Malavika began her acting career at the age of 19 with Unnai Thedi (1999), directed by Sundar C. Her performance alongside Ajith Kumar was widely appreciated, and the film’s success catapulted her into stardom. She quickly followed up with hits like Anandha Poongatre and Rojavanam, establishing herself as one of the leading actresses of Tamil cinema at the time.
Over the next decade, Malavika appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films, working with prominent stars and directors. After marrying Sumesh Menon in 2007, she took a break from films to focus on family life. She made a comeback in 2022, re-entering the industry after more than a decade, proving her enduring appeal and versatility.