Kani Kusruti is an Indian actress and model born on September 12, 1985, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to social activist parents. She first gained recognition in 2009 with the film Kerala Cafe, earning critical acclaim for her performance. Known for bold and unconventional roles, she portrayed a sex worker in Cocktail and appeared in explicit nude scenes in Biriyaani (2021), leading some to associate her with adult content. Trained in physical theatre at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris and the School of Drama in Thrissur, she brings nuanced depth to characters.
She invented her surname 'Kusruti,' meaning mischievous in Malayalam. Her career spans Malayalam cinema with appearances in films like Shikkar and All We Imagine as Light. Despite controversies over her daring choices, she remains a respected performer who prioritizes artistic expression over mainstream conventions.