Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1996-12-10
- Born Place: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Rukmini Vasanth
Born on December 10, 1996, in Bengaluru, Rukmini Vasanth is a highly talented Indian actress who has rapidly risen to fame in the Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu film industries. She comes from a distinguished background; her father, Colonel Vasanth Venugopal, was the first recipient of the Ashoka Chakra from Karnataka and was tragically killed in action in 2007, while her mother, Subhashini Vasanth, is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer and activist. Rukmini’s formal training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London laid the foundation for her nuanced acting style, which she first showcased in her 2019 debut, Birbal Trilogy. However, it was her emotionally resonant performance as Priya in the 2023 two-part drama Sapta Saagaradaache Ello that earned her critical acclaim and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Kannada. Her momentum continued through 2025 with major roles in the pan-India hit Kantara: Chapter 1 and her Tamil debut in Ace alongside Vijay Sethupathi. In the 2026 film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, Rukmini Vasanth portrays the character Melissa, a role that marks a significant departure from her previous "girl-next-door" image. Her first-look poster, unveiled on January 6, 2026, depicts her as a poised and commanding figure in a high-slit gown, moving with absolute self-assurance through a hazy, 1960s-inspired party setting. Director Geetu Mohandas has highly praised Rukmini's intellectual approach to acting, noting that she often journals between shots to build her character's inner world. As Melissa, she is part of a powerhouse ensemble of female leads—including Nayanthara and Kiara Advani—who navigate the dark underworld ruled by Yash’s character, Raya.
