Sumithra (actress)

Sumithra (born 18 September 1953) is an Indian actress. She has appeared in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu language films. She acted as the lead heroine in films between 1974 and 1986. She later started being known for her roles as a mother since the 1990s.

Early life

Sumithra was born on 18 September 1953 to Raghavan Nair and Janaki at Thrissur, Kerala. She has three brothers, her father was working in an oil refining company. When she was doing her schooling, she learnt dance from Murugappan Master, who was the guide to actress K. R. Vijaya at that time. Sumithra is a good classical dancer.

Sumithra started her career at 19 years of age in the film ''Nrithasala'' (1972); director A. B. Raj is the first to have noticed Sumithra's talent.

Sumithra acted as heroine with Rajani and Kamal as well as she acted as mother to both of them.

Sumithra made her debut in ''Nirmalayam''. She has acted in over 200 films in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu languages. In Tamil, ''Avalum Penn Thaane'' (1974) was her first movie. Later in 1975, she made her debut Kannada movie '' Mugiyada Kathe'', which had the popular song "Kangalu Vandane Helide". She has acted with leading heroes such as Vishnuvardhan, Rajesh in Kannada, Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Sivakumar, Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan in Tamil. She's performed supporting roles in hundreds of Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu movies.

Personal life

She was married to notable Kannada film director D. Rajendra Babu in 1980 and has two daughters Umashankari (born in 1982) and Nakshatra (born in 1990)

Her elder daughter Umashankari made her entry into movies through the Kannada movie '' Uppi Dada M.B.B.S.'' and''Chikkamma'' in the lead role, which is telecast on Udaya TV. Her second daughter Nakshatra debuted as lead actress in Tamil movie ''Doo''

Filmography

Tamil

''This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.''

* ''Avalum Penn Thaane'' (1974)
* '' Oru Kudumbathin Kadhai'' (1975)
* '' Lalitha'' (1976)
* ''Mogam Muppadhu Varusham'' (1976)
* ''Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri'' (1977)
* '' Ragupathi Raagava Rajaram'' (1977)
* '' Nandha En Nila'' (1977)
* ''Annan Oru Koyil'' (1977)
* ''Chittu Kuruvi'' (1977)
* '' Nee Vazhva Vendum'' (1977)
* ''Nizhal Nijamagiradhu'' (1978)
* '' Ival Oru Seethai'' (1978)
* '' Iraivan Kodutha Varam'' (1978)
* '' Kannamoochi'' (1978)
* '' Machanai Paartheengala'' (1978)
* ''Paavathin Sambalam'' (1978)
* ''Vattathukkul Chaduram'' (1978)
* ''Sonnadhu Nee Thanaa'' (1978)
* ''Justice Gopinath'' (1978)
* '' Rudhra Thaandavam'' (1978)
* '' Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhanthai'' (1978)
* '' Muthal Iravu'' (1979)
* ''Kadavul Amaitha Medai'' (1979)
* '' Mugathil Mugam Paarkalaam'' (1979)
* ''Aadu Pambe'' (1979)
* '' Thevaigal'' (1979)
* '' Anbe Sangeetha'' (1979)
* ''Nee Sirithal Naan Sirippen'' (1979)
* '' Chellakili'' (1979)
* ''Mazhalai Pattalam'' (1980)
* ''Ore Mutham'' (1980)
* '' Ponnukku Yaar Kaaval'' (1980)
* '' Paakku Vethalai'' (1981)
* '' Tiruppangal'' (1981)
* '' Pattam Padhavi'' (1981)
* '' Deiva Thirumanangal-Srinivasa Kalyanam'' (1981)
* '' Vasanthakalam'' (1981)
* '' Nellikanni'' (1981)
* ''Engamma Maharani'' (1981)
* '' Sangili'' (1982)
* ''Anney Anney'' (1983)
* '' Aval Oru Kaaviyam'' (1983)
* '' Kuyile Kuyile'' (1984)
* '' Then Koodu'' (1984)
* '' Antha Uravukku Satchi'' (1984)
* '' Veli'' (1985)
* ''Kanni Rasi'' (1985)
* ''Mayavi'' (1985)
* ''Pournami Alaigal'' (1985)
* ''Yemaatrathe Yemaaraathe'' (1985)
* '' Oru Manithan Oru Manaivi'' (1986)
* '' Mahasakthi Mariamman'' (1986)
* ''Velicham'' (1987)
* '' Veerapandiyan'' (1987)
* ''Michael Raj'' (1987)
* ''Thaye Neeye Thunai'' (1987)
* '' Poove Ilam Poove'' (1987)
* ''Agni Natchathiram'' (1988)
* ''Maappillai Sir'' (1988)
* ''Panakkaran'' (1989)
* '' Sattathin Thirappu Vizhaa'' (1989)
* '' Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal'' (1989)
* ''Velai Kidaichuduchu'' (1990)
* ''Naan Pudicha Mappillai'' (1991)
* ''Nattai Thirudathey'' (1991)
* ''Chinna Thambi'' (1991)
* ''MGR Nagaril'' (1991)
* ''Pillai Paasam'' (1991)
* '' Karpoora Mullai'' (1991)
* ''Singaravelan'' (1992)
* ''Pandithurai'' (1992)
* ''Sathyam Adhu Nitchayam'' (1992)
* ''Idhu Namma Bhoomi'' (1992)
* '' Kattalai'' (1993)
* ''Enga Muthalali'' (1993)
* ''Maravan'' (1993)
* ''Airport'' (1993)
* ''Pagaivan'' (1997)
* ''Arasiyal'' (1997)
* ''Unnudan'' (1998)
* ''Kallazhagar'' (1999)
* ''Jodi'' (1999)
* ''Vadagupatti Maapillai'' (2001)
* ''Saamy'' (2003)
* ''Dharmapuri'' (2006)
* '' Thullal'' (2007)
* ''Veerappu'' (2007)
* '' Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan'' (2008)
* ''Singam'' (2010)
* ''Singam 2'' (2013)
* ''Chandra'' (2013)
* '' Veeram'' (2014)
* ''Muthina Kathirika'' (2016)
* ''Ilamai Oonjal'' (2016)
* '' Singam 3'' (2017)
* '' Saamy 2'' (2018)
* '' Raajavamsam'' (2021)
* ''Valimai'' (2022)

Malayalam

* '' Postmane Kananilla'' (1972) as Amrutham
* ''Nirthasala'' (1972) as Sharada
* ''Theerthayathra'' (1972) as Nangyarukutty
* ''Thenaruvi'' (1973) as Ichira
* ''Nirmalyam'' (1973) as Ammini
* '' Nellu'' (1974) as Sephiya
* ''Honeymoon'' (1974)
* ''Chandrakantham'' (1974)
* ''Thumbolarcha'' (1974) as Thamara
* ''Nagaram Sagaram'' (1974)
* ''Durga'' (1974)
* ''Udayam Kizhakku Thanne'' (1974)
* '' Chakravakam '' (1974) as Padmini
* '' Madura Pathinezhu'' (1975)
* ''Neela Ponman'' (1975) as Veluthamma
* ''Manishada'' (1975)
* ''Swimming Pool'' (1976)
* ''Vazhi Vilakku'' (1976)
* ''Aruthu'' (1976)
* '' Appoppan'' (1976) as Amminikutty
* '' Neela Sari'' (1976)
* '' Sakhakkale Munnoottu'' (1977)
* '' Chakravarthini'' (1977)
* ''Niraparayum Nilavilakkum'' (1977)
* '' Abhinivesham'' (1977) as Sindhu
* ''Varadakshina'' (1977)
* '' Njaan Njaan Maathram'' (1978)
* '' Jalatharangam'' (1978)
* ''Adikkadi'' (1978)
* ''Lava'' (1980) as Sindhu
* '' Ivan Oru Simham'' (1982)
* ''Piriyilla Naam'' (1984) as Sumathi
* '' Muthodu Muthu'' (1984) as Malathi
* ''Ivide Ingane'' (1984) as Elsi
* ''Amme Narayana'' (1984) as Vedante Bhaarya
* '' Swantham Sarika'' (1984) as Bharati
* '' Kadamattathachan'' (1984) as Marykutti
* '' Thacholi Thankappan'' (1984) as Sujatha
* '' Ningalil Oru Sthree'' (1984)
* '' Aarorumariyathe'' (1984) as Thulasi
* '' Aalkkoottathil Thaniye'' (1984) as Seethalakshmi
* ''Lakshamanarekha'' (1984) as Vilasini Menon
* ''Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya'' (1985) as Sathi
* '' Azhiyatha Bandhangal'' (1985) at Sulochana
* ''Eeran Sandhya'' (1985)
* ''Akkachide Kunjuvava'' (1985)
* '' Snehicha Kuttathinu'' (1985)
* '' Ee Thanalil Ithiri Nerum'' (1985)
* '' Sannaham'' (1985)
* ''Achuvettante Veedu'' (1987) as Beena
* ''Onnam Maanm Poomaanam'' (1987) as Sasi's wife
* ''Ulsavapittennu'' (1989) as Ettathi
* ''Ente Sooryaputhrikku'' (1991) as Dr. Srinivas's mother
* '' Daivathinte Makan'' (2000) as Janaki
* ''Saphalam'' (2003) as Subhadra
* '' Calcutta News'' (2008)
* ''Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu'' (2009) as Saraswathiamma
* ''Vaidooryam'' (2012) as Sujatha
* ''Monayi Angane Aanayi'' (2014) as Maya's mother
* ''Village Guys'' (2015)

Kannada

* '' Mugiyada Kathe'' (1976)
* ''Makkala Sainya'' (1980)
* ''Rajeshwari'' (1981)
* ''Asambhava'' (1985)
* ''Karna'' (1986)
* '' Ravi Moodi Banda'' (1986)
* ''Mr. Raja'' (1987)
* '' Sathyam Shivam Sundaram'' (1987)
* '' Ondagi Balu'' (1989)
* ''Sididedda Gandu'' (1990)
* ''Ramachaari'' (1991)
* '' Gopi Krishna'' (1992)
* ''Guru Brahma'' (1992)
* ''Sri Ramachandra'' (1992)
* ''Ranjitha'' (1993)
* ''Ananda Jyothi'' (1993)
* ''Adhipathi'' (1994)
* ''Jenina Hole'' (1997)
* ''Cheluva'' (1997)
* ''Kurubana Rani'' (1998)
* ''Mangalyam Tantunanena'' (1998)
* ''Shanti Shanti Shanti'' (1998)
* ''Jaidev'' (1998)
* ''Premotsava'' (1999)
* '' O Premave'' (1999)
* '' Chora Chittha Chora'' (1999)
* '' Appu'' (2000)
* ''Chamundi'' (2000)
* ''Mr. Harishchandra'' (2001)
* ''Maduve Aagona Baa'' (2001)
* ''Dhumm'' (2002)
* ''Dhruva'' (2002)
* '' Appu'' (2002)
* ''Annavru'' (2003)
* ''Sri Ram'' (2003)
* ''Abhi'' (2003)
* ''Neenandre Ishta'' (2003)
* ''Sahukara'' (2004)
* ''Pakkadmane Hudugi'' (2004)
* ''Sarvabhouma'' (2004)
* ''Mellusire Savigana'' (2004)
* '' Auto Shankar'' (2005)
* '' Sye'' (2005)
* ''Encounter Dayanayak'' (2005)
* '' Rishi'' (2005)
* '' Ajay'' (2006)
* '' Milana'' (2007)
* ''Annavru'' (2006)
* ''Abhi'' (2003)
* '' Jackie'' (2010)
* ''Myna'' (2013)
* ''Chamundi'' (2007)
* ''Sahukara'' (2006)
* '' Uppi Dada M.B.B.S.'' (2005)
* ''Dhruva'' (2002)
* ''Dhumm'' (2002)
* '' Sye'' (2005)
* '' Mussanje Maathu'' (2008)
* ''Gokula'' (2009)
* ''Chandra'' (2013)
* ''Brahma'' (2014)
* ''Endendigu'' (2015)
* ''Boxer'' (2015)
* ''Chamak'' (2017)
* '' Tarak''(2017)

Telugu

* ''Andala Ramudu'' (1973)
Challani talli (1975)
* ''Jarujuthunna Katha'' (1977)
* ''Vaaralabbai''
* '' Manasa Veena'' (1984)
* ''Sravana Sandhya'' (1986)
* ''Brahma Rudrulu'' (1986)
* ''Trimurtulu (1987)
* '' Aha Naa-Pellanta!'' (1987)
* ''Vijetha Vikram (1987)
* '' Geethanjali'' (1989)
* ''Rudraveena (film), Rudraveena'' (1988)
* ''Bobbili Raja'' (1990)
*''(Adavilo Anna)'' (1997)
* ''Pelli Chesukundam'' (1997)
* ''Manasichi Choodu'' (1998)
* ''Samarasimha Reddy'' (1999)
* ''Bujji Gadi Babai'' (1998)
* ''Bhalevadivi Basu'' (2001)
* ''Santosham (2002 film), Santosham'' (2002)
* ''Jai Chiranjeeva '' (2005)
* ''Super (2005 film), Super'' (2005)
* ''Raraju (2006 film), Raraju'' (2006)
* ''Poola Rangadu (2012 film), Poola Rangadu'' (2012)
* ''Brahma'' (2014)
* ''Power (2014 Telugu film), Power'' (2014)
* ''Prematho Mee Karthik'' (2017)
* ''Ammamma Gari Illu'' (2018)
* ''Entha Manchivaadavuraa'' (2020)

Television

* Micro Thodar Macro Sinthanaigal - Plastic Vizhuthugal

References

External links

*

Sumithra at MSI

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sumithra
Indian film actresses
Actresses in Telugu cinema
Living people
Actresses from Thrissur
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Actresses in Kannada cinema
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Place of birth missing (living people)
20th-century Indian actresses
21st-century Indian actresses
Actresses in Tamil television
1953 births