Easwari Rao is a South Indian actress who works in

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of South India ** Telugu literature, is the body of works written in the Telugu language. * Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Tel ...

Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

, and

Kannada cinema Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. Kannada cinema is based in Gandhi Nagar ...

. She played lead roles from 1990 to 1999. She started to play supporting and character roles from 2000 onwards.

Personal life

Eswari Rao is married to director, actor

L. Raja L. Raja is an Indian director and actor who works in predominantly Tamil language, Tamil language films and television series. Career Raja began his career as an assistant to director Rajasekhar (director), Rajasekhar. He debuted as a directo ...

. The couple have two children.

Career

Eswari Rao's debut movie was ''Intinta Deepavali'' (1990) in Telugu. She debuted in Tamil in ''Kavithai Paadum Alaigal'' credited as Janani. Though the songs were popular, the movie was a failure at box office. She was first noticed in a character role in Thalapathy Vijay's debut film ''

Naalaiya Theerpu ''Naalaiya Theerpu'' () is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language vigilante action film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and produced by his wife Shoba Chandrasekhar, which marked the debut of their son Vijay as a leading actor. The film which also star ...

'' in 1992. She appeared in the 1995 film ''

Rambantu ''Rambantu'' is a 1995 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. It stars Rajendra Prasad, Eswari Rao and music composed by M. M. Keeravani. It was produced by M. Chitti Babu and G. Gnaram Ha ...

'', which was directed by Bapu. She got her first major break in '' Raman Abdullah'' (1997), directed by

Balu Mahendra Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran (20 May 1939 13 February 2014), commonly known as Balu Mahendra, was a Sri Lankan Tamil cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor who worked in various Indian film industries, primarily in Tamil ...

, where she was credited as Easwari Rao. She notably opted out of a project titled ''Koottaali'' as she felt the role was too glamorous. She went on to appear in

Manoj Kumar Manoj Kumar (born Harikrishan Giri Goswami; 24 July 1937 – 4 April 2025) was an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter, lyricist and editor who worked in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most successful actors in t ...

's film ''

Guru Paarvai ''Guru Paarvai'' () is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language thriller film written and directed by Manoj Kumar. The film stars Prakash Raj, Khushbu and Anju Aravind, while Thalaivasal Vijay, Manivannan, Easwari Rao and Ramesh Khanna play the support ...

'' (1998). Easwari also had a role in

Bharathiraja Bharathiraja ( born 17 July 1941) is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor who works mainly in the Tamil film industry. Making his debut in 1977 with ''16 Vayathinile'', he is known for realistic and sensitive portrayals of ...

's ''Siragugal Murivadhilai'', although the film was shelved after pre-production. She has played sister roles in films such as '' Appu'' (2000), '' Naaga'' (2003) and ''

Sullan ''Sullan'' (spelt ''Sulaan'' onscreen) is a 2004 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language action film written and directed by Ramana (director), Ramana. The film stars Dhanush in the main lead role along with Sindhu Tolani, Manivannan, Pasupathy and ...

'' (2004). Her popular serial '' Kokila Enge Pogiraal'' was made for Sun TV. She acted in number of TV shows like '' Kasthuri'', ''Aval Appadithan'', ''Ninne Pelladutha'' and ''Agni Saatchi'' and a couple of more serials that shot her into households fame. She won the

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Female) The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil ( Kollywood) films. The award was first given in 1968 and stopped after 1970. The award is b ...

for the film ''

Virumbugiren ''Virumbugiren'' is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Susi Ganeshan. The film stars Prashanth and Sneha, while Eswari Rao played a pivotal role which fetched her Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste ...

'' released in 2002. However, her next film wasn't until the Telugu film ''

Legend A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the ...

'' (2014). She then was in ''

Andhra Pori ''Andhra Pori'' () is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Raj Madiraju and starring Akash Puri and Ulka Gupta. The Andhra Association of Telangana petitioned the court against the film's title, arguing that the word ' ...

'' (2015), ''

Brahmotsavam A brahmotsava (), also rendered mahotsava and tiruvila () is the principal festival of a Hindu temple. Commonly held in South India, the ''murti''s of a temple's deities are dressed in silk garments, decorated with ornaments, garlands, and other ...

'' (2016) and '' Ism'' (2016). Her films ''

A Aa ''A Aa'' is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy family film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas and produced by S. Radha Krishna under Haarika & Hassine Creations. The film stars Nithiin, Samantha and Anupama Parameswaran. Mic ...

'' (2016) and the '' Nenu Local'' (2017) became big hits. She received praise for her performance in '' Kaala'' (2018) in which she starred alongside

Rajinikanth Shivaji Rao Gaikwad (born 12 December 1950), known professionally as Rajinikanth, is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning over five decades, he has done 170 films that includes films in Tamil, Hindi, ...

. Easwari Rao was seen on big screens in the film ''

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo ''Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo'' (), also known by the initialism ''AVPL'', is a 2020 Indian Telugu language, Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas.It was produced by Allu Aravind and S. Radha Krishna under thei ...

'' (2020). She acted in Telegu with

Naga Chaitanya Akkineni Naga Chaitanya (; born 23 November 1986) is an Indian actor who works in Telugu cinema. Chaitanya is a recipient of several accolades including one Filmfare Awards South, Filmfare Award South and one Nandi Award for his work. Born in ...

in ''

Love Story Love Story or A Love Story may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres * Romance (love) ** Romance film ** Romance novel Films * ''Love Story'' (1925 film), German silent film * ''Love Story'' (1942 film), Italian drama film * ''Love ...

'' (2021), ''

Thank You "Thank you" (often expanded to ''thank you very much'' or ''thanks a lot'', or informally abbreviated to ''thanks'' or alternately as ''many thanks''Geoffrey Leech, ''The Pragmatics of Politeness'' (2014), p. 200.) is a common expression of gr ...

'' (2022) and ''

Dhootha ''Dhootha'' () is an Indian Telugu-language horror mystery thriller television series created and directed by Vikram Kumar. It stars Naga Chaitanya, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Prachi Desai, Gnaneswari Kandregula, Anish Kuruvilla, Tharun Bhascker, R ...

'' (2023). In 2024, Eswari Rao portrays the usual rural, doting mom in the Tamil drama film '' Aalakaalam''.

Filmography

Films

Television

* '' Kokila Enge Pogiraal'' (Sun TV) * ''Oka Stree Katha'' (

AVM Productions AVM Productions is an Indian film production studio founded by A. V. Meiyappa Chettiar. It is the oldest film studio in India. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai. It has produced over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, ...

) (2000) * ''Peyarai Solla Vaa'' (Sun TV/Vikatan Televistas) * ''Udhayam'' (Sun TV) Radaan Mediaworks * '' Kasthuri'' (Sun TV) * ''Aval Appadithan'' (Jaya TV) * ''Ninne Pelladutha'' (Gemini TV) * ''Vennalamma'' (Gemini TV) * ''Agni Saatchi'' (Vijay TV) * ''Vazhnthu Kaatukiren'' (

) (Sun TV) * ''

Maya Maya may refer to: Ethnic groups * Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America ** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples ** Mayan languages, the languages of the Maya peoples * Maya (East Africa), a p ...

'' (Jaya TV) * '' Aaha'' (Vijay TV) * ''Kantham Kathalu'' (Dooradarshan - Telugu)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, Easwari 20th-century Indian actresses 21st-century Indian actresses Actresses in Kannada television Actresses in Malayalam cinema Actresses in Tamil cinema Actresses in Tamil television Actresses in Telugu cinema Actresses in Telugu television Indian film actresses Indian television actresses Living people People from Tanuku Actors from West Godavari district Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners Year of birth missing (living people)