Kani Kusruti captivates audiences with bold performances in films like ‘Assi,’ blending theatre finesse with cinematic brilliance.
Kani Kusruti at a promotional event for ‘Assi,’ showcasing her intense, nuanced performance (Photo: Social Media)
Kani Kusruti is turning out to be one of the most interesting actors in the Indian film industry today. Known for her choice of strong and complex characters, she has recently managed to grab the nation’s attention with her performance in Assi, where she plays a rape victim with remarkable subtlety and power where the film is scheduled to release on 20 February, 2026 and also stars Taapsee Pannu.
Born in Cheruvakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Kani Kusruti is a multi-faceted actress who balances mainstream Malayalam cinema with more daring independent films. Though Hindi film audiences are just discovering her, she has been a regular in Malayalam cinema for nearly two decades and she initially gained attention with the anthology Kerala Cafe (2009) and has since taken up roles that are complex and challenging.
Kani’s training in performance arts started at the Abhinaya Theatre Research Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. She also joined the Thrissur School of Drama (2005-2007) and underwent training in physical theatre at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris for two years such training has helped her in her acting career.
Kani’s parents, Jayasree A.K. and Maitreya Maitreyan, were renowned social activists and rationalists. They brought up Kani in a progressive manner that encouraged her to think independently, and they went to the extent of dropping their last names to overcome the social hierarchy. Kani gave herself the surname “Kusruti,” which means “mischievous,” when she was 15 years old and enrolled in
Kani started her acting career in theatre, later moving to films. She received recognition for her performances in Shikkar (2010), Cocktail (2010), and later in Biriyaani (2020), for which she received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. Internationally, she has acted in productions such as The Indian Tempest and Burning Flowers – 7 Dreams of a Woman. Her experience in theatre is reflected in the complex and genuine performances she delivers on screen.
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
| 2003 | Anyar | Bus Passenger | Malayalam |
| 2009 | Kerala Cafe | Zeba | Malayalam |
| 2010 | Shikkar | Naxalite | Malayalam |
| 2010 | Cocktail | Elsa | Malayalam |
| 2020 | Biriyaani | Khadeeja | Malayalam |
| 2024 | All We Imagine as Light | Nurse Prabha | English |
| 2024 | Girls Will Be Girls | Mother Anila | Hindi/English |
| 2026 | Assi | TBD | Hindi |
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Platform |
| 2015 | Ishwaran Sakshiyayi | Adv. Tresa | Malayalam | Television |
| 2021 | OK Computer | Monalisa Paul | Hindi | Disney+ Hotstar |
| 2021 | Maharani | Kaveri Sridharan | Hindi | SonyLIV |
| 2024 | Killer Soup | Kirtima Kadathanathan | Hindi | Netflix |
| 2024 | Poacher | DFO Dina | Malayalam | Amazon Prime |
Kani Kusruti’s estimated net worth as of 2025 is Rs. 3–5 crore, earned through films, OTT projects, endorsements and theatre workshops. Annual income details:
In Assi, Kani is a rape survivor and her performance has a quiet intensity that grounds the film. Initial reactions to the trailer have described her performance as “steady and unsettling,” with a lasting emotional impact on the audience. This marks the beginning of her career in the Hindi-speaking market and could define the next chapter of her career.
