Aamir2580 at 10:21, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T10:21:28Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Maheshwari Chanakyan
| image =
| image_size =
| caption = Maheshwari Chanakyan at [[Writer (film)|Writer]] audio launch
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Chennai, India]]
| spouse = Chanakyan (m.2005 - div. 2010)<ref>{{cite news|title=Tamil Actress Maheshwari Opens Up About Her Second Marriage|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/tamil-actress-maheshwari-opens-up-about-her-second-marriage-4739018.html|publisher=www.news18.com|date=5 February 2022|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053635/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/tamil-actress-maheshwari-opens-up-about-her-second-marriage-4739018.html}}</ref>
| alma_mater = [[University of Madras]]
| other_names = V.J. Maheswari, Mahi
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Actress]]|television presenter}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| known_for = {{ubl|''[[Puthu Kavithai]]''|}}
| children = 1<ref>{{cite news|title=Maheshwari, a single mother, will go through anything for her son!|url=https://tamil.indianexpress.com/lifestyle/zee-tamil-maheswari-instagram-vj-maheswari-chanakyan-vj-maheswari-instagram-kamal-maheswari-223319/|publisher=tamil.indianexpress.com|date=26 September 2020|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053625/https://tamil.indianexpress.com/lifestyle/zee-tamil-maheswari-instagram-vj-maheswari-chanakyan-vj-maheswari-instagram-kamal-maheswari-223319/}}</ref>
}}

'''Maheshwari Chanakyan''' better known as '''V.J. Maheswari''' is an Indian actress and a former television presenter who predominantly appears in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] television shows and films.<ref>{{cite news|title=VJ Maheswari Chanakyan has a suggestion; Take a look|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vj-maheswari-chanakyan-has-a-suggestion-take-a-look/articleshow/66431788.cms|publisher=[[Times Of India]]|date=30 October 2018|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053623/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vj-maheswari-chanakyan-has-a-suggestion-take-a-look/articleshow/66431788.cms}}</ref> She is best known for playing the role of Kavya in [[Star Vijay]]'s popular soap opera ''[[Puthu Kavithai]]''. She also appeared in the blockbuster film ''[[Vikram (2022 film)|Vikram]]'' in 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=VJ Maheswari joins the cast of Lokesh-Kamal film|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vj-maheswari-joins-the-cast-of-lokesh-kamal-film/articleshow/86000273.cms|publisher=[[Times Of India]]|date=7 September 2021|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001150154/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vj-maheswari-joins-the-cast-of-lokesh-kamal-film/articleshow/86000273.cms}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=VJ Maheswari is the new Ramya Pandian; Check out how|url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/vj-maheswari-is-the-new-ramya-pandian-check-out-how/696329|publisher=www.zoomtventertainment.com|date=18 December 2021|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053625/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/vj-maheswari-is-the-new-ramya-pandian-check-out-how/696329}}</ref>

==Early life==
Maheshwari was born to Sreenivasan and Latha in [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India. Maheshwari did her schooling at Adarsh Vidyalaya, T. Nagar, and then graduated from the [[University of Madras]] in [[Chennai]].

== Career ==
In 2010, Maheshwari made her debut in the low-budget film ''Kuyil''. As soon as she made her acting debut she also acted television advertisements shoots and modeling photo shoots. In this period Maheshwari developed interest in anchoring and hosting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fans are crying after Vj Maheshwari's glamor photo as if they won't let go of NNN.|url=https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/sun-music-vj-maheswari-chanakyan-sizzling-photo/|publisher=tamil.behindtalkies.com|date=4 November 2021|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053626/https://tamil.behindtalkies.com/sun-music-vj-maheswari-chanakyan-sizzling-photo/}}</ref>

In 2013, she made her television debut as an actress on TV, she appeared in the romantic serial ''[[Puthu Kavithai]]'' which aired on [[Star Vijay]] opposing actor Dinesh. She also appeared in the soap opera ''[[Thayumanavan (TV series)|Thayumanavan]]'' playing the role as Mahalakshmi, the serial also aired on [[Star Vijay]].<ref>{{cite news|title=VJ Maheswari: விவாகரத்துக்கு காரணம் இது தான்... மனம் திறந்த வி.ஜே.மகேஸ்வரி|url=https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/television-vj-maheswari-chanakyan-divorce-reason-vj-maheswari-photoshoot-782732.html|publisher=tamil.news18.com|date=8 August 2022|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053625/https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/television-vj-maheswari-chanakyan-divorce-reason-vj-maheswari-photoshoot-782732.html}}</ref> She later announced that she quit doing serials for some personal reasons and moved on to anchoring.<ref>{{cite news|title=I don't want to do serials anymore: Maheshwari|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/i-dont-want-to-do-serials-anymore-maheshwari/articleshow/53041241.cms|publisher=[[Times Of India]]|date=4 July 2016|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053625/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/i-dont-want-to-do-serials-anymore-maheshwari/articleshow/53041241.cms}}</ref>

Maheswari also later anchored and hosted television shows such as ''[[Comedy Khiladis]]'' and ''Petta Rap'' which both aired on [[Zee Tamil]].

In 2021, actor [[Kamal Haasan]] approached Maheshwari offering her a role in his film ''[[Vikram (2022 film)|Vikram]]'', she later agreed to the offer and was cast in the film opposite actor [[Vijay Sethupathi]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hope does not come from above: VJ Maheshwari who was in tears!|url=https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/vj-maheshwari-says-about-her-second-marriage/articleshow/88706772.cms|publisher=tamil.samayam.com|date=5 January 2022|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053636/https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/vj-maheshwari-says-about-her-second-marriage/articleshow/88706772.cms}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=In Kamal Haasan's Vikram, Audiences Impressed By 3 Actresses|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/in-kamal-haasans-vikram-audiences-appreciate-these-three-actresses-5310301.html|date=4 June 2022|accessdate=5 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005053625/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/in-kamal-haasans-vikram-audiences-appreciate-these-three-actresses-5310301.html}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In the 2005, Maheshwari married Chanakyan, and the couple have a boy Keshav. However, later in 2010 the couple separated and were divorced.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} She is also a [[costume designer]].<ref>{{cite news|title=VJ Maheshwari turns costume designer|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vj-maheshwari-turns-costume-designer/articleshow/61242096.cms|publisher=[[Times Of India]]|date=26 October 2017|accessdate=31 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=31 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031183220/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vj-maheshwari-turns-costume-designer/articleshow/61242096.cms}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2010
| ''Kuyil''
| Madhu
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Mandhira Punnagai (2010 film)|Mandhira Punnagai]]''
| Hemavathy
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Chennai 600028 II]]''
| Stella
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Pyaar Prema Kaadhal]]''
| Abhi
|
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Writer (film)|Writer]]''
| Thangaraj's second wife
|
|-
| 2021
| ''Soulmate''
| Amudha
|Short film
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Don (2022 film)|Don]]'' || Contest anchor ||
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Vishamakaran]]''
| Paravthy
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Vikram (2022 film)|Vikram]]''
| Kausalya Sandhanam
|
|-
|2025
|''[[Varunan]]''
|Raani
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-23 |title=Varunan trailer: Water becomes a point of conflict |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Feb/23/varunan-trailer-water-becomes-a-point-of-conflict?utm_source=website&utm_medium=related-stories |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 2026 || ''Mustafa Mustafa'' || || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm6sHM5gOz4|title=Mustafa Mustafa - Official Trailer | Sathish | Suresh Ravi | Praveen Saravanan | M.S.Jones Rupert|date=27 February 2026|via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| {{TBA}} ||''Kadhal Conditions Apply''|| ||
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Asatha Povathu Yaaru?]]''
| Guest
|
|-
| 2013 - 2015
| ''[[Puthu Kavithai]]''
| Kavya
|
|-
| 2013–2014
| ''[[Thayumanavan (TV series)|Thayumanavan]]''
|Mahalakshmi
|
|-
| 2014
| ''Naduvula Konjam Disturb Pannuvom''
|Participant
|
|-
| 2015–2017
| ''Isai Aruvi''
|Host
|
|-
| 2015–2018
| ''Athirshtalaskhmi''
|Host
|
|-
| 2018–present
| ''[[Comedy Khiladis]]''
|Host
|
|-
| 2018–present
| ''Petta Rap''
|Host
|
|-
|2021
| ''[[Amman (TV series)|Amman]]''
|Sulakshana
|<ref>{{cite news|title=VJ-turned-actresses Vaigha and Maheshwari to join Mahasangamam episodes of Amman and Mangalya Sandhosham|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vj-turned-actresses-vaigha-and-maheshwari-to-join-mahasangamam-episodes-of-amman-and-mangalya-sandhosham/articleshow/82543575.cms|publisher=[[Times Of India]]|date=11 May 2021|accessdate=31 October 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=31 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031121852/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vj-turned-actresses-vaigha-and-maheshwari-to-join-mahasangamam-episodes-of-amman-and-mangalya-sandhosham/articleshow/82543575.cms}}</ref>
|-
| 2022 - 2023|| ''[[Bigg Boss (Tamil season 6)|Bigg Boss Tamil Season 6]]'' || Contestant ||Evicted on Day 35<br/>Guest for 14th and 15th weeks<br/>Sandaimarutham Award
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Oo Solriya Oo Oohm Solriya]]'' || Participant ||
|-
| 2023 || ''Bigg Boss Kondattam'' || Herself ||
|-
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Instagram|maheswarichanakyan}}
* {{IMDb name|10203791}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chanakyan, Maheswari}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Indian soap opera actresses]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil television actresses]]
[[Category:Tamil television presenters]]
[[Category:Actresses from Chennai]]

Maheshwari Chanakyan - Revision history

Aamir2580 at 10:21, 25 March 2026