After decades away from the silver screen, actress Shanthi Priya made a powerful and emotional return to cinema with the Tamil film Bad Girl, released in February 2025. Portraying the character 'Meenakshi', she captivated audiences with her heartfelt performance, earning admiration and renewed recognition. What many may not know is that Bad Girl marked her first film appearance since 1994’s Ikke Pe Ikka.
Though she made occasional appearances on television over the years, her career had not seen the resurgence she had hoped for until now. Her return has not just been a comeback.
In April 2025, the 55-year-old actress broke the internet when she shared a stunning transformation on Instagram. In a bold and deeply personal photoshoot, Shanthi Priya revealed a bald look while wearing a brown blazer - a blazer that once belonged to her late husband, actor Siddharth Ray. Her caption revealed the emotional weight of the moment, saying the garment still held her husband's warmth. The striking images drew both praise and criticism, yet Shanthi stood firm in her decision to honour her past while embracing her present.
Siddharth Ray passed away in 2004 due to a heart attack, just five years after their marriage in 1999. Left to raise their two sons ; Shubham and Shishya alone, Shanthi stepped away from her thriving acting career to dedicate herself fully to her family. In hindsight, she admitted it was a difficult decision and one she now sees as a misstep, sharing in an earlier interview that returning to the film world after such a long break was not easy.
Her journey in the industry began with a promising debut alongside Akshay Kumar in Saugandh. However, her early days were not without pain. In a candid interview, she revealed a hurtful incident on set when Akshay made an insensitive remark about the colour of her knees. Though he brushed it off as a joke, the comment left Shanthi deeply affected and contributed to a period of depression. She noted that while he acknowledged the remark, she never received a heartfelt apology.
Despite the personal and professional setbacks, Shanthi Priya's return to cinema is more than a comeback which is the strength of a woman who endured loss, criticism, and regret, yet chose to rise again.
She is also the younger sister of iconic South Indian actress Bhanupriya, who has starred in over 150 films. Sadly, Bhanupriya had to step away from the limelight due to memory loss and now lives a quiet life with her daughter, Abhinaya. Her husband, Adarsh Kaushal, passed away in 2018 following their separation in 2005.
From grief to growth, Shanthi Priya’s story is a moving reminder that it’s never too late to reclaim one’s voice and the spotlight.
Source / Image Credit : bollywoodshaadis