Played Siblings at Age Two, Later Married Each Other: The Unusual Love Story of a Popular Comedy Actress
In October 2009, Aarthi tied the knot with actor Ganeshkar at the Guruvayur temple. They had reconnected during the dance reality show Manada Mayilada but had actually first met when they were just two years old, playing siblings in a film.
Aarthi started her career at an incredibly young age, making her debut at only six months old in the movie Vanna Kanavukal.
No one can forget Vijayakanth’s iconic 1990 film Chatriyan. Featuring the late Captain Vijayakanth as ‘Panneer Selvam’, the film marked a major comeback for the actor, who had already delivered many hits during the 1980s.
Directed by Subhash, an assistant to Mani Ratnam, Chatriyan had a strong cast including Bhanupriya, Revathi, and Thilakan, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film ran successfully in theatres for 150 days, and its dialogues are still popular today. Among the memorable performances was that of the little girl who played Vijayakanth’s daughter—a child artist who later became a familiar face in Tamil cinema.
That child actress is none other than Aarthi, who has now become a well-known comedy star. Aarthi has acted alongside some of Tamil cinema’s biggest names like Thalapathy Vijay, Ajith, Suriya, and Dhanush, making her mark on both big and small screens. Recently, she featured in the movie Mr. and Mrs., produced by Vanitha Vijayakumar.
Over the years, Aarthi worked in several notable films, such as T. Rajender’s En Thangai Kalyani and Mani Ratnam’s Anjali. Her comic timing and screen presence earned her the prestigious Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government.
In October 2009, Aarthi married actor Ganeshkar at the Guruvayur temple. The couple had reconnected on the dance reality show Manada Mayilada. Interestingly, Aarthi revealed that she first met Ganeshkar when she was only two years old, while acting in a film where he played her brother.
Ganeshkar, like Aarthi, began his career as a child artist and has acted in many films and TV shows, mostly in comedy roles. Their bond goes back many years to when they appeared together in En Thangai Kalyani, a coincidence that adds a special touch to their unique love story.
After Chatriyan, Aarthi took a break from films before returning in 2004, this time establishing herself firmly as a comedy actress. She became a familiar face in Tamil cinema and television, known for her lively performances and versatility. In 2017, she participated in Bigg Boss Tamil hosted by Kamal Haasan. Though she was evicted, she later returned as a guest contestant, further strengthening her popularity with audiences.
From a six-month-old baby on screen to one of Tamil cinema’s most recognisable comedy stars, Aarthi Ganeshkar’s journey is as inspiring as it is heartwarming. Her lasting presence in the industry, coupled with her real-life love story with fellow actor Ganeshkar, continues to win hearts, proving that sometimes, life’s best stories are written beyond the camera.
