Divya Pillai stands as one of India’s most talented actresses, known for her powerful performances in Malayalam cinema along with notable work in Telugu and Tamil films. She has captivated audiences through her versatility in both commercial and critically acclaimed projects and earned recognition for her dedication and natural acting prowess. From her debut in Ayal Njanalla to her recent projects in 2025, Divya Pillai has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent throughout her decade-long career in the South Indian film industry.
Divya Pillai is a 36-year-old Indian actress born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Born on November 23, 1988, she rose to fame through her memorable roles in hit films like Oozham, Masterpiece, and Kala. She is currently active with multiple 2025 releases including Bazooka, Ace, and Bhairavam.
Quick Facts About Divya Pillai
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Divya Pillai |
| Date of Birth | November 23, 1988 |
| Age | 36 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Malayali Nair |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Primary Industry | Malayalam Cinema |
| Other Industries | Telugu, Tamil Films |
| Debut Film | Ayal Njanalla (2015) |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 34-28-36 inches |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Marital Status | Previously in relationship |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Famous For | Roles in Oozham, Masterpiece, Kala, Garudan |
Divya Pillai Early Life and Education
Divya Pillai was born on November 23, 1988, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Malayali parents from Kerala, India. Her father, Narayanan Pillai, and mother, Chandrika Pillai, raised her in the vibrant expatriate community of Karama, Dubai.
Educational Background
| Education Level | Institution | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary & Secondary | Indian High School | Dubai, UAE | Completed schooling |
| High School | New Indian Model School | Dubai, UAE | Completed education |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Anna University | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | B.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
Early Career Before Films
| Company | Position | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates Airlines | Cabin Crew Recruiter | Dubai, UAE | After graduation |
| Flydubai | Senior Administration Officer | Dubai, UAE | Before entering films |
Divya Pillai Personal Life and Family
Family Information
| Relation | Name | Occupation | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father | Narayanan Pillai | Businessman | Malayali background |
| Mother | Chandrika Pillai | Homemaker/Nurse | Supportive parent |
| Siblings | Information not available | – | Second daughter in family |
Relationship Status
Divya Pillai has been open about her personal life in recent interviews. She revealed that she was in a long-term relationship with a British man of Iraqi origin for approximately 12 years. The couple had an intimate wedding ceremony at Mookambika Temple attended by her parents, though it was not legally registered. They eventually parted ways due to different life goals and aspirations.
As of 2024, Divya confirmed she is currently dating someone but prefers to keep the details private until the appropriate time. She has stated that she will introduce her partner publicly when she feels ready.
Entry Into Films
Divya’s journey into cinema was entirely accidental. A film director noticed her at her childhood friend Ria Mithun’s wedding in Kerala. This chance encounter led to her being offered a role, which she accepted, leaving her aviation career behind to pursue acting.
Divya Pillai Career and Achievements
Malayalam Film Debut and Breakthrough
Divya Pillai made her acting debut in 2015 with the romantic comedy Ayal Njanalla, directed by Vineeth Kumar in his directorial debut. She starred opposite the acclaimed actor Fahadh Faasil. The film introduced her natural acting talent to Malayalam audiences.
Her breakthrough came with Oozham in 2016, a revenge drama directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film was both a critical and commercial success, establishing Divya as a promising talent in Malayalam cinema. Before filming, she attended workshops along with fellow debutant Rasna Pavithran to prepare for her role as Gayatri.
Complete Filmography (2015-2025)
| Year | Film Title | Role/Character | Language | Director | Co-Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ayal Njanalla | Heera | Malayalam | Vineeth Kumar | Fahadh Faasil |
| 2016 | Oozham | Gayatri | Malayalam | Jeethu Joseph | Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| 2017 | Masterpiece | Police Officer | Malayalam | Ajai Vasudev | Mammootty |
| 2017 | Edakkad Battalion 06 | – | Malayalam | Swapnesh K. Nair | Tovino Thomas |
| 2019 | Safe | – | Malayalam | Pradeep Kalipurayath | – |
| 2019 | My Great Grandfather | Delna | Malayalam | – | – |
| 2019 | Jimmy Ee Veedinte Aishwaryam | Jancy Vetilakaran | Malayalam | – | – |
| 2021 | Kala | Vidhya | Malayalam | Rohith V.S. | Tovino Thomas |
| 2022 | Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal | Young Minah Kaif | Tamil | Vignesh Shivan | Vijay Sethupathi |
| 2022 | Thaggedele | Devi | Telugu | – | Naveen Chandra |
| 2022 | King Fish | – | Malayalam | – | – |
| 2022 | Naalam Mura | Mini | Malayalam | – | Biju Menon |
| 2022 | Shefeekkinte Santhosham | – | Malayalam | – | – |
| 2022 | Simon Daniel | – | Malayalam | – | – |
| 2023 | Jailer | – | Telugu/Tamil | – | – |
| 2023 | Mangalavaaram | Rajeshwari Devi | Telugu | Ajay Bhupathi | Payal Rajput |
| 2023 | Garudan | Haritha | Malayalam | Arun Varma | Suresh Gopi |
| 2023 | Chovvazhcha | – | Malayalam | – | – |
| 2024 | Andhakaara | – | Malayalam | Vasudev Sanal | – |
| 2024 | Nadikar | – | Malayalam | – | Tovino Thomas |
| 2024 | Raayan | Annam Sethuraman | Tamil | Dhanush | Dhanush |
| 2025 | Bazooka | Annie Benjamin | Malayalam | Deeno Dennis | Mammootty |
| 2025 | Ace | Kalpana | Tamil | Arumuga Kumar | Dhyan Sreenivasan |
| 2025 | Bhairavam | – | Telugu | Vijay Kanakamedala | – |
| 2025 | J.S.K – Janaki v/s State of Kerala | Saira Fathima | Malayalam | Praveen Narayanan | – |
| 2025 | ID: The Fake | – | Malayalam | Arun Sivavila | – |
| 2025 | Thandel | – | Telugu | Chandoo Mondeti | Naga Chaitanya |
Television Career
| Year | Show Title | Role/Character | Type | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Uppum Mulakum | Jancy (Guest Role) | Malayalam Serial | Guest Appearance |
| 2023 | Master Peace | Aparna | TV Series | 1 episode |
| 2023 | The Village | Neha | TV Series | 6 episodes |
Music Career
| Year | Film | Role | Song Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Puthiya Niyamam | Playback Singer | Contributed vocals |
| 2019 | Jimmy Ee Veedinte Aiswaryam | Playback Singer | Sang songs for the film |
Career Highlights and Recognition
Throughout her decade-long career, Divya Pillai has worked with some of the biggest names in South Indian cinema including Mammootty, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Fahadh Faasil, Tovino Thomas, and Dhanush. She is particularly noted for her role in the critically acclaimed film Kala, where she performed intimate scenes after initially hesitating, showing her dedication to her craft.
Divya has successfully transitioned across multiple South Indian film industries, making her debut in Telugu cinema with Thaggedele in 2022 and Tamil cinema with Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal the same year. Her versatility in portraying diverse characters has earned her recognition as a significant figure in contemporary South Indian cinema.
Divya Pillai Hobbies and Interests
Personal Interests
| Hobby/Interest | Details | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|
| Dancing | Trained dancer, won competitions | Advanced |
| Yoga | Practices daily for fitness | Regular practitioner |
| Gym Workout | Regular fitness routine | Fitness enthusiast |
| Singing | Has sung in films | Trained |
| Poetry Writing | Writes poems in spare time | Hobbyist |
| Painting | Creative expression | Hobbyist |
| Traveling | Loves exploring new places | Passionate traveler |
| Modeling | Professional modeling work | Professional |
Fitness and Lifestyle
Divya Pillai is a dedicated fitness enthusiast who maintains her physique through regular yoga practice and gym workouts. She believes in a balanced lifestyle and credits her fitness routine for her on-screen energy and confidence.
Divya Pillai Favorites and Preferences
| Category | Preference | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Favorite Colors | Pink, Red, Orange, Black, White | Prefers vibrant and classic colors |
| Food Preferences | Non-Vegetarian | Foodie who loves variety |
| Favorite Dishes | Biryani, Pizza, Pasta, Burgers, Momos, Samosa, Cake | Loves Indian and international cuisine |
| Cooking Skills | Yes, knows cooking | Can prepare meals |
| Alcohol Consumption | No | Non-drinker |
| Smoking | No | Non-smoker |
| Pet Preference | Cats and Dogs | Avid animal lover |
Divya Pillai Online Presence and Social Links
Official Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Username/Handle | Followers | Link/URL | Verification Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| @pillaidivya | 567K followers | instagram.com/pillaidivya | Official Account | |
| divyapillaionline | 595K+ followers | facebook.com/divyapillaionline | Official Page | |
| YouTube | Divya Pillai | 9.87K+ subscribers | YouTube Channel | Official Channel |
Professional Profiles
| Platform Type | Platform Name | Profile Status | Link/URL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMDb | Actor Database | Active/Complete | imdb.com/name/nm5346772 | Complete Filmography |
| Wikipedia | Biography Page | Active | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divya_Pillai | Encyclopedia Entry |
Social Media Bio
On her official Instagram account, Divya describes herself as using “My official platform to connect to all you beautiful people following me! I stand by – Work | Passion | Courage 🇮🇳🇦🇪” showcasing her connection to both India and the UAE where she was born and raised.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divya Pillai
What is Divya Pillai’s age?
Divya Pillai is 36 years old as of 2025, born on November 23, 1988, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Is Divya Pillai married?
Divya Pillai was previously in a long-term relationship for 12 years with a British man of Iraqi origin. The relationship has ended. As of 2024, she has confirmed she is currently dating someone but prefers to keep the details private.
What is Divya Pillai’s height and weight?
Divya Pillai stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 58 kg. Her body measurements are 34-28-36 inches.
What was Divya Pillai’s debut film?
Divya Pillai made her acting debut with the 2015 Malayalam romantic comedy Ayal Njanalla opposite Fahadh Faasil, directed by Vineeth Kumar.
Which are Divya Pillai’s most famous movies?
Divya Pillai is best known for her performances in Oozham, Masterpiece, Kala, Garudan, and Raayan. Her role in Oozham opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran was particularly acclaimed.
What is Divya Pillai’s educational qualification?
Divya Pillai holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
What was Divya Pillai’s profession before acting?
Before entering the film industry, Divya Pillai worked as a cabin crew recruiter for Emirates Airlines and as a senior administration officer for Flydubai in Dubai.
How did Divya Pillai enter films?
Divya Pillai’s entry into cinema was accidental. A film director spotted her at her childhood friend Ria Mithun’s wedding in Kerala and offered her a role, which led to her film debut.
In which languages does Divya Pillai work?
Divya Pillai predominantly works in Malayalam cinema but has also appeared in Telugu and Tamil films. She made her Telugu debut with Thaggedele and Tamil debut with Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal in 2022.
What are Divya Pillai’s upcoming movies in 2025?
Divya Pillai has several 2025 releases including Bazooka with Mammootty, Ace, Bhairavam, J.S.K – Janaki v/s State of Kerala, ID: The Fake, and Thandel.
Does Divya Pillai sing?
Yes, Divya Pillai has showcased her singing talent by providing playback vocals in films like Puthiya Niyamam and Jimmy Ee Veedinte Aiswaryam.
Where does Divya Pillai currently live?
Divya Pillai currently lives in Kochi, Kerala, India, though she was born and raised in Dubai, UAE. Her hometown is Mavelikkara in Alappuzha District, Kerala.
