Priya Bhavani Shankar (born 31 December 1989) is an Indian actress, and a former television-presenter who primarily works in Tamil and Telugu films. She made her acting debut with commercially successful Tamil film Meyaadha Maan (2017).
She has appeared in successful films such as Meyaadha Maan (2017), Kadaikutty Singam (2018), Monster (2019), Mafia: Chapter 1 (2020), Yaanai (2022), Thiruchitrambalam (2022), Pathu Thala (2023), Demonte Colony 2 (2024), Black (2024), Zebra (2024) and Irumudi (2026), which is her highest grossing release.
Career Priya is from a Tamil speaking family. First she gained recognition as a television news presenter at the Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai. She also worked as a serial actress in Star Vijay Television's Kalyanam Mudhal Kadhal Varai. In 2017, she made her film debut with Meyaadha Maan opposite Vaibhav, for which she was nominated for a SIIMA Award for Best Female Debutant.
The following year, Priya appeared in Kadaikutty Singam alongside Karthi. In 2019, she starred in Monster alongside S. J. Suryah. In 2020 she was seen in the action thriller Mafia: Chapter 1 alongside Arun Vijay. She also appeared in the Amazon Prime web series Time Enna Boss!?. In 2021, she starred in the multi-starrer Kalathil Sandhippom and Kasada Thapara.
She has later appeared in successful films such as Yaanai (2022), Thiruchitrambalam (2022), Pathu Thala (2023) and Demonte Colony 2 (2024). She also played the lead opposite Satyadev in Zebra. Srivathsan Nadadhur of The Hindu noted, "Priya finally has a substantial role in a Telugu film and does well."
Priya's highest grossing release came with Irumudi in 2026, where she played the wife of Ravi Teja's character Suresh Kavirayani of Cinema Express noted, "Priya is excellent as a wife and mother. She fits the role perfectly and delivers particularly well in a couple of emotional scenes." A box office success, it became one of the highest grossing Telugu film of the year and broke several box office records.
She will next star in 3rd part of horror-thriller franchise Demonte Colony and Maragadha Naanayam 2 opposite Aadhi Pinisetty and Sathyaraj.
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In Chennai Times 30 Most Desirable Women list, Priya was placed 12th in 2018, 19th in 2019 and 17th in 2020.
Filmography Film
YearTitle Role(s)Language(s)Notes 2017Meyaadha MaanS. MadhumithaTamil Debut film2018Kadaikutty SingamPoompozhil "Chellamma"2019MonsterMeghala2020Mafia: Chapter 1Sathya2021Kalathil SanthippomSofiaKasada TabaraKanmaniStreaming release; Segment: "Thappattam"Oh Manapenne! ShruthiBlood MoneyRachel Victor2022Hostel AdhirshtalakshmiYaanai JebamalarKuruthi Aattam VennilaThiruchitrambalamRanjani2023AgilanMadhaviPathu ThalaLeela ThompsonRudhranAnanyaBommaiNandhiniKalyanam KamaneeyamShruthiTeluguTelugu debut 2024 Bhimaa Paari Zebra Swathi Navaluri Rathnam Malliga, Loganayagi Tamil Dual role Indian 2 Aarthi Demonte Colony 2 DebbieBlack Aaranya 2026 Hot Spot 2 Much Shilpa Anthology film Segment - The Narration IrumudiKaveriTeluguDebbieTamilFilmimgTamilFilming AarthiTamilDelayed
Television
YearTitle RoleLanguageChannel Notes 2011–2014 NewsNews PresenterTamilPuthiya Thalaimurai2014–2016Kalyanam Mudhal Kadhal VaraiPriya ArjunVijay TV2015Jodi No.1 HostFilmfare Awards South2015–2016Super Singer 5Kings of Dance2020Time Enna Boss!?Dr. Bharathi Amazon Prime Video2022VictimPavithraSonyLIVSegment: "Mirrage"2023DhoothaPriya AvudhuriTeluguAmazon Prime Video
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWork Result 2015Vijay Television AwardsBest Find of the YearKalyanam Mudhal Kadhal Varai2017Favourite Actor – Female 2018South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Female Debut – TamilMeyaadha Maan2019Filmfare Awards SouthFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Kadaikutty Singam2025Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards Best Actress Demonte Colony 2Edison Awards South Best ActressBlack
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