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Who is Imanvi Ismail? Social media star turned actress set to debut opposite Prabhas in Hanu Raghavapudi directorial

Who is Imanvi Ismail? Social media star turned actress set to debut opposite Prabhas in Hanu Raghavapudi directorial

TOI Entertainment Desk / etimes.in / Updated: Apr 25, 2025, 15:23 IST

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Imanvi Ismail, an Indian-American dancer and choreographer, is set to debut opposite Prabhas in 'Fauji,' a period action drama. Her social media fame, fueled by viral dance videos, led to this big break. Recently, Imanvi addressed and refuted false allegations about her background amidst online negativity, affirming her Indian-American identity.

Who is Imanvi Ismail? Social media star turned actress set to debut opposite Prabhas in Hanu Raghavapudi directorial

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Currently one of the most heard names on the internet, social media fame, Imanvi Ismail is an Indian-American actor, dancer, and choreographer, who is all set to make her big-screen debut opposite superstar Prabhas in the upcoming period action drama 'Fauji', directed by Hanu Raghavapudi.

Early life and education

Imanvi was born on October 20, 1995, to parents who had settled in the United States early in their lives and became American citizens. Raised in Los Angeles, she completed her schooling and higher education in the US, eventually earning a postgraduate MBA degree. Even during her academic years, Imanvi's passion for dance stood out.

Trained in classical and contemporary dance

She trained in a wide range of styles, from Indian classical forms like Kathak and Bharatanatyam to contemporary genres such as hip hop, Bollywood, and jazz. Her innovative fusion of traditional and modern dance has earned her acclaim, and she has conducted popular workshops blending Indian dance with hip hop.

Social media fame

Imanvi’s rise to fame began on social media, where her choreography videos, especially her viral rendition of the Tamil track 'Tum Tum' had millions of views. With more than 8 lakh Instagram followers and over 4.5 lakh YouTube subscribers, she has become a digital sensation.

Her big break in cinema came in August 2024, when she was announced as the female lead in 'Fauji' alongside Prabhas. The film was launched with a traditional puja ceremony in Hyderabad, where Imanvi joined Prabhas and the team for the celebrations. The project, set in a pre-independence era, also features veteran actors Mithun Chakraborty and Jaya Prada and is expected to be a major release in 2026.

Recently, she faced online negativity and false rumors about her background. Addressing the hate, Imanvi clarified that she is a proud Indian-American, fluent in Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati, and English, and has no links to Pakistan or its military.
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TOI Entertainment Desk

The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.

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