Entertainment: Aparna Balamurali Builds a Steady Acting Career Across Languages

Entertainment careers often follow uncertain paths. Aparna Balamurali did not plan to become an actor. Yet, over the past 10 years, she has built a solid body of work across Malayalam and Tamil cinema. At 29, she has acted in close to 30 films and won a National Award.

Balamurali began acting by chance. Today, she approaches her work with intent. She looks for variety in roles and wants each project to push her in a new direction.

The past year marked an important phase in her career.

A Strong Year on Screen

In 2024, Balamurali appeared in two films that received strong response. One was the Tamil drama Raayan. The other was the Malayalam thriller Kishkindha Kaandam.

Both films placed her in serious roles and added depth to her screen image. She will next be seen in another thriller directed by Jeethu Joseph, known for the Drishyam films.

While thrillers have shaped her recent work, Balamurali says she wants change. She hopes to explore lighter roles and move towards humour. She says she is looking for scripts that offer range.

Between shoots, she moves quickly from one set to another. At the time of speaking, she had returned to Kerala after filming a Kathak-based dance sequence in Varanasi and had only a short break before her next project.

Growing Up With the Arts

Balamurali grew up in a home filled with music. Her parents are singers and musicians. Art was part of daily life. She chose dance first and trained in Bharatanatyam. She later learned Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi.

She also trained in classical music and worked as a playback singer. One of her early songs featured in Maheshinte Prathikaaram. That film also marked the start of her acting career.

At the time, she was studying architecture. Acting was not part of her plan. Actor Unnimaya Prasad, who taught her in college, encouraged her to audition. That suggestion changed her path.

A Defining Role

After working in a few films, Balamurali received a script that reshaped her career. She played Bommi, a strong-willed entrepreneur, opposite Suriya in Soorarai Pottru.

The film drew inspiration from the life of aviation entrepreneur Captain Gopinath. Balamurali’s performance earned her a National Award.

She says that role gave her clarity. From that point on, she knew acting was her focus. Her view of cinema changed, and so did her confidence.

Facing Industry Pressures

Balamurali describes herself as a self-taught actor. She says the journey has not been smooth. There were periods with no offers. There were moments of doubt. She also faced body-shaming, a common issue in the film industry.

Over time, she learned to handle these pressures. She says confidence came from accepting herself and staying focused on the work.

Film critic Ashameera Aiyappan notes that Balamurali often chooses roles that add value to the story. Screen time, she says, matters less than impact. Her performances feel grounded and assured.

Working Beyond Films

Alongside acting, Balamurali runs a clothing brand and an event management company. These ventures allow her to stay engaged outside film sets.

She also sees Malayalam cinema entering a strong phase. According to her, filmmakers are open to new ideas and formats. This has created more room for actors to try different roles.

She believes the range of stories now being told makes it an exciting time to work in the industry.

Looking Ahead

Balamurali does not plan to stay within one image. She wants to mix intense roles with lighter characters. Comedy interests her, as does variation in tone.

Her focus remains on steady growth rather than speed. She wants roles that feel honest and allow her to learn.

Ten years into her career, she stands at a point of balance. Experience behind her. Curiosity ahead.

In an industry that often rewards noise, Aparna Balamurali has built her place through quiet consistency. Her choices suggest a long view of the craft.