personal Life
Trisha Krishnan currently lives in Chennai with her mother Uma Krishnan and her grandmother. Her father Krishnan Iyer passed away in October 2012.
Is Trisha Krishnan Married
No. As of 2026, Trisha Krishnan is not married. She was engaged to Varun Manian in 2015 but the engagement ended the same year. She has not confirmed any marriage since.
Trisha Krishnan Husband
Trisha Krishnan does not have a husband as of 2026. She confirmed her single status publicly after her 2015 engagement was called off.
Trisha Krishnan Children
Trisha Krishnan has no publicly confirmed children. Some unreliable sources have circulated claims about children, but these are not corroborated by any credible source. Trisha herself has never confirmed having children.
Trisha Krishnan Net Worth and Earnings
Trisha Krishnan’s net worth is estimated at ₹85 crore to ₹100 crore as of 2026, according to multiple industry reports including Moneycontrol and Koimoi.
| Source | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Film fees per project | ₹3 crore – ₹12 crore (depending on scale) |
| Brand endorsements (annual) | Approx. ₹9 crore |
| Chennai home (Cenotaph Road) | Approx. ₹10 crore |
| Hyderabad property | Approx. ₹6–7 crore |
| Luxury cars (fleet) | Approx. ₹3–4 crore total |
| Total estimated net worth | ₹85 crore – ₹100 crore |
She owns a premium residence in the upscale Cenotaph Road area of Chennai. Her car collection includes a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a BMW 5 Series, a Range Rover Evoque, and a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. She is a brand ambassador for several jewellery and textile companies across South India.
Trisha Krishnan Social Media and Online Presence
| Platform | Handle | Approximate Followers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| @trishakrishnan | 10 million+ | Active; posts film updates and personal photos | |
| Twitter / X | @trishtrashers | 3 million+ | Occasionally active; confirms personal news directly |
| Not publicly active | Not confirmed | No verified page confirmed | |
| YouTube | No official channel | Not applicable | No official channel confirmed |
Trisha uses Instagram and Twitter primarily. She confirmed her 2015 engagement breakup via Twitter and regularly shares film promotions and fan interactions on Instagram.
Trisha Krishnan Controversies and News
Engagement Called Off (2015)
Trisha Krishnan’s engagement to businessman Varun Manian lasted only three months before she publicly ended it. While family differences were reported, Trisha directly confirmed the real reason: she was asked to give up acting after marriage and she refused. Her tweet confirming the split was widely covered and she was praised for choosing her career on her own terms.
Vijay Divorce Rumours (2025–2026)
In 2025 and 2026, Trisha’s name was repeatedly linked to Thalapathy Vijay after his wife Sangeetha Sornalingam filed for divorce. Media reports mentioned an unnamed actress in connection with the divorce petition. Video clips of Trisha and Vijay appearing together at a wedding reception in Chennai went viral, sparking widespread speculation. Neither Trisha nor Vijay has confirmed any romantic relationship. Trisha’s old interviews about her broken engagement resurfaced widely during this period.
Rumours of Quitting Cinema (2026)
Following the Vijay speculation, some tabloid reports claimed Trisha was planning to quit acting. She publicly dismissed these claims, saying no such decision has been made.
Exit from Varun Manian Film Project
At the time her engagement ended in 2015, reports emerged that Trisha had also walked out of a film produced by Varun Manian’s production company, Radiance Media Group. No public statement confirmed or detailed this fully.
Lesser Known Facts About Trisha Krishnan
- Trisha originally wanted to become a criminal psychologist, not an actress. She resisted entering films because she wanted to finish her education first.
- She attended summer classes at Ethiraj College to complete her BBA degree while simultaneously shooting for films on a tight schedule.
- Before her official debut, she appeared in Falguni Pathak’s hit music video Meri Chunar Udd Udd Jaye in 2000, alongside Ayesha Takia.
- Her first film as a lead actress was supposed to be Lesa Lesa, directed by Priyadarshan. However, release delays meant Mounam Pesiyadhe released first and became her actual debut as a lead.
- She had briefly considered working under the screen name Suhasini before the industry settled on using her real name.
- She has a small tattoo of the character Nemo from the Disney Pixar film Finding Nemo.
- Her mother Uma Krishnan was offered acting roles by several Tamil filmmakers, including Kamal Haasan, but turned them all down to focus entirely on supporting Trisha’s career.
- Trisha’s Telugu dubbing artiste Savitha Reddy has dubbed for her in almost every Telugu project since her debut in 2004, creating a rare and consistent vocal identity for the actress in Telugu cinema.
- She follows a strictly vegetarian diet, which she maintains even during demanding film schedules.
- Ghilli (2004), one of her early blockbusters opposite Vijay, was re-released for its 20th anniversary in 2024 and became one of the highest-grossing Indian film re-releases ever.
Trisha Krishnan FAQ
Who is Trisha Krishnan?
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu cinema. She won the Miss Chennai title in 1999 and made her film debut the same year. Over two decades, she has built one of the most sustained leading careers in South Indian film history and is often called the Queen of South India.
How old is Trisha Krishnan?
Trisha Krishnan is 43 years old as of 2026. She was born on 4 May 1983.
What is Trisha Krishnan’s religion?
Trisha Krishnan follows Hinduism.
What is Trisha Krishnan’s caste?
Trisha Krishnan belongs to the Palakkad Iyer community, a Tamil Brahmin sub-group with ancestral roots in the Palakkad region of Kerala.
What is Trisha Krishnan’s net worth?
Trisha Krishnan’s net worth is estimated between ₹85 crore and ₹100 crore as of 2026, based on reports from Moneycontrol and Koimoi. Her income comes from film fees, brand endorsements, and real estate investments.
Who is Trisha Krishnan’s husband?
Trisha Krishnan is not married as of 2026 and does not have a husband.
Who was Trisha Krishnan engaged to?
She was engaged to Chennai-based businessman Varun Manian on 23 January 2015. The engagement was called off in April–May 2015 after Trisha chose her acting career over the condition that she stop working after marriage.
Who is Trisha Krishnan’s father?
Her father was Krishnan Iyer. He passed away in October 2012.
Who is Trisha Krishnan’s mother?
Her mother is Uma Iyer, known as Uma Krishnan. Uma has been Trisha’s constant companion and support throughout her career.
What is Trisha Krishnan’s height?
Trisha Krishnan is 165 cm tall, which is approximately 5 feet 5 inches.
What is Trisha Krishnan’s qualification?
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai.
What is Trisha Krishnan known for?
She is known for her roles in films such as 96, Ponniyin Selvan, Ghilli, Saamy, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, and Yennai Arindhaal. She is celebrated as one of the few South Indian actresses to lead films successfully for over two decades.
Where does Trisha Krishnan live?
Trisha Krishnan lives in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her residence is located in the Cenotaph Road area, one of Chennai’s upscale localities.
Is Trisha Krishnan married?
No. Trisha Krishnan is not married as of 2026.
Does Trisha Krishnan have children?
Trisha Krishnan has no publicly confirmed children.
What is the latest news about Trisha Krishnan in 2026?
Her film Karuppu, a fantasy action drama with Suriya directed by RJ Balaji, is releasing on 14 May 2026. She is playing a lawyer named Preethi in the film. The release marks the reunion of Trisha and Suriya on screen after nearly 20 years. She is also attached to Vishwambhara opposite Chiranjeevi, though that film does not yet have a confirmed release date.
What are Trisha Krishnan’s most popular films?
Her most celebrated films include 96 (2018), Ponniyin Selvan: I and II (2022–23), Leo (2023), Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), Ghilli (2004), Saamy (2003), Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2005), and Abhiyum Naanum (2008).
What was Trisha Krishnan’s OTT debut?
Trisha made her OTT debut with the Telugu crime thriller web series Brinda, which premiered on Sony LIV in August 2024. She played SI Brinda Krishna, a police officer investigating ritualistic serial crimes, across 8 episodes.