Two days ago, the makers of Om Chapter 1: The Blood Wood dropped the first look of Sai Pallavi as a cop from the Mammootty and Dhanush-starrer, promising another honest performance from the leading lady. Considering Pallavi has built a career on powerful performances, it’s strange to believe that she had almost turned down the chance to become an actor in favour of another profession.

Appearing on the upcoming episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, Pallavi reflected on her unusual path when host Amitabh Bachchan asked how she went from being a qualified medical graduate to an actor.

“I participated in a dance show when I was in the 12th standard. After that, I received calls [from producers] asking me if I wanted to act. But my parents wanted to send me [to Georgia] for my studies, where I pursued [medicine] for five years. In my fifth year, I received a call from a director who had seen me on that dance show. He asked me if I wanted to act, and I said yes. His name was director Alphonse Puthren, and the film was Premam [2015],” she smiled.

With that began Pallavi’s career as the leading lady, as she went on to give us movies like Gargi (2022) and Amaran (2024). Praising her work, Bachchan remarked, “Congratulations for leaving the medical profession and coming here. It’s our good fortune to see you in films.”