Abhirami began her career as a child artist in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Kathapurushan (1995). She later became a leading actress in Malayalam and Tamil cinema during the early 2000s, known for her expressive acting and versatility. After a break from films between 2004 and 2014, she returned to acting and voice work, continuing her career in South Indian cinema.
She studied Psychology and Communications at the College of Wooster, Ohio, after completing her pre-degree at Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram. Abhirami is married to writer Rahul Pavanan, and they have one child. Her family background includes Tamil roots, though she was born and raised in Kerala.