Maheswari Chanakyan is an Indian actress and Video Jockey who predominantly works in the Tamil entertainment industry. In 2018, she hosted the Telegu game show Petta Rap which aired on Zee Tamil.
Wiki/Biography
Maheswari Chanakyan was born on Monday, 18 July 1988 (age 34 years; as of 2022) in Chennai, India. Her Zodiac sign is Cancer. She did her schooling at Adarsh Vidyalaya, Chennai. Later, she did her graduation from The University of Madaras, Chennai.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Maheswari Chankyan belongs to a Tamil family in Chennai.
Parents & Siblings
Maheswari Chanakyan’s father’s name is Sreenivasan. Her mother’s name is Devira Murthy. Maheswari Chanakyan has a sister named Lekha Sai.
Husband & Children
In 2008, Maheswari got married to Venkatachalam; however, owing to the problems they faced in their marriage, she filed for a divorce in 2010. Maheswari claimed that her husband and in-laws abused her mentally and physically during their relationship. Speaking on the prime cause of divorce, Maheswari said,
My husband and his family tortured her mentally and physically and ordered me not to do anchoring or acting because the family name would be tarnished.”
Mahswari Chanakyan, her husband Venkatachalam, and son Keshav
Maheswari has a son named Keshav. In a media interview, Maheswari Chanakyan talked about his son Keshav and said she wanted to raise him as a single parent. She quoted,
In that, my first marriage ended in divorce due to some reasons. Then I never thought about second marriage. I don’t want to rely on anyone, my boy, my mother, and my work is the only thing I am focusing on right now. I could not choose a partner who understands me and accepts my boy. This makes me afraid that the second married life will be okay. Maheshwari spoke passionately that I am a single mother like my mother.”
Maheswari Chanakyan and her son, Keshav
Religion
Maheswari Chanakyan follows Hinduism.
Career
Films
Maheswari Chanakyan made her acting debut with the Tamil film Kuyil in which she played the role of Madhu. The same year, she appeared in the Tamil film Mandhira Punnagai in which she played the role of Hemavathy. Subsequently, she appeared in various Telegu films like Chennai 600028 II (2016), Pyaar Prema Kadhal (2018), Writer (2021), and Vishamakaran (2022).
Maheswari Chanakyan (right) as Thangaraj’s second wife in a still from the Tamil film Writer (2021)
In 2022, she appeared in the Tamil film Vikram opposite Vijay Sethupathi and Kamal Hassan, in which she played the role of Koushalya. In an interview, she talked about the film and said,
I got a call from Kamal’s sir office telling me about the film. I thought it was a prank call and kept listening. However, I realised that they were indeed interested in having me as part of the film. They checked for my dates and asked me to directly come for the shoot. There was no audition or character narration. Once I went to the set, I got to know about my role. They’re a young team and very smart. My portions are with Vijay Sethupathi sir and he helped me a lot with scenes. It was as if I had joined a new acting school. I play his pair in the film. It’s an emotional role and I am excited.”
Maheswari Chanakyan and Vijay Sethupathi as Koushalya and Santhanam in a still from the Tamil film Vikram (2022)
Television
Maheswari Chanakyan made her television debut with the TV show Asatha Povathu Yaaru where she appeared as a guest. In 2013, she appeared in the Tamil television show Puthu Kavithai in which she played the role of Kavya. Subsequently, in 2021, she appeared in the Tamil television show Amman in which she played the role of Sulakshana. In 2022, she participated in Tamil Big Boss Season 6.
Maheswari Chanakyan as Kavya in a still from the Tamil television show Puthu Kavithai (2013)
As a video jockey
Maheswari Chanakyan has worked as an anchor and host in various Tamil television reality shows like Isai Aruvi (2015), Athirshta Lakshmi (2015), Comedy Khiladi’s (2018), and Petta Rap (2018).
Maheswari Chanakyan (left) in a still from the Tamil television show Athirshta Lakshmi (2015)
Costume Designer
In 2017, Mahesari Chanakyan started her career as a costume designer and worked for Tamil television shows. Later, in 2018, she worked as a costume designer for the Tamil film Pyaar Prema Kadhaal. In 2019, she worked as a costume designer for the film Sindhubaadh. In an interview, she talked about her career in costume design and said,
I don’t know how long I can go on as an anchor so I have been toying with costume designing as well. I have been designing the clothes of television fraternity and soon would start designing for film actors as well.”
Facts/Trivia
- Maheswari Chanakyan is also known by the name Mahi.
- In a media interview, Maheswari talked about her career in the entertainment industry and said that when she was studying in class 11, she started her career as a host on a Tamil television show. She quoted,
I was studying in school (11th standard) when one of the channels was auditioning for anchors. I got selected in it and have been on television since then. I took a break after my son was born. I then made a comeback with the show Athirshtalakshmi. It’s been a great experience being in the media.”
- According to Maheswari Chankayan, working in the daily soaps has become boring. While talking about the same, Maheswari Chanakyan said that she wanted to quit working in the television industry. She quoted,
I don’t want to do serials anymore as it has become monotonous like a 9-to-5 job. Now, I have plans to take up some good roles in films.”
- Maheswari Chanakyan and her elder sister, Lekha Sai own a unisex studio named Tanips, a bridal grooming service and rental jewellery.
- She follows a non-vegetarian diet.
A Facebook post made by Maheswari Chanakyan about her food habit
- Maheswari consumes alcohol and she is often spotted drinking alcohol on various occasions.
Maheswari Chanakyan posing with a glass of wine