Sumalatha
Encyclopedia
Sumalatha (born 27 August 1963) is a popular Indian film actress. She has acted in more than 200 films in Telugu
, Kannada, Malayalam
, Tamil and Hindi
movies.
, she was raised in Mumbai
and Andhra Pradesh
and remains based in Karnataka
.
in 1979. She appeared in many Tamil
and Telugu
films early in her career. She was Rajinikanth's second heroine besides Rati Agnihotri
in films like Murattu Kaalai
and Kazhugu
. Most of her Telugu films are with Chiranjeevi
. Her most memorable Malayalam films include Thazhvaram
, Isabella
, Nirakkoottu
,Thoovanathumbikal
, Parampara
and New Delhi
. She has acted in many kannada movies like Antha, Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, Tayi Kanasu, Karna, Tayiya Hone, Kallarali Hoovagi, Ravichandra in which she acted with legendary actor Dr. Rajkumar. She has also acted in many Telugu films.
She received the best actress Nandi Award for her role in Sruthilayalu in 1987. She is a close friend of actress Suhasini Maniratnam, her co-star in a Telugu
movie. The friendship between the two provided the material for a candid scene in the film, when director Kodandarami Reddy noticed Suhasini combing Sumalatha's long hair on the train journey to the film set. Reddy asked his cameraman, Ashok Reddy, to film the two, and added the scene to the movie's final cut.
Sumalatha reportedly speaks six languages, and has acted in four.
on 8 December 1991 and they have a son named Abhishek. She is married to actor and Karnataka
politician Ambareesh
with whom she has acted in couple of movies like 'Antha', 'Aahuti', 'Avatara Purusha', Kallarali Hoovagi
which went on to win a National Award. They supposedly met on the sets of a movie and she was attracted to Ambareesh
's bold and bindas personality. In an interview to 'TV9 Kannada' she mentioned she was very much attracted to his rebellious type of attitude. It seems she used to be very silent and be to herself on the sets and he encouraged her to be talkative and mingle with the crew and the people around her. They have a son named 'Abhishek'
Telugu cinema
The Cinema of Andhra Pradesh, also referred to as Telugu Cinema or Tollywood, is the Telugu film industry in India. The Telugu language film industry is known for being one of the three largest in terms of no.of films produced yearly in India. The Prasads IMAX theatre in Hyderabad is one of the...
, Kannada, Malayalam
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...
, Tamil and 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...
movies.
Early life
Born in ChennaiChennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, she was raised in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
and 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...
and remains based in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
.
Career
Sumalatha began acting at age 15, after winning an Andhra Pradesh beauty contestBeauty contest
A beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
in 1979. She appeared in many 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
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...
films early in her career. She was Rajinikanth's second heroine besides Rati Agnihotri
Rati Agnihotri
Rati Agnihotri is a veteran Indian actress. Her portfolio mainly includes films in Hindi-Urdu, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. She was born to a Sikh family.-Film career:...
in films like Murattu Kaalai
Murattu Kaalai
Murattu Kaalai may refer to:* Murattu Kaalai , a Tamil-language film directed by S.P.Muthuraman* Murattu Kaalai , a Tamil-language film directed by Selvabharathy...
and Kazhugu
Kazhugu
Kazhugu is a Tamil directed by SP. Muthuraman, starring Rajnikanth in the lead along with Rati Agnihotri as the heroine. The film was moderately successful in the box office, but became a cult film among Rajini fans....
. Most of her Telugu films are with Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi 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...
. Her most memorable Malayalam films include Thazhvaram
Thazhvaram
Thazhvaram is a 1990 Malayalam revenge-thriller musical film directed by Bharathan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, starring Mohanlal, Salim Ghouse, Sumalatha, and Sankaradi in the lead roles....
, Isabella
Isabella (1988 film)
Isabella is a 1988 Malayalam–language romantic drama film directed by Mohan and starring Sumalatha in the lead, who played the role of Isabella, a tour guide. It also stars Balachandra Menon, Nedumudi Venu etc.-Plot:...
, Nirakkoottu
Nirakkoottu
Nirakkoottu is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Joshy, written by Dennis Joseph, and starring Mammootty. The music was by Shyam.-Plot:...
,Thoovanathumbikal
Thoovanathumbikal
Thoovanathumbikal is a widely acclaimed melodramatic 1987 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, which is based on his own novel Udakappola. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan who falls in love with two women, Radha a woman in his village and Clara a sex worker in town...
, Parampara
Parampara (1990 film)
Parampara is a 1990 Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil, written by S. N. Swamy, and starring Mammootty, Sumalatha, and Suresh Gopi. Mammootty plays two roles in the film, portraying both Johny, the protagonist, and Lawrence, his father....
and New Delhi
New Delhi (1987 film)
New Delhi is a Malayalam thriller film directed by Joshiy and starring Mammootty in the lead role. It is one of the biggest hits in the history of Malayalam cinema. The theme of the movie - the story of avenge followed by series of killings - was adapted in many later films...
. She has acted in many kannada movies like Antha, Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, Tayi Kanasu, Karna, Tayiya Hone, Kallarali Hoovagi, Ravichandra in which she acted with legendary actor Dr. Rajkumar. She has also acted in many Telugu films.
She received the best actress Nandi Award for her role in Sruthilayalu in 1987. She is a close friend of actress Suhasini Maniratnam, her co-star in a Telugu
Telugu cinema
The Cinema of Andhra Pradesh, also referred to as Telugu Cinema or Tollywood, is the Telugu film industry in India. The Telugu language film industry is known for being one of the three largest in terms of no.of films produced yearly in India. The Prasads IMAX theatre in Hyderabad is one of the...
movie. The friendship between the two provided the material for a candid scene in the film, when director Kodandarami Reddy noticed Suhasini combing Sumalatha's long hair on the train journey to the film set. Reddy asked his cameraman, Ashok Reddy, to film the two, and added the scene to the movie's final cut.
Sumalatha reportedly speaks six languages, and has acted in four.
Personal life
She married Kannada actor and politician AmbareeshAmbareesh
Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor...
on 8 December 1991 and they have a son named Abhishek. She is married to actor and Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
politician Ambareesh
Ambareesh
Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor...
with whom she has acted in couple of movies like 'Antha', 'Aahuti', 'Avatara Purusha', Kallarali Hoovagi
Kallarali Hoovagi
Kallarali Hoovagi is an Indian Kannada language film directed by T.S. Nagabharana. The film, based on a novel of the same name by B L Venu, is a fictitious love story set in Chitradurga kingdom during the reign of Madakari Nayaka, one of the Palegars of Chitradurga...
which went on to win a National Award. They supposedly met on the sets of a movie and she was attracted to Ambareesh
Ambareesh
Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor...
's bold and bindas personality. In an interview to 'TV9 Kannada' she mentioned she was very much attracted to his rebellious type of attitude. It seems she used to be very silent and be to herself on the sets and he encouraged her to be talkative and mingle with the crew and the people around her. They have a son named 'Abhishek'
Filmography
- Kandahar (2010)
- BossBoss, I Love YouBoss is a 2006 Telugu film directed by V.N. Aditya. It stars Akkineni Nagarjuna, Nayantara, Poonam Bajwa, and Shriya Saran. The film's score and soundtrack will be composed by Kalyani Malik and Harry Anand. Cinematography for the movie is handled by Siva Kumar while editing is being handled by...
(2006) - Sri Manjunatha (2001) .... Sumalatha Devi
- Raja Kumarudu (1999) .... Rajlakshmi
- Mahaanta: The Film (1997) .... Shanti Malhotra
- Dushman Duniya KaDushman Duniya KaDushman Duniya Ka is a 1996 Bollywood film directed by Mehmood and produced by Ashok Mishra. The film stars Laila Mehdin and newcomer Manzoor Ali in the lead roles alongside Jeetendra and Sumalatha...
(1996) .... Reshma - Aaj Ka Gunda Raaj (1992) .... Ritu Saxena
- Dabbu Bale Jabbu (1992)
- Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan (1991) .... Suman V. Kumar
- Gang LeaderGang LeaderGang Leader is a very popular Telugu film of megastar Chiranjeevi. The movie was released on 9 May 1991 and directed by Vijaya Bapineedu. It was a huge box office success.-Plot:...
(1991) .... Raghava's Wife - ParamparaParampara (1990 film)Parampara is a 1990 Malayalam film directed by Sibi Malayil, written by S. N. Swamy, and starring Mammootty, Sumalatha, and Suresh Gopi. Mammootty plays two roles in the film, portraying both Johny, the protagonist, and Lawrence, his father....
(1990) .... Meera - Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990)
- Pratibandh (1990)
- No.20 Madras MailNo.20 Madras MailNo.20 Madras Mail is a Malayalam movie released in 1990 directed by Joshy and featuring Mohanlal, M. G. Soman, Jagadeesh, Manianpilla Raju, and Mammooty as himself. This film was remade in Hindi as Teesra Kaun by Partho Ghosh.- Plot :...
(1990) .... Sr. Gloria - Jayammu Nischayammu Raa! (1990) .... Santhi
- ThazhvaramThazhvaramThazhvaram is a 1990 Malayalam revenge-thriller musical film directed by Bharathan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, starring Mohanlal, Salim Ghouse, Sumalatha, and Sankaradi in the lead roles....
(1990) .... Kochootti - Nair SaabNair SaabNair Saab is a 1989 blockbuster Malayalam film directed by Joshiy and starring Megastar Mammootty in the title role. It was released on the occasion of Onam.-Plot:...
(1989) .... Prabha - Unnikrishnante Adyathe ChristmasUnnikrishnante Adyathe ChristmasUnnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas is 1988 Malayalam film starring Jayaram, Sumalatha, Sukumaran and Suresh Gopi. The film is based on a short story by Kakkanadan.-Plot:...
(1989) .... Sophia - DhinarathrangalDhinarathrangalDhinarathrangal is a 1988 Malayalam film written by Dennis Joseph, directed by Joshi and starring Mammootty in the title role. The film is highly regarded as one of the best family entertainers of eighties and was a box-office blockbuster. Sumalatha and Mukesh played the other pivotal roles...
(1988) .... Dr Savithri - Antima Theerpu (1988)
- Donga Kollu (1988)
- IsabellaIsabella (1988 film)Isabella is a 1988 Malayalam–language romantic drama film directed by Mohan and starring Sumalatha in the lead, who played the role of Isabella, a tour guide. It also stars Balachandra Menon, Nedumudi Venu etc.-Plot:...
(1988) .... Isabella - Vishwanatha NayakuduVishwanatha NayakuduVishwanatha Nayakudu is a Telugu Historical film of 1987 directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. Superstar Krishna portrayed the role of Viswanatha Nayak, while Sivaji Ganesan played his father role as Nagama Nayak.-The Plot:...
(1987) - Swayam Krushi (1987) .... Sarada
- New DelhiNew Delhi (1987 film)New Delhi is a Malayalam thriller film directed by Joshiy and starring Mammootty in the lead role. It is one of the biggest hits in the history of Malayalam cinema. The theme of the movie - the story of avenge followed by series of killings - was adapted in many later films...
(1987) .... Maria Fernandez - Pasivadi Pranam (1987)
- Sruthi Layalu (1987)
- ThoovanathumbikalThoovanathumbikalThoovanathumbikal is a widely acclaimed melodramatic 1987 Malayalam film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, which is based on his own novel Udakappola. The film revolves around Jayakrishnan who falls in love with two women, Radha a woman in his village and Clara a sex worker in town...
(1987) .... Clara - Raakshasudu (1986)
- Veta (1986)
- ShyamaShyama (film)Shyama is a 1986 Malayalam–language romantic drama film directed by Joshiy and starring Mammootty and Nadia Moidu in the lead roles. The film was critically well received and was a box office hit.-Plot:...
(1986) .... Lakshmi - Tandra Paparayudu (1986) .... Subhadra
- NirakkoottuNirakkoottuNirakkoottu is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Joshy, written by Dennis Joseph, and starring Mammootty. The music was by Shyam.-Plot:...
(1985) .... Mercy - Chattamtho Porattam (1985) .... Kalyani
- Jackie (1985)
- Agnigundam (1984)
- Janani Janmabhoomi (1984)
- Justice Chakravarthy (1984)
- Merupudadi (1984)
- Khaidi (1983) .... Dr. Sujatha
- Aalyashikaram (1983)
- Odai Nathiyaakirathu (1983)
- Subhalekha (1982) .... Sujatha
- John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982) .... Jeny
- Pelleedu Pillalu (1982) .... Poorna
- Thadakam (1982)
- Thenum Vayambum (1981)
- Munnettam (1981)
- KolilakkamKolilakkamKolilakkam is a 1981 Malayalam film directed by Vijayanandh, and starring Jayan.This was Jayan's last film before his death. His death happened during the shooting of this movie in which he was supposed to board a moving helicopter from a bike. The helicopter carrying him hit the ground while he...
(1981) .... Suma - Raktham (1981) .... Valsala
- Moorkhan (1980) .... Raji
- Murattu Kaalai (1980) .... Soundaryan
- Rajadhi Raja (1980)
- Samajaniki Saval (1979)