Latest news with #Aarthi
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Played Siblings At Age 2, Later Married Each Other: The Unique Love Story Of A Popular Comedy Star
In October 2009, Aarthi married actor Ganeshkar at Guruvayur temple. They had reconnected on Manada Mayilada, but first met at age two while acting as siblings in a film No one can forget Vijayakanth's iconic 1990 film Chatriyan. Starring the late Captain Vijayakanth as 'Panneer Selvam', the film marked a strong comeback for the actor, who had already delivered several hits in the 1980s. Directed by Subhash, an assistant to Mani Ratnam, Chatriyan featured an impressive cast including Bhanupriya, Revathi, and Thilakan, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film enjoyed a remarkable 150-day run in theatres, and its dialogues remain popular even today. Among the memorable performances was that of the little girl who played Vijayakanth's daughter, a child artist who would go on to become a familiar face in Tamil cinema. Mr. and Mrs., produced by Vanitha Vijayakumar. Aarthi began her career at an astonishingly young age, making her debut at just six months old in Vanna Kanavukal. Over the years, she worked in several notable films, including 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 two had reconnected on the dance reality show Manada Mayilada. Interestingly, Aarthi once shared that she first met her husband when she was just two years old, while acting in a film where he played her brother. Ganeshkar, like Aarthi, began as a child artist and has acted in numerous films and television shows, primarily in comedic roles. Their connection goes back decades to when they appeared together in En Thangai Kalyani, a coincidence that has since become part of their unique love story. After Chatriyan, Aarthi took a break from films before returning in 2004, this time firmly establishing herself as a comedy actress. She became a familiar presence in Tamil cinema and television, known for her lively performances and versatility. In 2017, she participated in Bigg Boss Tamil hosted by Kamal Haasan. Although evicted, she later returned to the house as a guest contestant, further cementing 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 heartwarming as it is remarkable. Her enduring presence in the industry, coupled with her real-life love story with fellow actor Ganeshkar, continues to charm fans, proving that sometimes, life's best scripts are written off-screen. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Spinoff
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Spinoff
Meet 25 young people changing Aotearoa and the world
From poets to Paralympians and policymakers, this year's YWCA Y25 list celebrates some of Aotearoa's most inspirational young people Illustrations by . Every year, the pool of nominees for Y25 grows bigger and stronger. In its six years, Y25 has championed over 125 young wāhine and gender diverse changemakers, and the team at YWCA are now ready to introduce the next group. This year's Y25 come from all across Aotearoa. They are advocates, activists, academics, athletes and leaders working to rectify past wrongs and help communities thrive. Their mahi spans advocacy for children in state care, LGBTQIA+ activism, indigenous storytelling, entrepreneurship, disability access, the arts and more. 'Given what is happening in our world, seeing and hearing from these leaders is more vital than ever,' says YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau CEO Dellwyn Stuart. 'Young women and gender diverse youth are often mischaracterised by the media, by politicians and by their elders. They tend to be seen, but not to be fully heard. We want to change this.' Zoe Dzapasi, who was selected last year, called Y25 a life changing experience. 'I never thought I could grow so much in a year,' she said. 'It was amazing. From the people I met to the real and compassionate connections, advice and support I got.' Meet the Y25 for 2025 below. Aalyana is an entrepreneur and advocate. She is the founder of I Mahi Ora, an initiative that reimagines health and wellbeing for Māori and Pasifika young adults through indigenous frameworks. Her vision is to positively influence health statistics by creating resources that are culturally inclusive and accessible. With a whakapapa that connects her to Sāmoa and Tahiti, Aalyana recognises the systemic disparities in Māori and Pasifika health outcomes. Her own journey through personal and health challenges has shaped her mission to uplift others through culturally grounded, inclusive solutions. Words of wisdom: 'Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua – Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.' From a young age, Aarthi noticed a lack of representation in leadership spaces. As a South Asian New Zealander, she is now paving the way for that herself. Aarthi has many leadership roles and serves both as a Youth MP for Ōhāriu and as head student at Newlands College. At 17, Aarthi led a team of 25 students to bring TEDxYouth@Paparangi to life. This event celebrated the diverse voices of young people across Aotearoa. Aarthi sees young people as the leaders of today and the ancestors of tomorrow. She envisions a future in which their voices are at the forefront of all decisions. Words of wisdom: 'The future isn't something we enter; it's something we actively shape through the courage to speak up, and the will to lead.' Aimee (刘凌华) was born in Guiyang, China and grew up in Manurewa, South Auckland. As a first-generation migrant daughter, she knows all about the balancing act between honouring her parents' sacrifices and following her own path. She's currently studying for a masters of mathematical modelling, while serving Aotearoa's only student-run science magazine. Aimee loves working at the intersection of science and social issues and enjoys using practical tools to understand and tackle big global problems. This talented STEM superstar hopes to combine her hobbies and interests with academia in a fruitful, impactful way. Words of wisdom: ' Make more art! When you're stressed and overwhelmed, it always calms you down. And you have more time than you think.' Amber Cayley, 18, climate champion and STEM leader, Ngāmotu (she/her) Amber is on a mission to help our planet and the humans who live on it. As a high school student in Ngāmotu, Amber is deeply connected to te taiao. Her goal is to become a leading environmental scientist, and she hopes to conduct climate change research around the globe while inspiring others – especially other wāhine – to find their voices and follow their interests. She is passionate about bridging the gap between Western science and indigenous knowledge and weaves her research into mātauranga Māori to support Aotearoa's unique flora and fauna. Amber's work is rooted in scientific rigour, cultural respect and community care. Words of wisdom: 'Try not to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, do what makes you happy, and use your strengths to make the world that little bit better.' Annabel MacKay, 19, inclusion and equity advocate, Te Whanganui a Tara (she/her) Annabel is an advocate, storyteller and rare disease survivor who is deeply committed to inclusion and equity. At just seven years old, Annabel wrote to New Zealand's Prime Minister about the lack of captioning in media. In 2017, she became the youngest person to present to a Parliamentary Select Committee, and in 2021 she was the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Youth Champion for her work raising awareness of NZSL. A speech she did about ableism went viral online. Annabel is currently studying law and development studies, and she will be the first Deaf person to be admitted to the New Zealand Bar. Words of wisdom: 'Your voice (and hands!) matter and have the potential to transform. If you feel strongly about something, fight for it.' Anne Joseph, 24, gender equity and global diplomacy activist, Tāmaki Makaurau (she/her) Anne is a dedicated activist for gender equality, youth empowerment and global diplomacy. She is committed to international child protection and helps raise awareness about the pervasive harms of child trafficking worldwide. Anne has led the UN Women's 16 Days of Activism and a mentorship programme for young women in Egypt. A former secretary of the United Nations Association of New Zealand, she champions youth participation in global governance. She has worked in advocacy and public diplomacy with Amnesty International, the French Embassy and the EU Delegation. Anne is currently finishing off a master's degree in international relations and diplomacy. Words of wisdom: 'Your identity doesn't have to fit into any box. Feel the strength in your individuality and the power of community.' Aria Ngarimu, 23, community-based advocate, Te Whanganui a Tara (she/her) Aria (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) is an emerging researcher in her final year of a law and science degree at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka. There she advocates for tauira Māori and Te Tiriti-based collaboration in tertiary education. Her mahi, grounded in her whakapapa and a commitment to empowering Indigenous perspectives, spans indigenous food sovereignty, climate change and mental health. With legal scholarship published in the Māori Law Review, Aria is dedicated to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and empowering indigenous and marginalised communities in Aotearoa and globally. Words of wisdom: 'Trust in yourself, you are everything your tūpuna dreamed of and more!' Ashley, a proud tamaitai Samoa from South Auckland, is a passionate storyteller dedicated to uplifting her communities with a special focus on the experiences of Samoan women. Raised in Ōtara, Ashley has roots in Afega, Matatufu, Fasitootai and Vailuutai. She holds a master's in Pacific studies from the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau. Ashley explores indigenous knowledge and helps communities reconnect with their cultures through Siva Samoa workshops. As a journalist and active South Auckland community member, she aims to embody the Samoan proverb, 'E au le Inailau a Tamaitai Samoa,' which tells us that a Samoan woman's strength allows her people to unlock their potential. Words of wisdom: 'Take your time and don't be afraid to try something, maybe suck at it and then pivot. That's where the magic happens.' Buua Redfern, 24, rangatahi and community changemaker, Tāmaki Makaurau (she/her) Buua is a trailblazing I-Kiribati advocate for Pacific youth. She aims to ignite opportunities and amplify voices and has led nationwide initiatives for youth leadership, climate change, governance and financial empowerment. Through Ara Maneaba and Rotin Manukau Youth, Buua delivered free driver's licence programmes to Kiribati youth, opening doors to jobs and education. She has also led mental health workshops and fostered healing through anonymous letter exchanges between youth and parents. As events lead for Multiethnic Young Leaders NZ, Buua runs spaces that celebrate diversity and empower rangatahi. Inspired by her mother and community, she is driven to break cycles of hardship and champion collective growth. Words of wisdom: 'Hold yourself to your values and don't let your light be diminished.' Ceilidh is a proud Niuean academic passionate about indigenous knowledge and history. She is dedicated to revitalising Niuean narratives and fostering pride in heritage and language. Grounded in her whakapapa, she advocates for indigenous and queer Pasifika communities, drawing on her own experiences at their intersection. As Pasifika programme coordinator for Rainbow Hub Waikato, Ceilidh helped establish one of the first Pasifika MVPFAFF+ Rainbow spaces in Waikato which provides vital support for queer Pasifika individuals. Inspired by her parents' commitment to community, Ceilidh works to create inclusive spaces where identities are celebrated and people can embody the dreams of their ancestors. Eleanor Dunn, 23, systems change and medical student, Ōtautahi (she/her) Eleanor is a medical student, researcher, science communicator and community leader dedicated to bringing healthcare, research and community service together. She is currently studying medicine at the University of Otago Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and previously completed an honours degree focused on emergency department care. Eleanor is a published researcher and has presented internationally. As President of the Student Volunteer Army Otago, Eleanor leads high-impact volunteering and also mentors aspiring medical students. She has worked with Nanogirl, Khan Academy and Science Alive to make science accessible. Driven to improve healthcare and community well-being, Eleanor is committed to lifelong learning, leadership and creating meaningful, evidence-based impact through her work. Ivy (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wairere, Samoa – Falefā, Tonga – Vava'u) is a wahine Māori creative, leader and advocate from Papakura, South Auckland. She uplifts Māori and Pasifika communities through her mahi and spoken word poetry. As a cultural practitioner at Te Whare Hinatore, Ivy mentors wāhine facing housing insecurity. Her community work includes supporting health access at Talavou Village and Village Collective. The first in her whānau to attend university, Ivy is studying history and Māori media at AUT Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau. She hopes to become a lecturer and filmmaker to continue telling stories that matter. Words of wisdom: 'Pour love into yourself the way you pour love into others – service without reciprocity is a strain on one's hauora.' Katie-Rose, a proud wahine of Samoan and Pākehā descent from South Auckland, is an emerging advocate for neurodiversity, gender equity and cultural inclusion. As a founding member of Young Neurodiversity Champions, she has influenced national policy and supported over 500 families. Now in her second year studying environmental science and psychology at the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau, Katie-Rose blends her academic work with lived experience to drive systemic change. Recognised with awards like Young East Aucklander of the Year, she also channels her activism through performing arts. This multifaceted trailblazer uses every platform available to create meaningful and real impact in her community and beyond. Words of wisdom: 'Difference is not a flaw but a beautiful by-product of evolving humanity.' Lauryn Maxwell, 22, te ao Māori and health equity champion, Tauranga Moana (she/her) Lauryn (Ngāti Pūkenga ki Waiau, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Kiorekino) hails from Tauranga Moana and is dedicated to uplifting indigenous voices and advancing health equity. She holds a BSc in psychology and a diploma in Māori development from the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau and is now pursuing postgraduate study in public and Māori health. Lauryn is passionate about dismantling systemic barriers for marginalised communities and recently completed a six-week public health internship in Mumbai, India. Her journey has been rooted in reclaiming her reo, whakapapa and tikanga, and active leadership in Māori and Pacific communities. All of this drives her commitment to accessible, culturally grounded healthcare. Words of wisdom: 'Don't be afraid to challenge societal expectations, use your voice, and remember that mistakes are part of growth and haerenga.' Laya is an emerging Afghan-Kiwi architect, artist and entrepreneur dedicated to designing inclusive, sustainable and culturally enriched communities. Born in Afghanistan and shaped by her refugee experience, she uses architecture and art for social impact. Laya is now pursuing a master's in architecture at AUT where her research focuses on hydrological architecture and ecological infrastructure and is being used in projects like Orchard Oasis Community Hub. Laya has received the TEAM Architects Scholarship and Prime Minister Scholarship and represented Auckland University of Technology Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rauin in Chile. She mentors students, advocates for refugee and migrant communities, creates art that explores migration and resilience, and enjoys shaping spaces that foster belonging and sustainability. Words of wisdom: 'You are more powerful than you know, and your journey, your culture, your experiences are not barriers, they are strengths.' Lisa McLaren, 25, rangatahi champion and broadcaster, Ōtautahi (she/her) Lisa is an advocate for care-experienced young people at VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai. She's all about youth-led kaupapa and presents workshops on suicide prevention, self-harm, burnout, inclusivity, diversity and trauma-informed care. Born in Ōamaru, Lisa has been involved in the 6 Promises Petition and the Save 7AA Campaign. She has spoken up multiple times in the media in regards to the Ram Raid Amendment Bill and proposed cuts to Oranga Tamariki and is currently working on the State of Care in 2025 report for the 2026 Care conference. Lisa is also a staunch advocate for local music on RDU 98.5fm and has twice been voted Te Waipounamu Regional Youth Council Chair. Words of wisdom: 'Don't be afraid to hear the word 'no', also don't be afraid to say the word 'yes' to new opportunities out of your comfort zone.' Mairātea (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa whānui, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) is a publisher and writer committed to bridging cultural divides through printed word. Raised by Lake Rotorua, Mairātea grew up surrounded by orators, storytellers, holders of ancestral knowledge and discovered that her tongue was ink, her thoughts paper, and her stories vessels for whakapapa, identity, and memory. As the maiden te ao Māori editor of Craccum, she launched Taumata Rau: Māori and Pasifika-led issues. This led her to the prestigious Columbia publishing course at Oxford. As te reo Māori publishing associate at University of Auckland, Mairātea elevates indigenous, Pacific, Asian and migrant stories that speak to identity, decolonisation and diaspora. Words of wisdom: 'Constant worrying will not keep the storm from coming. Know when to let your cards fall, know when to let your mind rest. And maybe – just maybe – embrace a little absurdity on the way there.' Malak is a Palestinian-Kiwi passionate about youth empowerment and human rights. She moved from Hebron to Ōtepoti and is always navigating the space between cultures – as a hijabi, Muslim and Palestinian woman, Malak often finds herself 'the only one in the room'. She feels driven to challenge stereotypes of oppression and show all that young Muslim women can offer. This Queen's High student is also involved with Gen-Z Aotearoa, Create Happy Media, Make It 16, Pūawai Project, Amnesty, UN Youth and her family's Rozana for Palestine fundraiser. As the former liaison officer for Dunedin Youth Council, Malak co-hosted a podcast and helped lead bus safety campaigns. Words of wisdom: 'Stay proud and be yourself – never hide your culture and who you are.' Manuella Sanches Pedrosa, 17, local leader and climate trailblazer, Tāhuna (she/her) Manuella is a Year 13 student at Wakatipu High School. With whakapapa linking back to Brazil, she has helped create solutions for local issues like drought. She is the 2024 student board representative and head girl for 2025 and is passionate about supporting young people in her community. Manuella coaches beginner skaters through KiwiSkate and contributes to the Girls Who Grow programme, where she helped develop a project that won the Rising Star Award at the Wakatipu Community Awards. Outside of school, Manuella plays ice hockey and is a member of the U18 Women's New Zealand Ice Hockey Team. She plans to pursue a career in law. Words of wisdom: 'Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.' Mary operates at the intersection of environmental justice, Pacific knowledge systems, creative practice and intergenerational engagement. She is studying fashion and textile design at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University. Mary is grounded in the wisdom of her ancestral communities: Sapapalii, Aleipata, Falealili, Isle of Raasay Pietermaritzburg and more. She has served as a UNESCO youth representative, led World Vision campaigns on climate justice and global food insecurity, and sits on university academic boards to advocate for curriculum reform and Pacific ancestral knowledge. Mary's story is rooted in resilience: from funding her passions at 13 with part time jobs, to leading NZ Open Women's Touch Rugby Team, to having her music performed by NZSO members. Sabreen is a Muslim Bengali wahine, passionate about using her voice, both through advocacy and art, to create change. A talented songwriter, poet and musician, she explores identity, belonging and resilience by weaving together her experiences as a young woman of colour, her Muslim faith and her love of storytelling. Alongside her EP, she has also published a poetry collection book, Spring Clean, which captures the quiet ache of growing up as a person of colour. Sabreen is not afraid to speak up and does so with grace, honesty and raw vulnerability that inspires many wāhine in Aotearoa. Words of wisdom: 'You're here for a reason, and your ancestors are proud of you. Do what you love for them and no one else!' Sarina Todd, 22, STEM champion and equity innovator, Tāmaki Makaurau (she/her) Sarina is a mechatronics engineering graduate who is dedicated to creating equitable access to STEM. Inspired by the barriers her Japanese grandmother faced, Sarina's goal is to challenge societal norms around education. She is a co-founder of Women in STEM NZ, which creates accessible opportunities for youth to thrive in STEM. Last year, Sarina was approached by NASA to lead an event for Opportunity Rover's 20th anniversary. She created 'Exploring Opportunity', which brought 200 students from across Aotearoa together. She has also represented Aotearoa at UNITE 2030 in New York and moderated a United Nations panel on turning vision into tangible change. Words of wisdom: 'No one can tell you you're doing it wrong if nobody knows what you're doing.' Te Ahipourewa (Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Naho) is a Māori multimedia journalist at Re: News. Her storytelling offers insightful perspectives that challenge mainstream narratives, celebrates Indigenous identity, and brings authenticity and depth to issues that matter to Māori communities. Grounded in whakapapa and tikanga, Te Ahipourewa sees journalism as an extension of traditional Māori storytelling that bridges past, present and future. This talented wahine toa wants to see Māori voices lead, educate and empower. Through storytelling rooted in whanaungatanga and mana motuhake, she inspires rangatahi, celebrates Tangata Whenua and is reimagining the future of media in Aotearoa. Words of wisdom: 'Your whakapapa is your strength. Your tūpuna walk with you every single day – their strength is your strength.' Tia Fleming (Ngāti Apa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa; Vailoa Aleipata, Fasito'o Uta, Moata'a, Manono Tai, Sapapali'i, Falelima – Savai'i) is a 22-year-old māmā, Otago University student and community leader. Her tama has been a powerful inspiration in her journey. Becoming a mother at 18 deepened Tia's drive to create positive change and build a nurturing village for her whānau and wider community. Tia is actively engaged in a range of kaupapa including The Hive, Talavou Village and university-based networks. Her passions span rugby, cultural arts and her faith. Tia centres her mahi on uplifting others. She wants her leadership to be an example of the strength and commitment to service of young wāhine Māori and Pasifika. Words of wisdom: 'Your life may look nothing like the one you imagined and everything like the one you were made for.' Tupou is a New Zealand Tongan Paralympic swimmer who aims to showcase the strength and resilience that define Pacific cultures. Born in Māngere East, a life-altering accident at age two left Tupou with left-sided hemiplegia. Even so, she found her strength in swimming, which became her path to self-expression and success. Tupou won silver at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championship, gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and feels swimming has created many opportunities for her: 'It's cool getting to travel the world and be able to share my culture and put us on the world stage.' Tupou is passionate about inspiring others. Her own self-doubt has fuelled her advocacy for mental health and self-acceptance. Words of wisdom: 'BElieve in YOUrself.'
Mint
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Tragic death! Groom dies of heart attack minutes after wedding ritual in Karnataka's Bagalkot
In a tragic incident, a groom in Karnataka's Bagalkote district collapsed and died moments after tying the knot, reported Udayavani. According to the report, the incident took place in Jamkhandi town of Bagalkot on Saturday afternoon, when Praveen and Pooja were getting married at Nandikeshwar Kalyana Mantapa. Praveen, son of Shreesha Kurani from Kumharahalli village, suddenly suffered a severe heart attack when he was preparing to climb the wedding stage to greet guests. He was a noted cyclist and had also served as the secretary of the local cycling association. Earlier, the wedding began as a festive affair, with relatives and friends from both families united to celebrate Praveen and Pooja's union. All the rituals, including the tying of the sacred knot, were completed in the morning. But before the reception could begin, Praveen collapsed near the stage, leaving the entire gathering in shock. Praveen was about to participate in the traditional Aarthi ceremony, and he complained of uneasiness and collapsed, added the report. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, but was declared dead on arrival. Later, the doctors confirmed that Praveen died due to a massive heart attack. Following the incident, the entire families of both the bride and groom were inconsolable as the wedding venue turned into a scene of mourning. In another incident, as dance videos of wedding guests often go viral on social media, a groom's carriage has gone viral on the internet. According to the video, the groom's carriage has an AC installed and has been fitted in it with Jugaad. The video has garnered over 2.3 million views and has been viewed more than 2 million times so far. Along with this, the users have liked this video so much that more than 44 thousand users have liked it. At the same time, there is a flood of comments on this video.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sivakarthikeyan visits Keezhadi museum with family amid busy film schedule
Sivakarthikeyan, one of Tamil cinema 's most beloved and bankable stars, recently made headlines not for a film release, but for a thoughtful gesture of visiting the historic Keezhadi Museum with his family. Known for his charming screen presence and family-friendly entertainers, Sivakarthikeyan took time off his busy schedule to explore Tamil Nadu 's ancient roots, winning praise from fans and cultural enthusiasts alike. Exploring 2,600 years of history at Keezhadi Located in the Sivaganga district, the Keezhadi Museum houses over 13,000 artifacts dating back more than 2,600 years. These include pottery, ornaments, iron tools, and other remnants of early Tamil civilization. Sivakarthikeyan, accompanied by his wife Aarthi and daughter, toured the museum with genuine interest. Co-director Ajay guided the family through the exhibits, explaining the cultural significance of the discoveries. The actor's curiosity and respect for Tamil heritage were evident throughout the visit. Fans and tourists flock to meet Sivakarthikeyan by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Maximize Your $200 Investment with AI-Powered Market Insights! News Portal Learn More Undo His surprise appearance caused a stir among fellow visitors, who eagerly lined up for selfies and photos. Sivakarthikeyan interacted warmly with fans, adding a personal touch to the cultural outing. The visit not only highlighted his deep-rooted connection to Tamil culture but also showed a grounded, relatable side of the superstar. His engagement in heritage education subtly encouraged fans to value and explore their own cultural history. Balancing stardom with cultural awareness On the professional front, Sivakarthikeyan is currently busy with two high-profile films ' Madharasi ', directed by A.R. Murugadoss and set for release on September 5, and ' Parasakthi ', directed by Sudha Kongara . His last film 'Amaran' grossed over ₹300 crore, solidifying his position in the top tier of South Indian cinema. With his ability to juggle stardom and cultural consciousness, Sivakarthikeyan continues to be a role model both on and off screen.
India.com
29-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
Data & AI's Relentless Rise
Cloud economics, real-time analytics, and generative models have expanded the remit of software engineers far beyond feature delivery. Today's practitioners must secure petabytes against privacy laws one week and build a large-language-model pilot the next. Within that cross-pressure of scale and speed sits a role that few universities even imagined fifteen years ago: the end-to-end data and AI engineer who can translate compliance rules, business metrics, and algorithmic research into systems that never blink. That landscape forms the backdrop for Aarthi Anbalagan's journey—a journey that began in Tamil Nadu lecture halls and now influences the telemetry pipelines inside one of the world's most influential technology companies. Milestones that Signaled an Indian Talent on the Move Aarthi's Indian academic record hinted at her trajectory early: a Summa Cum Laude engineering degree at Anna University, Chennai, India, with the then-rare distinction of Best Outgoing Student , followed by a 'Magna Cum Laude' master's in computer science at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. While peers prepared for campus interviews, she was already co-authoring eye-tracking research and winning the prestigious CRA-W Grad Cohort Scholarship, an honor awarded to fewer than five percent of applicants worldwide. Her professional innings mirrors that rarity. At Nokia Networks she re-factored 3G HSUPA scheduling code—a portion of telecom firmware where milliseconds mean dropped calls. Switching to GE Healthcare, she shepherded the Patient-Data-Management module of a next-generation mammography system from concept to US FDA 510(k) clearance, picking up an Engineering Excellence Award in a regulated domain where such approvals are counted, not assumed. 'I learned early that perfect code is necessary but not sufficient; you must show regulators, doctors, and patients why it's safe, not merely that it works,' Aarthi recalls, describing late-night FMEA(Failure Mode Effects and Analysis) sessions that bridged Bangalore, Buc, and Boston. Inside the Engineer's Playbook—Observed by the Author While certain technical specifics remain under internal disclosure policies, what emerged from verified performance records and peer feedback is a portrait of sustained, large-scale impact: Telemetry at Exabyte Scale: She led the scale-out of monitoring for a data lake that stores information for search, finance, and HR products. By dual-publishing metrics and automating control-plane provisioning, her team eliminated throttling issues due to noisy neighboring services without a single minute of customer downtime. She led the scale-out of monitoring for a data lake that stores information for search, finance, and HR products. By dual-publishing metrics and automating control-plane provisioning, her team eliminated throttling issues due to noisy neighboring services without a single minute of customer downtime. Security Intervention that Saved US $1 million: During a crypto-fraud incident, Aarthi's rapid automated solution within 24 hours, saved $1million and fed lessons into a company-wide Secure Future programme. During a crypto-fraud incident, Aarthi's rapid automated solution within 24 hours, saved $1million and fed lessons into a company-wide Secure Future programme. GDPR & EU Data Boundary Compliance: She designed a real-time EUDB data pipeline and built a BI dashboard that empowered senior leadership to make informed decisions in under 30 seconds, while her GDPR strategy saved thousands of dollars monthly, scrubbing PII data in real time. She designed a real-time EUDB data pipeline and built a BI dashboard that empowered senior leadership to make informed decisions in under 30 seconds, while her GDPR strategy saved thousands of dollars monthly, scrubbing PII data in real time. OpenTelemetry Adoption: Re-writing a proprietary logging framework into an open standard removed latent vulnerabilities and earned her a 'Kudo' award, a peer-nominated honor granted to fewer engineers annually. Re-writing a proprietary logging framework into an open standard removed latent vulnerabilities and earned her a 'Kudo' award, a peer-nominated honor granted to fewer engineers annually. AI-Driven Incident Management: Her Auto-Triage system, now dispatching more than half of weekly tickets automatically, blends AI/ML and Jupyter-based notebooks. Interns she mentored extended the pattern, signaling a multiplier effect. 'When an on-call rotation costs three hours of human sleep, automation isn't a luxury; it's empathy in action,' she tells me, matter-of-fact rather than boastful. That empathy extends to community leadership. An IEEE Senior Member, Aarthi edits a monthly AI-Learning newsletter and currently chairs the AI Champs program across the company's storage organization. Hackathon podiums—*Honorable mention in Hack For Africa project in 2018, Camp Copilot MVP in 2025—*underline sustained peer recognition. Performance tuning a retention executor yielded a 100-fold speed-up for the largest customers; symlink design for Data Lake Gen2 migration let customers shift workloads seamlessly, without having to do any manual. 'My metric of success is the backlog I erase for teams I'll never meet. If my systems keep running even if I disappear tomorrow–that's reliability done right,' she quips, echoing a pragmatism many platform engineers aspire to yet rarely articulate. Lessons for India's Emerging Data Leaders Aarthi's story resonates for Indian readers for two reasons. First, she evidences that depth in foundational domains—compiler-grade C#, scheduling algorithms, or healthcare compliance—remains a passport to the AI frontier. Second, her academic accolades from Chennai to Providence, USA show that tier-two city graduates can scale global walls when they pair conceptual clarity with visibility in professional societies. For graduates eyeing the swelling AI ecosystem at home, the takeaway is to blend domain context with open-source fluency. Whether you're tuning Spark clusters in Hyderabad or auditing PII flow for a fintech in Bengaluru, investing in telemetry and security literacy widens your perspective. Aarthi's trajectory—from winning a state-level governor's medal to supervising exabyte scale telemetry—demonstrates how Indian diligence can influence cloud architectures used by hundreds of millions. The data revolution is neither Silicon Valley's nor Bengaluru's alone; it thrives wherever engineers treat observability, ethics, and automation as a single thread. Aarthi Anbalagan simply reminds us that the thread can start in an Anna University lab and, with rigor and generosity, loop back to strengthen India's own digital fabric.
