Rajini Chandy is an Indian actress born on 18 July 1951 in Aluva, Ernakulam district, Kerala, into a middle-class Christian family. Her father was a high-school headmaster; she is one of eight siblings, two of whom are nuns. She studied at St. Sebastian's High School, Thodupuzha, and later at Alphonsa College, Palai, before marrying stock-market professional Varghese Chandy (also known as PV Chandy) on 31 July 1970 - before completing her graduation. After marriage, she settled in Mumbai for 21 years before returning to Aluva on her husband's retirement. The couple has a daughter, Ceina Thomas, settled in the USA. She worked in real estate, ran a fitness centre for women and the elderly, passed the NCFM exam to assist her husband in stock trading, and ran a tuition centre for underprivileged students. A trained drummer and lifelong fitness enthusiast, she is an early-morning gym regular. She made her acting debut at age 65 in Oru Muthassi Gadha (2016), responding to an online audition notice for actors aged 60-70. Her portrayal of Leelamma earned critical acclaim and multiple awards. Subsequent films include Gandhinagaril Unniyarcha (2017), The Gambler (2019), and Aanum Pennum (2021). A photoshoot she did went viral and was featured on BBC News. On 5 January 2020, she entered Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 2 on Asianet hosted by Mohanlal - as the first contestant to enter and the first house captain of the season. She was evicted on Day 13, finishing last (23rd).
Debuting as a film heroine at age 65 in the Malayalam comedy-drama Oru Muthassi Gadha (2016, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph) as Leelamma; Gandhinagaril Unniyarcha (2017); The Gambler (2019); Aanum Pennum (2021); viral photoshoot featured on BBC News; first contestant and first captain of Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 2 (2020).
