Atharvaa Murali was born on 7 May 1989 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Coming from a film family, he is the son of veteran actor Murali and Shobha Murali, and the grandson of acclaimed director S. Siddalingaiah. He completed his schooling at St. Michael’s Academy, Chennai, and pursued engineering at Sathyabama University. His entry into cinema was natural, and he made his debut with Baana Kaathadi (2010), which introduced him as a promising young actor.
His career gained momentum with Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal (2012), but his breakthrough came with Bala’s Paradesi (2013), where he played Raasa, a villager enslaved in a tea plantation. The role earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Tamil). Atharvaa has since starred in films like Chandi Veeran (2015), Eetti (2015), Boomerang (2019), and Kuruthi Aattam (2022). By 2026, he continues to be a prominent face in Tamil cinema, balancing commercial and critically acclaimed projects.