Saritha is an Indian actress who has acted in more than 500 films in Tamil,

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry ( Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam wa ...

Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...

and

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

languages. 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,

and

movies for actresses like Nagma,

Vijayashanti Vijayashanti (born 24 June 1966) is an Indian actress, producer and politician. In a film career spanning 40 years, she has acted in 187 feature films in a variety of roles in various languages predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, in addition to H ...

, 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 The Filmfare Awards are annual awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Hindi-language film industry of India.Al The Filmfare ceremony is one of the most famous film events in India. The awards were first introduced by th ...

and six

Nandi Awards The Nandi Awards are the awards that recognise the excellence in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre and Telugu television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema. Presented annually by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the award is named af ...

including a

Special Jury Award Special or specials may refer to: Policing * Specials, Ulster Special Constabulary, the Northern Ireland police force * Specials, Special Constable, an auxiliary, volunteer, or temporary; police worker or police officer Literature * ''Specia ...

for the film ''Arjun''. Saritha received

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Tamil Nadu State Film Awards were given for excellence in Tamil cinema in India. They were given annually to honour the best talents and provide encouragement and incentive to the South Indian film industry by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Th ...

four times, Karnataka State Film Awards once and many Film fans association award.

Career

Saritha made her acting debut through ''Manchiki Sthanam Ledu'' a movie produced by producer based in Warangal in 1978 with a different screen name followed by ''

Maro Charitra ''Maro Charitra'' () is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language romantic tragedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. It stars Kamal Haasan and Saritha in the lead with Madhavi appearing in prominent roles. The film deals with cross-cultural ...

'', a

film directed by K. Balachander. The movie dealt with

cross-cultural Cross-cultural may refer to * cross-cultural studies, a comparative tendency in various fields of cultural analysis * cross-cultural communication, a field of study that looks at how people from differing cultural backgrounds communicate *any of va ...

romance, where she acted opposite

Kamal Haasan Kamal Haasan (born 7 November 1954) is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, playback singer, television presenter and politician who works mainly in Tamil cinema and has also appeared in some Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali f ...

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 ''Thappu Thalangal'' () is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Balachander and produced by R. Venkataraman starring Rajinikanth, Premila Joshi and Saritha in her film debut. It was made simultaneously and released in Kannada as ...

'', '' Idi Katha Kaadu'', '' Vandichakkaram'', '' Netrikan'', '' Agni Sakshi'', '' Puthukavithai'', ''

Kalyana Agathigal ''Kalyana Agathigal'' () is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Saritha. It was released on 13 April 1985. The film marked the acting debut of Nassar. Plot The film begins with a group of six women wh ...

'' 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 ''47 Natkal'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. It was simultaneously made in Telugu as ''47 Rojulu'' (). The film stars Chiranjeevi, Jaya Prada and Anne Patricia. Based on the novel of t ...

'' and its Telugu remake, directed by Balachander. She acted in many popular

movies with famous Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar like '' Hosa Belaku'', '' Keralida Simha'', '' Bhakta Prahlada'', '' Chalisuva Modagalu'' and '' Kaamana Billu''. Her other popular Kannada movies include ''

Eradu Rekhegalu ''Eradu Rekhegalu'' is a 1984 Indian Kannada-language drama film, directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Saritha, Srinath and Geetha. Produced by Chandulal Jain, the film is a remake of 1969 Tamil hit ''Iru Kodugal''. The music was compose ...

'', ''Sankranthi'' and '' Malaya Marutha''. She had her head

tonsure Tonsure () is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the scalp as a sign of religious devotion or humility. The term originates from the Latin word ' (meaning "clipping" or "shearing") and referred to a specific practice in ...

d for the cancer-affected role in ''Sujatha'' in 1980 and 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 Voice acting is the art of performing voice-overs to present a character or provide information to an audience. Performers are called voice actors/actresses, voice artists, dubbing artists, voice talent, voice-over artists, or voice-over talen ...

in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films. She has lent her voice to other actresses, including Madhavi, Soundarya, Ramya Krishnan, Nagma,

, 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).

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 Al Ain, UAE.

Awards

;

Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by the Filmfare magazine of The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Indian film industry encompassin ...

* 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'' * 1983 -Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu-''

Kokilamma ''Kokilamma'' is a 1983 Indian Telugu-language film directed by K. Balachander. The title role of Kokilamma is played with humility by Saritha. It is a musical hit film with some excellent songs penned Acharya Aatreya and music score provided ...

'' * 1978-Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu-''

'' ;

* 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) ; Karnataka State Film Awards * 1989 – Best Actress - ''Sankranthi''

Filmography

Tamil films

Malayalam films

* ''

Oru Kochu Kadha Aarum Parayatha Kadha ''Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha'' is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. G. Vishwambharan and produced by Jessy Prakash. The film stars Mammootty, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu and Saritha in the lead roles. The film has ...

'' (1984) as Janu * '' Sandarbham'' (1984) as Dr.Indhu * ''

Minimol Vathikkaanil ''Minimol Vathicanil'' is a 1984 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Joshiy. The film stars Baby Shalini, Saritha, Ratheesh and Captain Raju in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. S. Viswanathan. Cast *Baby Shalini as Minimol *Rathe ...

'' (1984) as Susie * ''

Kaathodu Kaathoram ''Kaathodu Kaathoram'' is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language drama film, directed by Bharathan, and starring Mammootty and Saritha in the lead roles. Bharathan himself composed the title song, while the rest of the songs and background score wer ...

'' (1985) as Marykutty * '' Muhoortham 11:30'' (1985) as Indu * ''Kaattuthee'' (1985) * ''Oru Kochu Kaaryam'' (1985) * ''

Kanikaanumneram ''Kanikanum Neram'' is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Rajasenan and produced by Augustine Prakash. The film stars Sunitha, Nedumudi Venu, Ratheesh and Saritha. The film has musical score by S. P. Venkatesh and songs compo ...

'' (1987) as Savithri * ''Yaagaagni'' (1987) as Bhairavi * '' P.C. 369'' (1987) as Elsa Mathew * ''Manasa Maine Varu'' (1987) as Lakshmi * '' Thaniyavarthanam'' (1987) as Indu Balan * '' Vilambaram'' (1987) as Sunanda * '' Sangham'' (1988) ... Ammini * ''Onnum Onnum Pathinonnu '' (1988) as Sumi * '' Anuragi'' (1989) as Rosamma * ''

Lal Americayil ''Lal Americayil'' () is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Cochin Haneefa. The film stars Mohanlal, Prem Nazir, Jagathy Sreekumar, Disco Santhi, and Haneefa. The soundtrack and musical scor ...

'' (1989) as Sindhu * ''

Kuttettan ''Kuttettan'' is a 1990 Malayalam romantic comedy movie, directed by Joshiy and written by A. K. Lohithadas. The film stars Mammootty, Saritha, Urvashi, Lizy, Maathu, Sukumari, Jagadish, Murali and Jagannatha Varma. Plot Vishnu is a ...

'' (1990) as Seetha Lakshmi * '' Souhrudam'' (1991) as Annie * '' Life Is Beautiful'' (2000) as Vice Principal * ''

Ammakilikkoodu ''Ammakilikkoodu'' is a 2003 Malayalam film starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Navya Nair. Directorial debut of M. Padmakumar, written by Ranjith. Plot Vivek takes a job as the manager of karunalayam, a retirement house. He meets a young wom ...

'' (2003) as Janaki * ''Chakravaalam''

Kannada films

Telugu films

* ''

'' (1978) as Swapna * ''Manchiki Sthanam Ledu'' (1979) * '' Idi Katha Kaadu'' (1979) as Gayathri * '' Guppedu Manasu'' (1979) as Baby * ''Vijaya'' (1979) as Vijaya * ''Tholi Kodi Koosindi'' (1980) * ''Gutilo Ramachilaka'' (1980) * ''Srirasthu Shubamasthu'' (1981) * ''Athagari Pethanam'' (1981) * ''

47 Rojulu ''47 Natkal'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. It was simultaneously made in Telugu as ''47 Rojulu'' (). The film stars Chiranjeevi, Jaya Prada and Anne Patricia. Based on the novel of the ...

'' (1981) * ''Rama Dandu'' (1981) * ''Aadavallu Meeku Joharulu'' (1981) as Papayamma * ''Chandamama'' (1982) * ''Kalahala Kapuram'' (1982) * ''

'' (1983) as Kokilamma * ''Prema Sagaram'' (1983) * ''Thodu Needa'' (1983) as Sharada * '' Kanchana Ganga'' (1984) as Kanchana * ''Bhagyalakshmi''(1984) * ''Kala Rudrudu'' (1985) * ''Anuraga Bandham'' (1985) * ''

Kaliyuga Pandavulu ''Kaliyuga Pandavulu'' () is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language masala film produced by D. Ramanaidu under Suresh Productions, and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. It stars Ramanaidu's son Venkatesh and Khushbu (making their cinematic debut), with mus ...

'' (1986) as Krishnaveni * ''Satyagraham'' (1987) * ''Shivude Shankarudu'' (1988) as Dr. Kavitha * '' Arjun '' (2004) as Andal

Television

As dubbing artist

;Films ;Television

References

External links

* {{authority control Living people Indian film actresses Indian voice actresses Indian television actresses Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners Filmfare Awards South winners Actresses in Tamil cinema Actresses in Malayalam cinema Actresses in Kannada cinema Actresses in Telugu cinema 20th-century Indian actresses 21st-century Indian actresses Actresses from Andhra Pradesh People from Guntur district Actresses in Tamil television Year of birth missing (living people)