Shalini Kumar, also known as Baby Shalini, is a former Indian actress who predominantly worked in the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. The Bollywood Actress She started her career as a child artist and quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most successful child artists in the Malayalam film industry during the 80s.
This blog post will delve into the life and career of this talented actress, providing an in-depth look at her journey in the film industry.
Early Life and Upbringing
Shalini was born on November 20, 1979, in Thiruvalla, Kerala, India. She was born into a Malayali-Christian household3. Her father, originally from Kollam, had ambitions of becoming an actor and migrated to Madras (now Chennai) with his family.
Although he did not venture into films, he fulfilled his aspirations through his children. Shalini is the middle child, with a younger sister named Shamili and an elder brother named Richard Rishi, who are also actors in the film industry.
She attended Fatima Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Adarsh Vidyalaya, Chennai, and Church Park Convent, Chennai. Shalini has stated that she enjoys playing badminton and has participated in a few state-level tournaments.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shalini Babu |
| Nickname | Baby Shalini |
| Alternative Name(s) (also known as) | Shalini Ajith, Sona AK |
| Date of Birth | 20 November 1979 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 43 Years |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Thiruvalla, Kerala, India |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Current Address | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) |
| Hobbies and Interests | Acting, Singing, Dancing, Reading |
| Languages Known | Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | N/A |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Shalini Ajith |
| IMDb Profile link | Shalini Kumar |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 32,34,36 inch |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’ 4″ / 163 cm |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 55 kg / 121 lbs1 |
| Chest | 32 inch |
| Waist | 34 inch |
| Biceps | 36 inch |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Medium and Wavy |
| Distinctive Features | Cute Smile, Dimpled Cheeks |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Shalini is married to popular Tamil actor Ajith Kumar, also known as “Thala Ajith”. Their wedding, which took place on April 24, 2000, was a private affair. Despite their celebrity status, the couple is known for maintaining a low profile.
They have two children, a daughter named Anoushka Kumar and a son named Aadvik Kumar.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Ajith Kumar (actor) |
| Father | Babu |
| Mother | Alice |
| Children | Anoushka (daughter, born in 2008), Aadvik (son, born in 2015) |
| Siblings | Richard Rishi (elder brother, actor), Shamlee (younger sister, actress) |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Ajith Kumar |
| Significant Relationships | N/A |
Rise to Stardom
Shalini made her acting debut as a child artist at the age of four in the Malayalam film “Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku” (1983). Her performance received praise, marking the beginning of her career in the entertainment industry.
Some of her notable Malayalam films during her teenage years include “Aniyathi Pravu” (1997) and “Kadhalukku Mariyadhai” (1997), the latter being her debut in Tamil cinema.
Shalini Kumar – Debut Film – Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983)
Shalini Kumar – Successful Film – Kannukkul Nilavu (1997)
Career, Awards, and Achievements
After taking a brief hiatus from child acting, Shalini made a comeback in 1997 through Malayalam and Tamil language films as a lead heroine. She gained immense popularity in the Malayalam film industry during her teenage years.
Some of her notable films during this period include “Aniyathi Pravu” (1997) and “Kadhalukku Mariyadhai” (1997), the latter being her debut in Tamil cinema. In 2000, Shalini took a break from acting to focus on her personal life.
After a hiatus of nearly two decades, Shalini made a comeback to acting with a special appearance in the Tamil film “Ner Konda Paarvai” (2019), which starred her husband, Ajith Kumar.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Former actress and child artist |
| Debut Film | Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983) |
| Notable Roles | Anjali in Anjali (1990), Mini in Aniyathipravu (1997), Shalini in Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Mohana in Amarkalam (1999), Janaki in Kannukkul Nilavu (2000) |
| Recent Films – New Movies | None, she retired from films after her marriage in 2000 |
| Upcoming Films | None, she retired from films after her marriage in 2000 |
| Popular Television Series | Amloo (1988) |
| Awards and Achievements | Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist (1983, 1986), Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress (1997), Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil (1997), Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil (1997), Film Fans Association Award for Best Actress – Tamil (1997), Dinakaran Award for Best Actress (1997), Screen Award for Best Actress – Tamil (1997), Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu (1998) |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | None, she retired from films after her marriage in 2000 |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | None, she retired from films after her marriage in 2000 |
| Professional Associations | None, she retired from films after her marriage in 2000 |
| Training and Education | Fatima Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Adarsh Vidyalaya, Church Park, Annamalai University |
| Production Company | None, she retired from films after her marriage in 2000 |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983), Aniyathipravu (1997), Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Amarkalam (1999), Kannukkul Nilavu (2000) |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Anjali (1990), Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Amarkalam (1999) |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 15-25 Crore or $2-5 Million |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 13-23 Crore or $1-4 Million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | Rs. 10-20 Crore or $0-10 Million |
| Sponsorship Deals | N/A |
| Business Ventures | Elder Instruments Private Limited, Elder Pharmaceuticals Limited |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | A bungalow in Chennai, a flat in Mumbai |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | N/A |
| Cars Collection | BMW 7 Series, Audi A8L, Mini Cooper |
Favourite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Paul Walker, Simon Helberg |
| Favorite Actress | Sri Devi, Madhuri Dixit |
| Favorite Film | P.K |
| Favorite Music Bands | None, she likes soft music |
| Favorite Sport | Badminton |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Color | White |
| Favorite Food | Bhindi, Dal Fry, Butter Chicken |
| Things s/he like | Dancing, Swimming, Shopping |
| Things s/he dislike | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Shalini Kumar
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku | 1983 | Child artist |
| Aniyathi Pravu | 1997 | Mini |
| Kadhalukku Mariyadhai | 1997 | Lead role |
| Niram | 1999 | Lead role |
| Amarkalam | 1999 | Lead role |
Controversies – Shalini Kumar
- Shalini Kumar and her siblings were involved in a legal battle for assets.
- Shalini was involved in a family feud over the assets of Elder Pharma.
- There were rumors of a realignment of loyalties within the family.
- Shalini and her mother were banned from discussing the case due to a court order.
- There were speculations about Shalini’s return to acting.
Interesting Facts – Shalini Kumar
- Shalini started her career as a child artist at the age of four.
- She enjoys playing badminton and has participated in a few state-level tournaments.
- Shalini took a break from acting in 2000 to focus on her personal life.
- She made a comeback to acting after a hiatus of nearly two decades.
- Shalini is known for her dedication to her family and has chosen to prioritize her roles as a wife and mother over her acting career.
- Despite their celebrity status, Shalini and her husband, Ajith Kumar, are known for maintaining a low profile.
In conclusion, Shalini Kumar’s journey in the film industry is a testament to her talent and dedication. From her early beginnings as a child artist to her successful career as a lead actress, she has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
Despite the challenges and controversies she faced, Shalini has remained steadfast and continues to inspire many with her grace and humility.
