Early work (2007–2014) Hariprriya used to participate in a number of cultural programmes. When she was studying in 12th class, director Richard Castelino saw stills of her from the programmes and offered her the female lead role in the
Tulu film
Badi. She then made her
Kannada film debut in
Manasugula Mathu Madhura (2008), following which she was part of
Vasanthakala. Her performance in the political satire
Kallara Santhe (2009) opposite
Yash earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Kannada actress, while her next film
Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu which starred Shiva Rajkukar received a number of positive reviews, making Hariprriya popular in Karnataka. In 2010, she also forayed into the
Tamil and
Telugu film industries with
Kanagavel Kaaka, and
Bhumika Chawla's maiden production,
Thakita Thakita, opposite Harshvardhan Rane respectively, with the latter emerging a moderate success. After that, Hariprriya shifted her focus to Tamil and Telugu projects, working on Cheran's
Muran in Tamil and
Pilla Zamindar in
Telugu which had Nani in a male lead role, was a big superhit movie. She was also part of the political drama
Mukhyamantri I Love You, produced in 2008, which has not been released. She debuted in Malayalam with
Thiruvambadi Thamban." In her third Telugu film
Abbayi Class Ammayi Mass, she played a
call girl, which required a two-week long immersion workshop to get into character.
Ugramm success and breakthrough (2014–2016) In 2014, she returned to Kannada cinema with the gangster film
Ugramm. Shraddhaa of
The New Indian Express wrote that it was "a strong performance by Hariprriya, who is natural in her act". The film went on to become a major commercial success and she was said to have made a "sensational comeback to Kannada films".
Sify wrote that
Ugramm "did wonders to Hariprriya" as she subsequently offered more Kannada projects. After the success of Ugram, she gained popularity in the Kannada film industry and she became one of the most wanted heroines in the industry. She became part of the big banner films,
Ranna and
Ricky as well as the comedy film
Bullet Basya. She started 2015 with
Ranna where she was paired with Indian actor
Sudeep for the first time. The movie went on to become hit at the box office. Her second release in the year is
Bullet Basya where she was paired opposite
Sharan and received a positive response for her role as Kaveri in the film. In 2016, her first release was
Ricky opposite
Rakshit Shetty where she played as Radha a
Naxalite, for which she had reduced her weight by half. The critics wrote that "The performance of Hariprriya in the film was appreciated." Her next release in the year was
Ranatantra where she was paired opposite
Vijay Raghavendra. She was also seen in a special appearance in a song in
Bhale Jodi. Her next release in the year was in hit movie,
Neer Dose where she played the character Kumudha a bar dancer. The critics wrote that "Hariprriya has essayed a powerful role in her career. Her performance in the movie is phenomenal". The movie turned out to be a turning point in her film career.
Established actress (2017–present) After the success of
Neer Dose movie, she became one of the prominent actresses of the Kannada film industry. In 2017, she played Haasini's role, a North Karnataka girl in
Bharjari, film. After
Ranna, she and
Rachita Ram were seen together onscreen for the second time. The New Indian Express described "Hariprriya has a good role in the movie. Her character is the main turning point for the story." She also appeared in a cameo appearance in
Anjaniputra film. In 2018, she returned to Telugu cinema with
Jai Simha film playing a mechanic's role. The movie became a blockbuster hit. Her next release was a Kannada film
Kanaka. Her next release along with
Chiranjeevi Sarja was Samhara, in which she essayed a negative character. The New Indian Express wrote that "Hariprriya's performance as a negative character is phenomenal. She got a chance to prove her versatility of acting in the movie." Her next release for the year was
Life Jothe Ondh Selfie.
The Times of India wrote "Hariprriya has played the modern girl Rashmi who has lots of pains from her past. She has essayed the character very well." Her first release of 2019 was
Bell Bottom that became the biggest blockbuster film of 2019. The writers of The New Indian Express wrote "Hariprriya's character as the innocent but intelligent love interest is well placed". Publication writers of described "Hariprriya delivers yet another solid act, showing why she is considered as one of the most versatile actresses around right now". The Deccan Chronicle wrote "It is Hariprriya, who yet again finds a perfect character and is at her charming best playing Kusuma." Her next release of 2019 was
Soojidara directed by Mounish Badiger. Her next film was
D/O Parvathamma. Her 25th Kannada film was
Naganna's
Kurukshetra, starring
Sumalatha Ambareesh,
Suraj Gowda and Prabhu Mundukar as the lead roles. Her next in 2019 is film with Tejaswi's movie
Ellide Illi Tanaka. The Chitraloka described "it is Hariprriya who steals the show with yet another sensible character. It makes the audience fall in love with her portrayal of Nandini's character on screen." Her next release of 2019 was Mayura Raghavendra's film
Kannad Gothilla, starring
Sudharani and other actors. During the same year, she acted in
Katha Sangama directed by Rishab Shetty. Hariprriya's first and only release of 2020 is Hari Santosh's historical novel-based movie
Bicchugatti: Chapter 1 − Dalvayi Dange. After a gap of a year her first release in 2022 was
Vijay Prasad's comedy drama film
Petromax where she was paired opposite
Satish Ninasam. The film met with negative reviews upon release from both audience and critics and was a commercial failure at the box office. Her next release was her Tamil comeback film
Naan Mirugamai Maara where she was paired opposite
Sasikumar where she played the role of a housewife named Anandi. The film met with negative reviews from both audience and critics and it was a
box-office bomb In 2023 her first release of year was
Yadha Yadha Hi, Kannada remake of the Telugu film
Evaru where she was paired opposite
Diganth and
Vasishta for the first time. The critics praised her performance in the film stating "Hariprriya's acting, which sees a blend of determination, vulnerability, and cunning, command attention. As a heroine, she has a substantial full-length role that showcases her talent after a considerable time. Her chemistry with Vasishta is palpable, and their on-screen dynamic works seamlessly." "Full marks to Hariprriya for pulling off Priyanka's character which has negative shades." The film was a commercial failure at the box office. In 2025 her two films
Thaayi Kasthur Gandhi and
Amruthamathi were released digitally directly by skipping the theatrical release on Amazon Prime Video.
Upcoming projects As of May 2025, Hariprriya has four releases: Vijay Kiran's
Happy Ending that features Gurunandhan, K.Madesh's
Lagaam that features
Upendra,
Jayathertha's Bell Bottom 2 with
Rishab Shetty,
Shashank's untitled film with Upendra. ==Controversies==