Latha
Encyclopedia
Latha is a top Indian actress, who played leading roles in south Indian films during the 1970s and early 1980s. She is also known for her roles in various megaserials in Tamil
and Telugu language
and continues to be popular in the industry.
. She was born in 1953. Her photogenic looks and dancing skills attracted attention from the Tamil film industry. She entered films when she was fifteen and was encouraged by her aunt actress Kamala Kotnis. Her first film was in "Ulagam Sutram Valiban" (1973), whose star and producer was M. G. Ramachandran
. She is from the Sethupathy clan, the Royal family of Ramnad and her father was Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi
.
. The film was significant as it achieved a level of technical prowess such as shooting underwater that has not been replicated till today in Tamil Cinema
. It also was shot exclusively in foreign locations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan, which was a first for Tamil Cinema. The film's success skyrocketed her to the top of the industry and she was felicitated by the press for being the best and most glamorous amongst all the four actresses in the film. She remained M. G. Ramachandran
's leading lady for several years in Tamil films. He recommended her to star Akkineni Nageswara Rao
for "Andala Ramudu
" (1973), thus making her debut in Telugu films. She specialized in playing glamorous roles in Tamil
and Telugu films. She played the Zeenat Aman
role in two remakes of Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973): the Telugu film "Annadamula Anubandham"(1975) and the Tamil
film "Naalai Namathay (1975)". She won a Filmfare Award for her performance in Vattathukkul Sadhuram. The Kalaimamani
award was bestowed upon her by the State Government of Tamil Nadu for her achievements in the film industry. She has also received awards from the Government of Tamil Nadu as well as the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her acting ability. She was also briefly involved in politics, as her father, Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi
, the Raja of Ramnad, was once a politician.
After a hiatus of 14 years, she successfully reprised her career by acting in leading roles in many mega serials in Tamil and Telugu. In 2002, the actress played vicious mothers-in-law in Telugu television serials "Eenati Ramayanam," "Pavithrabandham," and "Matti Manishi."Most recently, she has gained much notoriety alongside Raadhika Sarathkumar
in the Tamil television serials Chitthi, Selvi
and most famously in Arase (Arasi
). Her role in Arase (Arasi
) is very popular amongst the demographic of Tamils that religiously follow mega serials, namely housewives and children. Her role is best known for her catchphrases 'Pada Pada Padannu irukkiradhu' and 'Idhu Rombo Too Much' and the humorous portrayal of the character.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Telugu language
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
and continues to be popular in the industry.
Early life
Latha is originally from Tamil NaduTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. She was born in 1953. Her photogenic looks and dancing skills attracted attention from the Tamil film industry. She entered films when she was fifteen and was encouraged by her aunt actress Kamala Kotnis. Her first film was in "Ulagam Sutram Valiban" (1973), whose star and producer was M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
. She is from the Sethupathy clan, the Royal family of Ramnad and her father was Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi or Naganatha Sethupathi was an Indian politician of the Justice Party and later, the Indian National Congress and head of the zamindari of Ramnad from 1929 to 1967. He was a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly from 1951 to 1967 and served as a minister in C....
.
Career
Latha became a very successful actress and has won several awards. She has acted in excess of one hundred films spanning Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Her debut film was Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973), in which she starred alongside M. G. RamachandranM. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
. The film was significant as it achieved a level of technical prowess such as shooting underwater that has not been replicated till today in Tamil Cinema
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
. It also was shot exclusively in foreign locations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan, which was a first for Tamil Cinema. The film's success skyrocketed her to the top of the industry and she was felicitated by the press for being the best and most glamorous amongst all the four actresses in the film. She remained M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
's leading lady for several years in Tamil films. He recommended her to star Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...
for "Andala Ramudu
Andala Ramudu (1973 film)
Andala Ramudu is a 1973 film directed by Bapu. The story is based on the "Janata Express" story of Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. The film won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film in 1973. Recent film Godavari by Sekhar Kammula enthusiastically made on this classic family entertainment film...
" (1973), thus making her debut in Telugu films. She specialized in playing glamorous roles in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Telugu films. She played the Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman is an Indian actress who has appeared in Hindi films, notably in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the second runner up in the Miss India Contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970...
role in two remakes of Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973): the Telugu film "Annadamula Anubandham"(1975) and the Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film "Naalai Namathay (1975)". She won a Filmfare Award for her performance in Vattathukkul Sadhuram. The Kalaimamani
Kalaimamani
The Kalaimamani is an award in Tamil Nadu state, India. These awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram for excellence in the field of art and literature....
award was bestowed upon her by the State Government of Tamil Nadu for her achievements in the film industry. She has also received awards from the Government of Tamil Nadu as well as the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her acting ability. She was also briefly involved in politics, as her father, Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi or Naganatha Sethupathi was an Indian politician of the Justice Party and later, the Indian National Congress and head of the zamindari of Ramnad from 1929 to 1967. He was a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly from 1951 to 1967 and served as a minister in C....
, the Raja of Ramnad, was once a politician.
After a hiatus of 14 years, she successfully reprised her career by acting in leading roles in many mega serials in Tamil and Telugu. In 2002, the actress played vicious mothers-in-law in Telugu television serials "Eenati Ramayanam," "Pavithrabandham," and "Matti Manishi."Most recently, she has gained much notoriety alongside Raadhika Sarathkumar
Raadhika Sarathkumar
Radhika Sarathkumar is a Tamil television and film actress, successful entrepreneur and producer. She is the founder of Radaan Mediaworks, which has produced the successful serials Chithi, Annamalai, Selvi, Arasi, and Idi Katha Kadu . She is currently acting in the serial Chellamay for Sun TV...
in the Tamil television serials Chitthi, Selvi
Selvi
Selvi was a Tamil soap opera aired on India's Sun TV Network. It is produced by Radaan Mediaworks Limited, as the successor to its two previous hit serials, Chithi and Annamalai. Its 499 episodes run began on 24 January 2005 and came to an end on 29 December 2006...
and most famously in Arase (Arasi
Arasi
The Tamil tele-serial "Arasi" is the sequel to "Selvi", the previous offering from Radaan Mediaworks in the 9.30-10 PM timeslot...
). Her role in Arase (Arasi
Arasi
The Tamil tele-serial "Arasi" is the sequel to "Selvi", the previous offering from Radaan Mediaworks in the 9.30-10 PM timeslot...
) is very popular amongst the demographic of Tamils that religiously follow mega serials, namely housewives and children. Her role is best known for her catchphrases 'Pada Pada Padannu irukkiradhu' and 'Idhu Rombo Too Much' and the humorous portrayal of the character.