Kavya Madhavan clarified that she stepped away from acting to focus on her family.
Malayalam Star Kavya Madhavan Movies, Awards, Family, and Lakshyah Brand (Source: Instagram)
Kavya Madhavan and Dileep has been recently photographed together when Dileep returned home to an emotional welcome after being acquitted in the 2017 actress assault and abduction case on December 8, 2025. Kavya Madhavan wife of Dileep is an Indian former actress who worked mainly in Malayalam films and a few Tamil films.
Kavya Madhavan is an Indian film actress and singer who primarily worked in Malayalam cinema. She began acting in 1991 as a child artist and later played her first lead role at the age of 15 in Chandranudikkunna Dikhil (1999), which became a commercial success.
Kavya Madhavan was born on 19 September 1984 into a Chaliya family to P. Madhavan and Shyamala in Nileshwaram, Kasaragod, India. She has a brother, Midhun Madhavan, who is a fashion designer.
She studied at Rajah’s Higher Secondary School, where she also trained in classical dance and participated in several competitions.
Kavya Madhavan was born on 19 September 1984. She is 41 years old now.
Kavya was married to Malayalam actor Dileep in a private ceremony in Kochi on November 25, 2016. The wedding surprised many as it was announced only hours before the event. The couple has a daughter named Mahalakshmi, born in October 2018.
Kavya Madhavan’s first marriage was to Nishal Chandra, a Kuwait-based bank employee, on February 9, 2009. After moving to Kuwait, issues arose, leading Kavya to return to India within months. She filed for divorce, and the marriage officially ended by mutual consent on May 30, 2011.
Kavya Madhavan has one daughter, Mahalakshmi, born on 19 October 2018. She has a step daughter, Meenakshi, from Dileep's first marriage to actress Manju Warrier, and she lives with her.
Kavya Madhavan began acting at age six in Pookkalam Varavayi (1991) and went on to appear in several child roles. Her breakthrough came with Chandranudikkunna Dikkil (1999), which made her and Dileep one of Malayalam cinema’s most successful on-screen pairs. They acted together in 21 films, including Meesa Madhavan, Runway, Lion, Inspector Garud, and Paappi Appacha.
She also worked with Mammootty and Mohanlal in major hits such as Christian Brothers and China Town. Kavya won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress twice for Perumazhakkalam (2004) and Khaddama (2011).
Her career also includes Tamil films like Kasi, writing lyrics for movie songs, playback singing, and appearances in advertisements, TV programs, and stage shows. Several dubbing artists, including Sreeja and Bhagyalakshmi, have voiced her roles.
She made her debut in 1991 as a child artist in Pookkalam Varavayi. Her first major role as a lead actress alongside Samyuktha Varma came in Lal Jose’s Chandranudikkunna Dikkil (1999) while she was in ninth grade. The film’s success established her as a leading Malayalam actress of the 2000s. Kavya has acted in over 75 films and won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress twice for her performances in Perumazhakkalam (2004) and Khaddama (2010).
Kavya Madhavan's estimated net worth of around $4 million USD is approximately ₹36.08 crore INR (Indian Rupees), based on the exchange rate as of December 8, 2025.
Kavya Madhavan clarified that she stepped away from acting to focus on her family.
Kavya Madhavan’s father, P. Madhavan, passed away at the age of 75 in Chennai. He was a well-known businessman and a strong support throughout her film career.
She owns a designer clothing label named Lakshyah, which has outlets in cities like Kochi and Chennai.