Devayani Rajakumaran (born Sushma Jayadev on 22 June 1974) is a renowned Indian actress who has worked predominantly in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films, along with a few appearances in Kannada, Hindi, and Bengali cinema. She gained critical acclaim and widespread recognition for her performances in films like Kadhal Kottai (1996), Suryavamsam (1997), and Bharathi (2000), which earned her multiple Best Actress awards. Apart from her film career, Devayani also made a successful transition to television, where she won the Best Television Actress award for her role in the long-running Tamil serial Kolangal (2003–2009). In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she was honoured with the prestigious Kalaimamani Award in 2000.

Devayani was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to a Konkani father from Mangalore and a Malayali mother. She has two younger brothers, Nakkhul and Mayur. Nakkhul has established himself as an actor and singer in the Tamil film industry, while Mayur is preparing for his acting debut in an upcoming film. Growing up in a culturally diverse family, Devayani developed a passion for acting early in life, which eventually led her to a successful career spanning multiple film industries in South India.

Devayani’s personal life has also been in the spotlight, particularly her relationship with director Rajakumaran. The couple met while working on films together and developed a strong bond over the years. Despite facing opposition from their families, they chose to elope and got married privately on 9 April 2001. Their enduring relationship has been blessed with two daughters, Iniya and Priyanka. Devayani continues to balance her professional and personal life, remaining an influential figure in both cinema and television.