Janani Iyer After her studies, she ventured into modelling and appeared in over 150 regional television advertisements. However, she said, she always dreamt of becoming an actress, considering acting to be her "passion in life During her modelling career, she appeared in insignificant cameo roles in Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru (2009) and Gautham Menon's Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), though she had initially signed the latter film to play the second heroine.In early 2010, following the recommendation of director A. L. Vijay, Iyer went to audition for director Bala, who was looking for a Tamil-speaking newcomer for the lead female character for his film project, Avan Ivan. Upon seeing her audition, Bala signed her for the role, saying he felt that she "fits into the role". The comedy-drama film featured Iyer in the role of an innocent police constable. Her next release was Paagan, in which she was paired opposite Srikanth. A critic from Sify wrote, "Janani Iyer looks beautiful and it is a relief to watch a Tamil girl speaking in her own voice."