Soundarya
Encyclopedia
Soundarya (born Sowmya) (18 July 1972 - 17 April 2004) was a film actress who appeared in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil
and Malayalam films. She acted in more than 90 films, most of them in Telugu. She was killed in a plane crash near Bangalore
.
. She made her film debut while in her first year of MBBS, when she was offered a role by a friend of her father's in the Kannada film Gandharva
(1992). She discontinued her studies after the film Ammoru
(1995).
She described her roles in Kannada films as "insignificant" and moved on to Telugu films, where she achieved greater popularity and success.
Soundarya also acted in one Hindi
film, Sooryavansham
. She produced and acted in the Kannada film Dweepa
, with Girish Kasaravalli
as director. The film won the Golden Lotus
, which is given for best film of the year. It also won the Karnataka state awards for Best Actress, Best Film and Best Cinematography, and was featured in five international film festivals.
Soundarya was offered the role of Draupadi in the remake of Narthanashala. Soundarya along with Balakrishna started shooting for the film, but the film got shelved due to financial reasons and the actress died before the shooting of the film continued.
. She married her maternal uncle's son and childhood friend, software engineer G. S. Raghu, on 27 April 2003. She planned on promoting public welfare. Her husband and sister-in-law founded the Amara Soundarya Social and Educational Trust [ASSET]. Soundarya maintained an orphanage in Bangalore. She had donated money to numerous educational institutions during her lifetime.
, when the four-seater Cessna 180
caught fire immediately after take-off. She was on her way to Andhra Pradesh
to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party
for the coming elections. Her brother, Amarnath, a producer of Kannada films, also died in the accident. She was awarded the Karnataka State Award posthumously.
Kollywood
Kollywood is a word referring two different movie industries in India and Nepal, derived from the word Hollywood and their local movie centers.* Tamil cinema, the Tamil language film industry based on Kodambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,...
and Malayalam films. She acted in more than 90 films, most of them in Telugu. She was killed in a plane crash near Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
.
Film career
Soundarya was the daughter of Kannada film producer and writer K. S. Satyanarayan. She was born and raised in BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. She made her film debut while in her first year of MBBS, when she was offered a role by a friend of her father's in the Kannada film Gandharva
Gandharva
Gandharva is a name used for distinct mythological beings in Hinduism and Buddhism; it is also a term for skilled singers in Indian classical music.-In Hinduism:...
(1992). She discontinued her studies after the film Ammoru
Ammoru
Ammoru is a 1995 Telugu film produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy and directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. Beginning with an idiom resembling the mythological, the film transforms into a domestic family drama while maintaining its allegiance to folk legends about female village deities...
(1995).
She described her roles in Kannada films as "insignificant" and moved on to Telugu films, where she achieved greater popularity and success.
Soundarya also acted in one Hindi
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
film, Sooryavansham
Sooryavansham
Sooryavansham is a 1999 Bollywood movie starring Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role, Soundarya, Rachana Banerjee, Anupam Kher and Kader Khan. Although the film was a box office flop critics hailed Amitabh Bachchan's performance as his best ever since his comeback in 1997.However, this film has become...
. She produced and acted in the Kannada film Dweepa
Dweepa
-Plot:Based on the novel with the same title by Norbert D'Souza, Dweepa deals with the raging issue of building dams and the displacement of natives. Located in the backwaters of a dam, Sita Parvata is an island slowly submerging due to the rains. The government succeeds in evacuating the inmates...
, with Girish Kasaravalli
Girish Kasaravalli
Girish Kasaravalli is a noted film director, and one of the pioneers of the Parallel Cinema in Kannada cinema, who has won the National Film Award for Best Film four times, Ghatashraddha , Tabarana Kathe , Thaayi Saheba and Dweepa...
as director. The film won the Golden Lotus
Golden Lotus
The Golden Lotus is the highest prize awarded to competing films at the Vietnam Film Festival. It was introduced in 1973 at the 2nd Vietnam Film Festival held in Hanoi. The award is separated in five different categories: feature film; direct-to-video; documentary film; science film and animated...
, which is given for best film of the year. It also won the Karnataka state awards for Best Actress, Best Film and Best Cinematography, and was featured in five international film festivals.
Soundarya was offered the role of Draupadi in the remake of Narthanashala. Soundarya along with Balakrishna started shooting for the film, but the film got shelved due to financial reasons and the actress died before the shooting of the film continued.
Personal life
Soundarya was born in the village of Ashtagrama. She was an IyerIyer
Iyer is the title given to the caste of Hindu Brahmin communities of Tamil origin. Most Iyers are followers of the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankara...
. She married her maternal uncle's son and childhood friend, software engineer G. S. Raghu, on 27 April 2003. She planned on promoting public welfare. Her husband and sister-in-law founded the Amara Soundarya Social and Educational Trust [ASSET]. Soundarya maintained an orphanage in Bangalore. She had donated money to numerous educational institutions during her lifetime.
Death
Soundarya died on April 17, 2004, in a plane crash near BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, when the four-seater Cessna 180
Cessna 180
The Cessna 180 is a four- or six-seat, fixed conventional gear general aviation airplane which was produced between 1953 and 1981. Though the design is no longer in production, many of these aircraft are still in use as personal aircraft and in utility roles such as bush...
caught fire immediately after take-off. She was on her way to Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament...
for the coming elections. Her brother, Amarnath, a producer of Kannada films, also died in the accident. She was awarded the Karnataka State Award posthumously.
Kannada
- Nanna Tangi
- Tooguve Krishnana
- Gandarava
- Aryabata
- Doni Saagali
- Baa Nanna Preethisu (with Shashikumar)
- Sipaayi
- Naga Devathe
- Sri Manjunatha
- Naanu nanna hendatiru
- Vijaya Dashmi
- Sri Renuka Devi
- "Shwetha Naagara"
- DweepaDweepa-Plot:Based on the novel with the same title by Norbert D'Souza, Dweepa deals with the raging issue of building dams and the displacement of natives. Located in the backwaters of a dam, Sita Parvata is an island slowly submerging due to the rains. The government succeeds in evacuating the inmates...
(2001) - Apthamitra (2004) (her last film before she died)
Telugu
- Rikshavadu- (ChiranjeeviChiranjeeviChiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...
, Nagma, Soundarya) - Major - (ChiranjeeviChiranjeeviChiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...
, Soundarya) - Choodalani VundiChoodalani VundiChoodalani Vundi is a 1998 Tollywood film directed Gunasekhar and produced by Ashwini Dutt. This film stars Chiranjeevi, Soundarya, Prakash Raj, and Anjala Zaveri. This is the last movie in which veteran actor Dhulipala starred in. The film collected around 16 crores, the highest at that time. It...
- (ChiranjeeviChiranjeeviChiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...
, Soundarya, Anjala Javeri, 1998) - Annayya - (ChiranjeeviChiranjeeviChiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...
, Soundarya) - Sri Manju Natha - (Chiranjeevi, Arjun, Soundarya)
- Super Police - (VenkateshVenkateshVenkatesh may refer to:* Venkateswara: A Hindu Deity* G. K. Venkatesh , composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s* A...
, Nagma, Soundarya) - Pavithra BandhamPavithra BandhamPavithra Bandham is a 1996 Telugu Drama film directed by Muthyala Subbaiah. It was remade in Hindi as Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain in 1999, and in Tamil as Priyamaanavale in 2000.-Plot:...
- (VenkateshVenkateshVenkatesh may refer to:* Venkateswara: A Hindu Deity* G. K. Venkatesh , composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s* A...
, Soundarya) - Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu - (VenkateshVenkateshVenkatesh may refer to:* Venkateswara: A Hindu Deity* G. K. Venkatesh , composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s* A...
, Soundarya, Veenitha) - Pelli chesukundam - (VenkateshVenkateshVenkatesh may refer to:* Venkateswara: A Hindu Deity* G. K. Venkatesh , composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s* A...
, Soundarya, Lila) - Raja - (VenkateshVenkateshVenkatesh may refer to:* Venkateswara: A Hindu Deity* G. K. Venkatesh , composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s* A...
, Soundarya) - Jayam ManaderaJayam Manade RaaJayam Manade Raa is a 2000 Tollywood film which was written and directed by N. Shankar. It starred Venkatesh and Soundarya in the lead roles. The film went on to be a big hit.- Plot :...
- (VenkateshVenkateshVenkatesh may refer to:* Venkateswara: A Hindu Deity* G. K. Venkatesh , composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s* A...
, Soundarya) - Deviputhrudu - (VenkateshVenkateshVenkatesh may refer to:* Venkateswara: A Hindu Deity* G. K. Venkatesh , composer of film music in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s* A...
, Soundarya, Anjala Javeri, 2000) - Hello Brother - (NagarjunaNagarjunaNāgārjuna was an important Buddhist teacher and philosopher. Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is credited with founding the Mādhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism...
, Ramya Krishna, Soundarya, 1994) - Ramudotchadu - (Nagarujuna, Soundarya, Ravali)
- Azad - (NagarjunaNagarjunaNāgārjuna was an important Buddhist teacher and philosopher. Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is credited with founding the Mādhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism...
, Soundarya, Shilpa Shetty, 2000) - Ninne Premista - (NagarjunaNagarjunaNāgārjuna was an important Buddhist teacher and philosopher. Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is credited with founding the Mādhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism...
, Srikanth, Soundarya) - Eduru Leni Manishi - (NagarjunaNagarjunaNāgārjuna was an important Buddhist teacher and philosopher. Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is credited with founding the Mādhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism...
, Soundarya, Yamuna) - Top Hero - (Bala Krishana, Soundarya)
- Bhale Bullodu - (Jagapathi babu, Soundarya)
- Allari premikudu - (Jagapathi Babu, Ramyakrishna, Soundarya, Rambha, Charitha, 1994)
- Chilka Patcha Kapuram(Jagapathibabu, Meena, Soundarya)
- Priyaragalu - (Jagapathi Babu, Soundarya, Maheswari)
- Pelli Peetalu - (Jagapahibabu, Soundarya)
- Donagata - (Jagapathi Babu , Suresh, Soundarya)
- AnthapuramAnthapuram (1998 film)Anthahpuram is a 1998 Telugu film directed by Krishna Vamsi, which was later remade in 1999 in Tamil with the same name. The film stars Prakash Raj, Soundarya and Jagapati Babu in prominent roles. The film won three Filmfare Awards South for Best Film, Best Director and Best Actress...
- ( Soundarya, Saikumar, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj) - Moodu Mukkalata - (Jagapathi babu, Soundarya, Raasi, Rambha)
- Sadduku Podam Randi(Jagapathibanu, Soundarya)
- Raithu Bharatam - (Krishna, Soundarya)
- Adirindi Guru - (Krishna, Soundarya, Prema)
- Amma Donga - (Krishna, Soundarya, Amani, Indraja)
- No 1 - (Krishna, Soundarya)
- Jagadeka veerudu(Krishna, Soundarya, Indraja)
- Puttinti Gouravan - (Krishna, Soundarya)
- Manavudu Danavudu - (Krishna, Soundarya, Bhavana)
- PeddarayuduPeddarayuduPeddarayudu is an action Telugu language movie directed by the Raviraja Pinisetty and Telugu language actor, Mohan Babu acted as hero. The movie had Mohan Babu playing double roles, as brothers. Mohan Babu's friend, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth starred in the project in a guest role towards the...
- (Mohan BabuMohan babuMohan Babu is an actor & producer in Telugu Cinema. He is a former Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Educationist from Andhra Pradesh...
, BhanupriyaBhanupriyaBhanu Priya is an Indian actress. She was a former leading actress of the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam film industries from 1980 to 1993...
, Soundarya) - Sri ramulayya - (Mohan BabuMohan babuMohan Babu is an actor & producer in Telugu Cinema. He is a former Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Educationist from Andhra Pradesh...
, Soundarya, Ranjeetha) - Rayudu - (Mohanbabu, Soundarya, Rachana)
- Postman - (Mohan BabuMohan babuMohan Babu is an actor & producer in Telugu Cinema. He is a former Member of Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Educationist from Andhra Pradesh...
, Soundarya, Raasi) - Adipathi - (Mohanbabu, Soundarya, NagarjunaNagarjunaNāgārjuna was an important Buddhist teacher and philosopher. Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is credited with founding the Mādhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism...
, Preethijinganiea) - Kondaveeti Simhasanm - (Mohanbabu, Soundarya, Laya)
- Siva Shakar - (Mohanbabu, Soundarya)
- Madam - (Rajendra Prasad, Soundarya)
- Rajandrudu Gajendrudu - (Rajendra Prasad, Soundarya, 1993)
- Mayalodu - (Rajendraprasad, Soundarya)
- Prema Prayanum - (vinodhkumar, Srikanth, Soundraya)
- Taraka Ramudu - (Srikanth, Soundarya)'
- Anagana O Ammai - (Srikanth, Abbas, Soundarya, Poonam)
- Naa Manasisthaa raa - (Srikanth, Soundarya, Reecha)
- Kalasi Naduddam(Srikanth, Soundarya)'
- Raja Simham - (Raja shekar, Soundarya, Ramyakrishana)
- Vetagadu - (Rajashekar, Soundarya, Rambha)
- Maa Ayana Bangaram - (Raja shekar, Soundarya)
- Sooryudu - (Raja shekar, Soundarya)
- Ravvanna - (Raja shekar, Soundarya, Krishna)
- Donga Alludu - (Suman, Soundarya)
- Balaraju Bangaru Pellam - (Suman, Soundarya, Indraja)
- Oosi Na Maradala - (Suman, Soundarya)
- Premaku velaayara - (J.D.Chakravarhi, Soundarya)
- Premaku sawagatam - (J.D.Chakravarthi, Soundarya)
- Arundhati - ( Vikram, Soundarya, 1999)
- Tommidi Nellalu - (Vikram, Soundarya)
- Maa Voori Maraju - (Arjun, Priyaraman, Soundarya)
- Subha Vaartha - (Arjun, Soundarya)
- Inspector Jhansi - (HarishHarishHarish is an Indian first name meaning King of horses or apes or light depending on how the word "Hari" is used. It is also an epithet for the famous Vanara king Sugreeva in Ramayana and also for Lord Hanuman.Harish may refer to:...
, Jaya sudha, Soundarya)' - Madhavaiah Gari Manavadu - (HarishHarishHarish is an Indian first name meaning King of horses or apes or light depending on how the word "Hari" is used. It is also an epithet for the famous Vanara king Sugreeva in Ramayana and also for Lord Hanuman.Harish may refer to:...
, A.N.R, Soundarya) - Premadonga - (Vinodhkumar, Soundarya)
- Prema Prayanam - (Vinodhkumar, Soundarya,srikanth and kikala satyanarayana)
- Amma Naa Kodala - (Vinodhkumar, Soundarya, Vaanisree)
- Eshwar Allah - (Saikumar, Soundarya)
- Naga Devatha - (Soundarya, Saikumar, Prema)
- Manavarali pelli - (Soundarya, 1993)
- Bangaru Baava - (Karthik, Soundarya)
- Asalae Pellina Vanni - (Naresh, Soundarya)
- AmmoruAmmoruAmmoru is a 1995 Telugu film produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy and directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. Beginning with an idiom resembling the mythological, the film transforms into a domestic family drama while maintaining its allegiance to folk legends about female village deities...
- (Suresh, Ramya Krishna, Soundarya, 1995) - Navvandi Lavvandi - (kamalhasan, Prabhu deva, Soundarya, Rambha)
- Maa Enti Adapaduchu - (Shashi kumar, Soundarya)
- Aropranam - (Veeneeth, Soundarya)
- Thambulalu - (Naveen, Soundarya)
- Narasimha - (Rajinikanth, Ramyakrishna, Soundarya)
- arunachalam - (rajnikanth,soundarya,rambha)
- Seethayya - (Harikrishna, Soundarya, Simran)
- Gelupu - (Suhasini, Soundarya, Laya)
- Swethanagu - ( Soundarya, Abbas)
- Pedamma Talli - (Soundarya)
- Shiva Shankar - (Mohan Babu, Soundarya)- (Her last Telugu movie before she died)
Tamil
- Ponnumani
- ThavasiThavasiThavasi is a 2001 Tamil action film directed by Udaya Shankar and produced by Jayaprakash. The film features Vijayakanth in dual lead roles as father and son, with Soundarya, Jayasudha and Pratyksha in other pivotal roles...
- ArunachalamArunachalamArunachalam is a 1997 Tamil language film starring Rajinikanth.-Plot:Rajnikanth finds himself to be an orphan. He travels from his village to Madras. There he meets Janakaraj, who gives him a job. By some magical situation, Rajni discovers himself to be a son of a dead millionaire—through Visu....
(1997) - Kaathala Kaathala (1998)
- AnthapuramAnthapuram (1999 film)Anthapuram is a 1999 Tamil film directed by Krishna Vamsi, which is a remake of his successful 1998 Telugu film of the same name. The film, which also retains some scenes canned in the original, stars Prakash Raj, Soundarya and Parthiban in prominent roles....
(1999) - PadayappaPadayappaPadayappa is a 1999 Tamil drama film written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The film features Rajinikanth, Soundarya and Ramya Krishnan playing lead roles, whilst Sivaji Ganesan, Lakshmi and Nassar play pivotal supporting roles. With soundtrack composed by A. R...
(1999) - Mannavaru ChinnavaruMannavaru ChinnavaruMannavaru Chinnavaru is a 2000 Tamil language film directed by P. N. Ramachandar. The film features Sivaji Ganesan and Arjun in lead roles whilst Maheswari, Soundarya and K. R. Vijaya play supporting roles.-Cast:*Sivaji Ganesan*Arjun*Soundarya...
(2000) - Muthukalai
- Senapathi
- Chokka ThangamChokka Thangam-References:* in The Hindu...
- Ivan (2002)
- Mathumathi
Malayalam
- Yathrakarude SradhakkuYathrakarude SradhakkuYathrakarude Sradhakku is a 2002 Malayalam romantic drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad, and starring Jayaram, Soundarya and Innocent in pivotal roles. The film explores the relationship that develops between two friends of the opposite sex living together for sometime and then parting ways to...
(2002) (JayaramJayaramJayaram is an Indian film actor who mainly acts in Malayalam and Tamil films. He is also a chenda percussionist and mimic artist. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution towards the arts.-Early life:...
, Sreenivasan) - Kilichundan MampazhamKilichundan MampazhamKilichundan Mampazham is a Family Entertainer. The film was directed by Priyadarshan. It features Mohanlal, Soundarya, Sreenivasan, Salim Kumar. The story is written by Sreenivasan and the screenplay and the dialogues was written by Priyadarshan. The songs in this movie was a Hit.-Story:Moidukutty...
(2003) (MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
)