# Aarthi Ganeshkar

Aarthi, also known as Harathi is an Indian actress, comedian and television host who works in Tamil films and television dramas. She initially worked as a child artist in the late 1990s, she also appeared in stand-up comedy shows namely Super10 and Lollu Sabha, before joining the Tamil film industry, she has played roles in Giri (2004), Padikkadavan (2009) and Kutty (2010).

## Career

She started her career in Vanna Kanavugal movie when she was only 6 months old. Later Iyal Isai Nadaka Mandram headed by ex chief minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. Mu. Karunanidhi awarded her "Kalaimamani" for her unique style of humorous acting in films. Some of her popular early films included Arul (2004), Giri (2004) and Kundakka Mandakka (2005), in which she collaborated with actor Vadivelu. For her roles in Padikkadavan (2009) and Kutty (2010), she won the Best Female Comedienne awards from Ananda Vikatan for two consecutive years. Subsequently, in 2012, she was described as "Kollywood's most sought after comedienne". During the same year, she was awarded the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for her work in the film, Paraseega Mannan (2012). She later won appreciation from The Hindu's critic for her appearance in an item number in Vishnuvardhan's Yatchan (2015).
In 2017, Aarthi took part in the Tamil reality television show, Bigg Boss hosted by Kamal Haasan. She was evicted from the show on day 21, but later returned for a fortnight as a guest contestant.

## Personal life

Aarthi married fellow comedian Ganeshkar in a ceremony in Guruvayoor during October 2009, before the pair returned to Chennai for a wedding reception. The pair had earlier been dance partners during the reality dance show, Maanada Mayilada.

## Selected filmography
### Tamil films
#### Child artiste

* Vanna Kanavugal (1987)
* En Thangai Kalyani (1988)
* Thendral Sudum (1989)
* Kavalukku Kettikaran (1990)
* Anjali (1990)
* Chatriyan (1990)

#### Comedian

* Arul (2004)
* Giri (2004)
* Maayavi (2005)
* Kaatrullavarai (2005)
* Kundakka Mandakka (2005)
* Chinna (2005)
* Kannamma (2005)
* Pattiyal (2006)
* Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu (2006)
* Thirupathi (2006)
* Parijatham (2006)
* Kusthi (2006)
* Sivi (2006)
* Nenjirukkum Varai (2006)
* Thaamirabharani (2007)
* Malaikottai (2007)
* Machakaaran (2007)
* Kuruvi (2008)
* Jayamkondaan (2008)
* Villu (2009)
* Padikkadavan (2009)
* Guru En Aalu (2009)
* Engal Aasan (2009)
* Adada Enna Azhagu (2009)
* Karthik Anitha (2009)
* Ainthaam Padai (2009)
* Thoranai (2009)
* Pudhiya Payanam (2009)
* Malai Malai (2009)
* Pinju Manasu (2009)
* Suriyan Satta Kalloori (2009)
* Netru Pol Indru Illai (2009)
* Kutty (2010)
* Thairiyam (2010)
* Veerasekaran (2010)
* Guru Sishyan (2010)
* Pournami Nagam (2010)
* Bale Pandiya (2010)
* Uthama Puthiran (2010)
* Aduthathu (2011)
* Kazhugu (2012)
* Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012)
* Chaarulatha (2012)
* Paraseega Mannan (2012)
* Ethir Neechal (2013)
* Naan Rajavaga Pogiren (2013)
* Sonna Puriyathu (2013)
* Chithirayil Nilachoru (2013)
* Ya Ya (2013)
* Kantha (2013)
* Vanakkam Chennai (2013)
* Ingu Kadhal Katrutharapadum (2013)
* Inga Enna Solluthu (2014)
* Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal (2014)
* Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014)
* Vetri Selvan (2014)
* Aranmanai (2014)
* Kayal (2014)
* Killadi (2015)
* Sonna Pochu (2015)
* Moone Moonu Varthai (2015)
* Yatchan (2015)
* Kalai Vendhan (2015)
* Sowkarpettai (2016)
* Aasi (2016)
* Thiraikku Varadha Kadhai (2016)
* Kaththi Sandai (2016)
* Enna Thavam Seitheno (2018)
* Sandimuni (2020)

### Other language films
#### Malayalam films

* Notebook (2006)
* Money Ratnam (2014)
* Girls (2016)

#### Telugu films

* Souryam (2008)
* Pistha (2009)
* Nuvvekkadunte Nenakkadunta (2012)

#### Kannada film

* Vishnuvardhana (2011)

## Awards

| Year | Title |
| 2009 | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Comedian – Female - Padikkadavan |
| 2010 | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Comedian – Female - Kutty |
| 2012 | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian - Paraseega Mannan |

## Television

| Year | Title | Notes |
| | Super 10 | |
| | Dhinam Dhinam Deepavali | |
| 2008 | Maanada Mayilada | |
| 2008 | Kalasam | |
| 2009 | Anu alavum bayamillai | |
| 2012 | Sirippulogam | |
| | Kitchen Super Star (season 1) | |
| 2017 | Bigg Boss | |
| 2017 2018 | Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? (season 5) | (season 5/6/7) |
| 2017 2018 | Star Wars | |
| 2018 | Bigg Boss Tamil 2 | guest day "85 to 91" |
| 2019 | Sun Kudumbam Viruthugal | |
| 2020 | Idhayathai Thirudathey | |
| 2021 | Anbe Vaa | |
| 2022 | Abhiyum Naanum | |