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Kavya Madhavan

Kavya Madhavan

Actor · Born September 19, 1984 (42) · Nileshwaram, Kerala, India

Kavya Madhavan (born September 19, 1984) is a Malayalam actress celebrated for her expressive performances, graceful screen presence, and memorable roles in family dramas and romances. She made her debut as a child artist in Pookkalam Varavayi (1991) and established herself as a leading lady with Chandranudikkunna Dikhil (1999), opposite Dileep, which became a huge success. Through the late ’90s and 2000s, Kavya became one of the most popular heroines of Malayalam cinema, known for her natural acting and charm. Her iconic films include Mazhamegha Pravukal (2002), Meesa Madhavan (2002), Madhura Nombarakattu (2000), Kochi Rajavu (2005), Classmates (2006), Perumazhakkalam (2004), Anandabhadram (2005), Lion (2006), Madampi (2008), and Gaddama (2011). She was often paired with Dileep, and their onscreen chemistry produced several blockbusters. Kavya has received two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress :- for Perumazhakkalam (2004) and Gaddama (2011). The latter performance, as a migrant worker in the Middle East, is widely regarded as one of her finest. She has also won multiple Filmfare Awards and Asianet Film Awards. Though she stepped back from films after her marriage to actor Dileep in 2016, Kavya Madhavan remains one of the most beloved actresses in Malayalam cinema history, remembered for her warmth, elegance, and deeply emotional portrayals.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 19, 1984 (42)
From
Nileshwaram, Kerala, India
Works as
Actor
Titles
7 on MovieCove · 67 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 27% in 30 days

What are Kavya Madhavan's films like?

Across their 6 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 8th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
54%
Self
21%
Morality
21%
Society
4%
Friendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 3 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 3 · Intense 0

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 1 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Herald: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Herald
2 of 3
Hero
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
3
Romantic
2
Bittersweet
3
Melancholic
2
Warm
2
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kavya Madhavan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 6 of their 7 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kavya Madhavan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks.

Filmography

67 credits, 7 with a MovieCove page.

  • Once Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Devi

  • Akashvani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Vani Aakash

  • She Taxi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Devayani

  • 5 Sundarikal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Gowri

  • Players (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Lokpal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Dr. Geetha

  • Breaking News Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Nayana

  • Bavuttiyude Namathil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Vanaja

  • Vellaripravinte Changathi(2011)

    as Mary Vargese / Sulekha

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Venicile Vyapari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Ammu

  • Christian Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Meenakshi

  • Bhakthajanangalude Sradhakku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Sumangala

  • China Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Rosamma

  • Khaddama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Aswathi

  • Paappi Appachaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Annie

  • Ee Pattanathil Bhootham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Ancy Philippose

  • Banaras (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Amritha

  • Madambi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Jayalakshmi

  • Twenty 20 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Ancy

  • Sadhu Miranda(2008)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kangaroo(2007)

    as Jancy

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Four Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Nadiya Kollappetta Rathri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Nadiya Methar / Nadira Methar

  • Athisayan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Maya

  • Inspector Garud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Sub Collector Sethulakshmi

  • Vaasthavam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Sumithra

  • Chakkara Muthu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Anitha

  • Classmates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Thara Kurup

  • Vadakkumnadhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Bhama

  • Kilukkam Kilukilukkam(2006)

    as Chandni

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Lion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Sharika

  • Seelabathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Seelabathi

  • Anandabhadram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Bhadra

  • Kadha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Meera

  • Kochi Rajavu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Aswathy (Achu)

  • Iruvattam Manavatti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Bhumika

  • Annorikkal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Ponnu

  • Perumazhakkalam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Ganga

  • Aparichithan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Meenakshi

  • Runway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Gopika

  • Greetings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sheethal

  • Gaurisankaram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Gauri

  • Pulival Kalyanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ganga

  • Mizhi Randilum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Bhadra/ Bhama

  • Vellithira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Pankajam

  • Sadanandante Samayam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Sumangala

  • Thilakkam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ammu

  • En Mana Vaanil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Thilaga

  • Meesa Madhavan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Rukmini

  • Onnaman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Raziya

  • Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Gopika Rajashekhara Varma

  • Kasi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Lakshmi

  • Dosth(2001)

    as Geethu

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Rakshasa Rajavu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Daisy

  • Jeevan Masai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Manjari

  • Thenkasipattanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Devootty

  • Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Celine

  • Darling Darling(2000)

    as Padmaja Warrier

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Madhuranombarakattu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Sunaina

  • Sahayathrikakku Snehapoorvam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Maya

  • Chandranudikkunna Dikhil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Radha

  • Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Anjali

  • Bhoothakkannadi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Meenu

  • Oral Mathram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Gopika Menon

  • Irattakuttikalude Achan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Dhanya

  • Pavam I.A. Ivachan(1994)

    as Sara

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Pookkalam Varavayi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as School girl

Career shape

Star power in the 81st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 67 titles from 1991 to 2016; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

Sadhu Miranda (2008)

$64K worldwide

Highest rated

Dosth (2001)

Midcredits 36th

Most popular right now

Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011)

Film career

19912016

Peak 2005 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2002Screen debut· Meesa Madhavan

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting67 of 67: 67 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score36th

By decade

1990s7 · acting2000s45 · acting2010s15 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 0% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Kavya Madhavan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 7; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 46th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 7 titles, by percentile

  • 50th to 74th1
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 7 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Kilukkam Kilukilukkam (2006)

65th percentile spread · 78% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Vellaripravinte Changathi (2011)

Midcredits 47th · 47% liked

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Kavya Madhavan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kavya Madhavan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jagathy Sreekumar shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers