Saraswathi Sundaresan Iyer, professionally known as Kumari Sachu (born 7 January 1948) is an Indian actress who has acted in more than 500 films in five different languages and a few television serials. She is a character actress/comedienne who has nonchalantly blended into the roles she has portrayed over five decades. She made her film début in 1953 in the film '' Rani'' at the age of 4, and has since then been a prominent face on the silver screen. Since 1995, she has started acting in television serials. In 2012, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in Chennai, honored Kumari Sachu with the Nadaga Soodamani award.

Early life

Sachu was born into a large family in

Mylapore Mylapore, also spelt Mayilapur, is a neighbourhood in the central part of the city of Chennai, India. It is one of the oldest residential parts of the city. It is also called Tirumayilai. The locality is claimed to be the birthplace of the cel ...

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...

. Hailing from an orthodox family of musicians, lawyers and teachers, it was not smooth sailing for the young actress, but her talent acted as the decisive factor. Permission was granted by her lawyer-father. As she teamed up with her sister for

Bharatanatyam Bharatanatyam () is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the eight widely recognized Indian classical dance forms, and expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of S ...

recitals, her film career forged ahead. Sachu has a sister named ''Maadi'' Lakshmi. She was an actress.

Film career

In 1953, Sachu, then less than four years old, was noticed by director

A. S. A. Sami Arul Soosai Anthony Sami (1915–1998) also written as A. S. A. Samy, was an Indian director and screenwriter who worked in Tamil cinema, Tamil films. Early life Born in 1915, A. S. A. Samy was from a devout Catholic family. His father had ...

(of '' Velaikkari'' fame), who was in the process of casting her sister for a dance number. Sami cast her in the Bhanumathi-starrer ''Rani'', and for a scene, she had to cry. But Sachu just did not know how to cry! A quiet pinch did the trick. Then followed the Arignar Anna-scripted ''Sorga Vaasal''. As the younger Paro in '' Devadasu'', her performance was endearing. The chubby-faced Sachu went on to fill the vacuum left by Baby Saroja. Sachu performed with élan with the legends, be it Bhanumathi, Padmini, Anjali Devi, or Savithri. The evergreen ''Maya Bazaar'' was her first 100-day film, and in the film, she played the cherubic Kutti Vatsala (Junior Savithri). Playing the junior version of S. Varalakshmi in "Shyamala" thrilled her no end since it starred the legendary Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. She then took a small break during which she spent the interim perfecting her dance, giving recitals and playing sister roles. Her first film as heroine in ''Veera Thirumagan'' with Anandan, screened in 1961. She was offered to play the role of a comedian and act as

Nagesh Nagesh (born Cheyur Krishnarao Nageshwaran; (27 September 1933 – 31 January 2009) was an Indian actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian in Tamil films during the 1960s. Nagesh was born in Dharapuram. He acted in over 1,000 fil ...

's pair in the film ''

Kadhalikka Neramillai ''Kadhalikka Neramillai'' () is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by C. V. Sridhar, who also conceived and co-wrote its script with Chitralaya Gopu. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Balaia ...

'', This film starred Muthuraman,

, Kanchana, Rajasree and

T. S. Balaiah Thirunelveli Subramaniyan Balaiah (23 August 1914 – 22 July 1972) was an Indian actor. He is best known for playing supporting roles in Tamil films. Born in Sundankottai, near Udankudi in Thoothukudi, Balaiah was introduced to the cine fiel ...

. After the success of this film, she was put in comedian's role opposite actors like

Suruli Rajan Suruli Rajan was a Tamil film comedian/character artiste. He was a recipient of Tamil Nadu State Government's Best Comedian Award for the year 1981–82. Biography Suruli Rajan was born in 1938 in Periyakulam, near Theni. His father ''Ponna ...

, "Thengai" Srinivasan, Cho Ramaswamy, Thangavelu, M. R. Vasu and M. R. Radha in many films from 1964 to 1989. She, Manorama and

Jayalalithaa Jayaram Jayalalithaa (24 February 1948 – 5 December 2016) was an Indian politician and actress who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for more than fourteen years over six terms between 1991 and 2016. From 9 February 1989 to 5 December 2 ...

came together to act in 2 classic comedy films - ''Galata Kalyanam'' and ''Bommalattam''. Her other notable films include ''Delhi Mapillai, Thenmazhai, Sorgam, Ooty Varai Oravu, Thunaivan'' and ''Meenava Nanban''. The 1970s saw her taking to the stage, and her first play was PVR's ''Neerottam'', where she played the famous Charu. She played a dual role in ARS' ''Deviyar Iruvar''. Since then, Sachu has been lending her talents out and has successfully starred in over 500 films playing varied roles, and has starred alongside veteran actors such as

Sivaji Ganesan Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ga ...

M. G. Ramachandran Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 24 December 1987), also popularly known as M.G.R., was an Indian politician, actor, philanthropist, and filmmaker who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987 ...

, Muthuraman, S. A. Ashokan,

Thengai Srinivasan Thengai Srinivasan (21 October 1937 – 9 November 1987) was an Indian actor who appeared in Tamil language, Tamil-language films and plays from the 1960s to the 1980s. He was given the prefix ''Thengai'' (coconut) after his role as a coco ...

, Thangavelu and M. R. Radha. The late 1970s and 1980s saw her playing supporting roles in films alongside Rajinikanth,

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 l ...

Chiranjeevi Chiranjeevi (born Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad; 22 August 1955) is an Indian actor, film producer and former politician, who predominantly works in Telugu cinema. Chiranjeevi starred in over 150 feature films in Telugu language, Telugu, as ...

, and many others, while she has also played mother and grandmother roles to younger actors such as Vijay,

Surya Surya (; sa, सूर्य, ) is the sun as well as the solar deity in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a m ...

, Karthik,

Sakthi Vasu Shakthi Vasudevan (born as Prashanth Vasudevan) is an Indian actor who has predominantly worked on Tamil-language films. The son of director P. Vasu, Shakthi began his career as a child artist in his father's films before making his comeback i ...

and many others.

Television career

She moved on to the small screen since 1995 and has starred in many serials such as ''Manbumigu Maamiyar'', ''Costly Mappilay'', ''Ananda Bhavan'', ''Dinesh Ganesh'' and ''Veetukku Veedu Looty'', where she quotes that she had been able to act in roles which she could not in cinema. She also acted as Vijayakumar's elder sister in the serial ''

Nandini Nandini is a female given name. It is derived from the Sanskrit verbal root ''nand'', which means "to rejoice, delight". Literally, ''nandinī'' means a woman who brings joy. The name also specifically refers to a daughter, as a daughter brings ...

'', which aired on Sun TV.

Awards and nominations

A proud moment in Sachu's life was when she received the

Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of ...

award from Chief Minister

in 1991 and the Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha award, which was presented by

M. S. Subbulakshmi Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi (16 September 1916 – 11 December 2004) was an Indian Carnatic singer from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. She is ...

. Also in 2012, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in Chennai, honoured Kumari Sachu with the Nadaga Soodamani award.

Partial filmography

* Rani — Debut film (1952) * Shyamala (1952) * Devadasu (1953) * Avvaiyar (1953) *

Sorgavasal ''Sorgavasal'' () is a 1954 Indian Tamil film, directed by A. Kasilingam and produced by M. Somasundaram and M. K. Kaliapa. The film starred K. R. Ramasamy, Padmini, S. S. Rajendran and Anjali Devi in lead roles. The film had a musical scor ...

(1954) * Bahut Din Huye (1954) *

Kaveri The Kaveri (also known as Cauvery, the anglicized name) is one of the major Indian rivers flowing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Kaveri river rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu dis ...

(1955) - Sandhosham Kollame song dance-as child *

Maya Bazaar ''Mayabazar'' () is a 1957 Indian epic Hindu mythological film directed by K. V. Reddy. It was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their banner, Vijaya Productions. The film was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages, ...

(1957) *

Raja Desingu ''Raja Desingu'' () is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language biographical film starring M. G. Ramachandran, S. S. Rajendran, Bhanumathi and Padmini. Based on the life of Desingh, the film was directed by T. R. Raghunath and had a delayed release in 2 ...

(1960) *

Veera Thirumagan ''Veera Thirumagan'' is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language historical action film, produced by AVM Productions and directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. This was the directorial debut for Tirulokchandar. It stars C. L. Anandan, Sachu, E. V. Saroja and S ...

(1962) *

Kalai Arasi ''Kalai Arasi'' () is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language science fiction comedy film directed by A. Kasilingam. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Bhanumathi, with M. N. Nambiar, P. S. Veerappa, Rajasree and Sachu, credited as Kumari Saraswat ...

(1963) *

Kaadhalikka Neramillai ''Kadhalikka Neramillai'' () is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by C. V. Sridhar, who also conceived and co-wrote its script with Chitralaya Gopu. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Balai ...

(1964) * Inapravugal (1965) - Malayalam film * Subhaidha (1965) - Malayalam film * Kalyanayathrayil (1966) - Malayalam film * Thenmazhai (1966) * Bama Vijayam (1967) * Ninaivil Nindraval *

Ooty Varai Uravu ''Ooty Varai Uravu'' () is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, R. Muthuraman and L. Vijayalakshmi. It was Vijaylakshmi's last film before her m ...

(1967) *

Delhi Mapillai ''Delhi Mapillai'' () is a Tamil language comedy film released on 13 September 1968. It stars Ravichandran and Cho Ramaswamy in the main lead roles, opposite Rajasree and Sachu respectively. The supporting cast includes T. P. Muthulakshmi, V. ...

(1968) as Meghala *

Galatta Kalyanam ''Galatta Kalyanam'' () is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by C. V. Rajendran and written by Gopu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. It is based on Gopu and Sridhar's play of the same name. The film, ...

(1968) as Kaanthã * Bommalattam (1968) as geetha * Dial 2244 (1968) - Malayalam film * Vilakkapetta Bandhangal (1969) - Malayalam film *

Sorgam ''Sorgam'' () is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language film starring Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, Rajasree, R. Muthuraman and K. Balaji. The film was directed by T. R. Ramanna. It was released on 29 October 1970 and became a major success, running ...

(1970) *

Maanavan ''Maanavan'' () is a 1970 Tamil-language film directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under Dhandayudhapani Films. The script were written by Balamurugan. The film starring Jaishankar and Muthuraman with ...

(1970) as Ramu's wife *

Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa ''Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa'' () is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film, directed by N. S. Chakravarthi in his debut, produced by Sridhar and written by Gopu. The film features an ensemble cast including Ravichandran, Nagesh, Then ...

(1971) as Nurse Sarasa, Mani's lover & Dr. Swamynathan's daughter *

Annai Velankanni ''Annai Velankanni'' () is 1971 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Thangappan. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, Padmini and K. R. Vijaya. Kamal Haasan briefly appears in an uncredited role as Jesus Christ. It comprises ...

(1972) as Candle Seller Woman *

Pillaiyo Pillai ''Pillaiyo Pillai'' () is 1972 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju, produced by Murasoli Maran and written by M. Karunanidhi. The film stars M. K. Muthu (in dual role) in his debut film appearance alongside ...

(1972) * Dhikku Theriyatha Kaattil (1972) *

Paruva Kaalam ''Paruva Kaalam'' () is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by Jos A.N. Fernando, written by A. S. Prakasam, starring Srikanth, Roja Ramani, Kamal Haasan, Nagesh and Prameela. Roja Ramani paired up with Kamal Haasan for the first time. ...

(1974) *

Anbu Thangai ''Anbu Thangai'' () is a 1974 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by S. P. Muthuraman, starring Muthuraman and Jayalalithaa. Jaya appears as Muthuraman's sister and Jayalalithaa as his love interest. Srikanth played an important role as Mut ...

(1974) *

Avanthan Manithan ''Avandhan Manidhan'' () is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language drama film, co-written and directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar from a story by G. Balasubramaniam. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, Jayalalithaa and Manjula. It revolves around an ...

(1975) *

Cinema Paithiyam ''Cinema Paithiyam'' () is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by Muktha Srinivasan. The film stars Jaishankar and Jayachitra. It is a remake of the Hindi film ''Guddi'' (1971). The film was released on 31 January 1975. Jayachitr ...

(1975) *

Dheepam ''Dheepam'' () is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by K. Vijayan and produced by K. Balaji. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Vijayakumar and Sangeetha. The film had musical score by Ilaiyaraaja. It is a remake of the Mal ...

(1977) * Balapareekshanam (1978) - Malayalam film * Pathinalam Ravu (1978) - Malayalam film *

Dharma Yuddham ''Dharma Yuddam'' () is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by R. C. Sakthi. It stars Rajinikanth and Sridevi. The film was released on 29 June 1979. Trivia: This film was a major hit and is credited for establishing Rajinikant ...

(1979) *

Ellam Un Kairasi Ellam Un Kairasi is a Tamil-language film directed by M. A. Thirumugam and starring Rajinikanth. Plot Major Sundarrajan is a smuggler; Rajini is a mechanic. Incidentally Major Sundarrajan is the father of Rajini, whom he gets to know only i ...

(1980) * Sujatha (1980) * Dwanthayudham (1981) - Malayalam film * Oorukku Oru Pillai (1982) *

Solla Thudikuthu Manasu ''Solla Thudikuthu Manasu'' () is a 1988 Indian Tamil language romance film, directed by B. Lenin, starring Karthik and newcomer Priyasri . The film, produced by J. Ravi, had musical score by Ilaiyaraaja and was released on 19 February 1988 ...

(1988) *

Manasukkul Mathappu ''Manasukkul Mathappu'' () is a 1988 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Robert–Rajasekar. The film stars Prabhu, Saranya and Lissy, with Sarath Babu and Senthamarai in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1986 Malayalam ...

(1988) as Nurse Mary *

Naangal ''Naangal'' () is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Hassan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Prabhu and Deepika Chikhalia. It was released on 20 March 1992. Plot Keerthi, an honest police officer, is charged to solve a double m ...

(1992) * Avatharam (1995) * Tata Birla (1996) *

Priyanka ''Priyanka'' is a popular female given name in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. It is a name derived from the Sanskrit word 'Priyankera' or 'Priyankara', meaning someone or something that is amiable, lovable, or makes you happy and the one who has lov ...

(1994) *

Oomai Vizhigal ''Oomai Vizhigal'' (; Gouged eyes) is an Indian 1986 Tamil-language crime action film directed by R. Aravindraj. The film stars Vijayakanth, Arun Pandian, Karthik, Chandrasekhar and Jaishankar, along with Ravichandran and Malaysia Vasudevan ...

(1986) *

Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga ''Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga'' () is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Sundar C., starring Karthik and Rambha with Goundamani, Vivek, Vinu Chakravarthy, Anju among others in supporting roles. The film, sc ...

(1999) *

Endrendrum Kadhal ''Endrendrum Kadhal'' () is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written, directed and co-produced by Manoj Bhatnagar. The film stars Vijay and Rambha with Raghuvaran, Nizhalgal Ravi, Bhanupriya, Radha Ravi, Charle, and Dham ...

(1999) *

Priyasakhi ''Priyasakhi'' is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language romance film directed by K. S. Adhiyaman and produced by P. L. Thenappan. The film stars Madhavan and Sadha, while Aishwarya, Ramesh Khanna, Manobala and Kovai Sarala feature in supporting roles. Th ...

(2005) * Jerry (2006) * Something Something... Unakkum Enakkum (2006) *

Shankar Dada Zindabad ''Shankar Dada Zindabad'' () is a 2007 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Prabhu Deva. Starring Chiranjeevi and Karishma Kotak, the film is a remake of the 2006 Hindi film '' Lage Raho Munnabhai'' and a sequel to ''Shankar Dad ...

(2007) (Telugu film) *

Sadhu Miranda ''Sadhu Mirandaa'' () is a 2008 Indian Tamil-language comedy thriller film directed by Siddique, starring Prasanna, Abbas, and Kavya Madhavan. Karunas and Manoj K. Jayan play supporting roles. The music was composed by Deepak Dev, and cinema ...

(2008) *

Ainthaam Padai ''Ainthaam Padai'' () is a 2009 Tamil language action film starring Sundar C, Simran, Mukesh, Vivek and Nassar. It released on 23 July 2009 and was produced by Sundar's wife, Khushbu. The film was flop at the box office. Plot The film is about ...

(2009) * Aatanayagan (2010) * Gowravargal (2010) *

Thillu Mullu ''Thillu Mullu'' () is a 1981 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language comedy film directed by K. Balachander and written by Visu. A remake of the 1979 Hindi film ''Gol Maal'', it stars Rajinikanth, with Thengai Srinivasan, Nagesh, Poornam Viswana ...

(2013) *

Naiyaandi ''Naiyaandi'' () is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by A. Sarkunam. The film features Dhanush and Nazriya Nazim in the lead roles. The plot focuses on a love story between a Kuthu Vilakku (lamp) shop owner ...

(2013) *

Irumbu Kuthirai ''Irumbu Kuthirai'' () is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Yuvaraj Bose and produced by AGS Entertainment. The film stars Atharvaa, Priya Anand and Johnny Tri Nguyen in the leading roles, while Raai Laxmi appea ...

(2014) * Gethu (2016) * Avan Aval (2016) *

Kodi KODI (1400 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a news/talk format. Licensed to Cody, Wyoming, United States, the station is currently owned by the Big Horn Radio Network, a division of Legend Communications of Wyoming, LLC, and features programm ...

(2016) *

Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru ''Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru'' () is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by M. Rajesh and produced by N. Ramasamy. The film stars G. V. Prakash Kumar, Nikki Galrani and Anandhi, while Prakash Raj and RJ Balaji p ...

(2016) * Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings (2016) *

Utharavu Maharaja ''Utharavu Maharaja'' is a 2018 Tamil language film directed by Asif Kuraishi. The film stars Udhaya, who also produced the film, Priyanka Thimmesh, and Prabhu in the lead roles. Cast *Udhaya as Ravi *Priyanka Thimmesh as Saadhana *Prabhu as A ...

(2018) * Perazhagi ISO (2019) * Ayogya (2019) *

Jackpot Jackpot or Jackpot! may refer to: * A prize, such as a progressive jackpot * Gardena jackpots, a poker variant * Jackpot, Nevada, a community on the Nevada–Idaho state border Comics * Jackpot (comics), several comic book characters * ''Jack ...

(2019) *

Dharala Prabhu ''Dharala Prabhu'' () is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Krishna Marimuthu in his directorial debut. A remake of the 2012 Hindi film '' Vicky Donor'', the film stars Harish Kalyan, Tanya Hope and Vive ...

(2020) as Kundhavai, Prabhu's grandmother * Boom Boom Kaalai (2021) *

Veetla Vishesham ''Veetla Vishesham'' () is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language comedy-drama film directed by RJ Balaji and NJ Saravanan. It is a remake of the 2018 Hindi film ''Badhaai Ho''. The film is being produced by Boney Kapoor in association with Zee Studios, ...

(2022) * The Legend (2022) *

Naai Sekar Returns ''Naai Sekar Returns'' is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language comedy film produced by Subaskaran Allirajah and written and directed by Suraj. The film stars Vadivelu in his comeback film after five years, while Sivaangi Krishnakumar, Anandaraj, Rao ...

(2022)

References

External links

* {{authority control Living people Tamil comedians Tamil actresses Actresses from Chennai 1948 births Actresses in Tamil cinema Actresses in Telugu cinema Actresses in Malayalam cinema 20th-century Indian actresses 21st-century Indian actresses Indian film actresses