Contrary to the popular perception that actresses normally prefer to wear heavy make-up while standing in front of camera, Sai Pallavi doesn’t like it- both on and off screen. The natural beauty is a physician by qualification.

But, fate had other plans for her and she became popular as an actress with her memorable role in ‘Premam’. And the rest, as they say, is history. Sai Pallavi is now a sought after actress in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil film industries, with notable films and roles to her credit. Here is a list of some of her flicks.

ATHIRAN (Malayalam, 2019)

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Director: Vivek
Starring: Fahadh Faasil, Sai Pallavi
Producer: Raju Mathew
Streaming on Disney+hotstar

‘Athiran’ was reported to have taken inspiration from ‘Stonehearst Asylum’ and ‘Shutter Island’. Athiran’ tells the story of Dr Nair (Fahadh), a psychiatrist, who visits a mental asylum located in a remote location in Kerala. He meets a patient, Nithya (Sai Pallavi), who is kept in isolation, and soon uncovers mysteries from her past.

MAARI 2 (Tamil, 2019)

Genre: Action comedy
Director: Balaji Mohan
Starring: Dhanush, Sai Pallavi
Producer: Dhanush
Streaming on Disney+hotstar, MX Player

It is a sequel to 2015 film ‘Maari’. Dhanush, besides producing the film under his company Wunderbar Films, also stars as the title character, reprising his role from the first film.

Krishna, Tovino Thomas, Sai Pallavi, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Vidya Pradeep play other important roles, among others. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.

Sai Pallavi played the energetic Araathu Aanandi, an autorickshaw driver who falls for don Maari in this film. Her power-packed and emotional performance in ‘Maari 2’ won her many hearts.

NGK (Tamil, 2019)

Genre: Political action
Director: Selvaraghavan
Starring: Suriya, Sai Pallavi, Rakul Preet Singh
Producer: S R Prabhu, S R Prakash Babu
Streaming on Disney+hotstar

‘NGK’ (abbreviation for Nandha Gopalan Kumaran) featured Sai Pallavi as Geetha Kumari, Kumaran’s (Suriya) possessive wife who supports him in his endeavours. 

The film, which was in the making for a long time, hit the screens much to the expectation of fans. The film had many layers, and fans appreciated Selvaraghavan for his ‘unique touches’.

FIDAA (Telugu, 2017)

Genre: Romantic comedy
Director: Sekhar Kammula
Starring: Varun Tej, Sai Pallavi
Producer: Dil Raju
Streaming on Disney+hotstar, Amazon Prime

‘Fidaa’ marked Sai Pallavi’s debut in Telugu cinema. It is dubbed into Malayalam under the same title and in Tamil as ‘Banumathi’. Sai Pallavi’s performance in this movie was ranked by ‘Film Companion’ in 100 Greatest Performances of the decade.

Varun (Varun Tej), an NRI medical student, and Bhanu (Sai Pallavi), a vivacious, young woman, fall in love with each other. However, they face many personal differences that create complications in their relationship.

MIDDLE CLASS ABBAYI (Telugu, 2017)

Genre: Action comedy
Director: Venu Sriram
Starring: Nani, Sai Pallavi
Producer: Dil Raju
Streaming on Disney+hotstar, Amazon Prime

The story is about Nani, who dislikes his sister-in-law, Jyothi (Bhumika), and leaves his house to stay away from her. Later, when Jyothi faces the wrath of an evil gangster, Nani steps in to save her.

Jyothi and falls in love with Pallavi (Sai Pallavi), who proposes to him in the first encounter. Nani soon realizes that Pallavi is Jyothi’s cousin after she comes to live with them. This film helped Sai Pallavi to attract more Telugu fans. Devi Sri Prasad composed the film’s soundtrack and score. 

KALI (Malayalam, 2016)

Genre: Action drama
Director: Sameer Thahir
Starring: Dulquer Salman, Sai Pallavi
Producer: Sameer Thahir, Ashiq Usman, Shyju Khalid
Streaming on Disney+hotstar

‘Kali’ is the second collaboration of Thahir and Salmaan, after ‘Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’ (2013).

The film was shot in Kochi, Vagamon, Athirappilly, Masinagudi, and Gudalur. The film has been remade in Kannada as ‘Kidi’, dubbed and released into Telugu as ‘Hey Pillagada’.

The film revolves around Siddharth (Dulquer) who often has problems with his wife Anjali (Sai Pallavi) owing to his short temper. Things take an unexpected turn when they get involved with a gangster.

PREMAM (Malayalam, 2015)

Genre: Musical romantic drama
Director: Alphonse Puthiren
Starring: Nivin Pauly, Sai Pallavi, Madonna Sebastian, Anupama Parameswaran
Producer: Anwar Rasheed
Streaming on Disney+hotstar, SunNXT

This coming-of-age film, written, edited, and directed by Alphonse Puthren. featured 17 debutant actors. Rajesh Murugesan composed the music. The plot follows George and his friends from their teenage to adulthood. Sai Pallavi played the most lovable Malar character.