Who Is Chinmayi’s Husband?

Chinmayi Sripada, one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, is married to Rahul Ravindran — an accomplished Indian actor, director, and screenwriter known primarily for his work in Telugu and Tamil cinema. The couple married on May 5, 2014, in Chennai, and together they represent one of South India’s most admired creative partnerships.

Rahul Ravindran is not merely recognized as “Chinmayi’s husband” — he has carved his own distinguished identity in the Indian film industry. Best known for winning the National Film Award for Best Original Screenplay for his directorial debut Chi La Sow (2018), Rahul is regarded as a nuanced storyteller and a versatile performer. In 2024, he made his Bollywood debut in the Alia Bhatt-starrer Jigra, broadening his pan-India presence even further.

Together, Rahul and Chinmayi are parents to twins — a daughter named Driptah and a son named Sharvas, born on June 18, 2022. The couple’s bond, built on shared love for storytelling, art, and privacy, continues to be an inspiration to their fans.

Quick Info: Rahul Ravindran at a Glance

Wedding Details: Chinmayi & Rahul Ravindran’s Marriage

The wedding of Chinmayi Sripada and Rahul Ravindran was a joyous occasion that brought together luminaries from South Indian cinema and the music world. The ceremony was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on May 5, 2014 — a private but heartfelt celebration attended by close family, friends, and industry colleagues.

The couple’s journey to the altar began just under a year before their wedding. They first met at the premiere of the Telugu film Andala Rakshasi (2012), at which point they were simply part of overlapping social circles. The connection deepened over time, and by June 2013, they were officially dating. In September 2013, Chinmayi’s mother, Dr. T. Padmhasini, announced the engagement via Twitter, making it one of the memorable social media moments of the year in South Indian celebrity circles.

The wedding ceremony itself was conducted with traditional South Indian customs and rituals. Chinmayi wore a resplendent silk saree, while Rahul appeared in traditional attire, and photographs from the event quickly became a fan favorite across social platforms. The couple was known for maintaining privacy even around their big day, sharing only selective glimpses with the public.

Relationship Timeline: Chinmayi & Rahul Ravindran

The love story of Chinmayi and Rahul Ravindran is one of gradual understanding, shared creative values, and mutual respect. Here is a chronological look at the milestones of their relationship:

Rahul Ravindran: Full Biography

Early Life & Family Background

Rahul Ravindran was born on June 23, 1981, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to a Tamil family with ancestral roots in the Thanjavur district — a region long celebrated for its contributions to Carnatic music, classical arts, and cultural heritage. His father’s name is Ravindran, and his mother’s name is Vasumathi. While not from a film family background, Rahul grew up in a culturally rich environment that nurtured his artistic sensibilities.

Raised in the dynamic city of Chennai, Rahul developed a keen interest in storytelling, cinema, and creative expression from a young age. Unlike many of his contemporaries who entered the industry through nepotism or chance, Rahul’s path to cinema was unconventional — beginning in the corporate world before pivoting toward acting and directing.

Education

Rahul completed his schooling at the prestigious Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School in Chennai — one of the city’s most well-regarded academic institutions. He then pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA). His educational background in commerce and management reflects a disciplined and analytical mindset, qualities that would later prove invaluable as a filmmaker who oversees both creative and logistical aspects of production.

After completing his MBA, Rahul relocated to Mumbai and worked as an Assistant Brand Manager for a media company. It was in Mumbai that fate intervened — while dining at a restaurant, he was spotted and approached to audition for a television commercial directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee (of Khosla Ka Ghosla fame). The success of that commercial opened more advertising doors, and Rahul began to recognize that performing in front of the camera was his true calling.

Acting Career

Determined to pursue acting seriously, Rahul left his corporate job and returned to Chennai with ambitions to work as an assistant director. However, before he could set that plan in motion, director Ravi Varman’s team noticed his advertising work and cast him in the Tamil film Moscowin Kavery (2010) — which also introduced actress Samantha to audiences. Though the film received poor reviews and critics described Rahul’s performance as “wooden,” it marked the beginning of his screen journey.

He followed this with roles in Vinmeengal (2012), where he played a character with cerebral palsy — a challenging role that earned him praise for his sincerity. The same year, he appeared in Sooriya Nagaram as a shop mechanic, exploring themes of inter-caste marriage and social prejudice. Critics noted he “emotes well” and showed considerable promise.

The watershed moment came with the Telugu film Andala Rakshasi (2012), which not only cemented his place in the Telugu film industry but also led him to meet his future wife, Chinmayi Sripada. The film earned positive reviews and established Rahul as a credible lead actor in Telugu cinema.

Over the years, Rahul appeared in several notable films including U Turn (Tamil and Telugu remakes), Shyam Singha Roy (2021), Sita Ramam (2022) as Rahul Varma, The Great Indian Kitchen (2023) Telugu remake, Manamey (2024), Guntur Kaaram (2024), Chaari 111 (2024), and the Alia Bhatt-starrer Jigra (2024) — his Bollywood debut.

Directorial Career & National Award

While Rahul’s acting career progressed steadily, it was his transition to filmmaking that truly elevated his industry status. In 2018, he made his directorial debut with the Telugu romantic-comedy Chi La Sow, a film that resonated deeply with audiences for its honest, witty, and heartfelt screenplay. The film starred Sushanth and Aditi Rao Hydari in the lead roles.

The critical and commercial success of Chi La Sow was crowned by Rahul winning the prestigious National Film Award for Best Original Screenplay — one of Indian cinema’s highest recognitions for writing. The award was a testament to his ability to craft stories that are both commercially appealing and artistically rich.

In 2025, he wrote and directed The Girlfriend, starring himself in a lead role (as Sudhir), further reinforcing his reputation as a multi-hyphenate filmmaker. The film received considerable attention upon release.

Social Media Presence

Rahul Ravindran maintains an active presence on social media, particularly on Instagram and Twitter (X). His accounts offer a balanced mix of professional updates (film announcements, promotions) and personal moments, often featuring his family and his passion for storytelling. Known for his wit, Rahul’s social media voice is thoughtful, occasionally humorous, and always genuine — a reflection of his personality both on and off screen.

He has been vocal in his public support for Chinmayi, including during the challenging period of the #MeToo movement, when his unwavering stance alongside his wife earned widespread admiration. His social media presence grew significantly after Chi La Sow‘s success and the birth of his twins in 2022.

Brand Collaborations & Commercial Work

Rahul’s professional journey started in advertising, and he has carried that relationship with brands throughout his career. Early in his career, he appeared in multiple television commercials in Mumbai — an experience that not only sharpened his screen presence but also gave him an understanding of audience communication. While he does not heavily publicize brand deals, Rahul has been associated with select endorsements in the lifestyle, entertainment, and media space. His credibility as a National Award-winning director has made him a desirable collaborator for brands looking to align with cultural and creative prestige.

Net Worth

As of 2026, Rahul Ravindran’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹15–20 Crore (INR). This figure encompasses earnings from his acting roles across Telugu, Tamil, and now Hindi cinema, his work as a director and screenwriter, brand endorsements, and commercial projects. His wife Chinmayi Sripada’s estimated net worth stands at around ₹20 Crore, making the couple one of South India’s wealthiest and most creatively accomplished pairs.

Their combined household includes income from playback singing, voice acting, film production, acting fees, television appearances, and Chinmayi’s entrepreneurial ventures — including the translation company Blue Elephant, skincare brand Isle of Skin (Skinroute), and medi-spa Deep Skin Dialogues.

Latest 2026 Updates

As of early 2026, Rahul Ravindran continues to be one of the most sought-after actor-directors in South Indian cinema. His film The Girlfriend (2025), in which he also starred and for which he served as writer-director, was one of the notable releases of the year. He continues to be in discussions for upcoming Telugu and pan-India film projects.

On the family front, Rahul and Chinmayi are navigating parenthood with characteristic grace and privacy. Their twins Driptah and Sharvas, born in June 2022, are now toddlers, and the couple has remained steadfast in keeping their children away from the public eye.

Chinmayi, for her part, made a massive comeback in 2025 with the viral performance of “Muththa Mazhai” from the Thug Life audio launch event — a performance whose YouTube video crossed 100 million views, marking one of the biggest moments of her career. Her song “Tere Bina” with A.R. Rahman continued to chart in the top 10 most streamed songs across India on Spotify as of late 2025. Both continue to thrive individually while remaining a formidable duo.

Quick Facts: Rahul Ravindran (Chinmayi’s Husband)

About Chinmayi Sripada: The Woman Who Chose Rahul

Early Life & Family

Chinmayi Sripada was born on September 10, 1984, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, but her family relocated to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, when she was around six years old. She was raised by her mother, Dr. T. Padmhasini — a Carnatic music scholar and singer — as a single parent, after her father left the family when Chinmayi was just one and a half years old. Her maternal upbringing was deeply steeped in classical music, and she began formal training in Carnatic and Hindustani music at the age of three or four.

Chinmayi’s grandfather, Dr. Sripada Pinakapani, was a legendary Carnatic musician and a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan — India’s third-highest civilian honor — making her lineage in classical music truly exceptional. From this extraordinary musical heritage, Chinmayi built a career that would eventually make her one of the most versatile voices in Indian cinema.

Education & Early Achievements

Chinmayi received the CCRT Scholarship for Young Talent in Carnatic Music from the Government of India at the age of ten. She won the Gold Medal from All India Radio for Ghazals in 2000 and the Silver Medal for Hindustani Classical Music in 2002. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Madras, and also completed certification courses in web design from NIIT and SSI. She learned German at Max Mueller Bhavan in Chennai — an indicator of her polyglot abilities.

At the age of 14, she won the singing reality competition “Saptasawarangal” on Sun TV, where legendary singer Srinivas was so taken with her voice that he personally arranged for her to meet A.R. Rahman — the encounter that launched her professional career.

Music Career

Chinmayi’s breakthrough came in 2002 with the song “Oru Deivam Thantha Poovae” from director Mani Ratnam’s Kannathil Muthamittal, composed by A.R. Rahman. The song’s ethereal quality captivated audiences and established Chinmayi as a voice to reckon with. Over the following two decades, she recorded more than 3,000 songs across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, and Marathi, working with legendary composers including A.R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, Harris Jayaraj, and Devi Sri Prasad.

Her notable songs include “Vaarayo Vaarayo,” “Kilimanjaro,” “Sara Sara,” “Titli” from Chennai Express (Bollywood), “Zehnaseeb” from Hasee Toh Phasee, “Mast Magan” from 2 States (with Arijit Singh), and most recently, the viral phenomenon “Muththa Mazhai” from Thug Life (2025).

Entrepreneurship & Activism

Chinmayi founded Blue Elephant in 2005 — a language services and translation company — making her one of the few Indian artists to successfully build a parallel business empire. She also owns Isle of Skin (Skinroute), a K-beauty import company, and Deep Skin Dialogues, a medi-spa chain with locations in Chennai and Hyderabad.

In 2018, Chinmayi became a prominent voice of India’s #MeToo movement, publicly accusing lyricist Vairamuthu of sexual harassment. Her courage in speaking out, despite subsequent industry backlash and temporary bans on her work in Tamil film dubbing, earned her global recognition as a trailblazer in advocacy. Throughout this tumultuous period, her husband Rahul Ravindran stood firmly by her side.

Net Worth & Social Media

As of 2026, Chinmayi Sripada’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹20 Crore, derived from her multi-stream income across music, dubbing, television hosting, radio, brand endorsements, and entrepreneurial ventures. She is active on Instagram and Twitter (X), where she is known for her sharp, articulate commentary on social issues, as well as updates about her music and personal life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)