Abhirami Venkatachalam, also known as Abhirami Iyer, is an Indian actress and model who primarily works in the Tamil film industry. Recently, she has been at the center of online discussions due to her appearance in the trailer for the upcoming film Thug Life, where she shares an intimate scene with veteran actor Kamal Haasan. This has sparked debate, largely due to the age gap between the two actors.
Born on March 9, 1991, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Abhirami began her career as a model, participating in beauty pageants and fashion shows. She won the Miss Tamil Nadu title in 2017, gaining initial exposure in the entertainment industry. A trained Bharatnatyam dancer from Kalakshetra, she also appeared in television commercials for brands like Kalamkari and Kalyan Jewellers. Her early career included a music video, "Love Me Lovely Lady" by the Madras Meter Musical.
Abhirami made her acting debut in the 2018 film NOTA, portraying the love interest of characters played by veteran actors Nassar and Sathyaraj. In 2019, she appeared in Kalavu and gained wider recognition for her role in Nerkonda Paarvai, the Tamil remake of the Hindi film Pink, where she starred alongside Ajith Kumar. Critics noted her strong performance in courtroom scenes.
In 2019, Abhirami participated in the third season of the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil. Her interactions and personality on the show earned her a significant fan following. She later appeared in Bigg Boss Ultimate (Season 1) and emerged as the fifth runner-up.
Beyond film and television, Abhirami has also worked in web series, including Ctrl Alt Delete (2016) and Iru Dhuruvam (2019-2023), where she reprised her role as Geetha in the second season. She has also been part of the Malaysian Tamil film Gajen (2022) and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022). In August 2024, she joined the cast of the Tamil TV series Ninaithen Vandhai, playing the role of Sudar.
The recent controversy surrounding Abhirami stems from the trailer of Thug Life, where she is seen in a romantic scene with Kamal Haasan. The age difference between the two actors which is nearly 30 years, has led to mixed reactions on social media. Some viewers have expressed discomfort, deeming the scenes "unnecessary" and unsettling, while others defend them as fictional and relevant to the storyline. Some social media users felt such scenes between actors with a large age gap shouldn't be normalized, while others argued that they are fictional characters and the scenes serve the story without causing discomfort.
This isn't the first time Abhirami has faced controversy. In 2023, she defended Kalakshetra Foundation, her alma mater, amidst sexual harassment allegations against a teacher. Her comments, where she claimed that students were manipulated by staff members, drew criticism and led to disagreements with other personalities.
Despite the controversies, Abhirami continues to expand her acting portfolio, showcasing her versatility in diverse roles. She remains active on social media, connecting with fans and sharing updates about her professional endeavors.
