Saritha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Abhilasha Munipalle, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Viji Chandrasekhar (sister) |
| Awards | Filmfare Awards Nandi Awards Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Karnataka State Film Awards |
Saritha is an Indian actress who has acted in more than 150 films and provided voice for many actress for more than 200 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.[1] She was one of the popular and critically acclaimed lead actresses during the 1980s.
She also appeared in a television serial, Selvi. She is also credited as a dubbing artist. She has dubbed her voice for Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu movies for actresses like Nagma, Vijaya Shanthi, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Ramya Krishnan and Soundarya in 1990s.
She is a recipient of several state awards from Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, six Filmfare Awards and six Nandi Awards including a Special Jury Award for the film Arjun. Saritha received Tamil Nadu State Film Awards four times, and Karnataka State Film Awards once.
Career
Saritha made her acting debut through Manchiki Sthanam Ledu a movie produced by producer based in Warangal named Akula Sanjeev Kumar in 1978 with a different screen name followed by Maro Charitra, a Telugu film directed by K. Balachander. The movie dealt with cross-cultural romance, where she acted opposite Kamal Haasan as a Telugu-speaking girl. She received more offers in Tamil films and Tamil Audience accepted herself as her own, she mostly acted films directed by Balachander. Some of her films are Thappu Thalangal, Idhi Katha Kadhu, Vandichakkaram, Netrikan, Agni Sakshi, Puthukavithai, Kalyana Agathigal and Achamillai Achamillai. Her performance in Vandichakkaram (1980) and Achamillai Achamillai (1984) won her the Filmfare Best Tamil Actress awards. She also played guest roles as herself in 47 Natkal and its Telugu remake, directed by Balachander.[2]
She acted in many popular Kannada movies with famous Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar like Hosa Belaku, Keralida Simha, Bhakta Prahlada, Chalisuva Modagalu and Kaamana Billu. She gained critical acclaim for her performance in heroine-oriented movies like Eradu Rekhegalu and Sankranthi and the musical Malaya Marutha opposite Dr. Vishnuvardhan.
She had her head tonsured for the cancer-affected role in Sujatha in 1980 and later gained several pounds to play the psychotic role in the 2005 film Julie Ganapathi. Neither of these films were successful but won Critical acclaim. She also won a Nandi Special Jury Award for her performance as Aandaalu in the movie Arjun in 2004.
Saritha also worked as a voice actor in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films. She has lent her voice to other actresses, including Madhavi, Soundarya, Ramya Krishnan, Nagma, Vijayashanti, Simran, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Roja, Suhasini, Radha, Radhika and Aarthi Agarwal. She won four times the Nandi Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist for her voice to Soundarya in Ammoru, Maa Ayana Bangaram (1997) and Anthapuram (1999).
After a long break, she made her comeback as an actress through the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer film Maaveeran (2023).[3]
Personal life
Saritha was born and brought up as Abhilasha in Munipalle, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
She married Malayalam actor Mukesh on 2 September 1988 and they have two sons, Shravan and Tejas. The couple separated in 2011. Saritha now resides with Shravan (made his acting debut in the 2018 film Kalyanam) in UAE.[4]
Awards
- 1980 – Best Actress – Tamil - Vandichakkaram
- 1982 – Best Actress – Kannada - Hosa Belaku
- 1984 – Best Actress – Tamil - Achamillai Achamillai
- 1985 – Best Actress – Kannada - Mugila Mallige
- 1986 – Best Actress – Kannada - Mouna Geethe
- 1989 – Best Actress – Kannada - Sankranthi
- 1982 – Special Jury – Best Actress - Kokilamma
- 1995 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Ammoru
- 1996 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Maavichiguru
- 1997 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Maa Ayana Bangaram
- 1998 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Anthapuram
- 2004 – Special Jury - Arjun
- Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu State
- 1979 – Best Actress - Oru Vellaadu Vengaiyagiradhu
- 1982 – Best Actress - Agni Sakshi
- 1988 – Best Actress - Poo Pootha Nandavanam
- 1995 – Best Female Dubbing Artist – Amman (1995)
- 1989 – Best Actress - Sankranthi
- 2024 – SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Tamil for Maaveeran
Filmography
Tamil films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Thappu Thalangal | Sarasu | |
| Aval Appadithan | Arun's Wife | ||
| 1979 | Ponnu Oorukku Pudhusu | Rukmani | |
| Chakkalathi | |||
| Nool Veli | Baby | ||
| 1980 | Vandichakkaram | Vadivu | |
| Sujatha | Sujatha | ||
| Oru Velladu Vengaiyagiradhu | Kalpana | ||
| Rusi Kanda Poonai | Savithri | ||
| Kuruvikoodu | Valli | ||
| Panam Penn Paasam | |||
| Thai Pongal | |||
| 1981 | Mouna Geethangal | Suguna | |
| Aani Ver | Arukkaani | ||
| Anjatha Nenjangal | |||
| 47 Natkal | Herself | ||
| Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile | Radha | ||
| Netrikkann | Radha | ||
| Enga Ooru Kannagi | |||
| Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum | Manju | ||
| Kalam Oru Naal Maarum | |||
| Koyil Puraa | |||
| Thanneer Thanneer | Sevanthi | ||
| 1982 | Amma | Seetha | |
| Pannaipurathu Pandavargal | |||
| Nenjil Oru Ragam | Geetha | ||
| Thai Mookambigai | Vellayamma | ||
| Nambinal Nambungal | |||
| Kanmani Poonga | Uma, Rama | ||
| Pudukavithai | Kalyani | ||
| Thunai | Vidya | ||
| Agni Sakshi | Kannamma | ||
| 1983 | Imaigal | Kasthuri | |
| Thangaikkor Geetham | |||
| Yamirukka Bayamen | Karpagam | ||
| Oru Pullangulal Adupu Othugirathu | |||
| Uyirullavarai Usha | |||
| Malaiyoor Mambattiyan | |||
| Sivappu Sooriyan | Selvi | ||
| Saattai Illatha Pambaram | Jaya | ||
| 1984 | Komberi Mookan | ||
| Achamillai Achamillai | Thenmozhi | ||
| Kuzhandhai Yesu | |||
| Iru Medhaigal | Devaki | ||
| Shankari | Shankari | ||
| Uravai Kaatha Kili | Valli | ||
| Nalam Nalamariya Aaval | Thulasi | ||
| Simma Soppanam | Sudha | ||
| 1985 | Kalyana Agathigal | Ammulu | |
| Veli | Gowri | ||
| Saavi | Latha | ||
| Sugamana Raagangal | Renuka | ||
| Anni | Seetha | ||
| Kolusu | Ponnuthayi | ||
| Mel Maruvathoor Athiparasakthi | |||
| Erimalai | |||
| Ammavum Neeye Appavum Neeye | Aruna | ||
| 1986 | Dharmam | Bhanu | |
| Oomai Vizhigal | Sumathi | ||
| Kodai Mazhai | Eye Specialist | ||
| Kungumapottu | |||
| 1987 | Etikku Potti | ||
| Mangai Oru Gangai | |||
| Vaazhga Valarga | |||
| Poo Poova Poothirukku | |||
| Ellaikodu | |||
| Vedham Pudhithu | |||
| 1988 | Raasave Unnai Nambi | ||
| Poo Pootha Nandavanam | |||
| 2001 | Friends | ||
| 2002 | Album | ||
| 2003 | Julie Ganapathi | Julie Ganapathi | |
| 2006 | June R | ||
| 2013 | Inam | ||
| 2023 | Maaveeran | Eshwari |
Telugu films
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Maro Charitra | Swapna | |
| 1979 | Manchiki Sthanam Ledu | ||
| Idi Katha Kaadu | Gayathri | ||
| Guppedu Manasu | Baby | ||
| Vijaya | Vijaya | ||
| 1980 | Gutilo Ramachilaka | ||
| 1981 | Srirasthu Subhamasthu | Devi | |
| Athagari Pethanam | |||
| Tholi Kodi Koosindi | |||
| 47 Rojulu | |||
| Rama Dandu | |||
| Aadavallu Meeku Joharlu | Papayamma | ||
| 1982 | Chandamama | ||
| Kalahala Kapuram | Krishnaveni | ||
| 1983 | Kokilamma | Kokilamma | |
| Thodu Needa | Sharada | ||
| 1984 | Kanchana Ganga | Kanchana | |
| Bhagyalakshmi | |||
| 1985 | Kala Rudrudu | ||
| Anuraga Bandham | |||
| 1986 | Kaliyuga Pandavulu | Krishnaveni | |
| 1987 | Satyagraham | ||
| Ida Prapancham | |||
| 1988 | Shivude Shankarudu | Dr. Kavitha | |
| 2004 | Arjun | Andal |
Malayalam films
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Oru Kochu Kadha Aarum Parayatha Kadha | Janu | |
| Sandarbham | Dr. Indhu | ||
| Minimol Vathikkaanil | Susie | ||
| 1985 | Kathodu Kathoram | Marykutty | |
| Muhoortham 11:30 | Indu | ||
| Kaattuthee | |||
| Oru Kochu Kaaryam | |||
| 1987 | Kanikaanumneram | Savithri | |
| Yaagaagni | Bhairavi | ||
| P.C. 369 | Elsa Mathew | ||
| Manasa Maine Varu | Lakshmi | ||
| Thaniyavarthanam | Indu Balan | ||
| Vilambaram | Sunanda | ||
| 1988 | Sangham | Ammini | |
| Onnum Onnum Pathinonnu | Sumi | ||
| 1989 | Anuragi | Rosamma | |
| Lal Americayil | Sindhu | ||
| 1990 | Kuttettan | Seetha Lakshmi | |
| 1991 | Souhrudam | Annie | |
| 2000 | Life Is Beautiful | Vice Principal | |
| 2003 | Ammakilikkoodu | Janaki |
Kannada films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Thappida Thala | Sarasu | |
| 1981 | Keralida Simha | Lawyer | |
| 1981 | Jeevakke Jeeva | Geeta/Gayatri | Double role |
| 1982 | Hosa Belaku | Vatsala | |
| Chalisuva Modagalu | Lawyer Leela | ||
| 1983 | Kaamana Billu | Girija | |
| Bhakta Prahlada | Queen Kayadu | ||
| 1984 | Eradu Rekhegalu | Collector Janaki | |
| 1985 | Mugila Mallige | Kamala | |
| Bramha Gantu | Muniyamma | ||
| 1986 | Malaya Marutha | Sharada | |
| Hennina Koogu | |||
| Mounageethe | Mangala/Lakki | Double role | |
| 1987 | Manasa Veene | ||
| Kurukshethra | Collector Saraswati | ||
| 1988 | Baalondu Bhavageethe | Suma | |
| Sri Venkateshwara Mahime | Padma | ||
| 1989 | Sankranthi | ||
| 2012 | Dashamukha | Savitha |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Network(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | Selvi | Thamarai | Tamil | Sun TV | |
| 2024-2025 | Mahanadigai | Judge | Zee Tamil | [5] |
As dubbing artist
- Films
- Television
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | KB Micro Thodargal- Kaadhal Vaangi Vanthen | Voice Artist for Thamarai (actress) | Tamil |
References
- Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Alitho Saradaga | 7 January 2019 | Saritha (Actress) | ETV Telugu". 7 January 2019 – via YouTube.
- Second time also lucky. Hinduonnet.com (27 April 2005). Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- "Veteran actor Saritha to make a comeback with Maaveeran". Cinema Express. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- mangalam. "Mangalam - Varika 3-Feb-2014". Mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- "New show 'Mahanadigai' set to premiere on October 5". The Times of India. 27 September 2024.