Banupriya began her acting career in the early 1980s, making her debut in the Tamil film "Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi" (1982). Her breakthrough role came in 1983 with the film "Thudavarayil," which earned her critical acclaim and recognition. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Banupriya appeared in a string of successful films, including "Pallu Padama Paathuka" (1985), "Sakthi Chidambaram" (1986), and "Raja Rani" (1991).