Sujatha (10 December 1952[1] – 6 April 2011) was an Indian actress who performed and starred in a variety of unique characters in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films- in addition to few in Kannada and Hindi languages as well. The actress was best known for restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions. After starring in numerous Malayalam films in her mother-tongue, Sujatha later got introduced to the Tamil film industry by veteran director K. Balachander and producer P.R. Govindarajan as a protagonist in her first Tamil film, Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974). It was a critically acclaimed film and launched the actress's first commecrical breakthrough in her acting career. Whereas, her first Telugu picture happened to be a Telugu/Tamil bilingual titled as Guppedu Manasu (1979) in Telugu and was simultaneously shot as Nool Veli in Tamil of the same year.[2] She died of a cardiac arrest on 6 April 2011 in Chennai (aged 58).

Sujatha
Born(1952-12-10)10 December 1952[1]
Died6 April 2011(2011-04-06) (aged 58)
OccupationActress
Years active1968–2007
Spouse
Jayakar
(m. 1977)
ChildrenSajith, Divya
Parents
  • Sankaran Menon (father)
  • Saraswathi (mother)
RelativesGopi Menon (Young brother)

Early life

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Sujatha was born in a Malayalam-speaking family on 10 December 1952 in Galle, Sri Lanka. She spent most of her early days of childhood over there. She participated in school plays, and later moved to Tamil Nadu when she was about 15. She acted in Ernakulam Junction, a Malayalam movie.

Career

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Sujatha made her debut in the Malayalam film Thapasvini. Her first Tamil film was Aval Oru Thodar Kathai directed by K. Balachander. She again collaborated with K. Balachander in Avargal (1977). Sujatha acted in over 240 films in five languages namely Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She appeared in films like Aval Our Thodar Kadhai, Annakkili, Avargal as a tortured wife, Vidhi, Mayangugiraal Oru Maadhu, Sentamizh Paattu and Aval Varuvaala, and in Telugu such as her debut in Guppedu Manasu.

Character roles

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During the 1980s, she started playing character roles, often portraying mothers. Her performances as a senior actor in films like Kodi Parakuthu, Uzhaippali, Baba in all which she played the mother of Rajinikanth; and Villain in which she played Ajith Kumar's wellwisher. Varalaru (2006) was her last film.[1][3]

Death

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While undergoing treatment for a heart ailment, Sujatha died of cardiac arrest in Chennai on 6 April 2011.[3]

Awards and honours

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Filmfare Awards South
Nandi Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
  • 1981 – Special Best Actress for Thunaivi
  • 1982 – Special Best Actress for Paritchaikku Neramaachu
Government of Tamil Nadu

Notable filmography

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1960s

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Year Film Role Language Notes
1965 Ammu Sharadha Malayalam Debut film
Kattupookkal
Kadathukaran Kadambari
1966 Rowdy

1970s

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Year Film Role Language Notes
1970 Olavum Theeravum Malayalam
1971 Avalalpam Vaikippoyi
Thapaswini
Ernakulam Junction Jaya
1972 Devi
Manushya Bandhangal
Snehadeepame Mizhithurakku Gouri
Mayiladumkunnu
Punarjanmam Janu
Anweshanam Vasanthi
Ananthashayanam Geetha
Azhimukham
Aaradimanninte Janmi Nirmala
Akkarapacha
Aadhyathe Katha Nalini
Brahmachari
Maaya Omana
1973 Driksaakshi Sumathi
Thekkan Kattu Annakkutty
Ajnathavasam Geetha
Ladies Hostel Reema
Bhadradeepam Usha
Chukku Clara
Football Champion Thulasi
Manassu
Kaattuvithachavan
Chuzhi Neena
Achani Uma
Interview Sreedevi
Kaliyugam Jaanu
Raakkuyil Usha
Swarga Puthri Jolly
1974 Sapthaswarangal Rukmini
Shapamoksham
Chakravakam Devaki
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai Kavitha Tamil Kollywood debut
Chattakari Usha Malayalam
1975 Uravukku Kai Koduppom Tamil
Malsaram Malayalam
Thennankeetru Tamil
Sammanam Malayalam
Aan Pillai Singam Tamil
Chuvanna Sandhyakal Susheela Malayalam
Uravu Solla Oruvan Tamil
Thiruvonam Sujatha Malayalam
Chumaduthaangi Mini
Niramaala
Vaazhnthu Kaattugiren Tamil
Aayirathil Oruthi Srikanth's lover
Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu Kalpana
1976 Perum Pugazhum
Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu
Idhaya Malar
Aayiram Janmangal Malayalam
Janaki Sabadham Tamil
Muthana Muthallava
Nee Oru Maharani
Udayam Kizhakku Thanne Malayalam
Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal Tamil
Ungalil Oruthi Madhavi
Lalitha Lalitha
Annakili Annam
1977 Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi
Uyarndhavargal
Aasai Manaivi
Dheepam
Nandha En Nila
Sonnathai Seiven
Enna Thavam Saithen
Avargal Anu
Pala Parikshai
Annan Oru Koyil
Andaman Kadhali
1978 Shri Kanchi Kamakshi
Iraivan Kodutha Varam
Bhrashtu Malayalam
Mariamman Thiruvizha Tamil
Kaipidithaval
1979 Gnana Kuzhandhai Thilagavathi
Sri Rama Jayam
Guppedu Manasu Vidya Telugu Tollywood debut and bilingual film
Adukku Malli Tamil
Gorintaku Swapna Telugu
Raja Rajeshwari Tamil
Kandhar Alangaram
Poonthalir
Nool Veli Shot simultaneously in Telugu as Guppedu Manasu

1980s

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Year Film Role Language Notes
1980 Yedanthasthula Meda Telugu
Neer Nilam Neruppu Tamil
Vishwaroopam
Anbukku Naan Adimai
Sandhya Telugu
Pappu Herself Malayalam
Pasupu Parani Telugu
Bebbuli[7] Lalitha
Circus Ramudu
Maadi Veettu Ezhai Tamil
Sirimalle Navvindi Telugu
Prema Tarangalu Sujatha
Sujatha
1981 Ragile Jwala
Guru Sishyulu
Pranaya Geetham
Maha Purushudu Lakshmi
Kadal Meengal Kamal's wife Tamil
Ek Hi Bhool Hindi Bollywood debut
1982 Pandanti Jeevitham Telugu
Vaa Kanna Vaa Tamil
Oru Vilippadakale Malayalam
Paritchaikku Neramaachu Tamil
Preeyasakhi Radha Malayalam
Theerpu Radha Tamil
Idho Varukiren
Thaai Mookaambikai
Garuda Sowkiyama
Thunaivi
Vamsa Gowravam Lakshmi Telugu
Bangaru Kanuka
Sitadevi
Yuvaraju (1982 film)
Nayakkirin Magal Tamil
Nanna Devaru Kannada
Thyagi Tamil
1983 Justice Raja Radha Malayalam
Neethibathi Tamil
Sandhippu
Bahudoorapu Batasari Telugu
MLA Yedukondalu
Kodugal Illatha Kolam Tamil
Sumangali
Abhilasha Telugu
Thudikkum Karangal Tamil
1984 Vellai Pura Ondru
Veetuku Oru Kannagi
Unnai Naan Santhithen
Kudumbam
Kanoonige Saval Sudha Kannada
Justice Chakravarthy Telugu
Vidhi Shakunthala Tamil
Alaya Deepam
Anubandham Telugu
Thiruppam Tamil
Bhola Shankarudu Telugu
Agni Gundam
1985 Intiko Rudramma[8][9] Durga Telugu
Nermai Tamil
Naam
Perumai
Sivappu Nila
Mangamma Sapatham Kamal's mother
Karpoora Deepam
Uthami
1986 Vidinja Kalyanam
Revathi
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
Meendum Pallavi
Kanne Kaniyamuthe
Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu
Mahashakthi Mariamma Mariamma Devotee
Ariyaatha Bandham Malayalam Actress Amala's Malayalam debut
Mannukkul Vairam Tamil
Maaveeran Raja's mother
1987 Mupperum Deviyar Saraswati
Chellakutti
1988 Super Boy 3D Kannada
1989 Dharmam Vellum Tamil
Pen Puthi Mun Puthi
Bidisada Bandha Kamala Devi Kannada
Srirama Chandrudu Telugu
Rajakeeya Chadarangam
Dharmam Vellum Tamil
Kodi Parakuthu Rajini's mother

1990s

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Year Film Role Language Notes
1990 Sutradhaarulu Telugu
Nalla Kaalam Porandaachu Tamil
1992 Chanti Mother of Chanti Telugu
Simhadhwani Malayalam
Soori Gadu Telugu
Madhavayya Gari Manavadu
Ahankari Jayanthi
Abhirami Abhirami Tamil
Senthamizh Paattu Kalaivani
1993 Nippu Ravva Telugu
Aadarsham
Kondapalli Raja
Uzhaippali Janaki Tamil
Uzhavan Subbammal
1994 Watchman Vadivel Sarassu
Rajakumaran Rajakumaran's mother
Maa Voori Maaraju Telugu
M. Dharmaraju M.A.
Nannagaru
Thozhar Pandian Tamil
Senthamizh Selvan Janaki
Kanmanai
Amaithipadai Sivakami
1995 Karna Arjun's mother
Simha Garjana Telugu
Vetagadu
Big Boss Chiranjeevi mother
Vajram
1996 Pelli
Sivasakthi Siva's mother Tamil
Poovarasan Karthik's mother
1998 Aval Varuvala Simran's mother-in-law
Subbaraju Gari Kutumbam Telugu
Auto Driver Jagan's mother
Natpukaaga Lakshmi Tamil
Thutta Mutta Anusuya Kannada as Ramesh Aravind's mother
1999 Paattali Lakshmi Tamil as Ramya Krishnan's mother
Ninaivirukkum Varai Jani's mother
Azhagarsamy Thayama
Sneham Kosam Lakshmi Telugu

2000s

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Year Film Role Language Notes
2000 Sandhitha Velai Aadalarasu's mother Tamil
2001 Chitrathoonukal Malayalam
Vyjayanthi Telugu
Prematho Raa
2002 Nee Sneham Amrutha's grandmother
Tappu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Seema Simham
Gemini Tamil
Nettru Varai Nee Yaaro Meenakshi
Baba Rajini's mother
Villain Head of disabled home
2003 Kiccha Sharada (Kiccha's mother) Kannada
Neeku Nenu Naaku Nuvvu Raghavayya's wife Telugu
Villain
2004 Jalothsavam Bhanumathi Malayalam
Arul Vikram's mother Tamil
Maanasthan Sarathkumar's mother
Attagasam Ajith Kumar's mother
2005 Chandrolsavam Bhavani Malayalam
Mayookham Devaki
2006 Sri Ramadasu Pokala Damakka Telugu
Neelakanta Kannada
Vathiyar Arjun's mother Tamil
Varalaru Shiva Shankar's Mother-in-law
2007 Chandrahas Telugu

Voice artist

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "NDTVMovies.com : Bollywood News, Reviews, Celebrity News, Hollywood news, Entertainment News, Videos & Photos". movies.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2011.
  2. ^ "timeschennai.com - Diese Website steht zum Verkauf! - Informationen zum Thema timeschennai". ww1.timeschennai.com.
  3. ^ a b Srinivasan, Meera (6 April 2011). "Actor Sujatha dead". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Reed, Sir Stanley (1984). "The Times of India directory and year book including who's who". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ Reed, Sir Stanley (1984). "The Times of India directory and year book including who's who". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  7. ^ "Bebbuli (1980)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  8. ^ ETV Cinema (9 September 2024). Intiko Rudramma Full Movie | Bhanuchander,Sumalatha,Ranganath,Sharada,Sujatha,Giribabu | ETV Cinema. Retrieved 13 September 2024 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Intiko Rudramma (1985) - S.A. Chandrashekhar | Cast and Crew | AllMovie. Retrieved 13 September 2024 – via www.allmovie.com.
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