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{{short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kani Kusruti
| image = Kani Kusruti in 2025 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Kusruti in 2025
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| alma_mater = School Of Drama, Thrissur <br/>[[L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq]]
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2000–present
| partner = [[Anand Gandhi]] (2015–2021)
}}

'''Kani Kusruti''' is an Indian actress known primarily for her work in [[Malayalam]] films. She first gained recognition in 2009 with the film ''[[Kerala Cafe]]'', in which her performance was critically acclaimed. Kani won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] at [[Kerala State Film Awards]] and the Best Actress Award at the [[Moscow International Film Festival]] for her performance in the film ''[[Biriyaani]]'' (2020). She has since starred in the independent films ''[[All We Imagine as Light]]'' and ''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]'' (both 2024).

== Early life and education ==
Kani Kusruti was born in Cheruvakkal, a small village in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], Kerala, to social activist parents Jayasree A. K. and Maitreya Maitreyan. Her parents had dropped their last names to erase the social hierarchy marker that comes with last names in India. At 15, she invented her last name "Kusruti" (meaning "mischievous" in [[Malayalam]]) to fill in a requirement in her [[Secondary School Certificate|class 10th exam]] application. She grew up in Thiruvananthapuram, where she got introduced to the Abhinaya Theatre Research Centre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/women/work-and-life/kani-kusruti.html |title=കനിയുടെ ലോകം കലയാണ്... |language=ml |date=5 June 2015 |website=Manoramaonline |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/view_news-Malayalam-News_and_Gossips-4,66100.php |title=Kani Kusruti wants to establish herself |date=30 June 2010 |website=BharatStudent.com |access-date=20 April 2018 |archive-date=10 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210180305/http://www.bharatstudent.com/cafebharat/view_news-Malayalam-News_and_Gossips-4,66100.php |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kusruti later moved to [[Thrissur]], where she enrolled in the theatre arts program at the Thrissur School of Drama between 2005 and 2007. She completed her theatre education at the [[L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq]], where she studied [[physical theatre]] for two years.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/leading-lady/article5609600.ece |title=Leading lady |last=Nagarajan |first=Saraswathy |date=23 January 2014 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

== Career ==
At Abhinaya, Kusruti made her theatre debut in Baudhayana's classic farce ''[[Bhagavadajjukam]]''. She played the lead role of Vasantsena in the production from 2000 to 2006. The play toured across theatre festivals, including the Bharat Rang Mahotsav and the International Theatre Festival of Kerala. She rendered the part of Kamala in M. G. Jyotish's stage adaptation of [[Hermann Hesse]]'s ''[[Siddhartha (novel)|Siddhartha]]''. In 2007, the production was invited to the Villeneuve en Scene [[Festival d'Avignon]].

In 2009, after returning from her studies at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq,<ref name="auto"/> Kusruti appeared in the anthology film ''[[Kerala Cafe]]'', in which her performance was critically acclaimed<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/actress-kani-kusruti-on-being-different/article8072574.ece |title=Living in the moment |author=Athira M. |date=7 January 2016 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/Ten-minutes-to-fame/article16670814.ece |title=Ten minutes to fame |date=21 November 2016 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> She appears in the segment "Island Express", directed by [[Shankar Ramakrishnan]].

In 2010, she played a [[Naxalite]] in the [[Mohanlal]] starrer ''[[Shikkar]]'', but her nuanced rendition of a sex worker in the 2010 film [[Cocktail (2010 film)|''Cocktail'']] got her noticed by mainstream audiences.

In December 2010, Kani collaborated on creating 'Las Indias', a "mega performance event" directed by the thespian and theatre pedagogist Elias Cohen. The performance was staged in a bus, that was designed for the production. The Indo-Latin American theatre company, the Singing Sticks Theatre Ensemble evolved out of Las Indias. The bus that was originally created for Las Indias, was used once again for an interactive theatre roadshow 'Tsunami Express: Highway of Hopes', which Kusruti collaborated on making.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/a-journey-sans-destination-on-tsunami-express/article1692991.ece |title=A journey sans destination on 'Tsunami Express' |last=Santhosh |first=K. |date=13 April 2011 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

In 2011, Kani joined the renowned touring theatre company Footsbarn to work on a new production of Shakespeare's ''[[The Tempest|Tempest]]''. She played Miranda in the resulting performance "The Indian Tempest".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/indian-tempest-1.1064764 |title=Indian Tempest |last=Crawley |first=Peter |date=8 June 2012 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> After touring Ireland, Spain, France, Portugal and India,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/footsbarn-is-back-in-city-with-indian-tempest/article4339265.ece |title=Footsbarn is back in city with 'Indian Tempest' |last=Kumar |first=Kaavya Pradeep |date=24 January 2013 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref> the production opened at [[Shakespeare's Globe]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/all-the-worlds-a-stage/article2832858.ece |title=All the world's a stage |date=26 January 2012 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://totallydublin.ie/theatre/would-i-might-but-ever-see-that-play/ |title=The Indian Tempest Reviewed (Dublin Shakespeare Festival) |last=O'Mahony |first=Julia |date=8 June 2012 |website=[[Totally Dublin]] |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

Kusruti researched, co-developed and acted in the Indo-Polish production 'Burning Flowers - 7 Dreams of a Woman', directed by [[:pl:Paweł Szkotak|Pawel Szkotak]] and produced by [[Teatr Biuro Podróży]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/indian-tempest-globe-theatre-9076 |title=Indian Tempest |last=Loxton |first=Howard |website=British Theatre Guide |date=29 July 2013 |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

In 2015, Kusruti became a household presence with the soap opera ''Eswaran Sakshiyayi'', directed by [[K. K. Rajeev]]. She played the part of Advocate Tresa, a lawyer who joins in on the investigation for her brother's murder.<ref name="auto"/>

In 2020, upon being awarded Best Actress in Malayalam for her performance in ''[[Biriyaani]]'', she dedicated the win to [[PK Rosy]], the first actress in Malayalam cinema.<ref name=shaji2023>{{cite web | last=Shaji | first=K A | title=As Google honours Dalit heroine PK Rosy, Kerala film academy struggles to name award after her | website=The South First | date=10 February 2023 | url=https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/as-google-honours-dalit-heroine-pk-rosy-kerala-film-academy-struggles-to-name-award-after-her/ | access-date=19 May 2025}}</ref>

==Recognitions==

* 2024 – Kusruti was a member of the jury at the [[29th Busan International Film Festival|2024 Busan International Film Festival]] for its main competition section, "New Currents Award".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/addon/10000001/page.asp?page_num=8380 |title= The 29th Busan International Film Festival: New Currents Juries |website=Busan International Film Festival|date=September 3, 2024|access-date=September 4, 2024|language=en}}</ref>
* 2025 – She was appointed as a member of the jury at the [[78th Locarno Film Festival]] for Concorso Cineasti del Presente – Filmmakers of the Present Competition.<ref name="jury:hr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/locarno-film-festival-2025-jury-carlos-reygadas-rithy-panh-1236313808/ |title= Locarno Film Festival Adds Carlos Reygadas, Joslyn Barnes to Rithy Panh-Led Main Jury|author= Georg Szalai |website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date= 15 July 2025 |access-date= 15 July 2025|language=en}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of Kani Kusruti's awards and nominations
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Nominated Work
! scope="col" | Result
! class="unsortable" scope="col" | {{Ref heading}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
| Rome Prisma Independent Film Awards
| Best Actress
| ''[[Counterfeit Kunkoo]]''
| {{Won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rome Prisma Independent Film Awards, January 2019 |url=https://www.romeprismafilmawards.com/2019/02/07/prisma-january-2019/}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kerala State Film Awards]]
| [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress]]
| ''[[Biriyaani]]''
| {{Won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=സുരാജ് മികച്ച നടൻ, കനി കുസൃതി നടി, വാസന്തി മികച്ച സിനിമ; ഫഹദ് സഹനടൻ|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/specials/state-film-awards-2020/kerala-state-film-awards-2020-ak-balan-best-actress-actor-film-malayala-cinema-1.5126595|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013132443/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/specials/state-film-awards-2020/kerala-state-film-awards-2020-ak-balan-best-actress-actor-film-malayala-cinema-1.5126595|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|2020
| BRICS Competition section in 42nd [[Moscow International Film Festival]]
| Best Actress
| ''[[Biriyani]]''
| {{Won}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2022/tamil/winners?s=09|title=Winners of the Filmfare Awards South 2022|website=Filmfare|date=9 October 2022|access-date=10 October 2022}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="3" |2021
| [[Filmfare OTT Awards]]
| Best Actor (Female) – Comedy
| ''[[OK Computer]]''
| {{Won}}
|<ref name="filmfareott2021">{{Cite web|url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/awards/filmfare-awards/myglamm-filmfare-ott-awards-2021/myglamm-filmfare-ott-awards-2021-red-carpet/articleshow/88185522.cms|title=MyGlamm Filmfare OTT Awards 2021: Red Carpet|date=9 December 2021|access-date=10 December 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Filmfare OTT Awards]]
| Best Actor (Female) – Popular awards
| ''[[OK Computer]]''
| {{Nominated}}
|<ref name="filmfareott2021" />
|-
| [[New York Indian Film Festival]]
| Best Actress
| ''[[Biriyani]]''
| {{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4225184/awards/|title=Kani Kusruti - Awards|website=IMBD|language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" |2022
|[[67th Filmfare Awards South]]
|Best Actress: Critics
|''[[Biriyani]]''
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|[[67th Filmfare Awards South]]
|Best Actress: Malayalam Cinema
|''[[Biriyani]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|Indian Film and Television Awards
|Best Supporting Actress in a Series
|''[[OK Computer]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0049799/2022/1/|title=Indian Film and Television Awards 2022|website=IMBD|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Hitlist OTT Awards
|Best Supporting Actor -Female
|''[[OK Computer]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0049568/2022/1/?ref_=ev_tl_yr_2|title=Hitlist OTT Awards 2022|website=IMBD|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2023
|Critics’ Choice Shorts and Series Awards, India
|Best Supporting Actress
|''[[Maharani (2023 film)|Maharani]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
| rowspan="4" |2024
|FOI Online Awards
|Best Actress in a Supporting Role
|''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|OTTplay Awards
|Breakthrough Performance of the Year - Female
|''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|[[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]]
|Best Performance
|''[[All We Imagine as Light]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|VHS Awards
|Best Actress
|''[[All We Imagine as Light]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
| rowspan="10" |2025
|[[Filmfare OTT Awards]]
|Best Supporting Actor, Web Original Film (Female)
|''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|[[Film Independent Spirit Awards]]
|Best Supporting Performance
|''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|[[International Indian Film Academy Awards]]
|Best Performance in a Supporting Role Series - Female
|''[[Maharani (2023 film)|Maharani]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|[[Asian Film Awards]]
|Best Actress
|''[[All We Imagine as Light]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|IMDb STARmeter Awards
|Breakout Star
| -
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|[[International Cinephile Society|International Cinephile Society Awards]]
|Best Actress
|''[[All We Imagine as Light]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|[[Times of India Film Awards]]
|Acting Excellence in a Supporting Role - Female in Web Films
|''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|Critics' Choice Film Awards, India
|Best Actress
|''[[All We Imagine as Light]]''
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|Critics’ Choice Shorts and Series Awards, India
|Best Supporting Actress
|''[[Poacher (TV series)|Poacher]]''
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|-
|Critics’ Choice Shorts and Series Awards, India
|Best Supporting Actress
|''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]''
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="imdb-kani-awards" />
|}

== Personal life ==
Kusruti is an [[Atheism|atheist]] and [[Rationalism|rationalist]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shorshe.com/celebrity/profile/kani_kusruti.html |title=Kani Kusruti Detail, Bio, profile |website=Shorshe |access-date=20 April 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cinemadaddy.com/kani-kusrutis-reply-criticized/ |title=Kani Kusruti's Reply to Those who Criticized |website=Cinemadaddy |access-date=7 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218153138/http://cinemadaddy.com/kani-kusrutis-reply-criticized/ |archive-date=18 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kusruti resides in Goa with her friends.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/meet-kani-kusruti-at-her-goa-home-my-friends-tease-me-that-this-is-kanis-era-i-think-im-just-an-average-actor-9850320|title=Meet Kani Kusruti at her Goa home|website=IndianExpress |access-date=15 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/lifestyle/interiors/celebrity-corners-inside-kani-kusrutis-goa-garden-home/|title=Celebrity Corners: Inside Kani Kusruti's Goa Garden Home |website=Hollywood reporter|access-date=15 February 2026}}</ref> She has publicly identified with feminist perspectives and has spoken on social and political issues, including gender equality and civil liberties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://feminisminindia.com/2021/04/21/kani-kusruti-interview/#google_vignette |title=Kani Kusruti: Setting The Bar High With Acting And Politics Around Body & Representation|website= feminisminindia|language=en |access-date=16 February 2026 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/originals/who-is-kani-kusruti-indian-actress-who-showed-solidarity-for-palestine-with-watermelon-clutch/articleshow/122560194.html |title=Who Is Kani Kusruti, Indian Actress Who Showed Solidarity For Palestine With Watermelon Clutch?|website= indiatimes|language=en |access-date=16 February 2026 }}</ref> She has also criticised sexism in the Malayalam film industry.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kani-kusruti-on-lack-of-women-in-malayalam-films-2555819-2024-06-20 |title=Kani Kusruti on lack of women in Malayalam films: Have to write such parts|website=IndianExpress |language=en |access-date=16 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/08/30/kani-kusruti-manorama-news-conclave-women-in-cinema-collective-inequalities.html |title=Revolution stems from endured struggles: Kani Kusruti on WCC's perseverance|website= OnManorama|language=en |access-date=16 February 2026}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
===Films===
{{Pending films key}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Language !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2003 || ''[[Anyar (film)|Anyar]]'' || Bus Passenger || [[Malayalam]] ||
|-
|| ''Manushyaputhri'' || Lakshmi || rowspan="6" | Malayalam ||
|-
| 2007 ||''A Flowering Tree'' || Amma || Short film
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Kerala Cafe]]'' || Zeba || Segment: Island Express
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2010 || ''[[Shikkar]]'' || Naxalite ||
|-
|| ''[[Cocktail (2010 film)|Cocktail]]'' || Elsa ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2011 || ''[[Urumi (film)|Urumi]]'' || Singer ||
|-
|| ''Silent Dark Eyes'' || Woman || English || Short film
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Karmayogi (2012 film)|Karmayogi]]'' || Penn Jyothiyamma || rowspan="6" | Malayalam ||
|-
| rowspan=4 | 2013 || ''[[Oru Indian Pranayakadha]]'' || Police Commissioner ||
|-
|| ''[[North 24 Kaatham]]'' || Lajjo ||
|-
|| ''[[Hotel California (2013 film)|Hotel California]]'' || Guest role ||
|-
|| ''[[Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla]]'' || Flat resident ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2014 || ''[[Masala Republic]]'' || AGS Officer ||
|-
|| ''[[Pisaasu]]'' || Angry husband's wife || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] ||
|-
|| ''[[Burma (film)|Burma]]'' || Clara || Tamil ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2015 || ''Padakkam'' || Prostitute || Malayalam || Short film<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZaEBNgDZkdnxXyR26OwcSA/325bMJqj |title=Padakkam Malayalam Short Film Ft. Kani Kusruti |website=Allreadable |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lectoro.com/index.php?action=search&ytq=Padakkam%20Malayalam%20Short%20Film%20Ft.%20Kani%20Kusruti%20(English%20Subtitles) |title=Padakkam Malayalam Short Film |website=Lectoro |access-date=25 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126052512/http://www.lectoro.com/index.php?action=search&ytq=Padakkam%20Malayalam%20Short%20Film%20Ft.%20Kani%20Kusruti%20(English%20Subtitles) |archive-date=26 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|| ''[[The Dolphins (film)|The Dolphins]]'' || Varalakshmi || Malayalam ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2016 || ''[[Kalam (film)|Kalam]]'' || Housekeeper || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] ||
|-
||''Memories of a Machine''<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Kani-Kusruti-essays-another-unusual-role/articleshow/55412699.cms |title=Kani Kusruti essays another unusual role |last=Jayaram |first=Deepika |date=14 November 2016 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://newsable.asianetnews.tv/entertainment/watch-actress-kani-kusrutis-talks-about-sex-in-a-film |title=Kani Kusruti 'Is child abuse a joke for you?' ask young girls in viral video |last=Barua |first=Richa |date=29 November 2016 |website=Asianet News |access-date=20 April 2018 |archive-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608015903/http://newsable.asianetnews.tv/entertainment/watch-actress-kani-kusrutis-talks-about-sex-in-a-film |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|Lady
| rowspan="2" |Malayalam
|Short film<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Women-filmmakers-choose-bold-subjects-for-short-films/articleshow/55574430.cms |title=Women filmmakers choose bold subjects for short films |last=Suresh |first=Sunayana |date=24 January 2017 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=20 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=4 | 2017 || ''Gi'' || Gi || rowspan="3" | Short films
|-
|| ''Thadayam'' || Jenny || rowspan="2" | Tamil
|-
|| ''Touch'' || Selvi
|-
|| ''[[Spyder (film)|Spyder]]'' || Sudalai/Bhairavadu's Mother || [[Tamil language|Tamil]]<br />Telugu ||
|-
| rowspan=4 | 2018 || ''[[Maa (2018 film)|Maa]]'' || Sathya || Tamil || Short film
|-
|| ''Theekuchiyum Panithulliyum'' || Thanuja || Malayalam ||
|-
|| ''The Notion'' || Padma Iyer || English || Short film
|-
|| ''Counterfeit Kunkoo'' || Smita Sunil Nikam || Hindi, Marathi || Short film<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.reporterlive.com/2018/07/06/kani-kusruti-best-actress-in-asia-interntional-film-festival/#.Wz8MR9p9Pgc.facebook |title=Kani Kusruti Best Actress in Asia International Film Festival. |website=reporterlive |access-date=8 July 2018 |archive-date=15 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415021733/http://en.reporterlive.com/2018/07/06/kani-kusruti-best-actress-in-asia-interntional-film-festival/#.Wz8MR9p9Pgc.facebook |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| 2019 || ''Oolu'' || Manasi || Malayalam ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2020 || ''The Discreet Charm of the Savarnas'' || || English || Short film
|-
|| ''[[Biriyaani (2020 film)|Biriyaani]]'' || Khadeeja || Malayalam ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2021 || ''Tryst with Destiny'' || Ahalya || Hindi <br /> English ||
|-
|| ''1956, Central Travancore'' || Kela's wife || Malayalam ||
|-
|| ''Vicks - Care Lives On'' || Priyanka Bhosale || Hindi || Short film
|-
| rowspan=5 | 2022 || ''[[Super Sharanya]]'' || Pedestrian || rowspan="7" | Malayalam || Cameo appearance
|-
| ''[[Pada (film)|Pada]]'' || Sheeja P.K. ||
|-
| ''[[Vichithram]]'' || Martha ||
|-
| ''[[Nishiddho]]'' || Chaavi ||
|-
| ''[[Vazhakku]]'' || Sathi ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-05-14 |title=Amid row, director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan uploads Tovino-starrer Vazhakku online |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/May/14/amid-row-director-sanal-kumar-sasidharan-uploads-tovino-starrer-vazhakku-online |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 2023 ||''[[Kirkkan]]'' || Farsana Rasheed ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=New poster of Kani Kusruthi starrer Kirkkan is out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/apr/24/a-new-poster-of-kirkkan-is-out-42651.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2024 || ''[[All We Imagine as Light]]'' || Nurse Prabha ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Watch: Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine As Light' team dances on Cannes red carpet |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/watch-payal-kapadias-all-we-imagine-as-light-team-dances-on-cannes-red-carpet-2543139-2024-05-24 |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Girls Will Be Girls (2024 film)|Girls Will Be Girls]]'' || Mother Anila || Hindi <br /> English ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-21 |title=Richa Chadha-Ali Fazal Production Girls Will Be Girls To Be Screened Under Cannes Ecrans Juniors |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/richa-chadha-ali-fazal-production-girls-will-be-girls-to-be-screened-under-cannes-ecrans-juniors-8898703.html |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Mura (film)|Mura]]'' || Asha || rowspan="2" | Malayalam ||<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-09 |title='Kappela' director's next 'Mura' to feature Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Kani Kusruthi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kappela-directors-next-mura-to-feature-suraj-venjaramoodu-and-kani-kusruthi/articleshow/106672023.cms |access-date=2024-08-29 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || ''[[Ouseppinte Osyath]]'' || Dhanya || <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Vijayaraghavan to headline 'Ouseppinte Osyath', shooting progresses |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vijayaraghavan-to-headline-ouseppinte-osyath-shooting-progresses/articleshow/112209514.cms |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2" | 2026 ||''[[Assi (film)|Assi]]''|| Parima ||Hindi||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Motion poster unveiled for Taapsee Pannu starrer Assi|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/news/2026/Jan/23/motion-poster-unveiled-for-taapsee-pannu-starrer-assi|access-date=2026-01-23 |website=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref>
|-
| '' {{Pending film|Anchaam Pramaanam}}'' || {{TBA}} || Malayalam || <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/malayalam/news/2026/Apr/07/suhasini-maniratnam-to-lead-new-malayalam-film-anchaam-pramaanam | title=Suhasini Maniratnam to lead new Malayalam film Anchaam Pramaanam | date=7 April 2026 | access-date=27 April 2026 | work=The Cinema Express}}</ref>
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Language !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2015 || ''Ishwaran Sakshiyayi'' || Adv.Tresa || Malayalam ||
|-
|rowspan=2|2021|| ''[[OK Computer (TV series)|OK Computer]]'' || Monalisa Paul || Hindi || [[Disney+ Hotstar]]
|-
|| ''[[Maharani (web series)|Maharani]]'' || Kaveri Sridharan || Hindi || [[SonyLIV]]
|-
|rowspan="4" | 2024 || ''[[Killer Soup]]'' || Kirtima Kadathanathan || [[Hindi]] || [[Netflix]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-03 |title=Killer Soup trailer: Manoj Bajpayee, Konkona Sensharma's Netflix series is a spicy blend of crime, chaos |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/killer-soup-trailer-manoj-bajpayee-konkona-sensharmas-netflix-series-is-a-spicy-blend-of-crime-chaos-9093007/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Poacher (TV series)|Poacher]]'' || DFO Dina || Malayalam || [[Amazon Prime Video]]
|-
|''[[Thalaimai Seyalagam]]'' || Durga || Tamil || [[ZEE5]] Original Series
|-
| ''[[Nagendran's Honeymoons]]'' || Thankam|| Malayalam ||[[Disney+ Hotstar]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/nagendrans-honeymoons-first-look-of-suraj-venjaramoodus-web-series-with-nithin-renji-panicker-out/article68206872.ece|title='Nagendran's Honeymoons': First look of Suraj Venjaramoodu's web series with Nithin Renji Panicker out|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=23 May 2024}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}

{{Authority Control}}
{{KeralaStateAwardForBestActress}}{{Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Malayalam}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kusruti, Kani}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam television]]
[[Category:Female models from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Indian rationalists]]
[[Category:Indian atheists]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Kerala]]
[[Category:Women artists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Artists from Kerala]]

Kani Kusruti - Revision history

Ieagle at 18:41, 7 May 2026