Sumalatha

Sumalatha (born 27 August 1963) is an Indian actress, politician who is the current Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Mandya, Karnataka. She has acted in more than 220 films in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi. She gained popularity in Telugu cinema and Malayalam cinema and later married Kannada actor-politician Ambareesh and has a son Abhishek Gowda.

In March 2019, Sumalatha announced that she would seek election for Lok Sabha from Mandya constituency of Karnataka as an independent candidate. On 23 May 2019, Sumalatha won against Nikhil Kumaraswamy by a margin of more than 1.25 lakh votes in the Lok Sabha election.

Career

Sumalatha did her schooling at St. Joseph's Convent School, Brodipet, Guntur. She began acting at age 15, after winning an Andhra Pradesh beauty contest in 1979. After her pictures began circulating in the magazines, film producer D. Ramanaidu expressed interest in casting her in his film and offered her a signining amount of 1,001 in 1979. However, she made her film debut in Tamil with ''Thisai Maariya Paravaigal'' (1979). She was named the Best New Face following the film. Her Kannada entry was through ''Ravichandra'' opposite to Rajkumar. She entered Telugu through ''Samajaniki Saval'' (1979), and Malayalam through ''Moorkhan'' (1980). She appeared in films in many languages Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu early in her career. She was Rajinikanth's second heroine besides Rati Agnihotri in films like '' Murattu Kaalai'' and '' Kazhugu''. She was the heroine of legendary Malayalam actor Jayan's last film ''Kolilakkam'' (1981). In her Malayalam entry film ''Moorkhan'', she acted as Jayan's second heroine. Her most memorable Malayalam films include ''Thazhvaram'', ''Isabella'', ''Nirakkoottu'', ''Dhinarathrangal'', ''Thoovanathumbikal'', '' Parampara'' and ''New Delhi''. She has acted in many Kannada movies like '' Aahuti'', ''Avatara Purusha'', ''Tayi Kanasu'', ''Karna'', ''Hong Kong nalli Agent Amar'' ''Tayiya Hone'', ''Kallarali Hoovagi'' with ''Ravichandra'' being her Kannada debut in which she acted with actor Rajkumar. Telugu is the language in which she acted the most followed by Malayalam and Kannada.

She received the best actress Nandi Award for her role in ''Shrutilayalu'' 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 five.

Personal life

Sumalatha married Kannada actor and politician Ambareesh on 8 December 1991 and their son Abhishek Gowda was born in the year 1993. She starred alongside Ambareesh in movies like '' Aahuti'', '' Avatara Purusha'', '' Kallarali Hoovagi'', ''New Delhi'' and '' Sri Manjunatha. Kallarali Hoovagi'' went on to win a National Film Award.

In an interview with TV9 Kannada, the couple revealed that they first met each other on the sets of the movie '' Aahuti''. In the course of the interview, Sumalatha expressed that Ambareesh was extroverted and gregarious in nature where as she leaned more towards having an introverted and conscientious personality on the sets. She shared memories of Ambareesh giving her friendly advice to mingle with other co-stars in the set by involving herself in group activities; else it could lead to misunderstandings. She revealed that it was Ambareesh's bold, genuine, carefree, down to earth personality that made him memorable and attractive to her.

On 24 November 2018 Ambareesh died due to a cardiac arrest. Few days after Sumalatha shared an emotional letter addressed to late Ambareesh on 8 December 2018 the eve of their 27th marriage anniversary.

On 6 July 2020 It was reported that Sumalatha tested positive for COVID-19 and placed herself in home quarantine.

Political life

In March 2019, Sumalatha announced that she would be contesting as an independent candidate in the 2019 Indian general election in Karnataka (Lok Sabha) from Mandya. She was backed by big stars from the Kannada film industry like Darshan, Yash, Rockline Venkatesh, Doddanna. Bharatiya Janata Party decided not to field a candidate in Mandya in efforts to support her. Some of the Congress Party workers supported her indirectly due to the history of traditional rivalry between JDS - Congress rivalry in Mandya which was a tricky situation for congress. She won, defeating Nikhil with a margin of 128,876 votes. She is the first Independent woman Member of parliament from Karnataka.

Awards

* Devar's Best New Face Award: ''Thisai Maariya Paravaigal'' (1979) (Tamil)
* Special Jury Nandi award (Best Actress): ''Shrutilayalu'' (1987) (Telugu)
* Film Fans Award for Best Actress: ''Shrutilayalu'' (1987) (Telugu)
* Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress: ''New Delhi'' and ''Thoovanathumbikal'' (1987) (Malayalam)
* Lux Award for Best Actress: ''New Delhi'' (1987) (Malayalam)
* Film Fans Award for Best Actress: ''New Delhi'' (1987) (Hindi)
* Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress: ''Isabella'' (1988) (Malayalam)

Filmography

Malayalam

* ''Naayika'' (2011) as Herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo)
* ''Kandahar'' (2010) as Sumangaly
* '' Purappadu'' (1990) as Nalini
* '' Parampara'' (1990) as Meera
* ''Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu'' (1990) as Lakshmi Haridas
* ''No.20 Madras Mail'' (1990) as Sr. Gloria
* ''Thazhvaram'' (1990) as Kochootti
* ''Nair Saab'' (1989) as Prabha
* ''Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas'' (1988) as Sophia
* ''Dhinarathrangal'' (1988) as Dr. Savithri
* '' David David Mr. David'' (1988)
* ''Isabella'' (1988) as Isabella
* ''New Delhi'' (1987) as Maria Fernandez
* ''Thoovanathumbikal'' (1987) as Clara
* ''Shyama'' (1986) as Lakshmi
* ''Nirakkoottu'' (1985) as Mercy
* '' Idavelakku Shesham'' (1984) as Sindhu
* ''Alakadalinakkare'' (1984) as Mohan's wife
* ''Himam'' (1983) as Indu
* ''Chakravalam Chuvannappol'' (1983) as Latha
* '' Kodunkattu'' (1983) as Sreekala
* '' Kilukilukkam'' (1982)
* ''John Jaffer Janardhanan'' (1982) as Jeny
* '' Thadaakam'' (1982) as Sabira
* ''Kazhumaram'' (1982) as Radhika
* ''Aarambham'' (1982) as Santha
* ''Dheera'' (1982) as Rathi
* ''Irattimadhuram'' (1982) as Sangeetha
* ''Aranjaanam'' (1982) as Anu
* '' Aadarsham'' (1982) as Radha
* ''Thenum Vayambum'' (1981) as Sreedevi
* ''Ithihasam'' (1981) as Shobha
* '' Munnettam'' (1981) as Ramani
* ''Kolilakkam'' (1981) as Suma
* ''Raktham'' (1981) as Valsala
* ''Kadathu'' (1981) as ThulasiKilungaatha Changalakal
* '' Saahasam'' (1981)
* '' Ellam Ninakku Vendi'' (1981) as Sreedevi
* '' Kilungaatha Changalakal'' (1981) as Latha
* '' Nizhal Yudham'' (1981) as Radha
* ''Moorkhan'' (1980) as Raji
* ''Vilangum Veenayum''

Telugu

* ''Karunamayudu'' (1978)
* '' Samajaniki Saval'' (1979)
* '' Rajadhi Raju'' (1980) as Lilly
* Bhola Shankarudu (1980)
* Kalam Marindi
* ''Girija Kalyanam'' (1981) as Rosy
* '' Agni Poolu'' (1981)
* Jeevitha Ratham (1981)
* '' Pelleedu Pillalu'' (1982) as Poorna
* '' Subhalekha'' (1982) as Sujata
* Hima Bindu (1982)
* Savaal (1982)
* ''Aalaya Sikharam'' (1983)
* '' Khaidi'' (1983) as Dr. Sujata
* Raghu Ramudu (1983)
* Rangula Puli (1983)
* '' Amarajeevi (1983)''
* ''Merupu Daadi'' (1984) as Sivangi
* '' Justice Chakravarthy'' (1984) as Latha
* ''Janani Janmabhoomi'' (1984) as Pammy/Padmini
* ''Agni Gundam'' (1984)
* Kai Raja Kai (1984)
* '' Nayakulaku Saval'' (1984)
* '' Jackie'' (1985)
* '' Chattamtho Poratam'' (1985) as Kalyani
* ''Kattula Kondaiah'' (1985) as Jyothi
* ''Ranarangam'' (1985)
* ''Veta'' (1986) as Jyothirmayi
* '' Tandra Paparayudu'' (1986) as Subhadra
* '' Rakshasudu'' (1986) as Vani
* Jeevana Ragam (1986)
* Iddaru Mithrulu (1986)
* Jailu Pakshi (1986)
* Nampalli Nagu (1986)
* ''Thandri Kodukula Challenge'' (1987)
* '' Sruthi Layalu'' (1987) as Sita
* ''Pasivadi Pranam'' (1987)
* ''Swayam Krushi'' (1987) as Sharada
* ''Viswanatha Nayakudu'' (1987)
* ''Punnami Chandrudu'' (1987)
* Raaga Leela (1987)
* ''Donga Kollu'' (1988) as Neeraja
* '' Antima Teerpu'' (1988) as Vasanta
* Donga Pelli (1988)
* ''Jamadagni'' (1988)
* '' Jayammu Nischayammu Raa'' as Shanti
* * '' Guru Sishyulu'' (1990)
* ''Gang Leader'' (1991) as Latha
* '' Dabbu Bhale Jabbu'' (1992) as Hema
* ''Raja Kumarudu'' (1999) as Rajya Lakshmi
* '' Sri Manjunatha'' (2001) as Sumalatha Devi
* ''Boss'' (2006)
* '' Srirastu Subhamastu'' (2016)

Kannada

* '' Ravichandra'' (1980)
* ''Thayiya Kanasu'' (1985)
* '' Aahuti'' (1985)
* ''Thayiya Hone'' (1985) as Suma
* ''Thayi Mamathe'' (1985)
* ''Karna (1986 film), Karna'' (1986)
* ''Kathanayaka'' (1986)
* ''Sathya Jyothi'' (1986)
* ''Maheshwara (film), Maheshwara'' (1986)
* ''Huli Hebbuli'' (1987)
* ''New Delhi'' (1988) as Vasantha
* ''Hongkongnalli Agent Amar'' (1988)
* ''Nyayakkagi Naanu'' (1991)
* ''Kaliyuga Bheema'' (1991)
* '' Sri Manjunatha'' (2001) as Sumalatha Devi
* ''Paris Pranaya'' (2003)
* ''Excuse Me (2003 film), Excuse Me'' (2003)
* ''Kanchana Ganga (2004 film), Kanchana Ganga'' (2004)
* '' Kallarali Hoovagi'' (2006)
* ''Bhoopathi (2007 film), Bhoopathi'' (2007)
* ''Ee Sambhashane'' (2009)
* ''Viraat'' (2016) as Viraat's mother
* ''Bhale Jodi (2016 film), Bhale Jodi'' (2016)
* ''Jessie (film), Jessie'' (2016) as Jessie's mother
* ''Doddmane Hudga'' (2016) as Doddamane Rajeevo's wife
* ''Thayige Thakka Maga (2018 film), Thayige Thakka Maga'' (2018) as Parvathi
* ''D/O Parvathamma'' (2019) as Parvathamma
* ''India vs England'' (2020) as Janaki

Tamil

* ''Thisai Maariya Paravaigal'' (1979)
* '' Murattu Kaalai'' (1980) as Soundarya
* ''Madhavi Vandhal'' (1980)
* ''Azhaithal Varuven'' (1980) as Rani
* '' Kazhugu'' (1981) as Suma
* ''Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo'' (1981) as Snegalatha
* ''Pen Manam Pesugirathu'' (1981)
* ''Aradhanai'' (1981)
* ''Enakkaga Kaathiru'' (1981)
* ''Sollathe Yarum Kettaal'' (1981)
* ''Kudumbam Oru Kadambam'' (1981) as Uma
* ''Theerpu'' (1982)
* ''Azhagiya Kanne'' (1982)
* ''Oru Varisu Uruvagiradhu'' (1982)
* ''Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu'' (1983)

Hindi

* ''New Delhi (1988 Hindi film), New Delhi'' (1988) as Maria Fernandes
* ''Pratibandh'' (1990) as Naseem
* ''Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan'' (1991) as Suman V. Kumar
* ''Aaj Ka Goonda Raj'' (1992) as Ritu Saxena
* ''Pardesi (1993 film), Pardesi'' (1993)
* ''Dushman Duniya Ka'' (1996) as Reshma
* ''Mahaanta'' (1997) as Shanti Malhotra
* ''Kshatriya (film), Kshatriya'' (1993) as Suman, Maharaja Prithvi Singh's wife (Surjangarh)

References

External links

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Living people
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Actresses in Telugu cinema
Actresses in Kannada cinema
Indian film actresses
Actresses from Chennai
20th-century Indian actresses
21st-century Indian actresses
1963 births
India MPs 2019–present
Women members of the Lok Sabha
Indian actor-politicians
Actresses in Hindi cinema
Telugu people
People from Guntur district
Independent politicians in India
Lok Sabha members from Karnataka
21st-century Indian women politicians