Shamna Kasim to Shane Nigam: Mollywood stars who started their career as reality show contestants

Malayalam reality shows have served as the stepping stone for many popular Mollywood stars. From singers to leading actresses, the former talent hunt show contestants are now enjoying the limelight. Well, the list is quite long with singing sensation Sithara Krishnakumar, actress Rima Kallingal, and many more...

The young actress Saniya Iyappan was one of the popular contestants of dance reality show 'D 4 Dance'. The dancer-tuned-actress was initially seen in the show ' Super Dancer' but she shot to fame with her dashing performances in 'D 4 Dance'. Saniya has also won the 3rd position in the dance reality show before making her debut movie, 'Queen'.

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One of the happening music directors, Ranjin Raj was the proud product of the popular music reality show,' Star Singer'. Ranjin participated in the second season of the show.

In an interview with ETimes-TV, Ranjin recollected the show as one of the blessings of his life, "Just being a part of the great team was bliss. Star Singer introduced me, an average singer back then, to the music industry. As I got recognition with the show, my dreams and vision expanded."

(Photo: Instagram)

Actress-producer Rima Kallingal was one of the popular contestants in the dance reality show 'Thakadhimi' in 2009. In the show, Rima was well appreciated for her performances in various rounds. Later, the actress was seen hosting the talent hunt show 'Midukki'.

(Photo: Instagram)

The singing sensation of the music industry, Sithara Krishnakumar also started her music career with reality shows. In 2004, the then 17-year-old girl grabbed the title of 'Gandharva Sangeetham', the prestigious reality show celebrating legendary singer K J Yesudas.

"Singing in front of a large crowd and especially the legendary musician K J Yesudas is right in front of me was huge for me. I was on the verge of crying during my performance. Musician M Jayachandran sir still pulls my leg mentioning about my nervousness during the finale," Sithra recollected the finale of the show, in a chat with ETimes-TV.

(Photo: Instagram)

Actress Anusree was one of the popular contestants in the new face hunt show 'Big Break'. The actress grabbed her first movie 'Diamond Necklace', after impressing director and judge of the show, Lal Jose, with her stunning performances in the reality show.

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Young actress Reba Monica, who is widely loved for her characters in Tovino starrer 'Forensic' and Tamil actor Vijay's blockbuster 'Bigil', started her career as a reality show contestant. Reba was the 2nd runner-up of the popular reality series 'Midukki', the show which gained laurels for the beauty pageant-style competition.

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Shamna Kasim, the actress, who recently made headlines for a blackmail case, started her career as a contestant in the dance reality show,' Super Dancer'. The dancer-actress also did a cameo in the devotional serial 'Sabarimala Swami Ayyapan' lately.

(Photo: Instagram)

Actor Shane Nigam participated in the popular reality show 'Super Dancer Junior' in 2007. His dashing performances in the show got him one of the lead characters in the popular serial 'Hello Kuttichathan'. Eventually, the actor became a sensation in Mollywood with his realistic acting.

(Photo: Instagram)