Born on February 4, 1967, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Bhanupriya began her acting career at a young age. She made her debut in the 1984 Tamil film "Vaidehi Parinayam," which was directed by Visu. Her early years in the industry were marked by a series of supporting roles in various films, where she worked alongside prominent actors of the time.

While Bhanupriya has never publicly confirmed the details of her involvement in the film, it is widely acknowledged that she was a part of the project. The controversy surrounding the film led to a significant backlash, with many critics and activists questioning the need for stricter censorship laws.

Throughout her career, Bhanupriya has worked alongside some of the most prominent actors and directors in the Tamil film industry. Her contributions to the industry have been recognized with several award nominations, including a few Filmfare Awards and a Vijay Award.

In the late 1980s, Bhanupriya was involved in a controversy surrounding her appearance in a blue film, which is a colloquial term used to describe erotic or adult content. The film in question, reportedly titled "Rape" (or " Thodakkam" in Tamil), was said to contain explicit scenes, which sparked a heated debate about censorship and artistic freedom.