Santhy Balachandran Biography, Age, Relationship, Family, Career, Net Worth

Who is Santhy Balachandran?

Santhy Balachandran is an Indian actress, theatre artist, and writer, mainly active in the Malayalam film industry. Known for her versatility and unconventional choices, she rose to prominence through films like Tharangam, Jallikattu, and Chathuram. Beyond acting, she is also a trained anthropologist and recently made her mark as a screenwriter with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025). Her unique journey from Oxford University to Indian cinema makes her stand out as one of the most inspiring modern artists.

Santhy Balachandran Early Life

Santhy was born and raised in Kerala, India, in a family that valued academics and culture. Growing up, she had a keen interest in books, art, and performance. Due to her parents’ transferable jobs, she experienced life in different cities, which gave her exposure to diverse cultures and lifestyles. This played a big role in shaping her artistic sensibilities and later influenced her acting and writing style.

Santhy Balachandran Education

Unlike many who enter the cinema early, Santhy’s path was unique. She pursued her graduation in Anthropology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and then went abroad to continue her studies. She completed her Master’s degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford, England.

Her academic background helped her develop a sharp eye for detail, observation, and storytelling, qualities that added depth to her performances and creative projects.

Santhy Balachandran Family

Santhy prefers to keep her family life private. She belongs to a well-educated family in Kerala and credits them for supporting her decisions, whether academic or creative. While details about her parents and siblings remain undisclosed, her family continues to play a supportive role in her artistic journey.

Santhy Balachandran Career

Theatre Journey

Santhy began her acting career on the stage. Her first stage performance was in Harold Pinter’s play The Lover, staged in Kochi. Later, she worked in productions like A Very Normal Family and others, earning praise for her natural performances.

Film Debut & Rise

• 2017 – Tharangam: Made her Malayalam film debut in this fantasy black comedy. Her role was appreciated for freshness and authenticity.
• 2017 – Randuper: A minimalist drama where she showcased her ability to handle layered roles.
• 2019 – Jallikattu: This critically acclaimed film, which represented India at the Oscars, brought her international recognition.
• 2020 – Paapam Cheyyathavar Kalleriyatte: Displayed her comic timing in a satirical drama.
• 2021 – Aaha: A sports-based drama where her emotional performance stood out.
• 2022 – Djinn & Chathuram: Both films highlighted her boldness in experimenting with unconventional roles.
  

Expansion Beyond Malayalam

Santhy extended her career into other languages:

• Acted in the Tamil web series Sweet Kaaram Coffee.
• Appeared in the Hindi drama Gulmohar (2023) alongside Manoj Bajpayee and Sharmila Tagore.
  

Writer & Screenwriter

In 2025, she co-wrote the Malayalam superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. The film was praised for its folklore-inspired storytelling and strong female superhero character played by Kalyani Priyadarshan. Her writing contribution received critical acclaim, marking her as both a talented actress and a promising storyteller.

Santhy Balachandran Personal Life

Santhy Balachandran is someone who has always kept her personal life very private. Unlike many celebrities, she avoids unnecessary media attention and prefers to let her work speak for her.

• She is currently unmarried and has not publicly disclosed any relationships.
• Santhy is known to be deeply connected with literature, theatre, and travel rather than the glamour-driven lifestyle of the film industry.
• She is a fitness enthusiast, follows a balanced lifestyle, and often engages in yoga and meditation.
• Her academic background as an Oxford-trained anthropologist still reflects in her interests, she enjoys reading, cultural studies, and exploring new ideas.
• Despite being an actress, she maintains a low-profile lifestyle, rarely attending parties or big industry events unless work-related.
  

Controversies of Santhy Balachandran

Compared to many actresses in the film industry, Santhy has stayed away from major controversies. She is admired for her professionalism, clarity in choosing roles, and grounded personality.

However, a few instances created discussions:

1. Bold Role in “Chathuram” (2022):
   • The film involved intimate and bold scenes that sparked debate among audiences.
   • Some criticized her for taking such roles, while others praised her courage and commitment to portraying layered, realistic characters.
2. Outspoken Views on Cinema:
   • In a few interviews, she has openly spoken about the need for better scripts and female representation in films.
   • While not a “controversy,” her straightforward opinions sometimes drew sharp responses from certain conservative sections of the audience.

Other than these, Santhy has maintained a clean public image and is considered one of the most dignified and thoughtful personalities in Malayalam cinema.

Santhy Balachandran Net Worth

Santhy Balachandran Social Media

(She mainly uses Instagram to connect with fans, post about films, theatre, books, and travel.)

Santhy Balachandran Physical Appearance

Interesting Facts about Santhy Balachandran

1. Santhy is an Oxford University graduate in Anthropology, making her one of the few academically accomplished actresses in the Malayalam film industry.
2. She started her career in theatre before films and still continues to perform on stage.
3. Her debut film Tharangam (2017) was also Tovino Thomas’s first production venture.
4. She was part of Jallikattu (2019), India’s official entry to the Oscars.
5. In 2025, she turned screenwriter with Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, a female-led superhero movie.
6. She grew up in multiple cities across India because of her parents’ transferable jobs.
7. Apart from acting, she is passionate about literature, history, and cultural studies.
8. She has worked in multiple languages – Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi.
9. She stays away from gossip and rarely attends big celebrity parties, preferring a quiet and private lifestyle.
10. She is admired for taking unconventional roles, even if they are bold or experimental.
    

FAQs about Santhy Balachandran

Q1. Who is Santhy Balachandran?
Santhy Balachandran is an Indian actress, theatre performer, and screenwriter, best known for her work in Malayalam cinema and plays.

Q2. What is Santhy Balachandran’s age?
She was born in Kerala, India, in the 1980s (exact DOB not widely available). As of 2025, she is in her mid-30s.

Q3. What is Santhy Balachandran’s educational qualification?
She holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Oxford University, UK.

Q4. What was her debut movie?
She made her film debut with Tharangam (2017), a fantasy black comedy.

Q5. Has Santhy written any movies?
Yes, she co-wrote the Malayalam superhero film “Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra” (2025) starring Kalyani Priyadarshan.

Q6. Is Santhy Balachandran married?
No, she is currently unmarried and has not revealed any relationships publicly.

Q7. What are some famous films of Santhy Balachandran?
Her notable films include Tharangam, Randuper, Jallikattu, Paapam Cheyyathavar Kalleriyatte, Djinn, Aaha, and Chathuram.

Q8. What is Santhy Balachandran’s net worth?
As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around ₹3–5 Crore, from films, theatre, and writing.

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