Nivedhitha

PUC at the Marimallappa Pre-University College in Mysore, both part of Marimallappa's Educational Institutions.^[5][6] As a student, Smitha, who described herself as a tomboy, was also an NCC cadet.^[6] After graduating as an engineering student from the CMRIT College, Bangalore,^[1] she went on to work at the software company Infosys for a year.^[5] She quit the job to pursue an acting career; when she was offered a role, she first joined actor Anupam Kher's acting school, Actor Prepares and took a crash course.^[5]

Kavita Lankesh-directed Avva remains her most notable. The film particularly made headlines for a kissing scene featuring her and her co-star Duniya Vijay.^[4][2] Her performance in the film earned her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.^[7] Although completed in July 2006,^[8] Akasha Gange released only in July 2008 and eventually became her sixth release. As she got no offers in Kannada cinema subsequently, she moved on to work in the Tamil film industry. Porkkalam directed by newcomer Bandi Sarojkumar was her first Tamil film, which was panned by critics upon release.^[9][10][11]

Haripriya, with Niveditha lamenting after the release that her role had been cut short.^[17] Her upcoming films include Nimbe Huli, Gowri Putra and the long-delayed Dheena.^[13]