Biographie
Aranthangi Nisha is an Indian actress and comedian who works predominantly in Tamil film and television. She emerged from the small town of Aranthangi in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, taking her stage name from her birthplace, a move that would ground her professional identity in her regional roots. Raised in a middle-class Muslim family, she displayed an early affinity for performance and humor during her school years. She completed her secondary education at Government High School in Aranthangi before pursuing higher studies at J.J. College of Arts and Science in Pudukkottai, where she earned her bachelor's degree. Her formative years were marked by an enthusiasm for comedy and acting that would later define her career trajectory.
Before gaining mainstream recognition, Nisha honed her comedic skills through extensive stage work, performing in more than 800 live comedy shows throughout Tamil Nadu from 2010 onwards. This grassroots experience built her timing, improvisation abilities, and rapport with live audiences, though these performances kept her largely outside the entertainment industry's spotlight. Her professional breakthrough arrived in 2015 when she entered the Tamil television landscape as a contestant on Vijay TV's popular comedy reality show Kalakka Povathu Yaaru Season 5. Her natural comic delivery and relatable persona resonated with viewers, and she secured the runner-up position, a result that validated her years of stage work and opened industry doors. The exposure from the show proved transformative; it positioned her as a recognizable face in Tamil entertainment.
Following her television success, Nisha transitioned into cinema with her film debut in Kalakalappu 2 in 2018, where she played Ganesh's assistant. That same year proved prolific, marking her first substantial film role as Attu Aanandi in Maari 2 alongside established stars Dhanush and Sai Pallavi. Critics and audiences responded positively to her performance, appreciating her ability to infuse comedy into narrative roles. She continued building her film portfolio with supporting appearances in Irumbu Thirai, Kolamaavu Kokila, and Seemaraja, all released in 2018, demonstrating versatility across different production scales and genres. Her work pattern revealed a preference for character roles that allowed room for comedic expression rather than conventional leading parts.
Nisha maintained a dual presence across television and film. She hosted Mr and Mrs Chinnathirai in 2019 and became a recognizable face on the celebrity cooking show Cooku With Comali from 2019 to 2020, where her humorous hosting style complemented the show's format. In 2020, she participated as a contestant in the fourth season of the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil, hosted by actor Kamal Haasan, staying in the house for 70 days before her elimination. The reality show appearance broadened her public profile beyond her comedy niche. She later expanded into digital media, launching a YouTube channel called Karuppu Roja in July 2020 alongside her husband Riaz Ali, a junior tradesman with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, sharing personal and comedic content with subscribers.
Nisha's film work continued evolving with notable appearances in Thiruchitrambalam in 2022, where she played a character named Nisha, and Jailer in 2023, portraying Kanagalakshmi in the high-profile Rajinikanth vehicle. She also appeared in Aneethi in 2023, credited as Kalaimamani Nisha, and took on a police officer role in Raayan in 2024, both projects reflecting her growing presence in larger commercial productions. Her television credits expanded to include appearances on shows such as Sagala vs Ragala, Ramar Veedu, BB Jodigal, Comedy Raja Kalakkal Rani, Star Kids, Bharathi Kannamma, and Vijay Sabhai, demonstrating consistent demand for her comedic and hosting abilities across multiple formats.
Beyond her entertainment career, Nisha engaged in humanitarian efforts, notably during Cyclone Michaung in 2023 when she provided relief supplies to affected communities in Tiruchirappalli. She prepared meals for approximately a thousand people despite facing logistical challenges with damaged infrastructure and impassable roads. This work illustrated her connection to public service alongside her professional pursuits. Professionally, she has become known within the Tamil entertainment industry for her accessible comic style, strong stage presence, and ability to move fluidly between television hosting, reality show participation, and supporting film roles. Her career reflects a methodical expansion from regional stage comedy to mainstream Tamil media, building a reputation as a reliable comedic performer who brings warmth and timing to her projects.
