Janani Iyer was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to a Tamil family. Brought up in Chennai as well, she studied at D.A.V. School in Gopalapuram and later completed engineering in computer science at Saveetha Engineering College in Chennai.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, Janani 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"