While a job at a top-tier IT firm is a dream for many, some individuals find their true calling under the arc lights of the film industry. The transition from a 9-to-5 corporate life to the unpredictable world of cinema is a bold leap, yet several actors from the South Indian film industries have successfully navigated this path.
From software engineers at Infosys to systems analysts at Accenture, these stars traded their keyboards for scripts and went on to deliver blockbusters. Here is a look at 10 techies who swapped the corporate boardroom for the silver screen.
Srinidhi Shetty
Before she became a global sensation as Reena Desai in the K.G.F. franchise, Srinidhi Shetty was a software engineer at Accenture. An electrical engineering graduate from Jain University, Bengaluru, she balanced her corporate role while pursuing pageantry, eventually winning Miss Supranational 2016 before her massive film debut.
Tovino Thomas
One of Malayalam cinema’s most versatile stars, Tovino Thomas worked as a software engineer at Cognizant in Chennai. He left the IT sector in 2012 to pursue his acting dreams, eventually becoming a pan-Indian name with hits like Minnal Murali and 2018.
Nivin Pauly
The “premam” star Nivin Pauly was once a regular employee at Infosys in Bangalore. Despite a stable career in the tech giant, he decided to quit and try his luck in films. Today, he is considered one of the most bankable stars in the Malayalam industry.
Dhananjaya
Known affectionately as “Daali” Dhananjaya, this Kannada superstar worked at Infosys after completing his engineering. He quit within a year to pursue theatre and films, eventually rising to fame with his powerhouse performance in Tagaru.
Basil Joseph
Before directing and acting in acclaimed Malayalam films, Basil Joseph worked as a software engineer at Infosys, Thiruvananthapuram. He has frequently spoken about his journey from a techie making short films to becoming a National Award-winning director.
Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan
Tamil actor Kalaiyarasan, known for his roles in Madras and Sarpatta Parambarai, spent four years working at Accenture. He actually met his wife, Shanmuga Priya, during his stint in the IT sector before transitioning to full-time acting.
Ananya Nagalla
Telugu actress Ananya Nagalla, who gained widespread fame for her role in Vakeel Saab, is a B.Tech graduate who worked at Infosys. She participated in short films while working her IT job, which eventually paved the way for her silver screen entry.
Nithya Shetty
Nithya Shetty, seen in Telugu films like Nuvvu Thopu Raa, worked as a systems engineer at Infosys between 2012 and 2014. Though she had experience as a child artiste, she completed her education and worked in the tech sector before returning to her first love—acting.
Karunakaran
Known for his impeccable comic timing in Tamil cinema, Karunakaran worked at Accenture after finishing his chemical engineering. His performances in films like Soodhu Kavvum and Pizza turned him into a sought-after character actor.
Ashwin Hassan
Ashwin Hassan began his professional life as a software engineer at TCS. He always viewed his time in the IT sector as a temporary stepping stone, eventually quitting to pursue a full-time acting career where he even won a Best Actor award for the film Virgin.
