Shammu

Sheerin Sharmilee Ramalingam, professionally known as Shammu is an Indian-born American actress who appeared in Tamil films. She is best known for films such as Kanchivaram, Mayilu and Dasavathaaram.^[1]

Shammu was born Sheerin Sharmilee in Bikaner, Rajasthan to a Tamil Hindu family that hails from Neyveli. Her family moved to the US and her father, Rajaram Ramalingam, worked as a computer consultant whilst her mother is a housewife. She had been studying at Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, Florida, but quit school to appear in films. Despite starting a film career, Shammu finished her high school courses through online classes. Her younger sister has appeared in Mayilu, as the younger version of Shammu's character.^[1]

Shammu appeared in the 2008, Tamil film, Dasavathaaram after receiving a call from the crew for the film, whilst they were searching for an Indian actress to play a short role. They had come to know of her following her Bharathanatyam performances, which were well acclaimed in the area. Her role was, that of a scientist, who panicked after seeing the bio weapon being exposed for the first time.

Soon afterwards, whilst on holiday in India, Shammu attended an audition for Prakash Raj's home production Mayilu, and when she succeeded, Prakash Raj also suggested her name for another project that he was working in. She subsequently appeared in Kanchivaram, directed by Priyadarshan as Prakash Raj's daughter and was critically praised for her performance receiving the Filmfare Best Tamil Supporting Actress Award. In Mayilu she played a village girl and had to sport dark makeup, oily braid and dirty clothes, to resemble a typical girl from Madurai - however the film was delayed and had only limited release in 2012 and went unnoticed.

Luego apareció en Malayan , donde interpreta a una chica alegre de Madurai con un toque diferente junto al actor Karan , aunque la película fracasó en taquilla. Shammu también tuvo un cameo en Kanden Kadhalai de R. Kannan , antes de aparecer en dos proyectos más aclamados por la crítica que no tuvieron éxito en taquilla, Maathi Yosi y Paalai . Dejó la actuación en 2011 y regresó a Florida para estudiar medicina en la Universidad del Sur de Florida .