P. S. Keerthana
P. S. Keerthana is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. P. S. Keerthana began their career in 2002 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 24 years. With 30 credits to their name, P. S. Keerthana remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. An emerging voice in Tamil cinema, P. S. Keerthana is already attracting significant attention for their distinctive work.
- Born
- Age
- 33
Biography
P. S. Keerthana (born 17 August 1992) is a Tamil cinema actress and the daughter of actors R. Parthiban and Seetha, best known for her lead role as the young girl searching for her biological mother in Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). Her performance earned her the National Film Award for Best Child Artist in 2003 as well as the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Child Artist in 2002. After Kannathil Muthamittal, she stepped away from acting to complete her education, graduating in Visual Communications from Loyola College, Chennai, and later worked as an assistant to director Mani Ratnam. She married director Akshay, son of editor A. Sreekar Prasad, in March 2018, and has expressed aspirations to move into directing.
Career Milestones
Film debut and breakthrough role as Amudha in Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal
View film →Won National Film Award for Best Child Artist
View film →Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Child Artist
View film →Iconic Roles
Kannathil Muthamittal
A young adopted girl who embarks on a journey to find her biological mother in war-torn Sri Lanka. Keerthana's portrayal won her the National Film Award for Best Child Artist in 2003.
Defining Moments
Amudha's confrontation with her adoptive parents after discovering she was adopted — her wide, accusing eyes and silent devastation convey shock and betrayal without melodrama
Widely cited as one of the finest child acting moments in Tamil cinema; her restrained yet piercing reaction redefined how child grief is portrayed on screen
View film →The railway station scene where Amudha runs away from home to find her biological mother in Sri Lanka — a solo act of desperate determination by a young girl
Demonstrates her ability to carry dramatic weight independently; the scene is frequently referenced in discussions of the film's emotional core
View film →The first meeting between Amudha and her biological mother Shyama (Nandita Das) in war-torn Sri Lanka — Keerthana plays the moment with subdued, trembling emotion rather than melodrama
Considered the film's emotional climax; critics and audiences praised her for matching the intensity of veteran actress Nandita Das in a career-defining confrontation
View film →The farewell scene where Amudha gifts Shyama a photo album, asks her questions about her past, and tearfully begs her to come to Chennai — ending with a kiss on her biological mother's cheek
The scene that gives the film its title ('A Peck on the Cheek'); widely regarded as the most heartbreaking moment in the film and anchors Keerthana's National Award-winning performance
View film →P. S. Keerthana by the Numbers
If you watched every P. S. Keerthana film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 2 hours.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Career Analytics
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Signature Dialogues
En paeru T.Amudha. Naan 5D la padikkarraen.
Amudha·Kannathil Muthamittal
Family
Father
R. Parthiban
Mother
Seetha
Legacy & Influence
P. S. Keerthana is a playback singer in the Tamil film industry, primarily known for her work as a child artist. Her most significant and widely recognized contribution to Indian cinema is her vocal performance in the critically acclaimed film 'Kannathil Muthamittal' (2002), directed by Mani Ratnam. In the film, she voiced the song 'Vellai Pookal' for the character Amudha, played by child actress P. S. Keerthana (who shares the singer's name, leading to some conflation; this entry refers to the singer). The song, composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu, is an iconic and emotionally resonant piece that became integral to the film's narrative about a child's search for her biological mother. Keerthana's tender, heartfelt rendition at a young age captured the innocence and longing central to the character, earning her widespread acclaim. This single, powerful performance has cemented her place in the history of Tamil cinema music. While her subsequent public career trajectory appears limited, the enduring popularity of 'Vellai Pookal' ensures her legacy. The song remains a beloved classic, frequently revisited for its pure vocal expression and its perfect alignment with the film's poignant themes. Her contribution exemplifies how a singular, impactful performance by a child singer can become an indelible part of a landmark film's identity and continue to influence audiences for generations.