“Baby Shalini” now Shalini Kumar started her career as child artist at three. She won a state award for her first Malayalam movie Ente Mamati Kuttiammakku. She then went on to star in many successful Tamil and Malayalam films. Shalini took a break when she was still in her early teens. She was seen after many years in Kaathalukku Mariyathai opposite Vijay which was the remake of the blockbuster Malayalam film, Anniyathi Praavu, where she played the lead female role as well. She came across as the naive, simple girl next door with a very endearing personality. She first starred with her husband Ajith in Amarkalam and the couple fell head over heels in love and were eventually married. They were recently blessed with their first child, a cute baby girl. She soared to success after Alaipayuthey opposite Madhavan directed by none other than Mani Rathnam in 2000, where she played the role of a young woman caught up in the turmoil of marriage. Not many people know that she is a very good singer who has sung in films! Though she bid farewell to acting after marriage, she redirected her talent and passion to sports, which is such uncharted territory for an actresses. She excelled in badminton and won a few state level tournaments in 2006. This is one actress who will be definitely missed.