Born on April 25, 1966, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Revathi began her career in the entertainment industry as a child artist in Tamil films. She made her Malayalam film debut in 1986 with the movie "Chalakkudam," but it was her breakthrough role in the 1991 film "Malayali" that brought her to the forefront. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and recognition, paving the way for a successful career in Malayalam cinema.