# Nivetha Pethuraj
**Nivetha Pethuraj** (நிவேதா பெத்துராஜ்; born 1991 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu) is an Indian actress and model who works in Tamil and [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema). She made her screen debut in the Tamil film *Oru Naal Koothu* (2016), established herself in Telugu films with *Mental Madhilo* (2017), and returned to acting in 2026 with *[Sing Geetham](https://www.edgepedia.org/sing-geetham)* after deciding in 2023 to quit the industry.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/) • [2](https://telanganatoday.com/nivetha-pethuraj-celebrates-10-years-in-cinema-on-sets-of-chiranjeevis-mega158) • [3](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1991, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/) |
| Industries | Tamil and Telugu cinema; also a Hindi web series (*Kaala*, as an Intelligence Bureau officer)[4](https://epaper.himalayanmail.com/admin/paper/1704047488Page%2010.pdf) |
| Debut | *Oru Naal Koothu* (2016, Tamil), directed by Nelson Venkatesan; Telugu debut *Mental Madhilo* (2017) as Swetcha[2](https://telanganatoday.com/nivetha-pethuraj-celebrates-10-years-in-cinema-on-sets-of-chiranjeevis-mega158) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/) |
| Notable roles | Nandini in *Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo* (2020); SI Yamini in *Red* (2021); Lieutenant Colonel Swathi in *Tik Tik Tik* (2018), described as Tamil cinema's first female astronaut[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/) • [5](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/Jun/25/nivetha-pethuraj-we-had-no-references-in-india-for-tik-tik-tik-6670.html) |
| Hiatus and return | Decided to quit films in 2023; brought back by producer Nag Ashwin for *Sing Geetham* (2026), in the role of Sailaja Mannem[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16) • [6](https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/how-sing-geetham-stopped-nivetha-pethuraj-from-quitting-films-hk.html?amp=1) |
| Upcoming projects | Chiranjeevi's *Mega158* (Bobby Kolli), *Aadarsha Kutumbam House No: 47 - AK 47* (Venkatesh–Trivikram), and Ram Pothineni's *RAPO23*[7](https://telugucinema.com/news/nivetha-pethuraj-joins-chiranjeevis-mega158) • [8](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/nivetha-pethuraj-on-a-roll-joins-ram-pothineni-rapo23-for-her-second-innings/articleshow/131926554.cms) |
| Milestone | Completed 10 years in films in June 2026, marked by a cake-cutting on the *Mega158* set[9](https://www.nationpress.com/entertainment/mega158-unit-fetes-nivethas-10-year-milestone) |
## Early life and entry into films
Nivetha Pethuraj was born in Madurai to a Tamil family that settled in Dubai for more than a decade; she attended Crescent English School in Al Ghusais and earned a degree in human resources management from Heriot Watt University in Dubai.[10](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/nivetha-pethuraj/biography.html) In a 2024 video statement she said her family had lived in Dubai for more than 20 years and that she had been financially independent and stable since the age of 16.[11](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2024/03/06/actress-nivetha-pethuraj-criticises-news-of-money-being-lavishly-spent-on-her.amp.html)
Her break came through a pageant. In 2015 she won the Miss India UAE title, beating 15 contestants at the Al Raha Beach hotel in [Abu Dhabi](https://www.edgepedia.org/abu-dhabi), and filmmakers approached her after seeing news and photographs of the win; the first story narration for *Oru Naal Koothu* happened over an hour-long Skype call.[10](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/nivetha-pethuraj/biography.html) • [12](https://www.femina.in/tamil/celebs/kollywood/interview-with-covergirl-nivetha-pethuraj-787.html) She made her Tamil debut with that film in 2016 and her Telugu debut with *Mental Madhilo* (2017), directed by Vivek Athreya.[2](https://telanganatoday.com/nivetha-pethuraj-celebrates-10-years-in-cinema-on-sets-of-chiranjeevis-mega158) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/)
## Career in Tamil and Telugu cinema
Through the late 2010s she worked in both industries. In *[Tik Tik Tik](https://www.edgepedia.org/tik-tik-tik-2018-film)* (2018), billed as India's first space film, she played Lieutenant Colonel Swathi, Tamil cinema's first female astronaut.[5](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/Jun/25/nivetha-pethuraj-we-had-no-references-in-india-for-tik-tik-tik-6670.html) In Telugu she played K. Swecha in *[Chitralahari](https://www.edgepedia.org/chitralahari-film)* (2019) and Nandini in *Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo* (2020).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/)
In a 2021 interview she said her Telugu career had benefited from doing *Mental Madhilo* early, after which filmmakers approached her with stronger characters; she described *Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo* as the only Telugu film she chose for commercial reasons. In Tamil, she said, she was seldom offered fleshed-out characters, and her favorite Tamil role was Madonna in *[Thimiru Pudichavan](https://www.edgepedia.org/thimiru-pudichavan)*, where most of her dialogues and performance were improvised with the director's approval.[13](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/interviews/2021/Nov/17/nivetha-pethuraj-interview-27903.html) Also in 2021 she played police officer roles in the Telugu remake *Red* and in the Tamil cop drama *Pon Manickavel*, where critics noted her character Anbarasi was reduced to two songs and one scene despite being written with a TNPSC exam ambition of her own.[13](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/interviews/2021/Nov/17/nivetha-pethuraj-interview-27903.html) • [14](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/review/2021/Nov/19/pon-manickavel-movie-review-predictability-sinks-this-cop-drama-27933.html)
## The 2023 decision to quit and the return
Nivetha has said she decided to quit acting in 2023. At the success meet of *Sing Geetham* in [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad), she said she had made up her mind to stop acting and had already begun imagining a life away from cinema, though she did not give reasons.[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16) • [15](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2026/Jun/15/nivetha-pethuraj-on-the-decision-that-changed-everything-i-almost-walked-away-from-films) Her last film before the break was the action thriller *Daas Ka Dhamki* (2023), written and directed by Vishwak Sen, who also played dual roles.[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16)
She credited producer [Nag Ashwin](https://www.edgepedia.org/nag-ashwin), who bankrolled *Sing Geetham*, with bringing her back, saying he had "brought her back to life" and joking that without the offer she might have been "meditating somewhere in the Himalayas."[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16) A report in the Telugu press linked the absence from new projects to personal reasons, noting that she had announced an engagement on social media to a Dubai-based businessman and that the relationship was later called off, with both parties removing their pictures together.[7](https://telugucinema.com/news/nivetha-pethuraj-joins-chiranjeevis-mega158)
**Sing Geetham and the comeback.** The film, the 40-year-old dream project of the 94-year-old director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, was released on June 12, 2026, under the banners of [Vyjayanthi Movies](https://www.edgepedia.org/vyjayanthi-movies) and Swapna Cinema, with music by [Devi Sri Prasad](https://www.edgepedia.org/devi-sri-prasad).[6](https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/how-sing-geetham-stopped-nivetha-pethuraj-from-quitting-films-hk.html?amp=1) • [3](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16) Nivetha appeared as Sailaja Mannem in what the Telugu trade press described as a small but impactful role, and said watching the finished film left her unexpectedly moved.[6](https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/how-sing-geetham-stopped-nivetha-pethuraj-from-quitting-films-hk.html?amp=1) • [3](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16)
## Second innings: 2026 projects
In June 2026 the unit of Chiranjeevi's film *Mega158* marked her 10-year film anniversary with a cake-cutting ceremony on set, right after wrapping a shooting schedule in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu; she shared the video on Instagram.[9](https://www.nationpress.com/entertainment/mega158-unit-fetes-nivethas-10-year-milestone) • [2](https://telanganatoday.com/nivetha-pethuraj-celebrates-10-years-in-cinema-on-sets-of-chiranjeevis-mega158) *Mega158*, directed by Bobby Kolli and produced by KVN Productions, also features Anaswara Rajan as Chiranjeevi's daughter, with music by Thaman; Nivetha had reportedly already shot portions during the Pollachi schedule.[7](https://telugucinema.com/news/nivetha-pethuraj-joins-chiranjeevis-mega158) • [6](https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/how-sing-geetham-stopped-nivetha-pethuraj-from-quitting-films-hk.html?amp=1)
Her post-hiatus slate extends further. She is said to be part of the Venkatesh–Trivikram project *Aadarsha Kutumbam House No: 47 - AK 47*, which IMDb lists as completed for 2026, and Telugu media reported in June 2026 that she had been selected as the main heroine opposite [Ram Pothineni](https://www.edgepedia.org/ram-pothineni) in *RAPO23*. IMDb also lists *Kaaka* (2027) and *Jagajaala Killadi* among her upcoming titles.[15](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2026/Jun/15/nivetha-pethuraj-on-the-decision-that-changed-everything-i-almost-walked-away-from-films) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/) • [8](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/nivetha-pethuraj-on-a-roll-joins-ram-pothineni-rapo23-for-her-second-innings/articleshow/131926554.cms)
## Public profile
In March 2024 she publicly refuted circulating reports that politician [Udhayanidhi Stalin](https://www.edgepedia.org/udhayanidhi-stalin) had lavishly spent money on her or bought her a home in Dubai. In a video statement she said she came from a respectable family, had been financially independent and stable since age 16, and had never asked any producer, director, or hero to cast her; she said she had acted in more than 20 films, all found through her own effort.[11](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2024/03/06/actress-nivetha-pethuraj-criticises-news-of-money-being-lavishly-spent-on-her.amp.html)
Outside acting she has described an interest in action films; she told an interviewer in 2018 that she wanted to do fight films and had begun formal training, and a 2019 interview mentioned that she had signed a Hollywood movie.[12](https://www.femina.in/tamil/celebs/kollywood/interview-with-covergirl-nivetha-pethuraj-787.html) • [16](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2019/Nov/03/i-have-signed-a-hollywood-movie-nivedha-pethuraj-exclusive-interview-3269981.html)
## References
1. [Nivetha Pethuraj, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8205920/)
2. [Nivetha Pethuraj celebrates 10 years in cinema on sets of Chiranjeevi's Mega158, Telangana Today (IANS), 13 June 2026](https://telanganatoday.com/nivetha-pethuraj-celebrates-10-years-in-cinema-on-sets-of-chiranjeevis-mega158)
3. [Actor Nivetha Pethuraj on quitting cinema in 2023: Nag Ashwin brought me back, India Today, 16 June 2026](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/nivetha-pethuraj-sing-geetham-planned-to-quit-films-in-2023-2926922-2026-06-16)
4. [Himalayan Mail e-paper report on Kaala web series](https://epaper.himalayanmail.com/admin/paper/1704047488Page%2010.pdf)
5. [Nivetha Pethuraj: We had no references in India for Tik Tik Tik, Cinema Express, 25 June 2018](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/Jun/25/nivetha-pethuraj-we-had-no-references-in-india-for-tik-tik-tik-6670.html)
6. [How 'Sing Geetham' Stopped Nivetha Pethuraj from Quitting Films, 123telugu, 15 June 2026](https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/how-sing-geetham-stopped-nivetha-pethuraj-from-quitting-films-hk.html?amp=1)
7. [Nivetha Pethuraj joins Chiranjeevi's Mega158, TeluguCinema, 26 May 2026](https://telugucinema.com/news/nivetha-pethuraj-joins-chiranjeevis-mega158)
8. [Nivetha Pethuraj joins Ram Pothineni RAPO23 for her second innings, Samayam Telugu, 23 June 2026](https://telugu.samayam.com/telugu-movies/cinema-news/nivetha-pethuraj-on-a-roll-joins-ram-pothineni-rapo23-for-her-second-innings/articleshow/131926554.cms)
9. [Nivetha Pethuraj marks 10 years in films; Mega158 unit celebrates on set, Nation Press, 13 June 2026](https://www.nationpress.com/entertainment/mega158-unit-fetes-nivethas-10-year-milestone)
10. [Nivetha Pethuraj Biography, FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/nivetha-pethuraj/biography.html)
11. [Did Udhayanidhi Stalin Buy Nivetha Pethuraj A Home In Dubai? Manorama Online, 6 March 2024](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2024/03/06/actress-nivetha-pethuraj-criticises-news-of-money-being-lavishly-spent-on-her.amp.html)
12. ['சண்டை படங்கள் பண்ணனும்' – Interview with Nivetha Pethuraj, Femina Tamil, 8 November 2018](https://www.femina.in/tamil/celebs/kollywood/interview-with-covergirl-nivetha-pethuraj-787.html)
13. [Nivetha Pethuraj: I'm rarely offered strong roles in Tamil cinema, Cinema Express, 17 November 2021](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/interviews/2021/Nov/17/nivetha-pethuraj-interview-27903.html)
14. [Pon Manickavel Movie Review, Cinema Express, 19 November 2021](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/tamil/review/2021/Nov/19/pon-manickavel-movie-review-predictability-sinks-this-cop-drama-27933.html)
15. [Nivetha Pethuraj: 'I almost walked away from films…', Cinema Express, 15 June 2026](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/telugu/news/2026/Jun/15/nivetha-pethuraj-on-the-decision-that-changed-everything-i-almost-walked-away-from-films)
16. [I have signed a Hollywood movie – Nivedha Pethuraj interview, Dinamani, 3 November 2019](https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2019/Nov/03/i-have-signed-a-hollywood-movie-nivedha-pethuraj-exclusive-interview-3269981.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Tamil film actors › Surnames K to P*
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