South Indian Actress
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Sridevi was born on August 13, 1963 in her father's hometown of Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India. Her mother was from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. So Sridevi grew up speaking Telugu and Tamil. She has a sister named Srilatha and a stepbrother named Satish. Her dad passed away during the year 1991, while her mom died during 1997.
She started her career at a very early age in 1967 as a child artiste in a Tamil movie 'Kandhan Karunai'. She also starred as a child actress in a Telugu movie 'Bangarakka' in 1977, and in a Malyalam movie 'Kumara Sambhavan' in 1969.
She made her foray on the Bollywood tinsel screen in 1975 as a child actor with the smash-hit 'Julie' in which she played the younger sister of the lead actress. Thereafter she started to act in adult roles in Hindi only from 1979. She appeared in 63 movies in Hindi; 62 in Telugu; 58 in Tamil; and 21 in Malyalam - in a career that has spanned from 1967 through to 2007.
Sridevi established strong onscreen pair with Kamal Hasan in Tamil films from 1977-1983 and then with Jeetendra in Hindi Films from 1983-1988 which helped her get foothold in Hindi films. Her initial claim to fame was appearing as romantic interest to established stars NTR, ANR, Krishna Ghattamaneni,Vishnuvardhan in Telugu and Kannada films from 1978-1985.She has four hits with Rajesh Khanna and then from late 80's till 1996 her pair with Anil Kapoor was popular. But she became popular all over India, thanks to Tamil films' remakes in Hindi in 1983-1990 which were produced and directed by the same team which had made the southern version first and in these films she was cast opposite Rajesh Khanna or Jeetendra.
She has also appeared in the TV series 'Malini Iyer', judged a TV show 'Kaboom' as well as appeared in numerous print and TV ads. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Asian Academy of Film & Television.
Sridevi went on to get married to her co-star, Anil Kapoor's older brother, Boney, on June 2, 1996. They are now parents of two daughters: Jhanvi and Khushi.
She made a comeback to films with "English Vinglish" in 2012.
She passed away on 24 February 2018 by accidental drowning in bathtub during her stay at the hotel Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai UAE, when she was attending the wedding of Bollywood actor Mohit Marwah in Dubai, UAE. She was 54 years old.- Actress
- Producer
Nayantara was born as Diana Mariam Kurien in a Malayali Nasrani (Syrian Christian) family to an Indian Army Officer father, Kurien Kodiyattu, and Omana Kurien, in Bangalore, Karnataka. She has a brother, Leno, who resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
After her father's retirement the family settled down in Kerala where she continued with her college studies but she did her schooling in several schools in Chennai, Jamnagar, Delhi, and Gujarat.
During the year 2003, while still in college, she was spotted by director Sathyan Anthikkad who cast her in a Malayalam movie. Two years later, she went on to act in Tamil and Telugu movies. As she became popular she also appeared in Kannada language movies.
She soon acquired the reputation of acting opposite male actors who are almost twice as old. She starred in her first Malyalam film opposite Jayaram, and then in "Chandramukhi" with renowned Indian actor Rajnikanth, then with other aging actors like Sarath Kumar, Mohanlal, and Mammotty.
She has been cast to play the lead role in a much younger Simbu's directorial debut, in which he also has the lead role. Nayanthara and Simbu's intimate life-sized posters created shock waves in Chennai, which were subsequently pulled down by the police. Similar excitement resulted when glamorous life-sized posters were posted all over Chennai- this time with her co-star S.J. Surya.
During September 2010, Prabhu Deva, publicly declared his love for her, even though he was married to Ramalath and had three children. After a bitter and contested court battle, the couple was divorced during July 2011.
On August 7, 2011, Diana, a Jacobite Christian, converted to Hinduism at the Arya Samaj Mandir in Chennai and her screen-named is now her formal official name.
With her attractive looks and talent, it is no wonder that she is one of the most popular and sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry.- Anushka Shetty is an Indian Film Actress. She was also a Yoga Instructor and has trained under yoga guru Bharat Thakur.
This tall and gorgeous beauty debuted in the 2005 Telugu film Super starring Nagarjuna which was super hit at box office. Later her performance in Vikramarkudu make her noticeable. But in Arundhati in which she had played the role of Jejamma, she got high critical acclaim and become one of the strong actress of Telugu Film Industry. - Actress
Meena Durairaj, mononymously known as Meena, is an Indian actress who has starred as a lead heroine in the South Indian film industry. A child artiste originally, Meena later became one of the most sought after actresses in southern India.
She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and several Hindi films. She is among the few actors who have been successful in all the South Indian languages. She is one of the most established actresses in the South Indian film industry. In addition to acting, Meena is a model, singer, dancer, TV host and occasional dubbing artiste.- Actress
- Music Department
Kajal made her acting debut in the 2004 Hindi film, Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... (2004), as a minor supporting role as the friend of lead actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Telugu film Chandamama (2007) became her first major successful film. In "Magadheera (2009)" which was the biggest blockbuster of all time in Telugu cinema, she played the role of Yuvarani Mitravinda Devi and Indira (Indu), by which she became one of the most sought-after actresses in the Telugu film industry.- Sonia Agarwal is an actress who works in the Kollywood industry. She grew up in a Punjabi family in Chandigarh.
She was offered a role in a Zee TV serial during her school days. Later on, Agarwal made her acting debut with Nee Premakai (2002), a romantic Telugu film.
She followed it up with Chandu (2002), a romantic Kannada drama, alongside actor Sudeep.
Agarwal went on to play roles in movies like Kaadhal Konden (2003), a Tamil psychological thriller that featured actors Dhanush and Sudip; 7/G Rainbow Colony (2004), a romantic drama featuring actor Ravi Krishna; and Pudhu Pettai (2006), a Tamil crime action drama that featured actors Sneha and Dhanush.
In 2006, Agarwal married director K. Selvaraghavan and took a break from the acting industry.
After her divorce in 2010, Agarwal kickstarted her acting career with Vaanam (2011), a Tamil action drama that featured actors Bharath Srinivasan, Silambarasan Rajendar, Anushka Shetty, etc. This movie was a remake of the Telugu-hit film Vedam (2010) and enjoyed a 100-day box office run.
As her career progressed, Agarwal went on to act in movies like Grihanathan (2012), a Malayalam family drama; Ayogya (2019), a Tamil action drama; and Thadam (2019), a Tamil crime thriller drama. The latter became one of the highest-grossing movies of 2019 in Tamil Nadu.
Besides the cinema industry, Agarwal has acted in TV soap operas like Naanal (2008-09), Malli (2013-14), and Fall (2022), a Tamil thriller drama.
Agarwal has also been conferred with the ITFA Best New Actress Award for her performance as Divya in Kaadhal Konden (2003). - Actress
Shriya Saran also known by the mononym Shriya, is an Indian film actress, model and presenter. She has worked in multiple of the regional industries of Indian cinema, including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu language films, as well as a few films in English, Malayalam and Kannada. Saran made her film debut in 2001 with Ishtam and had her first commercial success with the Telugu film Santosham (2002). She would subsequently appear in several Telugu films, while making in-roads in the Hindi and Tamil film industries. In 2007, Saran starred in Sivaji (2007), the highest grossing Tamil film at that time. Her following projects include such Tamil films as Azhagiya Tamilmagan (2007) and Kanthaswamy (2009), as well as high-budget Hindi productions like Mission Istanbul (2008), her roles in which have established her as one of the leading actresses in the South Indian film industry. In 2008, Saran played the lead role in the American-Indian co-production The Other End of the Line (2007). Apart from her work in films, Saran has been the brand ambassador for several stores across India, endorsing beauty and health products. Among other activities, she has taken part in a number of charity organizations, and has recently opened a spa employing visually challenged people.- Rashmika Mandanna (Born on 5th April 1996) is an Indian actress who has and is working in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu & Hindi films and is rightly been called, 'Pan-India Actress'. She enjoys a huge fanbase across the nation and has been bestowed with the title, 'National Crush of India'.
Rashmika's claim to fame was when she won the Clean & Clear 'Times Fresh Face' title in 2014 following which she has become one of the most popular actors in India enjoying both critical as well as commercial success.
Rashmika made her acting debut with the 2016 Kannada film, Kirik Party (2016) opposite Rakshit Shetty. She was applauded by the audience and she went on to win the 'Best Debut Actress-Kannada' at the 'South Indian International Movie Awards'. Following her debut, she starred in two commercially successful films, Anjaniputra (2017) and Chamak (2017). For her performance in 'Anjani Putra', Rashmika won the award for 'Best Actress' at the Zee Kannada Hemmeya Kannadathi Awards. The 'Pan-India Actress' then made her Telugu debut with the 2018 romantic drama titled Chalo (2018) and in the same year starred in one of her biggest hits, Geetha Govindam (2018) opposite Vijay Deverakonda. For 'Geetha Govindam' she won several 'Best Actress' awards that included Sri Kala Sudha Telugu Movie Awards, Zee Cine Awards (Telugu) and Filmfare Awards South in the year 2019.
She has also starred in several successful projects like Devadas (2018), Yajamana (2019), Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020) and Bheeshma (2020). In 2019, she was widely appreciated for her nuanced performance in the Telugu film Dear Comrade (2019). It is for the same film that she was awarded the 'Best Actor Critics Choice' at the 77th Behindwoods Gold Medals (2019).
In the year 2021, Rashmika featured in the Hindi music video Uchana Amit Feat. Badshah, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Jonita Gandhi, Rashmika Mandanna: Top Tucker (2021) alongside rapper Badshah, Amit Uchana, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Jonita Gandhi. In the same year, Rashmika also starred in the Kannada language film Pogaru (2021) opposite Dhruva Sarja and made her Tamil debut with the hit film Sultan (2021) opposite Karthi.
After becoming one of the highest-paid and most sought-after actresses in the South film industry, Rashmika Mandanna is all set to make her Bollywood debut. She will be seen in Mission Majnu (2023) opposite Sidharth Malhotra and in Goodbye (2022) opposite Amitabh Bachchan, thereby working with, big banners like Rsvp, Reliance Entertainment and Balaji Motion Pictures respectively.
With a diverse line up of films and ever growing fanbase, Rashmika is cited to be the 'Next Big Thing In Bollywood'. Her upcoming projects also include Sukumar's much awaited Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1 (2021) opposite Allu Arjun and Thirumala Kishore's Aadavaallu Meeku Johaarlu (2022) opposite Sharwanand. - Srinidhi Shetty is an Indian actress and model predominantly working in the Kannada film Industry. She is the winner of numerous pageants and titles.
She belongs to a Mangalorean family of native Tulu speakers from the Indian community called Bunt.
Shetty studied at Sri Narayana Guru English Medium School and St. Aloysius Pre-University College. She then graduated with a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from Jain University, Bangalore.
Shetty worked as a software engineer at Accenture but quit her job to chase her dream of becoming a beauty queen. She was one of the top two finalists in the Fresh Face contest (2012) sponsored by Clean & Clear. She also holds the title of Miss Karnataka (2015).
Shetty is the winner of Miss Supranatural 2016. She is the second Indian contestant to win this title.
Shetty debuted as an actor with the blockbuster Kannada film K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018). She played the role of Reena Desai. She revived her role as Reena Desai in the second installment of the KGF franchise, K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022).
She also debuted in the Tamil film industry in 2022 with the film Cobra (2022) opposite actor Vikram. She portrayed the role of a criminology professor, Bhavana Menon.
She was announced as one of the brand ambassadors of the female western-wear brand FableStreet in 2022.
Family: - Actress
- Producer
Taapsee Pannu was born on August 1, 1987 in Delhi, India. She made her acting debut with the 2010 Telugu film Jhummandi Naadam, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Since then, she has appeared in a number of critically acclaimed films such as Aadukalam, Vastadu Naa Raju and Mr. Perfect. Her Tamil film Aadukalam won six National Film Awards at the 58th National Film Awards. She has also worked in a Malayalam film and has been signed on for three Telugu films and several Hindi films. She was awarded Most Enthusiastic Performer-Female Award at the 2014 Edison Awards for her performance in the Tamil film Arrambam (2013). Taapsee went on to star in several commercially successful films including Pink (2016), Badla (2019) and Game Over (2019), and received critical acclaim for her performances in Naam Shabana (2017), Mulk (2018), Manmarziyaan (2018) and Saand Ki Aankh (2019).- She is a darling to Telugu movie audiences. She acted in 175 movies in total--121 Telugu, 39 Tamil, 6 Hindi, 5 Kannada and 4 Malayalam movies. She started her career when she was 13. Her first movie was 'Kallukkul Earam' (Tamil, 1979) was directed by Bharti Raja. In her first Telugu movie Khiladi Krishnudu (1979) she acted with superstar 'Krishna'. She is a very versatile actress. In commercial movies, she played glamourous roles with a great ease. At the same time she excellently portrayed serious roles in message oriented movies. She won four Nandi awards (Telugu) and one Indian National award for best actress.
- Actress
Simran is an Indian actress, producer, dancer and singer who has appeared in Tamil, Hindu, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films. She is considered to be one of the most versatile actresses of her time and is recognized for her dancing skills. She is the recipient of numerous accolades including three Filmfare Awards South.- Actress
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- Director
Samantha, an Indian actress, works predominantly in Telugu and Tamil film industries. She was born on 28 April 1987 and grew up in Pallavaram in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Born to Telugu and Malayali parents, she comes from a modest background and started modeling as a part-time job.
She started her career with Gautam Menon's Ye Maya Chesave and went on to make more than 40 movies in 11 years. She is best known for her roles in Eega, Mahanati, Mersal, 24, Dookudu, Rangasthalam, Super Deluxe, Oh! Baby and more. She is a recipient of several awards including four Filmfare Awards, two Nandi Awards, four South Indian International Movie Awards, and three CineMAA Awards. She has recently ventured into pan-Indian content as a part of the second season of the Amazon series, The Family Man.
She is a huge supporter of indigenous talent and homegrown fashion. She is also Telangana's handloom ambassador and promotes the region's weaving industry.
She also runs an NGO, Pratyusha Support, to provide medical support for women and children in 2012 as well as a progressive early learning school called Ekam, Early Learning Center.- Rakul Preet Singh is an Indian actress and model who works mainly in the south Indian film industry. She has also appeared in some Tamil, Bollywood and Kannada movies. In a short space of time, Rakul Preet Singh has established herself as one of the leading Telugu film actresses. Rakul Preet Singh was born on October 10, 1990, in New Delhi, India to Rajender Singh an Army Officer and Kulwinder Singh. Rakul did her schooling from Army Public School in Dhaula Kuan and later on completed her Honors' Degree in Mathematics from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. She has been an active golf player and played at national levels. Rakul Preet Singh started her career as a model while she was in college and did several commercial flyers. She made her film debut with Kannada movie 'Gilli' directed by Raghava Loki in 2009. In the film, Rakul played the lead role as Arati opposite of Gururaj Jaggesh and her performance was well received by the audience. In 2011, Rakul participated in the 'Femina Miss India Pageant' where she was placed fifth and won five pageant titles including 'Miss India People's Choice'. That year, she entered into Telugu film with 'Keratam' as Sangeetha. Next year, Rakul kicked off her journey in Tamil film industry with Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012) in which she acted as Gayathri Ramakrishnan opposite of Arun Vijay. Rakul Preet Singh starred in Bollywood film with director Divya Khosla Kumar's romantic adventure movie Yaariyan (2014) in 2014.In her short career she was part of many commercially successful films like Venkatadri Express (2013), Current Theega (2014) and Loukyam (2014), leading her to land in bigger projects in the industry like Kick 2 (2015), Bruce Lee - The Fighter (2015), To Father with Love (2016), Sarrainodu (2016), Dhruva (2016), Rarandoi Veduka Chudham (2017) & Jaya Janaki Nayaka (2017) In 2017, Rakul Preet Singh has won many awards of which some of them are 64th Filmfare Awards South, Zee Telugu Apsara Awards & Zee Cinemalu Awards for the category of best actress Her upcoming Bollywood movies in February 2018 will be seen in Neeraj Pandey's action-romance movie Aiyaary (2018) opposite Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee. She has been appointed as the brand ambassador for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme by Telangana State Government, India.
- Ileana D'Cruz is an Indian-born Portuguese actress and model. She made her debut in the Telugu film Devadasu, which became the year's first major commercial success. She debuted in Tamil with "Kedi".
Telugu movie "Pokiri", which was one of the highest money grosser, set her in top slot actresses. She appeared in many commercially successful movies like Jalsa, Kick etc.
She made her debut in Bollywood with Anurag Basu's Barfi! (2012) starring Ranbir Kapoor. - Actress
- Music Department
- Composer
Shruti Kamal Haasan is an India Film actress and singer and the daughter of legendary actor Kamal Haasan and Sarika Thakur. She has studied at Abacus in Chennai, until 10th grade, when she moved to Mumbai to study psychology at St Andrew's College.
She debuted as a child artist in "Hey Ram" in the role of a daughter of Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel. After that she was appeared in "Luck" as a lead actress.
Apart from acting, she is an amazing singer and sung as a playback singer in many films including Thevar Magan (1992), Chachi 420 (1997), Hey Ram (2000), Luck (2009) etc.- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Raashi Khanna is a popular name in the Indian film Industry. She made her debut with the Hindi film Madras Cafe which was released in 2013. John Abraham was her co-star. The beautiful actress made her Tamil debut with Imaikka Nodigal in 2018, in which she shared the screen space with Atharvaa and the movie also has Nayanthara in the lead role.- Tamanna Bhatia is an Indian film actress born in Mumbai, India. She made her acting debut in 2005 with Hindi film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra (2005).
Also in 2005, she made her Telugu debut with movie Sree (2005). In 2006, she appeared in her first Tamil film, Kedi (2006). In 2007, she starred in two films, Happy Days (2007) and Kalloori (2007), which both earned her critical acclaim.
With many commercial successes like Padikathavan, Ayan, Paiyaa and Siruthai, she established herself as one of the leading actresses in the south Indian film industry. - Actress
- Soundtrack
Ramya Krishnan is a versatile Indian actress who has appeared in over 260 Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi films. She is the niece of the Late Cho Ramaswamy, a Tamil film actor and former member of the Rajya Sabha.
In her early years, Krishnan received formal training in western, Bharathanatyam, and Kuchipudi dance forms and appeared in several stage performances.
She got her first acting break in 1983 in the Malayalam film Neram Pularumbol (1986) when she was only 13. However, the film's release was delayed. This made Vellai Manasu (1985), a Tamil film starring Y.G. Mahendran her first official movie appearance in 1985.
Krishnan continued working in Tamil cinema and was featured in supporting roles in films like Padikkathavan (1985) with Rajinikanth in the lead role and Per Sollum Pillai (1987) with Kamal Haasan as the lead.
Some of her notable Telugu performances include films like Madana Gopaludu (1987), Aasthulu Anthasthulu (1988), BhamaKalapam (2022), and Bava Marudula Sawal (1988).
Krishnan appeared in various Malayalam movies, like Orkkappurathu (1988), Aryan (1988), and Anuragi (1988), in 1988. That year, she also featured in some successful Kannada movies, like Krishna Rukmini (1988). She made her debut in Hindi movies by playing a small role in the film Dayavan (1988), featuring actors Feroze Khan and Vinod Khanna.
Krishnan enjoyed her first blockbuster in 1990, with K. Viswanath's Sutradhaarulu (1990), which fetched the movie a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. After the film's success, she was offered lead roles in the Telugu film industry.
Krishnan's subsequent hit performances and box-office successes included Alludugaru (1990), Allari Mogudu (1992), Major Chandrakanth (1993), and Allari Priyudu (1993).
Her next major blockbuster was with Nagarjuna in the movie Annamayya (1997). She also gave another stellar performance as the lead in Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998), for which she was awarded the Nandi Award for Best Actress.
During this time, Krishnan essayed some supporting role performances in famous Hindi movies like Parampara (1993), Khalnayak (1993), Chaahat (1996), Banarasi Babu (1997), and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998).
She took a break from Tamil cinema for four years, after which she returned in 1999, playing an antagonist in Padaiyappa (1999), starring Rajinikanth. She has also been applauded for her performances in devotional films like Ammoru (1995) and Annai Kaligambal (2003).
Krishnan married Telugu film director Krishna Vamsi in 2003. They have a son together.
Besides movies, Krishnan has appeared in TV serials like Thangam (2009), Rajakumari (2013), and Vamsam (2013) on Sun TV. She served as the host of Big Boss Telugu Season 3 after Nagarjuna Akkineni, the main host, had to fly to Spain. In November 2021, when host Kamal Haasan was diagnosed with COVID, Krishnan took over Bigg Boss Tamil Season 5, becoming the first woman to host the show.
One of Krishnan's biggest box-office successes, highest-grossing movies, and most critically acclaimed performances came from her role as Rajamata Sivagami Devi in S.S. Rajamouli's movies, Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017). After Bahubali, she went on to give solid performances in Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu (2015) and Soggade Chinni Nayana (2016).
Krishnan was felicitated with a special award by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at the 30th Ugadi Celebrations & Puraskar Presentation in 2018.
She ventured into the realm of web series in 2019 with Queen (2019), playing Jayalalithaa, the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. She also made her OTT debut in 2022 as a judge for the show Dance Ikon, streaming on AHA.- Actress
- Producer
Genelia D'Souza is an Indian actress, model, and host. She has appeared in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam language films. After gaining wide attention in a Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, D'Souza began her acting career with Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. She was recognized for her role in Boys the same year, and later established herself in Telugu cinema by acting in several Telugu films during 2003-2005. D'Souza received her first Filmfare Award in 2006 for her performance in the Telugu romantic film, Bommarillu, which earned her critical acclaim. In 2008, she gave critically acclaimed performances in Santosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu, and the Bollywood movie Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Having acted in several commercially successful movies in Telugu and Tamil, D'Souza has established herself as one of the leading actresses of the South Indian film industry.In addition to movie acting, D'Souza has hosted the television show Big Switch, and is the brand ambassador of Fanta, Virgin Mobile India, Fastrack, LG Mobiles, Garnier Light, Margo, and Perk in India- Actress
- Music Department
Keerthy Suresh is an actress from the Indian film industry who is mainly seen in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam movies.
Suresh is the daughter of actress Menaka and producer G. Suresh Kumar. Producer Revathy Sureshkumar is her elder sister.
Suresh did her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram. She earned her degree in fashion design from Pearl Academy in Chennai.
Suresh made her debut as a child artiste and went on to act in a few movies produced under her father's banner, Revathy Kalamandhir, and a few television serials. Her first film was Pilots (2000), followed by Achaneyanenikkishtam (2001). She next appeared in Kuberan (2002) before taking a break from movies.
She returned to the world of cinema a decade later. In 2013, she debuted in a lead role in Priyadarshan's psychological thriller Geethanjali (2013). As she was yet to complete her studies, she used her semester break to shoot for the movie. Suresh essayed a dual role in this film. She won the South Indian International Movie Award 2014 for Best Female Debut - Malayalam and the Asianet Film Award 2014 for Best New Face of the Year for her performance.
In 2015, she marked her entry into Tamil cinema with the romantic comedy Idhu Enna Maayam (2015), helmed by A.L. Vijay. The film failed to create magic at the box office, but Suresh won the South Indian International Movie Award 2016 for Best Female Debut - Tamil and the Edison Award Tamil 2015 for Best Female Rising Star for her acting in the movie.
She went on to appear in Tamil cinema with films like Rajini Murugan (2015), Thodari (2016), Remo (2016), Bairavaa (2017), and Paambhu Sattai (2017).
Suresh made her debut in Telugu movies with a romantic comedy, Nenu Sailaja (2016), co-starring Ram Pothineni. The film was a critical and commercial success. Her performance won her the Zee Cine Award Telugu 2017 for the Most Popular Actress.
Her next Telugu venture was Nenu Local (2017). She played the female lead opposite Nani in this romantic comedy action film, which became a huge hit.
In 2018, she played the titular character in Mahanati (2018), a biographical movie on the iconic actress Savitri, directed by Nag Ashwin. She received wide acclaim for her performance and won several awards, including the National Film Award 2018 for Best Actress and the Filmfare Awards South 2018 for Best Actress - Telugu.
Her performance in Mahanati (2018) was included in Film Companion's list of 100 Greatest Performances of the Decade. (Mahanati appears at No. 85 on the list).
In the same year, she appeared in A.R. Murugadoss' political action movie Sarkar (2018), which was a blockbuster. She also starred in several other commercial ventures in 2018, such as Sandakozhi 2 (2018), Thaanaa Serndha Koottam (2018), and Saamy Square (2018).
She essayed the lead role in the mystery thriller Penguin (2020), which was released on Amazon Prime. She also portrayed the role of a lawyer in Vaashi (2022), a courtroom drama film directed by Vishnu Raghav.- Actress
- Talent Agent
Deeksha Seth, a talented Indian film actress hailing from New Delhi, has carved a niche for herself in the dynamic world of cinema with her versatile performances across South Indian and Bollywood films. Born and raised in the vibrant capital city, she embarked on her educational journey at Mayo College Girls School in Ajmer.
Deeksha's academic pursuits led her to the University of Mumbai, where she dedicated herself to earning her graduate degree. However, fate had different plans for her, and her life took a glamorous turn during her first year at college in 2009. Deeksha decided to participate in the prestigious Pantaloons Femina Miss India beauty contest, showcasing not just her academic acumen but also her striking beauty. The judges recognized her potential, and she secured a coveted spot among the top 10 finalists, ultimately clinching the Fresh Face title.
Her journey into the world of showbiz truly took flight when, during a modeling assignment in Hyderabad, the discerning eyes of Telugu casting director Krish spotted her. Recognizing her talent and magnetic presence, Krish offered Deeksha the opportunity to make her acting debut in the Telugu film "Veda." In the film, she portrayed the role of a rich girlfriend opposite the charismatic Allu Arjun.
The success of "Veda" catapulted Deeksha Seth into the spotlight, earning her widespread acclaim and opening the doors to numerous opportunities in the film industry. With her elegant demeanor and remarkable acting skills, she quickly won the hearts of audiences and filmmakers alike. Deeksha went on to sign multiple projects, showcasing her versatility across various genres.
Deeksha Seth's journey in the entertainment industry is a testament to her passion, dedication, and innate talent. As she continues to captivate audiences with her performances, she remains a prominent figure in both South Indian and Bollywood cinema, leaving an indelible mark on the film landscape.- Actress
Sadhaf Mohammed Syed, better known as Sadha, is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films. Her most notable films include Jayam, Anniyan and Unnale Unnale.
Sada was born to a Marathi Muslim family in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. She attended school at Ratnagiri Sacred Hearts Convent and then went to Mumbai to continue her studies until she became an established actress.
Sada appeared in the Tamil movie Anniyan, which is her most successful movie to date. Since then, she has appeared in a number of films across different movie industries in India, in different languages including Monalisa in Kannada and Click in Hindi. She was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show Netru, Indru, Naalai alongside many performers.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Sneha is an Indian actress who primarily works in the Tamil, Malayalam, and Telegu film industries. Born into a Telegu family, her father is a businessman, and her mother is a housewife. Her birth name is Suhasini Rajaram Naidu, but she rose to fame as Sneha.
After her birth, the family shifted to Sharjah, UAE, and the actress did her schooling there.
Fazil Nazeem recommended her to director Anil for his film Ingine Oru Nilapakshi (2000). Sneha's role was of an aspiring dancer who performed seven classical songs
She then went on to act in films in the Tamil, Telegu, and Malayalam film industries and has been a part of hits like Ennavale (2001), in which she starred opposite Madhavan. She was then cast in another Tamil movie, Aanandham (2001), in which she got the role of Viji.
In 2002, she bagged the role of Radha in her Tamil movie, Unnai Ninaithu (2002), for which she got her first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Tamil.
In the same year, she appeared as Thavamani in Virumbugirean (2002), which was cited as one of her best roles. This movie also got her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.
She was also nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil for her movie April Maadhaathil (2002).
In 2003, Sneha played a dual role in the movie Parthiban Kanavu (2003) and appeared as Sathya and Janani in the Tamil movie. For this movie, she was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil.
She appeared in several commercially hit movies in 2004, like Vasoolraja M.B.B.S (2004) and Autograph (2004).
After appearing in 6 Tamil and Telugu movies in 2005, she gave stellar performances in another set of 6 movies in 2006, out of which she was again nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil for Pudhu Pettai (2006).
One of her biggest hits and best performances came in 2008 with Pirivom Santhippom (2008), where she played the role of Visalakshi Natesan and earned a Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. She was also the recipient of the Vijay Award for Best Actress.
For the same role, she was nominated for the Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine and the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil.
After doing several other movies, she appeared as Malini Kumar in the blockbuster hit Achchamundu! Achchamundu! (2009), also starring Prasanna and Hollywood actor John Shea. She was also nominated for Filmfare Award under the category of Best Actress - Tamil for this role.
Her other performances include Amavarathi (2009), Goa (2010), and Vandae Maatharam (2010).
In 2010, she was appreciated for her tough role of playing ACP Bhavan in the Tamil movie Bhavani IPS (2010).
Her other commendable performances include roles in the movie Haridas (2013), for which she was nominated for the Vijay Award and Filmfare Award under the category of Best Actress.
She was also nominated for SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in S/O Satyamurthy (2015) and Velaikkaran (2017).
Sneha has also been featured in a number of popular endorsements like Roobini Oil, Jos Alukkas, Aashirvaad, Shree Devi Textiles, Kellogg's Chocos, Vencobb Chicken, Nisha Fairness Cream, and Tata Salt, among others. She was also made the brand ambassador for Cavin Kare's Chinni Pickle and Dabur Amla Nelli Hair Oil in 2010.
Apart from movies and endorsements, Sneha has also participated in prestigious fashion shows. Chennai International Fashion Week and Sydney Sladen Fashion Week are some fashion shows where Sneha has walked the ramp.
She has also been a judge in reality shows like Jodi Number One (2006) and Dance jodi dance 2.0 (2017). Other than these two reality shows, Sneha was also seen hosting seasons 1 and 2 of Melam Kottu Thali Kattu in 2014, which was aired on Puthuyugam TV.
Sneha was conferred with the prestigious Nandi Special Jury Prize for her incredible performance in Radha Gopalam (2005).- Actress
- Producer
Jyothika Saravanan, an acclaimed Indian actress and film producer, has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, predominantly gracing Tamil films while making notable appearances in Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema. Widely recognized for her versatile talent, she has earned numerous accolades, including a National Film Award, four Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and the prestigious Kalaimamani Award.
Her journey in the film industry commenced in 1998 with her role as Pallavi Sinha in the Bollywood film "Doli Saja Ke Rakhna." Jyothika's cinematic prowess transcended language barriers as she showcased her skills in Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films.
Apart from her film endeavors, Jyothika made a mark in the advertising world, featuring in commercials for renowned brands like Comfort (fabric softener) and Santoor Soap. She also served as the brand ambassador for RmKV silk sarees and Wardrobe Hub in Chennai.
In 2001, she played the role of Vani in the trilingual film "Little John," released in Tamil, Hindi, and English. Jyothika's debut in films was marked by the Hindi film "Doli Saja Ke Rakhna" (1997), directed by Priyadarshan. Her career soared with films like "Vaali" (1999), "Kushi" (2000), "Kaakha Kaakha" (2004), and "Chandramukhi" (2005), earning her critical acclaim and awards, including the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress.
Despite achieving great success, Jyothika took a hiatus at the pinnacle of her career, marrying Tamil actor Suriya in September 2006, with whom she was paired in seven films. However, she made a remarkable comeback in 2015 with "36 Vayadhinile," earning the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress - South. Subsequently, she starred in a series of women-centric films, including "Magalir Mattum" (2017), "Naachiyaar" (2018), "Kaatrin Mozhi" (2018), "Raatchasi" (2019), and "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020). Additionally, she played a pivotal role in Mani Ratnam's multi-starrer "Chekka Chivantha Vaanam" (2018).
Beyond her cinematic contributions, Jyothika, along with her husband Suriya, founded the Agaram foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting children who drop out of school early in Tamil Nadu.
In a candid interview, Jyothika shared insights into her married life, recounting how she and Suriya met on a film set and fell in love while collaborating on various projects. She emphasized Suriya's respect for women as a key factor that drew her towards him. Jyothika revealed that they married a month after Suriya proposed, as she felt satisfied with her career success and desired to devote time to her personal life. Her journey remains a testament to her artistic brilliance and commitment to both her craft and social causes.- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Suhasini Mani Ratnam is a multiple award-winning actress with her work spanning across several languages. She started her career as a camera assistant and then went on to become an actress appearing in many critically acclaimed films including Vanaprastham, Swathi Bandhana and Sindhu Bhairavi. Her performance in Sindhu Bhairavi earned her a National Award. She directed the Tamil feature film Indra in 1996. She is also an accomplished writer having penned the dialogues for Thiruda Thiruda, Iruvar and Raavanan among other films.- Producer
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Radhika Sarathkumar is an Indian actress, producer, politician, and entrepreneur. She is known for her work in Tamil and Telugu cinema and Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam cinema. Sarathkumar (also known as Raadhika) grew up in Chennai, India, and completed her education in India and the United Kingdom.
Sarathkumar made her debut in 1978 with the Tamil film Kizhake Pogum Rail (1978), which was directed by Bharathiraja and starred Goundamani and Janakaraj, after which she acted in numerous other films in different languages, with prominent directors like Priya V. and Raj Kapoor, along with actors such as Manobala, Sandhya, Raghuvaran and others.
Sarathkumar has also worked on several projects as a producer, such as Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai (2016). Her other works in acting include Nyayam Kavali (1981), which got her the Best Telugu Actress award, Dharma Devathai (1986), Needhikku Thandanai (1987) and Keladi Kanmani (1990).
Sarathkumar has also been a part of the small screen in TV serials like Ammayi Kaapuram (2008) and Chithi 2 (2020). Furthermore, Sarathkumar has also been a judge on Vijay TV's reality show Jodi Number One Season 5 (2011). She has also produced several daily soaps, including Idi Katha Kaadu (2020), Chitthi (2003), Annamalai (2002), Chellamay (2009), Vani Rani (2013), Thamarai (2014) and Chithi 2 (2020).- Radhika Pandit, an accomplished Indian film actress hailing from Bangalore, first stepped into the entertainment industry through television soaps such as Nandagokula and Sumangali. Her journey in the world of acting took a significant turn when she made her feature film debut in 2008 with "Moggina Manasu," a milestone that earned her the prestigious Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress and the South Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
This marked the beginning of an illustrious career in Kannada cinema, where Pandit's talent and dedication garnered her numerous accolades. Notably, she achieved the remarkable feat of winning the South Filmfare Award for Best Actress three consecutive times, showcasing her consistent excellence in the roles she portrayed. Her performances in "Love Guru" (2009) and "Krishnan Love Story" (2010) solidified her position as a leading actress in the industry.
Radhika Pandit's popularity soared with commercially successful films like "Hudugaru" (2011), "Addhuri" (2012), "Drama" (2012), "Bahaddur" (2014), and "Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari" (2014). Her on-screen presence and acting prowess received widespread critical acclaim, further establishing her as a powerhouse in Kannada cinema.
Born in Bangalore at the prestigious Bangalore Palace Nursing Home, Radhika spent her formative years in the Malleswaram suburb. Her family background reflects a rich cultural blend, with her father Krishnaprasad Pandit being a member of the Brahmin community of Chitrapur Saraswats and her mother, Mangala, having Goan roots. Growing up in her paternal grandfather's house in Malleswaram, she attended Cluny Convent High School and later pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) degree at Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.
Despite initially aspiring to become a teacher after completing an MBA, Radhika Pandit's destiny took a different turn in 2007 when she was persuaded to audition for a role in the television serial "Nandagokula." The offer came without an audition, marking the beginning of her foray into the world of acting. Subsequently, her journey led her to the film industry, where she was noticed by director Shashank and the makers of "Moggina Manasu," ultimately propelling her into stardom.
Radhika Pandit's captivating performances, coupled with her grounded upbringing and diverse heritage, have contributed to her enduring success in the world of Indian cinema. - Shobana Chandrakumar, an eminent figure in the realm of Indian arts and cinema, is celebrated as a distinguished exponent of Bharatanatyam dance and a leading actress in South Indian motion pictures. Hailing from a Malayalam-speaking family in Kerala, India, Shobana has left an indelible mark on the film industry with her versatile performances.
With a prolific career spanning over four decades, Shobana has graced the silver screen in more than 200 movies across five languages. Her cinematic journey commenced with the Malayalam film "April 18" in 1984, directed by Balachandra Menon, where she took on a leading role. Noteworthy among her early works is her collaboration with Malayalam actor Mammootty in the film "Kanamarayathu" (1984).
Shobana's acting prowess garnered her acclaim, including the prestigious National Film Awards for Best Actress. In 1994, her captivating performance in Fazil's "Manichitrathazhu," alongside Mohanlal, earned her the first National Award. The accolades continued in 2001 with her role in the English language film "Mitr, My Friend," directed by Revathi, a close friend, philosopher, and guide to Shobana.
Beyond her cinematic achievements, Shobana is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, trained at the Chidambaram academy in Chennai under the tutelage of the legendary Chitra Visweswaran. Renowned for her Abhinaya, she showcased her dance prowess before the King and Queen of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Shobana's beauty and skilled execution of dance movements led many to hail her as the most beautiful South Indian actress of the 1980s and 1990s, often likening her to the curvaceous beauty of Indian sculptures. Apart from her contributions to the entertainment industry, she founded the Kalarpana school for classical Bharatanatyam dance in Chennai and initiated annual festivals across India.
Her involvement in Mani Ratnam's stage show, "Netru, Indru, Naalai," and her portrayal in the Telugu movie "Rudra Veena" (1988) alongside Chiranjeevi showcased her versatility as both a dancer and social reformer. Shobana's commitment to the arts earned her the prestigious Padma Shri title in January 2006, a testament to her significant contributions to both cinema and Bharatanatyam. - Actress
- Producer
Amala Paul is an Indian film actress, who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. After appearing in supporting roles in a few low budget ventures, she was acclaimed for the portrayal of a controversial character in the film, Sindhu Samaveli. Despite the failure of that film, Amala became noted after playing the title role in Mynaa, receiving critical acclaim for her work in the film. Since then, she has signed several notable projects and is considered the leading upcoming actress in Tamil films.- Richa Langella, formerly known as Richa Gangopadhyay, is an Indian film actress, model and beauty queen. After winning the Miss India Michigan and Miss India USA titles in 2007, Richa moved to Mumbai, India to pursue a career in Indian cinema. She attended Anupam Kher's Acting School, Actor Prepares, after which she appeared in a few commercials before making her film debut as the lead in the Telugu film Leader. Richa played a variety of roles in the Telugu, Tamil and Bengali languages during her career in Indian cinema between 2009-2013, winning a number of awards for her performance for her most notable character, Yamini, in the Tamil film Mayakkam Enna. In 2013, Richa returned to the U.S. to complete her Bachelors in Communication with a minor in Theatre Arts from Eastern Michigan University, along with an MBA degree from the Washington University in St. Louis and pursue a career in business management.
- Raai Laxmi was born on May 5th, 1989, in Bangalore, India. Raai is an Indian film model-cum-actress appearing predominantly in South Indian films.
Young Raai Laxmi initially appeared in modeling and advertisements before entering the film industry. She made her acting debut in 2005 for a Tamil language film Karka Kasadara. Speaking about her early career in an interview this is what Raai Laxmi has to say:
I have developed some kind of obsession towards arts, be it dancing, stage shows, or even modeling. It's always my habit to carry my photos, to be precise, my portfolio since I used to do modeling. The minute he saw my portfolio, Mr.Udaykumar who was searching for a new face for his film Karka Kasadara signed me up
Subsequently she appeared in a number of Tamil films. Though she got noticed and was most sought after in the industry, she has to wait for her first real taste of success. It happened in 2008, with more serious films such as Velli Thirai, in which she played herself, and the action thriller Dhaam Dhoom. Her portrayal of a lawyer in the latter garnered her a Filmfare Award nomination in the category for Best Supporting Actress. And this sounded the arrival of a leading star in the South film industry. She followed this up with several successful films in Malayalam and is now un-disputed queen of Mollywood. After the success of movies like Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam, Kanchana, Mangatha, and Aranmanai in Tamil. - Actress
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films. She speaks Tamil, English, Hindi, and French. She studied at Church Park, India and Ethiraj College, India. She is an only child and she lives with her parents and her grandmother. She was introduced into the film industry through director Ameer Sultan's film, Mounam Pesiyadhe (2002) where she acted in opposite Suriya. After that, she acted in Priyadarshan's Tamil project entitled Laysa Laysa (2003). In 1999, she won the "Miss Salem" beauty pageant, and later the same year, the Miss Chennai contest. She had also won the Miss India 2001 pageant's "Beautiful Smile" award. Among her hobbies are listening to music, reading and swimming.- Hansika was born on August 9, 1991 in the Sindhi speaking Motwani family in Bombay, India. Her dad, Pradeep, is a businessman, while her mom, Mona, is a Dermatologist. She has an elder brother, Prashant. She is a student in Podar Internation School. Her parents divorced during 2004, while she continues to live in Andheri, Bombay, India, with her mom.
She has appeared in many TV serials, for example 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thee', 'Hum 2 Hai Na', 'Desh Me Nikla Hoga Chand', 'Shakalaka Boom Boom', 'Celebrity Fame Gurukool', and 'Tum Bin' as a child artiste. She also appeared as such in several TV commercials (e.g. Pepsi, Samsung, Hyundai Santro TV, and Bournvita).
Her mom's client, none other than Juhi Chawla, noticed Hansika and recommended that she act in movies. She was accordingly signed by for 'Yahoo' with herself and Govinda. Unfortunately, this movie was shelved.
This did not stop Hansika from acting as she has now appeared in a total of 5 movies in Hindi, as well as several regional language movies (e.g. Desamuduru in Telugu, Sarvam in Tamil).
She speaks Hindi and Tulu fluently. She is involved in physical fitness and diet with Mickey Mehta. At the age of 16 she has three staff persons, as well as her mom, to manage her career. - Roja, the accomplished actress, was born to Kumaraswamy Reddy, a Chittor district native, before her family relocated to Hyderabad. Her journey into the realm of cinema began in the Telugu film industry. Despite facing discouragement due to her initially rough voice as a child, Roja persevered and pursued her passion for acting.
She pursued higher education, earning a Masters degree in Political Science from Nagarjuna University. Additionally, Roja dedicated herself to the art of Kuchipudi, a classical dance form, honing her skills over the course of several years.
The breakthrough in Roja's cinematic career came with her debut in Tamil cinema, courtesy of director R.K. Selvamani's film, "Chembaruthi," where she starred opposite actor Prashanth. The movie turned out to be a blockbuster, laying the foundation for her success in the Tamil film industry.
Roja garnered widespread acclaim for her roles in various films, including notable performances in "Engal Aiyyah" alongside Mammooty, where her song "Veloor Maman" gained immense popularity. Her collaboration with Prabhu Deva in "Rasaiyya," particularly the song "Mastana Mastana," further solidified her status as a sought-after actress.
Her repertoire expanded to working with iconic actors like Rajinikanth in "Veera" and Arjun Sarja in "Ayudha Poojai," establishing her as a versatile talent in the industry. However, it was her pivotal role in Vikraman's film "Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen" that marked a significant breakthrough in her career.
Roja continued to make her mark in Tamil cinema, reaching a milestone with her 100th film, "Pottu Amman." Beyond lead roles, she showcased her versatility in supporting roles, contributing to films such as "Arasu" (2001) and "Parijaatham" (2006).
Throughout her illustrious career, Roja's dedication to her craft and her ability to seamlessly transition between various roles have solidified her as a respected and cherished figure in the world of Indian cinema. - Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Nithya Menen, born on 8th April, 1988 is a pan India film actor who appears in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films and shows. Having established herself as an actor par excellence, Nithya was born and raised in Bengaluru, Karnataka and still resides there. Her parents ,who were also both born and raised in Bengaluru, are government employees. She is also a polyglot who speaks six languages fluently. Her first film was offered to her when she was 8 years old and it was an English movie titled 'Hanuman' directed by the French director and wildlife filmmaker Frédéric Fougea. Nithya is an Alma mater of Mount Caramel College, Bengaluru. For her junior college, Nithya Menen went on to pursue Journalism and Communication studies from Manipal University, during the course of which she realized her inclination declining towards being a journalist. As fate had it, Ms. Menen had almost applied to study cinematography further, when Nandini Reddy spotted her and asked her to be a part of her very first Telugu film in 2011 'Ala Modalaindhi' which went on to become a blockbuster hit and got the audience rooting for this fresh face. As of 2020, she has starred in over 50 films and continues to work across the various industries Indian cinema has to offer. A multi-talented personality, Nithya has also lent her voice as a playback singer for numerous films and has also dubbed for Elsa's character in Telugu for 'Frozen 2' in 2019. She is also a singer and has sung playback for several films. Currently, she is working towards releasing her first music single.- Priyamani is an established actress in the South Indian film industry. She grew up in Bangalore, completed her schooling at Sri Aurobindo Memorial School and later went to Bishop Cotton Woman's College.
Right from student life, Priyamani was enthusiastic about extracurricular activities. As a student, she took part in a lot of competitions. She began working as a model for Kanchipuram silks after completing her studies.
During her college years, she began modelling and appeared in several advertisements, which eventually led to her foray into the film industry.
She was soon spotted by Bharathiraja in 2003, who offered her a role in the Tamil film Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (2004). However, it is the Telugu film Evare Athagadu (2003) that is considered her debut film as it came out first.
After her debut, she appeared in several other South Indian films and made a name for herself with her performances in films like Sathyam (2004), Athu Oru Kanaa Kaalam (2005), and Pellaina Kothalo (2006).
Priyamani's breakthrough performance came with the Tamil film Paruthiveeran (2007), directed by Ameer Sultan. She played the role of a village girl, and her portrayal of the character won her several awards, including a National Film Award and a Tamil Filmfare award for Best Actress.
After winning the National Award, the actress went on to give a noteworthy performance in the commercially successful Telugu film, Thief of Yama (2007), directed by S.S. Rajamouli.
In 2008, Priyamani received praise for her performance in the Malayalam film Thirakkatha (2008). This movie's plot revolves around twists and turns of the real-life lived by the late film actress Srividya. She also starred in the critically acclaimed and successful Tamil film Thotta (2008).
In 2009, Priyamani appeared in the successful remake of Ninaithale Inikkum (2009) and made her Kannada film debut with the successful Raam (2009).
In 2010, Priyamani starred in the super hit Pranchiyettan and the Saint (2010) with Mammootty. She played a Mumbai interior designer, and the film grossed over four crores in a little over two weeks.
Priyamani then worked with director Mani Ratnam on Raavanan (2010) and Raavan (2010), which was a hit in Tamil but a box-office disaster in Hindi.
She later acted in Ram Gopal Varma's Rakta Charitra (2010) with Vivek Oberoi, Suriya, and Shatrughan Sinha. The movie was critically acclaimed, and a box-office hit.
In 2012, Priyamani received critical acclaim for her roles in Anna Bond (2012) and Grandmaster (2012). She also starred in the superhit Kannada film Chaarulatha (2012) and won multiple awards, including Kannada Filmfare, for her portrayal of conjoined twins.
In 2013, she starred in the commercially and critically successful Telugu film Chandi (2013).
In 2016, she appeared in Kathe Chitrakathe Nirdeshana Puttanna (2016), a comedy horror film that had a successful 50-day run. She then starred in the romantic comedy Dana Kayonu (2016) directed by Yograj Bhat.
In 2017, she starred in the horror film Kalpana 2 (2016), directed by R. Anantharaju.
On August 23, 2017, Priyamani married her long-time boyfriend, Mustafa Raj, a businessman, in a private ceremony in Bangalore. It was rumoured that Priyamani planned to retire from acting after the wedding, but these reports were proven incorrect when she starred in the film Dhwaja (2018).
Having established herself in the South Indian film industry, Priyamani is now making waves with her performances in web shows. Her portrayal of the character "Suchitra Iyer" in her debut web series, The Family Man (2019), fetched her the Filmfare OTT award for Best Actress in a Drama Series (Critics).
Besides The Family man, her on-screen performance of the character Sakshi in ZEE5's His Story (2021) has moved audiences with her acting skills.
Priyamani has also appeared as a judge in many dance reality shows like the Telugu dance shows Dhee (2013) and the Tamil show Dance jodi dance 2.0 (2017). - Actress
- Producer
Charmi Kaur, an accomplished Indian film actress, has left an indelible mark on the Telugu film industry with her versatile performances. Born into a Punjabi-Sikh family in Mumbai, Charmi's journey into the world of cinema began at a remarkably young age. She attended Carmelite Convent English High School in Vasai and took her initial steps in the 2002 Telugu film "Nee Thodu Kaavali" at the tender age of 15, portraying a housewife. Although the film was not a commercial success, it acted as a stepping stone for Charmi, catching the attention of the South Indian film industry.
Undeterred by early setbacks, Charmi ventured into Tamil and Malayalam cinema, facing initial disappointments with films like "Kadhal Azhivathillai" and "Kattuchembakam." Despite these challenges, her tenacity remained evident as she continued to explore diverse roles. She made a notable comeback to Telugu cinema with "Neeke Manasichhaanu" and "Sri Anjaneyam," followed by a breakthrough in the form of "Mass" alongside Nagarjuna.
Charmi's cinematic journey is punctuated with both highs and lows, yet it is her dedication to learning Telugu in a short span and her ability to adapt that sets her apart. One of her distinctive contributions is lending her voice to Kajal Aggarwal in the movie "Chandamama." However, it was her role in the critically acclaimed thriller "Anukokunda Oka Roju" that showcased her prowess as a versatile actress. Her portrayal in the film earned accolades from critics, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with in Tollywood.
In subsequent years, Charmi showcased her acting prowess in various lady-oriented roles, a rarity in the Telugu film industry. Films like "Mantra," "Manorama 2009," and "Sye Aata" further solidified her position as a leading actress. Notably, her performance in "Mantra" earned her the prestigious Nandi Award for the Best Actress in 2007, underscoring her talent and impact.
Charmi's foray into Bollywood with "Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap," alongside Amitabh Bachchan, marked a new chapter in her career. Though her role in the movie was as a supporting actress, it added a feather to her cap, showcasing her versatility across different film industries.
Charmi Kaur continues to be a prominent figure in the Indian film landscape, admired for her resilience, diverse roles, and commendable performances that transcend language barriers. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and passion in the pursuit of one's dreams.- Anupama Parameswaran is an Indian film actress who predominantly appears in Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada films. She is best known for her debut role as Mary George in the Malayalam film Premam (2015). Later she appeared in Telugu films such as Sathamanam Bhavati (2017) and Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi (2017). Her Kannada debut was Natasarvabhouma with Puneeth Rajkumar.
She has a Boyfriend/Spouse, His name is Chiranjiv Makwana, He is film director and producer and writer, They both are getting married soon. - Actress
- Producer
- Music Department
Nazriya Nazim was born on 20 December 1994 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. She is an actress and producer, known for Bangalore Days (2014), Neram (2013) and Ohm Shanthi Oshaana (2014). She has been married to Fahadh Faasil since 21 August 2014.- Actress
- Writer
Trained as a Bharatnatyam dancer, Parvathy is a south Indian actress. She has worked in Malayalam movies like Take Off, Charlie, Koode, Bangalore Days, Ennu Ninte Moideen, Notebook among others. Parvathy has received accolades for her role as Sameera in the acclaimed movie Take Off including the Special Jury Award for Best Female Actor at the International Film Festival of India making her the first ever Indian actor to receive the award. She also received Kerela State Film Award for Best Actress, Filmfare Award for Best Actress- Malayalam, Special Jury Mention at the National Film Awards. She also starred in Tamil films like Poo, Uttama Villian, Maryan and Kannada films Milana, Prithvi, Andar Bahar among others. She made her Hindi film debut with Irrfan Khan in Qarib Qarib Singlle, a romantic comedy of polar opposites who meet via online dating and embark on an adventurous journey. She has featured in Channel 4's documentary Unreported World investigating the Me Too Campaign in the film industry. She recently starred in two Malyalam films Virus directed by Ashiqu Abu and Uyare directed by Manu Ashokan.- Aishwarya Rajesh is an Indian film actress, who has appeared in leading roles primarily in Tamil cinema. She started her career as Anchor in a famous comedy show called Asathapovadhu Yaru on Sun TV. After winning the reality show Maanada Mayilada, she made her debut in Avargalum Ivargalum (2011) and became known after starring in Attakathi (2012) portraying the role of Amudha. She is best known for movies Rummy, and Pannaiyarum Padminiyum. She appeared in a song sequence in R. Parthiepan's Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam and as the female lead in Thirudan Police. In 2015, she was seen in the movie "Kaaka Muttai". She debuted in Hindi movie "Daddy" opposite to Arjun Rampal. She received Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for 2014 Movie Kaaka Muttai at Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
- Pooja Hegde was born on 13th October 1990 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She is an Indian Film actress. She made her acting debut in a Tamil film, Mugamoodi (2012) followed by her Telugu film debut in Oka Laila Kosam, opposite Naga Chaitanya Akkineni and Hindi film debut in Ashutosh Gowariker's Mohenjo Daro (2016) opposite Hrithik Roshan.
Like her parents Manjunath Hegde and Lata Hegde, Pooja was born and brought up in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She has an elder brother Rishabh Hegde who is an Orthopaedic surgeon. They are originally from Mangalore, Karnataka. Pooja was the second runner-up at the Miss Universe India 2010 pageant. She speaks English, Hindi, Marathi Tulu Telegu and Tamil.
Her upcoming projects are a comedy film Cirkus with Ranveer Singh and directed by Rohit Shetty, romantic multilingual film Radhe Shyam (2022) with Prabhas, Most Eligible Bachelor opposite Akhil Akkineni and Acharya opposite Ram Charan. She will also be seen opposite Salman Khan in their upcoming film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) - Actress
- Music Department
Jayalalithaa Jayaram, an iconic figure in Indian politics, seamlessly transitioned from a celebrated actress to a dynamic politician. Born in Melukote, Mysore, Karnataka, she hailed from a Tamil Iyengar family. Tragedy struck early in her life when her father, Jayaram, a lawyer, passed away when she was just two years old. Following this, Jayalalithaa and her brother found themselves relocating to Bengaluru with their mother, Vedavathi, who later ventured into Tamil cinema using the screen name 'Sandhya.'
Jayalalithaa received her early education from Bishop Cotton Girls' High School and Sacred Heart Matriculation School in Chennai. Recognized as a bright student, she excelled in her studies and earned a scholarship for higher education from the Government of India after completing her matriculation in 1964.
Fueled by her passion for the arts, Jayalalithaa ventured into the world of cinema shortly after her studies. Her journey in the film industry began in 1961, and she went on to become a prominent South Indian film star. Over the span of two decades, from 1961 to 1980, she graced the screens in 140 films, showcasing her versatility in Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu languages.
Beyond her acting prowess, Jayalalithaa was a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, displaying proficiency in various dance forms, including Kathak, Mohiniyattam, and Manipuri. Her multifaceted talents extended to her being a singer, lending her voice to songs in some of her films.
In 1982, Jayalalithaa made a significant shift in her career, entering the realm of politics. She joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party and quickly ascended through the ranks. Her political journey reached its pinnacle when she became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a position she held six times. Notably, her sixth term began on May 23, 2016, setting a record for the most sworn-in terms.
Known affectionately as "Amma," meaning mother, and "Puratchi Thalaivi," meaning revolutionary leader, Jayalalithaa left an indelible mark on Indian politics. Her charismatic leadership and unwavering dedication to public service endeared her to the people of Tamil Nadu, making her a revered figure in the history of Indian politics. Jayalalithaa's legacy continues to inspire and resonate with many, transcending the realms of both cinema and politics.- Actress
- Producer
Shantipriya, a renowned actress in the Indian film industry, has left an indelible mark with her versatile performances across Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema. Born and raised in a middle-class family in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, India, she exhibited a passion for acting and filmmaking from an early age, harboring dreams of becoming a successful actress.
Her journey in the film industry commenced with her debut in the Tamil movie "Enga Ooru Pattukaran" in 1987. Subsequently, Shantipriya graced the screens with her presence in several popular Tamil films, including "Ondru Engal Jathiyey" and "Neram Nalla Irukku." She seamlessly transitioned to the Telugu industry with the 1988 movie "Maharashi," gaining immense popularity in the Telugu cinema through her compelling performances.
Shantipriya's foray into Hindi cinema solidified her position as a sought-after actress, with notable contributions to movies such as "Saugandh," "Mere Sajana Sath Nibhana," and "Phool Aur Angar." Her captivating presence and acting prowess garnered acclaim, making her a beloved figure in both South Indian and Bollywood film industries.
Beyond the silver screen, Shantipriya extended her talent to the television industry. Her notable appearances in TV serials like "Aaryajamaan: Brahamaand Ka Yoddha," "Mata Ki Chowki," and "Bhagwaan Shri Krishna" showcased her versatility and further endeared her to the audience.
Having completed her early schooling in Andhra Pradesh and graduating from a private university in the same state, Shantipriya's journey reflects not only her commitment to her craft but also her dedication to education. With a career spanning several decades, she stands as a testament to resilience and success in the Indian entertainment industry. Shantipriya continues to be remembered as a talented actress, a beloved sister to actress Bhanupriya, and an integral part of the cinematic legacy in India.- Actress
- Producer
Rambha is a south sensation who has acted in over 100 South Indian Films and also in Bollywood films. From Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam to Hindi, Kannada and Bengali, Rambha has done many successful films in many Indian regional languages. People loved her glamour roles and especially her gorgeous smile on the silver screen. Rambha made her career debut with the 1993 Kannada movie Server Somanna opposite Jaggesh. The same year Rambha did Malayalam film Sargam opposite Vineeth. The film received a National Award and Rambha won the State Award for her performance.- Actress
- Director
Lakshmi was born on December 13, 1952 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India to a show business family. Her father Y.V. Rao, originally from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, was an noted filmmaker and actor whose films dealt with important social issues. Her mother Kumari Rukmini was a Tamil actress, whose mother Nungambakkam Janaki was also an actress. She was fifteen when she started acting in films. Her first film was a Tamil film titled "Jeevanamsam" in 1968. She became a star in South India in the 1970s and acted in all four South Indian languages in which she is fluent: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Her Malayalam hit Chattakkari (1974) was remade in Hindi as Julie (1975) and in Telugu as "Miss Julie Prema Katha" (1975). "Julie" became a hit, and Lakshmi received the Filmfare Best Actress Award and the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award for "most outstanding work of the year." After her success in "Julie," however, she didn't star in many Hindi films and instead concentrated on doing more South Indian films. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for the Tamil film Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1975), becoming one of the first South Indian actresses to win in that category for a Tamil film. When her career as a leading lady ended in the 1980s, she started playing supporting roles as mother and later as grandmother. She played grandmothers to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Jeans (1998) and Kareena Kapoor in Hulchul (2004). She has performed in more than 400 films. She has also been involved in politics.
Lakshmi took a break from acting to host two talk shows, including the Tamil talk show "achamillai, achamillai". After the talk shows ended, she returned to acting in films.
Lakshmi was married three times. Her first marriage was to Baskar, which was arranged by her parents when she was seventeen. Her only biological child, Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran, was born in 1971. Her marriage ended in divorce, and she gained custody of her daughter, who later became an actress in the 1990s, carrying on the family tradition. Lakshmi fell in love with her _Chattakkari (1974)_ leading man Mohan, but that relationship ended. While she was shooting En Uyir Kannamma (1988), she and actor-director K.S. Sivachandran fell in love and got married. She adopted a baby girl in 2001. Her daughter Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran gave birth to a baby girl in the mid 1990s, making Lakshmi a grandmother.- Actress
- Music Department
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Lakshmi Menon is a prominent actress and model in Indian Cinema, celebrated for her remarkable contributions to the Tamil and Malayalam film industries. Born to Dubai-based artist Ramakrishnan and dance teacher Usha Menon in Kochi, Kerala, Lakshmi's early life was rooted in the rich cultural backdrop of her surroundings. After completing her school education in Kochi, she pursued higher studies and earned a bachelor's degree from Scared Heart College under Mahatma Gandhi University.
Her journey into the entertainment industry began as a model, where she graced the screens in various TV advertisements, notably for brands like Fair and Lovely and Josco Jeweller. Lakshmi then ventured into acting, making her debut in Malayalam cinema with "Raghuvinte Swantham Raziya." Although the film, directed by Vinayan, faced challenges at the box office, it marked the beginning of Lakshmi's cinematic odyssey.
Undeterred by initial setbacks, Lakshmi Menon continued her pursuit in the film industry, making notable appearances in movies like "Ideal Couple" and "Avatharam." It was her foray into Tamil cinema with "Sundara Pandian" that catapulted her to widespread acclaim. Her on-screen chemistry with Tamil actor Sasikumar and her stellar performance endeared her to audiences and critics alike.
Following her successful debut in Tamil cinema, Lakshmi Menon further solidified her standing with the movie "Kumki," where she shared the lead with Vikram Prabhu. Her portrayal received critical appreciation, establishing her as a versatile and talented actress. The subsequent years saw her in impactful roles in movies such as "Kutti Puli," a collaboration with Sasikumar after "Sundara Pandian," and "Komban," where she played the character Palani Ammal, contributing to the film's box office success.
Lakshmi Menon's versatility as an actress extended to her role in Ajith's "Vedalam," showcasing her ability to seamlessly transition between different genres. Her noteworthy performances in films like "Miruthan," "Rekka," and "Pulikkuthi Pandi" further solidified her position in the industry.
Known for her dedication to her craft, Lakshmi Menon continues to captivate audiences with her compelling performances, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Indian Cinema.- Actress
- Additional Crew
5' 3" tall, Bhoomika Chawla was born on August 21 in New Delhi. Her father was a military officer who was posted in various places across the country, so she saw much of India. Her elder brother is also a military officer. Bhoomika finished her schooling in Delhi and moved to Mumbai in 1997 for work on her career starting in ads and music videos. Her campaign for Ponds talcum powder became popular and inevitably, film offers followed. She got an offer from the Telugu film industry and though "Yuvakudu" (2000) was her first movie, she became popular with mega hit "Khushi" (Telugu). She won the "Best Actress Award" for the film Kushi.- Anjali is an award-winning Indian film actress and model, who predominantly appears in Tamil, Telugu and a few Kannada films. Following a stint in modelling, she was cast in starring roles in two Telugu productions; her debut film was the Telugu film Photo, which released in 2006, before bagging a role and gaining attention in the film Kattradhu Thamizh (2007), for which she received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debutante. In 2010 and 2011, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil, for her performances in Angaadi Theru and Engaeyum Eppothum respectively, subsequently becoming recognized as one of the "finest young actors" in Tamil cinema,[2] and noted for mostly playing "performance-oriented roles"
- Catherine Tresa Alexander, or Catherine Tresa, is a model and an actress predominantly working in the Telugu and Tamil industry. She has acted in more than 20 South Indian films.
Tresa did her schooling in Dubai and moved to India after 12th grade. She studied at St. Joseph's College, Bangalore. She received training in piano, singing, debating and ice skating. Tresa got into amateur modelling at age 14. She also participated in numerous ramp shows with fashion stylist Prasad Bidapa.
Tresa made her film debut with the Kannada movie Shankar IPS (2010), where she played the role of Shilpa. She also acted in the Malayalam film The Thriller (2010) in 2010, where she played the role of Meera.
She featured in the Malayalam film Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action (2011) in 2011. In 2012, she played the role of Sujatha in Godfather (2012), and in 2013, she starred in the films Chammak Challo (2013) and Iddarammayilatho (2013).
Tresa acted in Paisa (2013) in 2013 as well as Madras (2014) and Erra Buss (2014) in 2014. She played the role of Annambika in the Telugu film Rudhramadevi (2015). In 2016, she starred in Kathakali (2016) as Meenu Kutty, in Kanithan (2016) as Anu, and in Sarrainodu (2016) as MLA Hansitha Reddy.
In 2017, she was featured in Kadamban (2017) as Rathi, in Goutham Nanda (2017) as Mugdha, in Nene Raju Nene Mantri (2017) as Devika Rani and in Kathanayagan (2017) as Kanmani. She also had a special appearance in the song A for Apple in Jaya Janaki Nayaka (2017) in 2017. She played the role of Hema in Kalakalappu 2 (2018) in 2018.
In 2019, she starred in Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven (2019), Neeya 2 (2019), and Aruvam (2019). In 2020, Tresa acted as Smita in the film World Famous Lover (2020).
She also featured in Bhala Thandanana (2022), Bimbisara (2022) and Macherla Niyojakavargam (2022). She played Dr Nithya in Waltair Veerayya (2023) in 2023.
For her performance in Madras (2014), Tresa won the Best Debut Actress award at the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards, Vijay Awards, and Edison Awards and the Best Female Debut - Tamil award at the 62nd Filmfare Awards South and 4th South Indian International Movie Awards in 2015. - Actress
- Soundtrack
Amy Jackson is a British actress who began her acting career in India.
Amy became a household name after movies such as 'I', 'Singh is Bling' and '2.0'.
Jackson landed her first Hollywood role as Saturn Girl in season 3 of The CW's superhero series Supergirl (2017) and can be next seen in Guy Ritchie's upcoming spy thriller opposite Jason Statham (2021)- Actress
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Savitri, also known as Savitri Ganesan, was an Indian film actress, director, producer, singer and race car enthusiast who predominantly worked in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She also worked in Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada movies. Starring in more than 250 films. "Mahanati" (i.e.,) Greatest of all actresses by the Telugu Cinema and famously referred to as the "Nadigaiyar Thilagam" (i.e.,) Doyenne of all actresses by the Tamil Cinema. Her performance in the 1957 Telugu Epic film "Mayabazar" skyrocketed her to stardom.
Savitri was born on 6 December 1934 in a Telugu family in Chirravuru, Guntur district of present-day Andhra Pradesh.Her father died when she was six months old, after which her mother took Savitri and an older sibling, Maruti to live with an aunt and uncle. Her uncle, Kommareddy Venkataramaiah enrolled her in classes when she began to show a talent for dance.
Savitri acted in dance dramas as a child, including some work with a theatre company run by Jaggayya. She made an unsuccessful speculative trip to find film work in Madras at the age of 14 when she was deemed to be too young to play heroine roles, but in 1950 was cast as the female lead in Samsaram. That role did not become actuality because she became too excited, necessitating numerous retakes and eventually her replacement in the part. She was given a minor speaking role in the film and in the next year had two more minor roles, in Roopavati and Patala Bhairavi, before getting her big break as the second heroine in Pelli Chesi Choodu. She, later on, was propelled to stardom with critically acclaimed roles in blockbusters such as Devadasu and Missamma.
Savitri won several awards for her performance. She also received the prestigious Rashtrapathi Award. In 2011, the Government of India issued a postage stamp in commemoration of Savitri.
While Savitri was married to Gemini Ganesan, the couple separated in the meantime. They had two children together. Savitri passed away in 1981 after slipping into a coma for 19 months; she was suffering from diabetes and hypertension.- Actress
- Director
Asha Kelunni, better known by her stage name Revathi, is a highly acclaimed Indian actress and director, recognized for her significant contributions to Tamil and Malayalam cinema, as well as her notable presence in Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada films. Born in Cochin (present-day Kochi) to Malank Kelunni Nair, a major in the Indian Army, from Palakkad, and Lalitha Kelunni, Revathi began her journey in the entertainment industry with a chance encounter that would change her life.
During her school days, Revathi participated in a fashion show, and a photograph of her from the event became the cover of a popular Tamil magazine. This caught the attention of director Bharathiraja, who was in search of a new heroine for his film "Mann Vasanai." This marked the beginning of her acting career, and her debut in the Tamil film industry with "Mann Vasanai" in 1983 was a silver jubilee hit, earning her a Filmfare Special Award - South.
Revathi continued to make waves in the industry, making her Malayalam debut with "Kattathe Kilikkoodu" in 1983, which also achieved great success. She ventured into Telugu films with "Seethamma Pelli" in 1984 and gained recognition for her roles in films like "Kai Kodukkum Kai" (1984) and "Vaidehi Kathirunthal" (1984). Her breakthrough role came in Mani Ratnam's "Mouna Ragam" (1986), where she portrayed the spirited and headstrong Divya.
Known for her versatility, Revathi took on diverse roles and portrayed strong, relatable women characters. She achieved critical acclaim for her performances in films like "Punnagai Mannan" (1986), "Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal" (1988), and "Kizhakku Vaasal" (1990). Her remarkable acting skills were further recognized with a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in "Thevar Magan" (1992).
In the early 1990s, Revathi continued to deliver hits such as "Kilukkam" (1991) and "Marupadiyum" (1993). Her success extended to Hindi cinema with films like "Love" (1991), and she won a National Film Award for her role in "Thevar Magan." Revathi's golden era persisted until the late 1990s, marked by notable films like "Anjali" (1990), "Magalir Mattum" (1994), and "Thalaimurai" (1998).
Apart from her acting prowess, Revathi showcased her directorial skills with two feature films, "Mitr, My Friend" and "Phir Milenge." She also contributed to anthology films like "Kerala Cafe" and the unreleased "Mumbai Cutting."
Revathi's talent transcended regional boundaries, and she captivated Hindi audiences with her performances in "Margarita with a Straw" (2014) and "2 States" (2014). Her notable Tamil films include "Pa Paandi" (2017) and "Jackpot" (2019), while her impactful role in the Malayalam film "Virus" (2019) showcased her continued excellence.
In 2022, Revathi received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her role in "Bhoothakaalam." She also portrayed Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's mother, Dhanalakshmi, in the bilingual Telugu and Hindi film "Major."
Revathi's journey in the film industry is not only marked by her acting prowess but also by her directorial achievements and her ability to contribute significantly to cinema across multiple languages. Her enduring legacy is a testament to her talent and versatility.- Actress
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Asin was born in Cochin, Kerala, India in the Malayalam-speaking Thottumkal family which consists of her businessman dad, Joseph, and mom, Dr. Seline, who practices in Ernakulam. She attended Naval Public School in Cochin, and after obtaining her Matriculation, was enrolled in St. Theresa's Higher Secondary School. After successfully obtaining her Higher Secondary School Certificate, she enrolled in St. Theresa's College to continue studying in the Arts Faculty. After obtaining a Degree in B.A. English Literature, she assisted her dad in his business (which includes software, export of furniture and antiques) and also took up modeling on the side. Her modeling assignments included Colgate Toothpaste, and Fairever Cream.
This exposure got her noticed and she made her debut on the tinsel screen through director Sathyan Anthikad's "Narendaran Makan" with Malayalyee actor Kunjachacko Boban.
After her initial success, she was offered Telugu movies, and warmly welcomed in the Telugu film industry. It was a smooth transition from Telugu to Tamil with the film "M Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi". Asin starred in the original Telugu version, so she was the obvious choice for the Tamil remake, opposite Jeyam Ravi. The movie was a super hit. What makes Asin hot in the Tamil film industry, apart from her looks, is that she has teamed up with all the top heroes -- Vijay, Ajith, Surya and now Vikram, in "Maja".
She speaks a wide range of languages such as Malyalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit, English, French, and may well be the only Indian actress with a Blogspot in French. She is very active in various functions throughout Southern India, and credits her good upbringing to her parents, who she considers her role models. She was the winner of an entrepreneurial award as a teenager. She is fond of reading and has a huge collection of books.
Asin, along with her mom and dad, have left their Harrington Road apartment at Chetpet, Chennai, and have re-located to an apartment in Lokhandwala Complex, in Andheri (West), Mumbai, in order to enable her to debut in Bollywood movies.
She has had a taste of success at a very young age in Indian regional movies, it remains to be seen if her success will continue in Bollywood also.- Actress
- Producer
K. R. Vijaya, the acclaimed Indian actress, boasts a remarkable career that spans over four decades in the vibrant landscape of South Indian cinema. Born in Kerala, she spent her early years in the sacred town of Palani. Her father, associated with M.K. Radha's drama troupe, envisioned a future for her in acting, a dream that eventually came to fruition.
K. R. Vijaya's journey into the world of entertainment commenced in the 1960s, marked by her debut in the 1963 film "Karpagam," directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film proved to be a significant break, catapulting her into the limelight. Known for her versatility, she essayed a variety of roles and went on to work with nearly all the stalwarts of South Indian cinema.
Over the years, K. R. Vijaya has showcased her talents in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam language films, amassing an impressive filmography of nearly 400 films. Her notable works include "Karpagam," "Selvam," "Saraswathi Sabadham," "Nenchirukkum Varai," and "Namma Veetu Theivam." She has not only portrayed diverse characters but has also displayed her prowess as a versatile actress.
In 1973, she earned the title of "Punnagai Arasi" in Tiruchirapalli, a testament to her endearing smile, which she credited to her long-time dentist, Dr. Janakiraman. K. R. Vijaya has worked across various Indian languages, starring in 100 films each in Malayalam and Telugu, a few in Kannada, and even one in Hindi titled "Oonche Log," alongside Rajkumar and Feroz Khan.
Throughout her illustrious career, K. R. Vijaya has expressed admiration for actors such as Sivaji Ganesan, MGR, Jai Shankar, and Muthuraman, among others. She holds a special place for actresses like Padmini, Vyjayanthimala, Saroja Devi, and Savithri, whom she considers her favorites.
Beyond the silver screen, K. R. Vijaya has graced the television screens, featuring in the Sun TV teleserial "Raja Rajeswari." Reflecting on her journey, she remains grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and the privilege of working with exceptional directors, co-stars, and technicians.
Nostalgia colors her memories, especially when recalling her debut director, K. S. Gopalakrishnan, who directed her in both her first and 100th films, "Nathaiyil Muthu." The celebratory moments with legends like MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, and Rajkumar etched indelible marks in her career.
As she continues to act, K. R. Vijaya cherishes the blessings life has bestowed upon her and expresses contentment for a fulfilling career in the world of cinema. Her enduring passion for acting remains undiminished, a testament to her dedication and love for the craft.- Actress
- Producer
Sowcar Janaki, born as Sankaramanchi Janaki, is a revered and iconic Indian actress with a career that spans over seven decades. she made her debut in the Telugu film industry at the age of 18 with "Shavukaru" in 1949, marking the beginning of an illustrious journey in the world of cinema.
Interestingly, Sowcar Janaki ventured into acting post-marriage, defying conventions and proving that it is never too late to pursue one's passion. Her versatile performances across various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam, have left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry.
Sowcar Janaki rose to stardom between 1949 and 1975, portraying lead roles in numerous successful films. Collaborating with acclaimed directors like Dada Mirasee and K. Balachandar, she showcased her acting prowess and established herself as a powerhouse performer. Some of her notable works during this period include "Valayapathy," "Rojulu Marayi," "Naan Kanda Sorgam," "Pallum Pazhamum," "Puthiya Paravai," and "Iru Kodugal."
Beyond the silver screen, Sowcar Janaki actively engaged in stage performances, participating in over 300 shows. Her versatility extended to the radio, where she demonstrated her talents as a radio artist in her early years. Noteworthy milestones in her career include her Malayalam debut in "Schoolmaster" (1964) and her Hindi film, "Teen Bahuraniyan."
After 1975, Sowcar Janaki gracefully transitioned into supporting roles, earning widespread acclaim for her performances in films like "Cinema Paithiyam," "Thee," "Thillu Mullu," "Vetri Vizha," and "Kaanche." Her contributions were not limited to acting; she served as a jury member for the National Indian Films Awards committee and chaired the state Telugu Films Awards committee.
Janaki's dedication to the arts extended beyond the screen, as she actively participated in drama troupes, performing in live shows from 1960 to 1995. Her collaborations with co-star Sreekanth in both films and dramas added another dimension to her illustrious career.
Renowned for her enduring on-screen partnerships, Sowcar Janaki shared a special rapport with actors like Sreekanth, Gemini Ganeshan, and Shivaji Ganeshan, particularly cherishing her experiences with the legendary Sivaji Ganesan. Her association with him was characterized by mutual admiration and collaborative efforts to enhance their performances.
In 2016, Sowcar Janaki emerged as the actress with the longest career span, surpassing many of her contemporaries. Her legacy continues to inspire generations, solidifying her place as a true icon in Indian cinema. Sowcar Janaki's unparalleled dedication and longevity in the industry stand as a testament to her remarkable contributions and influence in shaping the Indian film landscape.- Actress
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Saranya Ponvannan born in Kerala, India, is a renowned Indian actress celebrated for her work in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema. Hailing from a Christian family, she is the daughter of A. B. Raj, a prolific director in Malayalam cinema with a remarkable portfolio of over 75 films.
Saranya embarked on her acting journey in 1987 with a notable debut in Mani Ratnam's iconic film, Nayakan, alongside Kamal Haasan. Her versatility was evident as she seamlessly transitioned into Telugu with the 1988 film Neerajanam and Malayalam with Artham in 1989, opposite Mamooty. Notably, she made her Kannada film debut in Appaji in 1996, marking a diverse career.
The pinnacle of Saranya's career as a lead actress spanned from 1987 to 1996, during which she essayed various roles in films. However, she took an eight-year hiatus after her marriage to actor and director Ponvannan in 1995. In 2000, she made a lighthearted return as the lead in the television series Veettukku Veedu Lootty. This marked the beginning of her second innings in the industry, and she gracefully embraced supporting roles, notably in the Sun TV family drama Mugangal in 2006.
Her official comeback occurred in 2003 with the Tamil film Alai, where she portrayed Silambarasan's mother opposite Raghuvaran. The mid-2000s witnessed her rise as the go-to actress for impactful "mother" roles in films like Raam, Thavamai Thavamirundhu, and Em Magan.
Saranya's standout performance in the 2010 film Thenmerku Paruvakaatru, where she portrayed Veerayi, earned her the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actress. This film marked her 100th release and showcased her ability to portray nuanced characters.
Thavamai Thavamirundhu, released in 2005, proved to be a turning point in Saranya's career, catapulting her into the limelight as one of the leading and highest-paid character actresses in South Indian cinema. Her dedication, versatility, and remarkable talent have left an indelible mark on the industry, making Saranya Ponvannan a revered name in Indian cinema.- Actress
Manorama is a veteran Hindi actress acted in nearly 100 movies. Her real name was Erin Issac Daniels. She was half-Irish, with an Irish mother and an Indian Christian father.She started her career as a child artist in 1926 in Lahore, under the name Baby Iris. Thereafter she made her debut as in adult actress in 1941 to her final role in Water in 2005, her career extending over 60 years.She started off as a child artist in Khazanchi (1941) under screen name Manorama (given by Shoery) and grew into very successful and highly paid actress of Lahore.After partition she shifted to Mumbai. Actor Chandramohan recommended her to producers. Although she gave super-hit Punjabi film Lachchi, she was relegated to play Dilip Kumar's sister in Ghar Ki Izzat (1948). After her marriage to actor Rajan Haksar, she was slotted into character roles and then to villainous or comedienne roles. After several years of marriage she got divorced.She switched to TV serials & shifted to Delhi for five years where she worked in many series.Her last movie was Deepa Mehta's Water (2005) where she mesmerized Hollywood critics with her performance.- Actress
- Producer
Srividya, a prominent South Indian film actress of the 1970s to early 2000s, was not only celebrated for her acting prowess but also showcased her musical talents. Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to Tamil film comedian Krishnamurthy and Carnatic classical singer M. L. Vasanthakumari, Srividya faced early challenges as her family struggled with financial hardships. Her father's illness forced him to quit acting, exacerbating their financial woes, and her mother tirelessly worked to support the family.
Despite a difficult childhood, Srividya entered the world of acting at a young age, making her debut with a dance scene in the Malayalam film "Kumarasambhavam" directed by P. Subramanyan. She gained attention in films like "Chattambikkavala" and "Chenda," directed by A. Vincent. However, it was her entry into the Tamil film industry in the mid-1970s that propelled her to stardom. Notably, her role in K. Balachander's "Apoorva Raagangal" opposite Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan became a turning point in her career.
Srividya faced personal challenges in her relationships. Despite an initial engagement with Kamal Haasan, their love did not endure. She later married George Thomas, an assistant director, against her family's wishes. The marriage ended in divorce, leading to a protracted legal battle that culminated in Srividya's victory in the Supreme Court of India.
Her later career was defined by iconic mother roles, including the notable portrayal in "Thalapathi" (1991), directed by Manirathnam, where she played Rajinikanth's mother. The loss of her mother in 1990 deeply affected Srividya, and she turned to television, featuring in successful Malayalam serials like "Swapnam."
A multi-talented artist, Srividya showcased her singing abilities in films like "Ayalathe Sundari," "Oru Painkilikkadha," and "Nakshathra Tharattu." Her classical vocal prowess was evident in various functions, including the Soorya Festival.
Throughout her career, Srividya faced adversity with resilience and dedication, fighting against personal tragedies and health issues. Despite battling breast cancer, she continued to contribute to the world of cinema and television until her untimely demise, leaving behind a legacy as a versatile and enduring artist.- Actress
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Saritha, a versatile South Indian actress, has left an indelible mark on the film industry with a career spanning over 250 films in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu languages. Rising to prominence during the 1980s, she garnered both popularity and critical acclaim as a lead actress. Her talent extended beyond acting, as she also showcased her skills as a dubbing artist.
In addition to her film endeavors, Saritha ventured into the television realm with her appearance in the serial "Selvi." Her contributions as a dubbing artist are noteworthy, lending her voice to esteemed actresses such as Nagma, Vijayashanti, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Ramya Krishnan, and Soundarya in the 1990s.
Recognized for her outstanding performances, Saritha has been honored with numerous accolades, including state awards from Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, six Filmfare Awards, and six Nandi Awards. Notably, she received a Special Jury Award for her role in the film "Arjun."
Saritha embarked on her acting journey with the Telugu film "Maro Charitra," directed by K. Balachander. This marked the beginning of a prolific career, where she starred opposite Kamal Haasan in a cross-cultural romance narrative. She continued to receive offers predominantly in Tamil films, many directed by Balachander, including notable titles like "Thappu Thalangal," "Idi Katha Kaadu," "Vandichakkaram," "Netrikan," "Agni Sakshi," "Puthukavithai," "Kalyana Agathigal," and "Achamillai Achamillai."
Her exceptional portrayals in "Vandichakkaram" (1980) and "Achamillai Achamillai" (1984) earned her the prestigious Filmfare Best Tamil Actress awards. Saritha also made guest appearances as herself in films like "47 Natkal" and its Telugu remake, both directed by K. Balachander.
In Kannada cinema, Saritha collaborated with the legendary Dr. Rajkumar in several successful ventures such as "Hosa Belaku," "Keralida Simha," "Bhakta Prahlada," "Chalisuva Modagalu," and "Kaamana Billu." Her repertoire of popular Kannada films also includes "Eradu Rekhegalu," "Sankranthi," and "Malaya Marutha."
Notably dedicated to her craft, Saritha underwent significant physical transformations for challenging roles, such as having her head tonsured for a cancer-affected character in "Sujatha" (1980) and gaining weight for the psychotic role in the 2005 film "Julie Ganapathi." Despite the films not achieving commercial success, her performances garnered praise. She was honored with a Nandi Special Jury Award for her role as "Aandaalu" in the movie "Arjun" in 2004.
Saritha's influence extended to the realm of voice acting, where she lent her voice to actresses like Madhavi, Soundarya, Ramya Krishnan, Nagma, Vijayashanti, Simran, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Roja, Suhasini, Radha, Radhika, and Aarthi Agarwal. Her contribution in this domain was acknowledged with the Nandi Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist for her work in films like "Ammoru," "Maa Ayana Bangaram" (1997), and "Anthapuram" (1999). Saritha's multifaceted career continues to be celebrated in the South Indian film industry.- Actress
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Sujatha, a celebrated South Indian actress, graced the silver screen with her versatile performances in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi language films. Collaborating frequently with Kamal Haasan, she etched a niche for herself with her restrained and subtle portrayals of varied emotions. Her journey in the film industry began in 1967 with the Malayalam movie "Thabaswini," marking the commencement of a prolific career.
Director K. Balachander introduced Sujatha to the Tamil film industry, casting her as the protagonist in "Aval Oru Thodarkathai." Her foray into Telugu cinema started with the film "Gorintaku," and she went on to act alongside prominent actors of her time, including Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth, Shobhan Babu, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Krishna.
Sujatha's filmography boasts noteworthy performances in films such as Suthradarulu, Pandanti Jeevitham, Prema Tharangalu, Vamshagouravam, Bebbuli, Sandhya, Aasha Jyothi, Guru Sishyulu, Sarkas Ramudu, Guppedu, and Mayadari Krishnudu. Regarded as one of the finest actors in the South Indian cinema industry, she shared a parallel with Hindi actress Smita Patil for her commitment to roles portraying women empowerment.
In 1997, Sujatha received the Nandi Award for Best Supporting Role in the movie "Pelli." Her prowess transcended linguistic boundaries, earning her accolades and recognition in all the languages she graced. The Tamilnadu government honored her with the prestigious "Kalaimamani" award.
Born in Sri Lanka, Sujatha spent her childhood actively participating in school plays before relocating to Kerala at the age of 14. Her acting journey took flight with the Malayalam film "Ernakulam Junction," catching the attention of the legendary Balachander.
Sujatha's personal life included her husband Jayakar, son Sajid, and daughter Divya. Tragically, she succumbed to a cardiac arrest on April 6, 2011, after undergoing treatment for a heart ailment in Chennai. Her legacy endures through her timeless contributions to Indian cinema, and she remains a revered figure in the hearts of film enthusiasts.- Actress
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Jayasudha was born on December 17, 1958 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. She was initially named Subadra, but her family soon changed it to Sujatha, because they felt that it was a more contemporary name. Her mother had appeared in small film roles as a child but lost interest in films and gave it up. Her father also wasn't involved in films, but his first cousin Vijaya Nirmala was a famous actress and director in South Indian films, as was her husband Krishna. When Jayasudha was a child, she would watch her aunt Vijaya Nirmala film scenes and wanted to be like her. Her father disapproved of her dream of becoming an actress. When she was twelve, Vijaya Nirmala offered her a small role in the Telugu film Pandanti Kaapuram (1972), where she and her husband Krishna had leading roles. Jayasudha was excited, but her father said no, and he finally relented when Vijaya Nirmala promised him that she would personally take of her. Jayasudha had a great time acting in the film, but once the film wrapped filming, her father sent her back to school. She fought with him, begging her to continue acting in films, until he finally agreed. But she faced another obstacle, as there was already another actress named Sujatha in films, so the writer-director V.C. Guhanathan gave her the name Jayasudha. Filmmaker A.C. Trilogchander got her started in supporting roles in Tamil films, but it was the demanding filmmaker K. Balachander who cast her in "Arangetram" and "Apporva Rangangal" and pushed her to give good performances. The latter became a hit and she was offered her first heroine role in the Telugu film "Lakshama Rekha" (1975). It led to her second starring film, the title role in Jyothi (1976), which made her a star in Telugu films. She won the Nandi Award as Best Actress, and critics and audiences hailed as a great actress, successor to the previous reigning star Savithri Ganesh. Jayasudha decided to focus completely in Telugu films and signed so many films, that in one single year, she had 24 releases. She would continue to win more Nandi Awards for films like K. Balachander's Idi Katha Kaadu (1979). But Jayasudha was becoming increasingly unhappy with the rigorous shooting schedule, her skin problems, her father's strict managerial skills, and her on-screen pairings with much older leading men. But she refused to give up films, because she enjoyed the acclaim and respect she received from her peers, critics, audiences. She projected a explosive personality on screen, while also adding depth to her performances. Her roles were indicative of the feminist movement of the 1970s, and she was the only known actress who tackled those roles at the time. She and Jayapradha and Sridevi were the reigning heroines during the late 1970s to early 1980s, and she was often paired with them in films. While they played the glamorous roles, she always played the performance-oriented roles and walked away with awards. However, while both Sridevi and Jayaprada became stars in Hindi films as well, Jayasudha's entry into Bollywood failed when her two films Aaina (1977)(directed by K. Balachander) and Shabhash Daddy (1979) for Kishore Kumar were box-office disasters. Her first marriage to a civilian also failed amidst her hectic film schedule. She then fell in love with a Punjabi film producer named Nitin Kapoor. Although both their families initially objected to the pairing because of regional differences, they all attended the wedding in 1985. She has two children with her husband, sons Nihar (born in 1986) and Sreyanth (born in 1990). By this time, Jayasudha wasn't offered heroine roles but was offered supporting roles as mother or sister-in-law to the hero. She turned down those roles, and she collaborated with her husband on some films. However, her growing interest in Christianity and politics started getting her more attention. She converted to Christianity in 2001 but always made a point she has never renounced the Hindu religion. She won an political election, winning a seat in the Secunderabad Assembly in Andhra Pradesh, India. She still continues to act and devote time to her social causes, but her political career has taken up her time and efforts. Her life took a terrible blow when her husband Nitin Kapoor committed suicide due to depression on March 14, 2017, three days before their 32nd wedding anniversary. She looked to her family and her religion for solace and comfort, and she continues to raise awareness for depression.- Music Department
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Andrea Jeremiah is a multifaceted talent in the world of Indian entertainment, recognized as a Tamil playback singer, film actress, and model. Her journey in the film industry has seen her contribute significantly as both an actress and a renowned playback singer.
In the realm of acting, Andrea has left an indelible mark on Kollywood with her notable performances in various films. One of her standout roles was alongside R. Sarath Kumar in the film "Pachaikili Muthucharam," a production directed by the acclaimed Gautham Menon. This project showcased her acting prowess and garnered attention from audiences and critics alike.
As a playback singer, Andrea has enchanted listeners with her melodious voice, lending her vocals to some of the most memorable Tamil songs. She collaborated with esteemed composers such as Harris Jayaraj, delivering hits like "Kannum Kannum Nokia" from "Anniyan" and "Karka Karka" in "Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu." Additionally, her association with Yuvan Shankar Raja produced chart-toppers like "Oh Baby" from "Yaaradi Nee Mohini" and the recent sensation "Adada Vaa" from "Sarvam," showcasing her versatility.
Her journey in the entertainment industry began at a young age when she was part of a Jackson Five-style troupe called Young Stars at just 10 years old. This early exposure paved the way for her singing career, leading her to become a prominent voice in the Tamil music scene.
Not content with just being in front of the camera or behind the microphone, Andrea has taken a step further by venturing into entrepreneurship. She founded a company named "The Show Must Go On" (TSMGO Productions) with the aim of promoting live art and supporting fellow artists.
With her diverse talents and contributions to the world of entertainment, Andrea Jeremiah continues to captivate audiences and remains a respected figure in the Tamil film industry. Her journey, marked by success in acting, singing, and entrepreneurship, is a testament to her dedication and passion for the arts.- Actress
Nandita Morarji, widely known as Nagma, is a versatile Indian actress who has left an indelible mark on Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood. Born on Christmas Day to a Muslim mother, Seema Sadhana, and a Hindu father, the late textile magnate Sri Arvind Pratapsinh Morarji, Nagma's given name at birth was Nandita.
Her journey in the entertainment industry began in Bollywood, where she made her mark with the 1990 hit debut film "Baaghi: A Rebel for Love" alongside Salman Khan at the young age of 16. Despite initial success, Nagma decided to shift her focus to South Indian cinema, where she found greater success and became a dominant force in Tamil and Telugu movies during the 1990s.
Fluent in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and English, Nagma showcased her acting prowess by working in various languages, including Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Bhojpuri, and Punjabi. Her ability to transcend language barriers highlighted her versatility as an actress.
Nagma's family background is rooted in the prestigious Dharamsinh Morarji family. Her mother, Seema Sadhana, played a significant role in Nagma's decision to pursue acting, being her constant companion on film sets. Nagma's father, Arvind Morarji, passed away in 2006, and despite the family's history of separation, she maintained a close relationship with him.
In addition to her successful film career, Nagma ventured into the world of fashion with her clothing boutique, "Nagma's," located on Mumbai's Hill Road. This venture showcased her connection to her father's background in textiles.
Despite her personal life being occasionally marred by controversies and romantic linkages, Nagma remains single and has expressed a cautious approach towards marriage, stating that she would only consider it with the perfect man.
Nagma's career trajectory took her back to Mumbai, where she transitioned into supporting roles in Bollywood hits like "Chal Mere Bhai" (2000), sharing the screen with Karisma Kapoor, Salman Khan, and Sanjay Dutt. However, she continued to contribute significantly to Telugu and Tamil cinema, even taking on leading roles in Malayalam films.
Her spiritual journey led her to enroll in the Art of Living course, and she eventually became a teacher of the course. Alongside her acting career, Nagma actively participated in political campaigns, notably campaigning for the Congress party in Bihar and Jharkhand.
In recent years, Nagma has become a major star in Bhojpuri cinema, earning accolades for her performances and winning a Best Actress award at the 2005 Bhojpuri Film Awards. She has successfully navigated different film industries, proving her mettle as an actress in various languages.- Bhanu Priya was the dancing sensation of the South. Studying dance professionally she communicated her deep love for it by being selected for a film role while still at school when the renowned Tamil Director, "Bharathi Raja came to see her. Being so confident of her dancing prowess and acting capabilities after screen-test he gave her a role in Mella Pesina.
Her acting matches her dance abilities when given [performance oriented roles. Bhanu Priya acted as a dignified elderly house-wife in Pedaruyuda and thinks such roles should be grabbed at the first offer and the role she was offered in Annamaya which the production unit thought that only she would justify. But there was a huge gap in her film-career when she was at the top place in the "Tollywood" especially- due to her sheer fault that instead of building her career which was
- Actress
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Varalaxmi Sarathkumar is an actress and director in the Indian film industry. She has also worked in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada films.
Sarathkumar spent the early years of her life in Chennai.
She was a student at St. Michael's Academy in the city. She enrolled at Hindustan Arts and Science College in Chennai, from where she completed her graduation in Microbiology. Her further studies took her to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to pursue her Master's in Business Management.
After completing her academic pursuits, Sarathkumar joined Anupam Kher's acting institute in Mumbai, called Actor Prepares, to prepare herself for a career in the film industry.
Sarathkumar debuted with Podaa Podi (2012), a romantic comedy directed by Vignesh Shivan and starring Silambarasan Rajendar as the male lead. She essayed the character of a dancer based in London. Sarathkumar bagged the Vijay Award 2012 for Best Debut Actress and the Edison Award (India) 2012 for Best Debut Actress for her performance in the film.
She next acted in Madha Gaja Raja, a drama film directed by Sundar C.. But the film didn't get a release due to financial issues.
Her second big screen venture was Maanikya (2014), which had Sudeep as her co-star and director. It was an action drama that enjoyed a good run at the theatres and marked her debut in Kannada cinema.
In 2016, she appeared in Bala's musical drama Tharai Thappattai (2016). She won the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2016 for Best Actress (Critics) for her performance.
Sarathkumar was next seen in Nithin Renji Panicker's action thriller Kasaba (2016), where she shared screen space with Mammootty. This movie was her debut in Malayalam cinema.
Sarathkumar played a small but impressive role opposite Vijay Sethupathi in Vikram Vedha (2017), an action thriller that Gayatri and Pushkar directed. The audience appreciated the film, and it became a huge hit at the box office. Sarathkumar won the Edison Award (India) for Best Character Role - Female in 2017 for her performance.
After appearing as a protagonist in a few more films, Sarathkumar took up the challenge of playing an antagonist in Sandakozhi 2 (2018), co-starring Vishal and directed by N. Linguswamy.
She continued playing an antagonist on screen in Sarkar (2018). This political action movie was directed by A.R. Murugadoss and starred Joseph Vijay and Keerthy Suresh.
For her performance in Sandakozhi 2 (2018) and Sarkar (2018), she won several awards, including the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2018 for Best Villain - Female and the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) for Best Actor in a Negative Role in 2019.
In 2019, Sarathkumar ventured into Telugu cinema with the action-comedy film Tenali Ramakrishna BA. BL (2019) Tenali Ramakrishna BA.BL (2019). She went on to essay the role of a cop in Danny (2020) Danny (2020), a murder mystery directed by Santhanamoorthy Santhanamoorthy.
Over the years, Sarathkumar has etched out her career graph with an impressive repertoire of movies, including Masterpiece (2017) Masterpiece (2017), Maari 2 (2018) Maari 2 (2018), Krack (2021) Krack (2021), Naandhi (2021) Naandhi (2021), Ranam (2021) Ranam (2021), and Michael (2023) Michael (2023).
She has also appeared in a few TV shows, such as High Priestess (2019) High Priestess (2019) and Addham (2020) Addham (2020), among others.- Actress
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Padmini was born on 12 June 1932 in Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore, British India. She was an actress and director, known for Kaajal (1965), Thillana Mohanambal (1968) and Poove Poochudava (1985). She was married to Dr. K. T. Ramachandran. She died on 24 September 2006 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.- Actress
- Producer
Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati, also known as Silk Smitha, is an Indian actress and dancer who worked in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films. Her first Tamil film was Vandichakkaram (1980), where she played the role of Silk, a bar girl. The film gained immense popularity, thus earning her the name Silk Smitha.
Smitha's bold performances and dance numbers made her a symbol of sensuality in the South Indian Film Industry. Smitha's dances gained so much popularity that they were used to boost the viewership of films that weren't performing as well. In some cases, distributors wanted her to appear in films to boost their performance.
Throughout her career, Smitha starred in over 500 films. She made the world record for appearing in the maximum number of films in a year in 1983, appeared in 44 films that year. However, when she entered the entertainment industry, she worked as an extra or domestic help for the main stars.
She began her career with the film Edutha Sabantham Mudipen (1979) and later starred in a series of Malayalam films, including Pushyaraagam (1979), Saraswathi Yaamam (1980), Ivar (1980), Karimpana (1980), and Angaadi (1980).
In 1981, she acted in numerous films, including Vayal (1981), Seethakoka Chilaka (1981), Inaye Thedi (1981), Poochasanyasi (1981), and many others. The following year, she starred in the award-winning romantic drama Moondram Pirai (1982), a cult classic in Tamil Cinema, alongside the late Sridevi and Kamal Haasan.
Smitha also acted alongside Rajinikanth in Paayum Puli (1983), where she portrayed the role of Roopa. She went on to star in films like Moondru Mugham (1982), Roshagadu (1984), Kaithi Rani (1986), Badla Aurat Ka (1987), Lady Tarzan (1983), Avasara Police 100 (1990), Chaitanya (1991), and Coimbatore Mappillai (1996) to name a few.
Her final role was in the Hindi film Haiwan (1998), released posthumously.
Smitha's impact on the entertainment industry is remembered even today. In 2011, Ekta Kapoor produced a biopic based on her life, The Dirty Picture (2011), starring Vidya Balan.- Janani Iyer is an Indian actress and model. She started her modeling career after high school and has appeared in over 150 television advertisements. In early 2010, 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 (2011) and this was her debut film. Janani is one of the few actress in cinema who dubs for herself.
- Sri Divya is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu and Tamil films. She started her acting career as a child artist in the movie Bharathi (2006) in 2006 and won the Nandi Award for Best Child Actress.
She completed her primary schooling in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Hyderabad, in Telangana. She is a graduate of SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Sri Divya's debut film in a lead role was the 2010 Telugu film Mansara (2010). She played Anjali in the film directed by Ravi Babu.
She achieved success with the romantic Telugu film Bus Stop (2012), where she played Sailaja. Her co-star in the movie was Prince Cecil.
Her next role in 2013 was as Lakshmi in the film Mallela Theeramlo Sirimalle Puvvu (2013), a lonely wife in love with a writer.
In the same year, she debuted in Tamil movies with Varuthapadatha valibar sangam (2013) and played the role of Latha Pandi. Sri Divya won the SIIMA Award for Best Debut Actress for this film. Her performance got positive reviews from writer Baradwaj Rangan.
The year 2014 saw Sri Divya play Jenny in the sports drama Jeeva (2014) and Yamuni in the romantic comedy Vellaikaara Durai (2014) with Vikram Prabhu.
In 2015, she played Divya in the Tamil action thriller Kaaki Sattai (2015) and Manaswini in the Telugu romantic drama Kerintha (2015).
She had six releases in 2016. She was a part of Bangalore Naatkal (2016), where she played Divya Raghavan, and Maaveeran Kittu (2016), where she played Gomathi.
She was also part of the romantic thriller Pencil (2016), where she played Maya. Then, in Marudhu (2016), she played Bhagyalakshmi.
Her next movie was Remo (2016), where she played the role of Divya.
Her last release in 2016 was Kaashmora (2016), where she played Yamini.
Her only release in 2017 was the Tamil horror comedy Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae (2017), where she played Swetha.
She was part of the 2022 Malayalam crime thriller Jana Gana Mana (2022), where she played Padma. - Aarthi Agarwal was an Indian-American actress who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. She made her Telugu film debut in Nuvvu Naaku Nachav with actor Venkatesh. She was one of the few non-Telugu speaking actresses to work with noted Indian film stars Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Prabhas, Mahesh Babu, Ravi Teja, and Jr NTR.
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Khushbu Sundar was born on 19 September 1970 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. She is a producer and actress, known for Chinna Thambi (1991), Irattai Roja (1996) and Kaalia (1981). She has been married to Sundar C. since 9 March 2000. They have two children.- Actress
- Music Department
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Meera Jasmine, born in Kuttappuzha, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, is a renowned Indian film actress with a notable career spanning various regional Indian movies. The daughter of Joseph and Aleyamma, she attended Mar Thomas Residential School in Thiruvalla during her schooling years.
Meera entered the film industry with her debut in the Malayalam film "Soothradharan" (2001), directed by Lohithadas and starring alongside Dileep. Despite the film's initial setback, her talent did not go unnoticed, and she quickly garnered offers from other language industries. Kamal's film, her second venture, alongside Navya Nair and Dileep, contributed to her rising fame in the South.
Her foray into Tamil cinema, marked by successful films like "Run" and "Bala" in 2002, earned her the prestigious Filmfare Best Female Debut Actress award for "Run." Subsequently, Meera worked with renowned directors such as Mani Ratnam in "Aayudha Ezhuthu" and SS Stanley in "Mercury Pookkal," solidifying her position in the Tamil film industry with over ten films to her credit.
The Telugu film industry also witnessed her success, especially with the dubbed version of "Run." Meera made her mark in Telugu cinema with films like "Ammayi Bagundi" and "Gudumba Shankar" in 2004. She expanded her reach into Kannada cinema, starring alongside Puneet Rajkumar in "Maurya," followed by another hit in "Arasu."
Despite facing challenges with films like "Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram" and "Nepali," Meera's career soared with notable Telugu hits like "Bhadra" with Ravi Teja in the lead. Her repertoire of Telugu films also includes "Raraju," "Maharadhi," "Yamagola Malli Modalaindi," "Gorintaku," and the upcoming "Maa Aayana Chantipilladu," where she was paired for the second time with Sivaji. Meera Jasmine's versatility and acting prowess have firmly established her as a respected figure in the Indian film industry.- Actress
- Producer
Ramya, also known by her birth name Divya Spandana, stands as a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, particularly in Kannada cinema. Born to parents with roots in Mandya, she spent her formative years and pursued her education with grace. Ramya completed her schooling at St. Hilda School in Ooty, laying the foundation for her academic journey.
Subsequently, she continued her educational pursuit at St. Joseph's College in Bangalore, earning a bachelor's degree that added to her intellectual prowess. However, it was not long before Ramya ventured into the captivating realm of cinema, marking the beginning of a flourishing career.
Ramya made her debut in Kannada films, leaving an indelible mark with her compelling performance alongside Puneet Rajkumar in the film "Abhi." This breakthrough role set the stage for her ascent in the industry, followed by another noteworthy appearance in Prem's "Excuse Me," further solidifying her status as a talented actress.
Expanding her horizons, Ramya entered the Telugu film industry with her debut in "Abhimanyu," showcasing her versatility across different linguistic domains. In 2004, she made her foray into Tamil cinema, adding yet another dimension to her diverse filmography.
Throughout her illustrious career, Ramya has been associated with several notable projects, including but not limited to "Ranga SSLC," "Aakash," "Amrithadhare," and "Jothe Jotheyali." Her cinematic journey is adorned with performances that resonate with audiences, making her a beloved figure in the Indian entertainment landscape. Ramya's ability to captivate hearts on screen, coupled with her dedication to the craft, cements her status as a leading actress in the world of Indian cinema.- Aindrita Ray, born in Udaipur, Rajasthan, is a versatile Indian film actress and model with a successful career primarily focused on Kannada cinema. Her father, A.K. Ray, serves as an Indian Air Force prosthodontist, and her mother is named Sunita Ray. Aindrita completed her schooling at Baldwin Girls High School in Bangalore and pursued her graduation from Mathrusri Ramabai Ambedkar Dental College in the same city.
Aindrita's journey into the entertainment industry began during her academic years when she ventured into modeling and appeared in various television commercials. Motivated by these experiences, she decided to test her luck in the film industry, marking the initiation of her acting career.
In 2008, Aindrita made her debut with the Kannada youth romantic family drama film "Meravanige," portraying the character Nandini. Her early years in the industry saw her feature in films like "Mast Maja Maadi" (2008) and "Junglee" (2009), where she played the role of Padma. The same year, she portrayed Divya in the film "Vayuputra."
A defining moment in Aindrita's career came in 2009 when she starred in the Kannada romantic-psychological movie "Manasaare" as Devika, a character with a mental disability. This critically acclaimed performance earned her accolades and nominations in various categories at Filmfare.
In the subsequent years, Aindrita continued to showcase her acting prowess with films like "Nooru Janmaku" (2010), "Nannavanu" (2010), and "Veera Parampare" (2010). She expanded her horizons with the Hindi thriller "A Flat" (2010), where she portrayed Karan's wife.
In 2011, Aindrita featured in the Kannada romantic-family movie "Manasina" as Sahana, a role in the remake of the Tamil film "Roja Kootam." The same year, she played the character Priya in the film "Dhool." Despite facing a series of flops, she rebounded with a supporting role in the 2011 movie "Paramathma," earning widespread critical acclaim for her portrayal of Saanvi.
Aindrita's filmography includes a diverse range of projects such as "Prem Adda" (2012), "Rajani Kantha," "Ziddi," "Kaddipudi," "Tony," "Athi Aparoopa," "Sharp Shooter," "John Jani Janardhan," "Melkote Manja," and "Main Zaroor Aaunga." Demonstrating her versatility, Aindrita also worked in the web series "The Casino" and "Sanak." Throughout her career, she has not only received numerous awards but has also left an indelible mark on the Kannada film industry with her memorable performances. - Vanisri was born as Ratna Kumari in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1948. Her early life was marred with tragic losses: three members of her family, including her father, died of tuberculosis in a span of one month. When her father was dying, he told her mother to give young Ratna and her older sister a good education before marriage. Her mother kept a farm and sold goats milk to support the family. She sent young Ratna and her older sister to Andhra Mahila Sabha in Madras to be educated. While her older sister did well enough to go onto college, Ratna's interest wasn't in her studies, but only in her bharat natyam dancing class. When she was 12 years old, she participated in a dance function at her school. In the audience was a Kannada film director, who thought she resembled actress Savithri Ganesh, then the top female star in South India. He offered Ratna the lead role in his Kannada film, and she took it despite her mother's initial objections. The film became a hit, and she was offered more Kannada and Tamil films. As her visibility grew, Telugu film offers came to but only for small roles. Nevertheless, she took them and acted in her first Telugu film "Bheeshma" (1962). Soon, S.V. Ranga Rao changed her name from Ratna Kumari to Vanisri, an inverse name of his company "Sri Vani Films." She continued with supporting roles and comedy roles in Telugu films, and she finally made an impact in a sister role in "Sukha Dukhalu" (1967), a film written by the important filmmaker K. Balachander. It was a tragedienne role, and she looked beautiful, especially in the song "Idi Mallela velayani." The song became a hit, the film became a hit, and she landed her first heroine role in "Marapurani Katha" (1967). She continued with Tamil and Kannada films and had a hit with the Tamil film "Paal Polave Vaan Meedhile " (1969) and the song "naalai intha velai paarthu" that was picturized on her won a National Award. She was now consistently landing heroine roles in all South Indian films with top leading men. She was confident when she turned down the sister role in "Aatmiyulu" (1969) and opted for the heroine role opposite ANR. The producer and director relented after a couple of months and gave into her, and "Aatmiyulu" became a hit. She became the topmost heroine in the 1970's with more hits like "Dasara bolludu," and Prem Nagar." Around this time, the South Indian film industry was gradually converting from black-and-white to color films, and Vanisri took full advantage of her appearance in color films. She wore bright costumes and applied heavy pancake makeup to cover up her dark complexion. She applied variety of lipsticks and bhindis. She experimented with different hairstyles, and her striking appearance soon caught on and she became the trendy, glamorous star. Even though, she was taken into films because of her facial resemblance to Savitri, she decided she wanted to be a completely different star than her. To do so, she slimmed down, even if the producers had favored a heavier, curvier look. However, her greatest asset was her highly photogenic face, and she was friendly with all her cameramen who made sure she looked her very best onscreen. But, she never sacrificed the substance of her roles for her decorative appearance. She played dramatic roles and title roles, including double roles in "Vani Rani," "Ganga Manga," Iddaru ammayulu" and Secretary. She won acting awards for her superlative performances in "Krishnaveni" and Jeevana Jyothi. Her fame had reached its peak in 1976, when Filmfare magazine decided to do a special feature on the Telugu film industry and put Vanisri on the cover. However, another shift was occurring within the film industry as well as within Vanisri herself. She was working 16 hours a day and working in 14 films a year without any time off. The filmmaker on "Edurelini Manishi" (1975) wanted her to dance and dress more provocatively, and she objected, and although he relented, Vanisri saw the writing on the wall. Newer filmmakers like K. Raghavendra Rao were opting for newer, younger heroines, and he made permanent stars out of three younger heroines: Jaya Prada and Jayasudha in the blockbuster 'Adavi Ramudu' (1977), and 'Sridevi' in "Padaharale Vayausu' (1978). All three were vying for the top spot, the spot that Vanisri had held for nearly a decade. She knew her time was up, and she married her family doctor in 1979 and left films. Even then, she bend society's norms. She was 30, at a time when the average marrying age for a girl was in her early 20's. And she married someone who was slightly younger than her. Nevertheless, it was a lasting marriage, and she gave birth to a daughter Anupama, and son Abinaya Venkatesha Kartik. When she was pregnant with her son, she developed a thyroid problem and gained a lot of weight. Apart from her health problem, she also suffered from a longstanding court battle with her older sister and brother-in-law over property. They had handled her financial affairs when she was in films, and she had no knowledge of how much she earned and how much was spent. After a 12-year battle, the parties all reached a compromise and she and her sister's family reconciled. In 1989, Vanisri returned to films with "Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogodu," where she had a supporting role as an arrogant mother-in-law. The film became a hit, and the audience welcomed her in more senior roles. Although, she continued with such roles, she kept her children away from films, and they both became doctors. Her son Abinaya died in his sleep of cardiac arrest, when he was only 36 years old in 2020. He left behind his wife, also a doctor, and a four-year-old son. Thus, Vanisri's later life was marred with losses, just as early life was. She used her name and money for humanitarian causes, such as contributing to schools and setting up senior center. She is also involved in politics.
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K. S. Sowmya, better known by her screen name Soundarya, was a yesteryear superstar. She worked in more than 100 films over 12 years in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam cinema.
She worked with top directors and the best actors in the industry and is considered one of the most successful actresses in Telugu cinema after Savitri.
Soundarya began pursuing her M.B.B.S. in Bangalore but discontinued her studies in 1992 after the first year to make a career in the South Indian film industry.
Her first movie was the Kannada film Baa Nanna Preethisu (1992), followed by Gandharva (1992). Her first film in Tamil was Ponnumani (1993), in which she played the role of a mentally disabled person. She also did a Telugu movie Raithu Bharatam (1994) in 1994.
Starting with lead roles in Kannada films, she gradually became one of the most popular actresses in the Telugu industry after successful movies such as Hello Brother (1994), in which she starred with Nagarjuna Akkineni and Ramya Krishnan. She appeared in 11 films in 1995 and was appreciated for her role as Bhavani, a devotee of Goddess Ammoru in the movie Ammoru (1995).
In the late 90s, she delivered box-office hits like Arunachalam (1997) with Rajinikanth, which was the highest-grossing movie of the year, and Choodalani Vundi (1998), starring opposite Chiranjeevi, which took her to the peak of her career. Her movie Kaathala Kaathala (1998) in Tamil featuring Kamal Haasan and Prabhu Deva was later dubbed in Telugu as Navvandi Lavvandi.
Her other hits included Pavitra Bandham (1996), Aaro Pranam (1997), and Maa Ayana Bangaram (2014).
Soundarya's movies in different languages garnered love and appreciation from audiences and critics from different regions of the country. Some of her most well-received films include Pelli Peetalu (1998), Ninne Premistha (2000) in Telugu, and Anthahpuram (1998), which was directed by Krishna Vamsi. Anthahpuram won her a State Nandi Award and her second consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
In 1999, her top releases were Raja (1999), opposite Venkatesh Daggubati, and the Hindi movie Sooryavansham (1999), opposite Amitabh Bachchan. In 2000, she starred in blockbusters like Annayya (2000) and Ninne Premistha (2000).
In 2002, she received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film for Dweepa (2002). Over the years, she won three Nandi Awards, two Karnataka State Film Awards, and six Filmfare Awards South for her work.
Soundarya was interested in making her TV debut, but she had already committed to a two-month contract with the Bharatiya Janata Party to support them during their election campaign. She passed away in a plane crash during one of the campaign visits to Andhra Pradesh.
In 2004, she was signed to star in Nartanasala, which was to be produced/directed by Nandamuri Balakrishna, in which she would essay the role of Draupadi. However, the film could not be made due to her untimely demise.- Actress
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Anjali Devi, a veteran actress and producer in Telugu and Tamil cinema, is widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Sita in "Lava Kusha" and her remarkable roles in films like "Suvarna Sundari" and "Anarkali." In Hindi cinema, she left an indelible mark with performances in movies such as 'Devta,' where she starred opposite Gemini Ganeshan, 'Sati Savitri' alongside Mahipal, and 'Bhakta Prahlad.' The timeless songs picturized on her, including 'Tum gagan ke chandrama ho,' 'jeevan dor tumhi sang bandhi,' and 'kabhi to miloge, jeevan sathi' from 'Sati Savitri,' continue to enjoy popularity.
Born as Anjani Kumar in Peddapuram, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, she later settled in Chennai. Initially named Anjani Kumari during her theater days, director C. Pullaiah bestowed upon her the name Anjali Devi. Her journey in the film industry began with a minor role in "Raja Harishchandra" in 1936, followed by her debut as Mohini in "Gollabhama" in 1947, a film that propelled her to stardom. Her first venture as a heroine was in L. V. Prasad's 'Kashtajeevi,' though the film was abandoned after three reels.
Anjali Devi's cinematic career spanned over 350 Telugu films and a handful of Tamil and Kannada films. She married music director P. Adinarayana Rao in 1940, and together, they produced numerous Telugu films under the banner of Anjali Pictures. The iconic milestone in her career was the role of Sita in "Lava Kusha," the first color film in the Telugu industry in 1963.
Aside from her diverse roles as a damsel, angel, dancer, demon, goddess, and traditional woman, she gracefully transitioned into portraying motherly roles in later years. Anjali Devi's granddaughter, Saila Rao, also followed in her footsteps as an actress.
In 1955, she took on the role of a producer with the film "Anarkali," where she played the lead character opposite Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Salim. Over her career, she produced 27 films, including noteworthy ones like "Bhakta Tukaram" and "Chandipriya," featuring Bollywood and Tollywood actress Jayapradha.
Anjali Devi's illustrious career came to a close with films like "Brundavanam" (1992), "Anna Vadina" (1993), and "Police Alludu" (1994), where she shared the screen with Brahmanandam. Her impact on Indian cinema, spanning mythological roles to modern characters, remains a cherished legacy.- Actress
Aamani, the accomplished Indian actress, hails from Bengaluru and has left an indelible mark on the Telugu film industry with her versatile performances. Making her debut in the lead role opposite Naresh in the 1992 blockbuster "Jamba Lakidi Pamba," directed by E. V. V. Satyanarayana, she quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with.
Her cinematic journey includes not only Telugu gems but also noteworthy contributions to Tamil and Kannada cinema. Aamani has graced the silver screen alongside acclaimed actors such as Vishnuvardhan, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna, Krishna, Mammootty, Arvind Swami, Jagapathi Babu, and Kamal Haasan. Her early career saw her in smaller roles in films like "Aadadhi" and "Chandamama Kathalu."
Aamani's prowess as an actress garnered critical acclaim, earning her prestigious accolades such as two state Nandi Awards and a Filmfare Awards South. Notably, the film "Mister Pellam" (1993), directed by Bapu, not only showcased her talent but also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
The 1990s witnessed Aamani's involvement in successful ventures like "Amma Donga," "Vamshanikokkadu," "Subha Lagnam," "Jamba Lakidi Pamba," and "Nakshatra Poratam." Her standout performances in "Subha Lagnam" (1994), "Subha Sankalpam" (1995), and "Mister Pellam" (1993) earned her both Filmfare and Nandi Awards, solidifying her position as a leading actress in Telugu cinema.
After a hiatus, Aamani returned to the silver screen with the film "Aa Naluguru." In recent times, she has continued to captivate audiences with her roles, playing a street vendor and actor Kartikeya's onscreen mother in the 2021 romantic comedy-drama "Chaavu Kaburu Challaga." Her portrayal of the money lender Kanaka Ratnam in "Muthyamantha Muddu" showcased her enduring talent.
Beyond the reel world, Aamani made a delightful guest appearance on the Telugu reality show Drama Juniors in 2021, further endearing herself to fans. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Aamani remains a revered figure in Indian cinema, leaving an indelible legacy as an actress of immense talent and versatility.- Actress
- Music Department
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Swathi Reddy, a Russian-born Indian film actress and television presenter, is widely recognized for her versatile contributions to Telugu Cinema, as well as her notable roles in Tamil and Malayalam films. Popularly known by her nickname, Colors Swathi, she gained fame through her participation in the Telugu television show "Colours" on Maa TV in 1996.
Born to a navy officer father, Siva Rama Krishna, and a housewife mother, Indira Devi, Swathi spent her formative years in Visakhapatnam, where she completed her schooling at SFS High School. Her academic journey continued with a pursuit of biotechnology at St. Mary's College in Yousufguda, Hyderabad, marking the early stages of her life before venturing into the world of cinema.
Swathi's foray into acting began during her first year of college, making her debut in feature films with the Tamil hit "Subramaniapuram" in 2008. Initially, she played supporting roles, but it was her breakthrough role in the Telugu film "Ashta Chamma" that earned her critical acclaim, fetching both the Filmfare Award and Nandi Award for Best Actress.
Beyond her cinematic accomplishments, Swathi embraced matrimony with her boyfriend Vikas Vasu on 30 August 2018. Her journey in the entertainment industry reflects a blend of talent, dedication, and a diverse portfolio that continues to captivate audiences across different regional cinemas.- Actress
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Gouthami Tadimalla, widely known as Gautami, is a versatile South Indian actress with a remarkable career spanning across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films. Her cinematic journey commenced with the Telugu film "Dayamayudu," a production centered around the life of Jesus Christ.
Hailing from Vizag, Andhra Pradesh, Gautami's entry into the film industry unfolded during her college days at GITAM College. She marked her debut in Tamil cinema with "Guru Shishyan," sharing the screen with the legendary Rajnikanth. During the late 80s to the mid-90s, she dominated Tamil cinema, emerging as a formidable competitor to contemporaries like Kushboo and Banupriya.
Gautami's filmography boasts diverse roles, including notable performances in films such as "Thevar Magan" and Mani Ratnam's "Iruvar" (1997), alongside an ensemble cast featuring Mohanlal, Prakash Raj, Aishwarya Rai, Tabu, Nasser, and Revathi. Her versatility extended to Kannada films with projects like "Elu Suttina Kote," "Chikkejamana," and "Cheluva." In Hindi, she left her mark in movies like "Pyar Hua chori chori," "Janata ki Adalat," "Trimurti," and "Dhaal."
Gautami faced a challenging battle against breast cancer at the age of 35, demonstrating resilience and emerging victorious. Following a hiatus from acting, she made a comeback as a costume designer for films starring her partner, Kamal Haasan. Notably, she received the Vijay Award for Best Costume Designer for her work in "Dasavathaaram."
In a significant return to the silver screen after sixteen years, Gautami showcased her acting prowess in the Tamil film "Papanasam," sharing the screen once again with Kamal Haasan. Beyond her film endeavors, she graced the Tamil serial "Indira" as the lead character and ventured into hosting with the talk show "Anbudan" on Sun TV. Currently, she captivates audiences with her portrayal in the serial "Abhirami," broadcasted on Kalingar TV, showcasing the enduring talent and versatility that define Gautami's illustrious career.- Madhavi was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. She grew up with a brother and a sister. She started dancing when she was eight years old. She became a well-known Bharat Natyam dancer and has given more than a thousand performances. She had also appeared in small roles in films as a child actress. While still in eighth grade at Stanley Girls High School in Hyderabad, she was discovered by famous film director Dasari Narayana Rao who cast her in the leading role in the Telugu film "Thoorpu Padamara," which was a huge success, and catapulted her to stardom. Though she started her career acting in Telugu (her mother tongue), because of her talent and flair for languages she went on to act in six other languages: Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Oriya, Bengali and Malayalam. She acted with famous stars in films directed by great film directors. She has won many state awards as best actress. She also earned a Filmfare nomination as Best Supporting Actress for the Hindi film "Ek Duje Ke Liye" (1981), a remake of her hit Telugu film "Marocharithra" (1979). She has appeared in more than three hundred films. She ended her seventeen-year career as a leading lady, when she married a businessman named Ralph Sharma in 1996. She moved to New Jersey, USA and assists her husband in the pharmaceutical business. They have three children: Tiffany, Priscilla, and Evelyn. She has a strong faith in her Hindu religion and makes regular pilgrimage trips to India.
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Sai Pallavi is an actress and dancer who has established her presence in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films. Pallavi was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, to Senthamarai Kannan and Radha Kannan. She has a younger sister named Pooja Kannan, who is also an actor.
Pallavi grew up in Coimbatore and did her schooling at Avila Convent School. She completed her medical studies at the Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia in 2016. Later, in 2020, she sat for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in Trichy.
Pallavi's first brush with acting on the big screen took place in 2005 in an uncredited role in Kasthuri Maan (2005), in which she played the role of a college girl. She appeared in another uncredited blink-and-miss role in Dhaam Dhoom (2008), an action thriller starring Kangana Ranaut.
Pallavi made her official acting debut as the lead in Premam (2015), a romantic comedy directed by, Alphonse Puthren, in which she essayed the role of a teacher. She was approached for the movie while she was still studying medicine, and she shot for the film during her vacation. The film was released without any teasers, trailers, or pre-release interviews. It went on to become a huge hit at the box office, garnering appreciation from critics and audiences alike, and shot her to instant fame.
Pallavi bagged several awards for her performance in the film, including the Filmfare Awards South 2015 for the Best Female Debut - Malayalam, South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2015 for the Best Female Debut - Malayalam, and the Vanitha Film Awards 2016 for the Best Newcomer - Actress. She also won the Asianet Film Honour Special Jury Award in 2015.
With her second film Kali (2016), Pallavi once again proved her mettle as an actress. She played the role of a newly married girl dealing with the extreme anger issues of her husband. The action thriller directed by Sameer Thahir had Dulquer Salmaan playing the lead opposite her. The film was one of the biggest box office successes of 2016. It earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Awards South 2016 for Best Actress - Malayalam.
Her next project was Sekhar Kammula's romantic comedy Fidaa (2017), which marked her debut in Telugu cinema. Starring opposite Varun Tej, Pallavi stood out as a feisty village girl named Bhanumathi. Her performance in the film has been listed among the 100 Greatest Performances of the Decade, compiled by Film Companion. The film went on to become a huge commercial success. She won the Filmfare Award South 2018 for Best Actress - Telugu for her performance.
In MCA Middle Class Abbayi (2017), an action comedy directed by Venu Sriram, Pallavi appears onscreen with Nani. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it turned out to be a successful venture at the box office.
Then, Pallavi explored the supernatural genre for the first time with Diya (2018), which was directed by A.L. Vijay and had Naga Shaurya as the lead opposite her. It was her debut in Tamil cinema in a lead role. Her next film was Padi Padi Leche Manasu (2018)(2018).
Her following silver screen appearance was in Maari 2 (2018), in which she starred opposite Dhanush. In this action comedy directed by Balaji Mohan, she portrays the role of an auto driver. While the film earned mixed reviews from critics, the song, 'Rowdy Baby', became one of the most-watched music videos from South India on YouTube.
In 2019, Pallavi appeared in Vivek's psychological thriller Anukoni Athidhi (2019) opposite Fahadh Faasil. To prepare for her role as an autistic girl, she met several people with autism and worked profoundly on her body language.
She followed it up with movies like NGK (2019) and the anthology drama Paava Kadhaigal (2020), which was released on Netflix.
In 2021, she had two releases, Love Story (2021) and Shyam Singha Roy (2021), both of which received a positive response at the box office. She won the Filmfare Award South 2022 for Best Actress - Telugu for her acting in Love Story and the Filmfare Critics Award 2022 for Best Actress - Telugu for her role in Shyam Singha Roy. She also won the SIIMA Award 2022 for the Entertainer of the Year (Female) - Telugu for her performance in both movies.
Pallavi was last seen in Gargi (2022), a legal drama directed by Gautham Ramachandran. She earned critical appreciation for her performance in the movie.- Eesha Rebba, an accomplished Indian actress, has carved a niche for herself in the dynamic world of Telugu cinema. Hailing from a Telugu-speaking family in Warangal, she spent her formative years in the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Eesha's academic journey led her to pursue a postgraduate degree in MBA, a testament to her dedication and intellect.
During her college days, Eesha Rebba ventured into the world of modeling, showcasing her versatility and striking presence. It was during this phase that destiny intervened, as she received an unexpected audition call from director Mohan Krishna Indraganti through the virtual realms of Facebook.
Eesha Rebba made her impactful debut as the female lead in the film "Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha." The movie not only marked the beginning of her cinematic journey but also tasted success at the box office. The film's recognition extended internationally, with a nomination for "Best Film" at the International Indian Film Festival in South Africa.
In the years that followed, Eesha continued to captivate audiences with her stellar performances in noteworthy films such as "Aa Tarvatha," "Ami Thumi," and "Darshakudu." Her portrayal in these movies earned her prestigious accolades, including the Cinegoers Award and the Zee Telugu Apsara Awards. Her exceptional acting skills were particularly acknowledged in the roles of Darshakudu and Ami Tumi, showcasing her versatility and commitment to her craft.
Beyond the boundaries of Telugu cinema, Eesha Rebba ventured into Kollywood with her debut in "Oyee," portraying the character Swetha. Despite not gaining widespread recognition in the Tamil film industry, her dedication remained unwavering. She further enriched her filmography with notable Telugu projects like "May Hall," "Darasakudu," and "Brand Babu."
Eesha Rebba's journey from a college model to an acclaimed actress reflects her passion for storytelling and her ability to leave a lasting impression on audiences. With her talent, charm, and commitment, she continues to be a prominent figure in the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema. - Ritu Varma is an Indian film actress from Telangana who mainly works in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She is best known for her performance in the short film Anukokunda and the movie Pelli Choopulu, which elevated her into overnight fame. She received Nandi Award for Best Actress and Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress - South for her performance in Pelli Choopulu.
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Lakshmi Manchu, was born in the vibrant city of Chennai, hails from a prestigious cinematic lineage. As the daughter of the legendary Tollywood actor and producer Mohan Babu and the gracious Vidya Devi, Lakshmi's early exposure to the world of cinema ignited a passion that would shape her illustrious career.
Commencing her journey in the spotlight at the tender age of 4, Lakshmi Manchu is a multifaceted personality, sharing the stage with her distinguished brothers, Vishnu Manchu and Manoj Manchu, both acclaimed actors in the Telugu-speaking states. Her commitment to the art of storytelling extends beyond her acting prowess; she is the co-owner of Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures, a production company with a legacy steeped in cinematic excellence. Having contributed to the creation of nearly 40 feature films, Lakshmi is a driving force in the industry.
Beyond the realms of cinema, Lakshmi is an avid follower of meditation and spirituality, reflecting a holistic approach to life. In 2006, she embarked on a new personal chapter by marrying Andy Srinivasan. This union blossomed into a familial haven, and their joy was further enhanced with the arrival of their daughter, Nirvana Manchu.
Lakshmi Manchu's versatility and international appeal were evident early in her career when she made her debut in the American series Las Vegas (2003). Breaking barriers, she has not only made a significant impact on the Telugu Film Industry but has also left her mark in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema.
Acknowledged for her exceptional contributions to the world of cinema, Lakshmi has been honored with numerous accolades, including 2 Filmfare Awards South, 2 Nandi Awards, 2 Siima Awards, 1 Santoshan Film Award, and 1 Cinemaa Award. With a filmography comprising over 20 Indian feature films, Lakshmi Manchu stands as a testament to her ability to immerse herself in diverse roles. Notable performances in films such as Anaganaga O Dheerudu (2011), Basmati Blues (2017), Chandamama Kathalu (2014), W/O Ram (2018), and Monster (2022) showcase her unwavering commitment to excellence in the world of cinema. Lakshmi Manchu continues to be a captivating presence, leaving an indelible mark on the global cinematic landscape.- Actress
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Jayaprada was born as Lalita Rani in a middle class household to Krishna and Neelavani in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh on April 3, 1962. She was a small town girl with dreams of becoming a doctor. Her mother enrolled her in dance and music classes when she was seven years old, in addition to going to a regular school. Even though, her father and uncle were film financiers, her initial break into films didn't come through them. She was discovered dancing on stage at a school function when she was just fourteen years old. Character actor Prabhakar Reddy gave her the name of Jayaprada and introduced her in a three minute song in the Telugu film, "Bhoomi Kosam" (1976). That immediately led her to longer roles in "Devude Digivaste" (1975) and "Naaku Swatantram Vachindhi" (1976). The floodgates opened. Major film directors, such as Bapu, K. Vishwanath and K.Balachander, approached her with quality projects. She immediately became a huge star in Telugu films as diverse as the color-drenched, big-budget "Seeta Kalyanam" (1976) to the stark, naturalistic black-and-white film "Antuleeni Katha" (1976), where she won a special acting award for her unforgettable dramatic performance. But it was her dancing skills and nuanced acting style as a mute girl that made K. Vishwanath's "Siri Siri Muvva" (1976) into a timeless classic. It would also be her passport into Hindi films as K. Vishwanath remade it into "Sargam" (1979) and made her a overnight star in Bollywood as well. She earned her first Filmfare nomination as Best Actress for the film, and it would become one of her favorite films. She stalled on doing more Hindi films for two years as she wasn't fluent in the language. But she became fluent in Hindi, as well as Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Bengali, and had hit films in all these languages. She endeared audiences with her sincere portrayal of Amitabh Bachchan's girlfriend in her next favorite film "Sharabi" (1984), which became another big hit and earned her second Filmfare nomination as Best Actress. K. Vishwanath directed her to her third Filmfare nomination as Best Actress for her other favorite film "Sanjog" (1985). But some of her best performances would go unrewarded. In the Telugu film directed by K.Balachander, "47 Rojulu" (1981) showed Jayaprada as a innocent girl duped by her husband in Paris, France, and her struggle to escape from him. But in Hindi films, she usually played the traditionally dressed, docile, obedient wife, and while that image led to hit films, it also eventually tired her audiences. She also seemed bored and indifferent with no new challenges ahead as she had already made her other favorite films: the Hindi films "Sur Sangam" (1985) and "Tohfa" (1984), the Telugu film "Sagara Sangamam" (1983), the Kannada films "Sanadi Appanna" (1977) and "Kavi Ratna Kalidasa" (1983). The only excitement came from her personal life when she met her husband film producer Srikant Nahata. They started out as friends as he was already a married man with children. But it turned into love when he stood by her because of her income tax problems. She was branded the "other woman," especially since Nahata wouldn't leave his wife. So she ended up marrying him in 1986, and he has continued to be married to both women. In 1994, she also became a politician by joining the Telugu Desam Party. A few years later, a rift developed with the political party and she was deeply hurt when she was no longer in the party. She also didn't have any major films lined up. But she kept up with her many social and humanitarian causes, especially related to poor women and children. She also became tough and strong and forged on ahead by joining a different political party in a different state, Uttar Pradesh. She won the election with the slogan line, "Andhra is my janambhoomi but Uttar Pradesh is my karmbhoomi." She also started making films playing stronger, mature roles. In "Deh," she played an older woman having an affair with a much younger man. She also wrote and directed "Class Medal," a Telugu film that starred her sister's son Siddharth and produced by her brother Rajababu. She didn't forget her first love, dancing, and did a dance ballet in 2005 that won her great acclaim. And she also dabbled in playback singing and even recorded an album with music composer Bappi Lahiri. In 2008, she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for her long and plentiful contribution to the South Indian film industry. Having three careers (acting, dancing, politics), and a husband, left her no time to have children of her own, even though she has expressed a desire to have children. So far, she has shown no desire to give up her three careers and in fact, stated that she'll be as hardworking and dedicated in the future as she is now.- Actress
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Kavya Madhavan, the acclaimed Indian film actress, hails from the picturesque village of Nileshwaram in the Kasargod district of Kerala, India. Born to parents P. Madhavan and Shyamala, she spent her formative years immersed in academics at Nileswaram Rajas High School while also showcasing her early artistic flair as a child artist in Kamal's film "Pookalam Varavayi" (1991).
Intriguingly, Kavya's journey in the film industry commenced during her school days, where she not only embraced the silver screen as a child artist but also honed her dancing skills, winning accolades in various competitions. Her artistic prowess and the recognition she garnered led to numerous offers, setting the stage for her eventual transition to leading roles.
Breaking the mold while still in the ninth standard, Kavya seized the opportunity to play the female lead in Lal Jose's film "Chandanudikkunna Dikkil," catapulting her into stardom with its resounding success. This marked the beginning of an illustrious career, where she etched her identity in the hearts of Malayalam cinema enthusiasts.
Her filmography is a testament to her versatility, with iconic portrayals in movies such as "Mizhi Randilum," "Dosth," "Madhura Nombarakattu," "Sadananthante Samayam," and the record-breaking "Meesa Madhavan." Kavya's on-screen chemistry with top actors in the industry has solidified her status as one of the busiest and most beloved female stars in Malayalam cinema.
Beyond the realms of Malayalam cinema, Kavya ventured into Tamil films, making her debut in "Kasi," a successful venture. However, her inclination towards accepting Tamil roles seemed tempered, possibly influenced by the industry's demands for skin-revealing dresses.
On a personal note, Kavya Madhavan entered a new chapter in her life when she tied the knot with actor Dileep on November 25, 2016, in Ernakulam. The couple welcomed their daughter, Mahalakshmi, adding another dimension to Kavya's life as a multifaceted artist and a loving family woman.- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Mamtha Mohandas is an Indian film actress and playback singer who predominantly works in Malayalam films along with a few Tamil and Telugu productions. She has won several accolades including two Filmfare Awards South, for Best Female Playback Singer in Telugu in 2006 and for Best Actress in Malayalam in 2010 and also Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress in 2010.- Karthika Menon, better known by her stage name Bhavana, is a versatile Indian actress acclaimed for her contributions to the Malayalam, Kannada, and Tamil film industries. Born in Thissur, Kerala, Bhavana is the daughter of assistant cinematographer G. Balchandran and Pushpa. Her journey began at Holy Family Convent Girls High School, Thrissur, where she laid the foundation for her future in the world of cinema.
In 2002, at the tender age of 16, Bhavana marked her cinematic debut with the Malayalam film "Nammal." Her remarkable performance earned her a Kerala State Special Jury Award, setting the stage for a prolific career. Over the years, she has received numerous accolades, including the Kerala State Film Award, Asianet Film Award, Jersey Foundation Award, and Kalakeralam Award, testifying to her exceptional talent and dedication.
Bhavana's cinematic repertoire extends beyond Malayalam cinema, making a significant impact in Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu languages. Her Tamil debut in 2006 with "Chithiram Pesuthadi" showcased her versatility as she portrayed the character of Charumathi. Subsequently, she graced Tamil films like "Veyil," "Koodal Nagar," "Vaazhthugal," and "Aasal," leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
In 2008, Bhavana ventured into Telugu cinema with "Ontari," expanding her reach across South Indian cinema. Her Kannada debut in 2010 with "Jackie" marked another milestone in her career. Bhavana's notable Kannada films include "Vishnuvardhana," "Topiwala," "Mythri," "Mukunda Murari," "Bhajarangi 2," and "Govinda Govinda."
Beyond her illustrious filmography, Bhavana is known for her cameo role in "Thilakkam" and an item number in "Runaway" in 2004, showcasing her versatility in various roles. With each project, she has not only demonstrated her acting prowess but has also earned the admiration of audiences and critics alike. Bhavana continues to captivate the hearts of cinephiles across South India with her compelling performances and remains a prominent figure in the Indian film industry. - Actress
Before her career as an actress, Keralite Gopika always maintained that she was never interested in acting. But when she won a beauty contest in Thrissoor, followed by a jewelery commercial and advertisement, a film offer virtually landed in her lap. Although this film did not do well, it got her noticed, and she soon signed up for a second film called "4 the People", which was a huge hit, and even had its prints dubbed in several different Indian languages. In 2004 noted Tamil movie director, Cheran, took note of Gopika in this movie, and signed her up for another Tamil movie "Autograph", which was also a huge success. Attractive and talented, she stole the limelight in "Autograph" from the leading lady (Sneha). She also looks gorgeous in "Kana Kandein", and her fans are anxiously awaiting her new release "Thottijaya", in which she stars opposite Simbu.- Actress
Anu Emmanuel is a South Indian actress who is better known as her stage name "Anu". She was born on March 28, 1997, in the USA to Thankachan Emmanuel and Nimmy Emmanuel. Anu started her career as a model and did a lot of TV commercial ads. After that, In 2016, with the film Action Hero Biju, she made her Malayalam film debut. Recently, she appeared in the Shailaja Reddy Alludu which is basically in Telugu. We expected to see her in 2019 with the big projects and stars as well.- Anusree Nair, widely recognized by her mononymous stage name Anusree, is a highly acclaimed Indian actress, primarily active in the Malayalam film industry. Born in Kerala to Muraleedharan Pillai, a dedicated clerk at the Kerala Water Authority, and Shobhana, a nurturing housewife, Anusree's roots lie in Kamukumchery, Kollam district. Her upbringing included the presence of an elder brother named Anoop.
Anusree's journey into the world of cinema commenced with her impressive debut in the 2012 film "Diamond Necklace," directed by Lal Jose. Notably, she caught the attention of the director while participating in the acting reality show "Vivel Active Fair Big Break" on Surya TV. Lal Jose's recognition led to her portrayal of Kalamandalam Rajasree in the aforementioned film, marking the beginning of her illustrious career.
The actress went on to showcase her versatility by essaying pivotal roles in various Malayalam films, including "Left Right Left" (2013), "Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum" (2013), and "Angry Babies in Love" (2014). Anusree continued to carve her niche with lead roles in films like "Ithihasa" (2014) and "My Life Partner" (2014), earning acclaim for her performances.
Her outstanding portrayal of Sushama in "Chandrettan Evideya" (2015) earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. In 2016, Anusree featured in notable films like Dileesh Pothan's "Maheshinte Prathikaaram" and Priyadarshan's "Oppam," where she portrayed the character of Police ACP Ganga.
Despite facing health challenges, Anusree was initially cast in the female lead role opposite Mohanlal in "Pulimurugan" (2016) but had to withdraw from the project due to her condition. She later collaborated with Mohanlal in Priyadarshan's "Oppam" (2016).
The actress continued her impressive filmography with roles in movies such as "Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho" (2016), "Oru Cinemakkaran" (2017), "Aadhi" (2018), and "Panchavarnathatha" (2018). Anusree's dedication to her craft, combined with her innate talent, has established her as a prominent figure in the Malayalam film industry. - Actress
- Director
- Writer
Grace Antony, popularly known as Mary Gracy, is a multifaceted talent hailing from Mulamthuruthy, India. Born with a passion for the arts, she has made a mark as an actress, model, and classical dancer in the vibrant landscape of the Malayalam film industry.
Grace stepped into the world of cinema with her debut film, "Happy Wedding" in 2016, marking the beginning of a promising career. However, it was her compelling performance in the Mollywood blockbuster "Kumbalangi Nights" (2019) that propelled her into the limelight, earning her widespread recognition and acclaim.
Unveiling her versatility, Grace Antony continued to impress audiences and critics alike with her lead roles in a string of successful films. Noteworthy among them are "Thamaasha" (2019), "Halal Love Story" (2020), "Saajan Bakery Since 1962" (2021), "Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham" (2021), "Rorschach" (2022), and "Appan" (2022). Each film added a new layer to her acting prowess, establishing her as a powerhouse performer in the industry.
Beyond the glitz and glamour of the film world, Grace is a well-educated individual, holding a Post-Graduate degree. Her academic journey also includes a bachelor's degree in Bharatanatyam, showcasing her dedication to the classical arts.
In summary, Grace Antony is not just an actress but a versatile artist who has made significant contributions to the Malayalam film industry. Her journey from Mulamthuruthy to the silver screen is a testament to her talent, dedication, and passion for the arts.- Namitha Pramod, born to Pramod and Indu in Kottayam, Kerala, is a versatile actress primarily known for her work in the Malayalam film industry. Raised alongside her sibling Akhita Pramod, Namitha embarked on her acting journey at a young age, initially as a child artist in Malayalam TV serials.
Her cinematic debut occurred in 2011 with the film 'Traffic,' directed by Rajesh Pillai, which featured a star-studded cast including Sreenivasan, Kunchako Boban, Rahman, and Lena. This movie marked a turning point in the Malayalam film industry, earning praise from both critics and audiences.
However, it was her lead role in 'Puthiya Theerangal,' directed by Sathyan Anthikkada, that truly showcased her acting prowess. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Namitha's performance garnered attention, setting the stage for a promising career. In recognition of her achievements, she received the New Face of the Year award at the Amrita Film Awards Night in 2013.
Subsequently, Namitha starred in notable films like 'Sound Thoma' and 'Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum.' In 2014, she played a pivotal role in Lal Jose's 'Vikramadithyan,' alongside Dulquer Salman and Unni Mukudan, earning accolades and the Best Star Pair Award at the Vanitha Film Awards.
Expanding her horizons, Namitha ventured into the Tamil and Telugu film industries. Her Tamil debut was in 2014 with 'En Kaadhal Pudhithu,' and in 2016, she entered Telugu cinema with 'Chuttalabbai,' directed by Veerabhdram Chowdary.
The actress continued to make a mark in Malayalam cinema with films like 'Villali Veeran,' 'Ormayundo Ee Mukham,' and 'Chandrettan Evideya.' Notably, her performances in films like 'Amar Akbar Anthony' and 'Adi Kapyare Kootamani' in 2015 earned her the Vanitha Film Award for Most Popular Actress.
In 2018, Namitha took on a significant role in the multi-starrer film 'Kammara Sambhavam,' sharing the screen with Dileep, Siddharth, and Bobby Simhaa. The film, directed by Rathish Ambat, received acclaim for its unique storyline.
Stepping outside her comfort zone, Namitha recently appeared in the thriller film 'Eesho,' directed by Nadirsha, where she shared the screen with Jayasurya and Jaffar Idukki. Throughout her career, Namitha Pramod has proven herself as a versatile and talented actress, leaving an indelible mark in the entertainment industry. - Actress
Namitha was born in the Punjabi-speaking Kapoor family in Surat, Gujarat, India on May 10, 1981. She is the only daughter in this family, which consists of her dad, a businessman while her mom is a homemaker. She has a degree in English Literature. She used to teach swimming to young children and was raised in Bombay.
She first came into the limelight after she was crowned Miss Surat during the year 1998. She went on to participate in the 2001 Miss India pageant and ended up as the fourth runner-up, while Celina Jaitley was crowned Miss India during this event.
This publicity opened up doors for her and she did a number of TV commercials like Himani cream & hand soap, Arun Ice Cream, Manikchand Gutka, and Nile herbal shampoo.
Film director Siddiqui introduced her to the tinsel screen in a Malayalam movie, and thereafter Namitha has acted in several Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and English movies. In the first of two Telugu movies she went by the name of Bhairavi. She attained fame after the release of 'Engal Anna' in which she starred opposite Vijayakanth. She is also known as an item girl in regional movies, and often appears in Tamil magazine front covers. She became even more popular after her dance number 'Arjuna Arjuna'.
She is proficient in Karate, loves to dance, watch movies, swim and play badminton in her spare time and likes to work out physically. She likes novels, especially by Sidney Sheldon, as well as comic books. She is a promoter of Gadgetguru.- Honey Rose, born Honey Rose Varghese, is an Indian film actress who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry. She has also worked in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films.
She studied at Sacred Heart English Medium (SHEM) Higher Secondary School in Moolamattom, Idukki District, Kerala, India.
Rose debuted in the Malayalam film industry with Boy Friend (2005) at 14. She went on to act in the Tamil movie Mudhal Kanave (2007) and the Telugu movie Aalayam (2008).
She returned to Malayalam films with Sound of Boot (2008).
Some of the other films she worked in are Singam Puli (2011), Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action (2011), Ajantha (2012), Hotel California (2013), Ring Master (2014), Kumbasaaram (2015), Avarude Raavukal (2017), Chalakkudykkaran Changathy (2018), Ittymaani: Made in China (2019), Big Brother (2020), Aquarium (2022) and Veera Simha Reddy (2023). - Nivetha Thomas is an actress who works in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films. Thomas completed her schooling in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, at Holy Angels and Montfort Matriculation School. She graduated from SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, with a Bachelor's in Architecture.
Her career started with the Malayalam TV serial Sri Raja Rajeswari (2001), in which she played the role of Gowri. She then appeared in the Malayalam film Uthara (2003). She also appeared in My Dear Bootham (2004 - 2007), a Sun TV serial.
Thomas acted as a child artist in the movie Veruthe Oru Bharya (2008) and was honoured by the Kerala State Film Award for her performance.
In 2008, she also appeared in her first Tamil movie Kuruvi (2008).
Her other Malayalam films that did well are Chaappa Kurish (2011) and Thattathin Marayathu (2012).
She played the role of a petrol bunk worker in the movie Poraali (2011), which was directed by Samuthirakani. In the same year, she played the role of an aspiring singer in the movie Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham (2013).
She appeared in Jilla (2014), as Mahalakshmi.
Another fine performance delivered by Thomas was in Papanasam (2015), a remake of Ajay Devgn's Drishyam (2015). She appeared as Kamal Haasan's daughter.
In 2016, she appeared in the Telugu movie Gentleman (2016) for which she earned her first award as Best Female Debut from SIIMA and a nomination as the Best Actress by Filmfare Awards. She then appeared in another Telugu film, Juliet Lover of Idiot (2017), which was directed by Ajay Voddirala.
She played the role of Pallavi in the thriller Ninnu Kori (2017) for which she was nominated for the second time as the best actress by Filmfare Awards.
One of her best performances was in the movie Jai Lava Kusa (2017), in which she appeared as Simran. She won the Apsara Awards, as Performer of the Year, for her performance.
She got positive reviews for her role as Aadhya in the movie 118 (2019), which also starred Nandamuri Kalyan Ram.
She also played the role of Mitra in the movie Brochevarevarura (2019), in which she performs as a student interested in building her career as a classical dancer. She played Rajinikanth's daughter Valli in the movie Darbar (2020).
She then appeared in the thriller V (2020), enacting the role of Apoorva Ramanujan. She got the role of Pallavi in the Telugu movie Vakeel Saab (2021), which was a remake of the movie Pink (2016).
In 2022, she appeared in Saakini Daakini (2022), as Shalini. This Telugu movie was based on the Korean film Midnight Runners (2017). - Actress
- Make-Up Department
Philomina (1926-2006), the veteran Malayalam actress of yesteryear, left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry with her prolific career spanning over four decades. Born into a world of professional drama, she honed her acting skills on the stage, initially working with the esteemed P J Antony's drama troupe.
Her journey into the film industry commenced with the movie "Kuttikkupayam" (1964), a significant hit that marked the beginning of her cinematic legacy. Philomina, known for her versatility, predominantly played character and comedy roles, along with portraying the roles of a grandmother and mother. She seamlessly transitioned from the stage to the screen, attributing her success to her early experiences with accomplished actors like Antony.
Over the years, Philomina became an integral part of Malayalam cinema, breathing life into numerous roles. Despite facing personal challenges, such as the loss of her husband when her son was just three years old, she persevered, meticulously building her career and life. Her unique voice and distinctive dialogue delivery became her trademarks, and she proudly asserted that no one ever dubbed for her.
Philomina's breakthrough came with the film "Madanmaar Londonil," where she was cast in a comic role by Sathyan Anthikkad. This marked a turning point, propelling her into the realm of the most popular comediennes in Malayalam cinema. From then on, with unwavering commitment and a passion for acting, she delighted audiences with her performances in iconic films such as "Chatta," "Innale," "Njan Gandharvan," "Venkalam," "Churam," "Vietnam Colony," "Malayogam," "Kireedam," "Uncle Bun," and "Manathe Kottaram," showcasing her versatility.
Philomina's contributions to Malayalam cinema were recognized with the State award for the Best Supporting Actress in 1970 for her roles in "Thurakkathavaathil" and "Olavum Theeravum," and again in 1987 for "Thaniyavarthanam." Her career witnessed a brief hiatus, but she returned with impactful roles in films by directors like Bharathan and Padmarajan.
In the twilight of her career, Philomina appeared in 750 films and numerous television serials, leaving an enduring legacy. Her final appearance was in "Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum." However, her later years were marked by health challenges. Living in Kochi initially, she later moved to her son's residence in Chennai. A chronic diabetic, she suffered a stroke in 2005 and, after being bedridden for over a month, passed away on January 2, 2006, due to diabetic-related complications. Philomina's remarkable journey stands as a testament to her resilience, talent, and enduring impact on the world of cinema.