Shamna Kasim

2004–2011: Early struggle

She made her acting debut in the 2004 Malayalam film Manju Poloru Penkutty. She played her first major role in her debut Telugu film Sri Mahalakshmi (2007), while playing the lead female character in her first Tamil film, Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu (2008).^[5]

Her biggest hit came with Josh (2009), a Kannada movie that completed 100 days in the theatres. She has starred in several Tamil films including Kodaikanal (2008), Kandhakottai (2009), Drohi (2010), Aadu Puli (2011), Vellore Maavattam (2011) and Vithagan (2011).

2012–2016: Experimental roles and television

She is best known for her Malayalam movies Chattakkari (2012), Aaru Sundarimaarude Katha (2013) and Mili (2015).

Kasim appeared in a series of films where she portrayed a ghost, with The Hindu labelling her as "the ghost queen of South films".^[6] She essayed the lead role in Avunu (2012) and the sequel Avunu 2 (2015) that were successful at the box office. In this brief period of time, she turned down several similar scripts, before acting as a ghost again in Raju Gari Gadhi (2015), which became a hit at the box office.^[6]

She extended her appearance from silver screen to numerous Television projects in Telugu and Malayalam, particularly as a Judge in dance reality shows that bought her closer to the audiences. In 2016, she was cast in Telegu comedy Jayammu Nischayammu Raa.^[7]

2017–present

Shamna shaved her head completely bald for her role in the Kodiveeran (2017), but the movie met with average reviews.^[8]

She has also done a lot of Malayalam like Madhura Raja (2019), Maarconi Mathaai (2019) and Telugu films Akhanda (2021), Drushyam 2 (2021), Dasara (2023) as well. In 2024, she appeared in Tamil horror thriller, Devil.^[9]

Film

Television