Latha

Latha Sethupathi, also known as Latha, is an Indian actress who starred in leading roles in South Indian films from 1973 to 1983. Latha became popular through her roles opposite MGR. She is also known for her roles in various Tamil television series.

Early life Latha Sethupathi was born into the Sethupathi clan, the royal family of Ramnad, in Tamil Nadu, India. She is the daughter of politician Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi; her mother was named Leelarani. As her mother was not her father's official wife, Latha's status within the family was considered illegitimate. She has a brother, actor Rajkumar Sethupathy, and half-brothers Dasarathan Sethupathi and Ramanatha Sethupathi. Latha's fluency in both Tamil and Telugu stemmed from her mother's origin in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Her father died in 1967, when she was still a young girl.

Career

She started her career at the age of fifteen with encouragement from her aunt, actress Kamala Kotnis. Her first film was Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973), starring and produced by M. G. Ramachandran. M.G Ramachandran recommended her for the role alongside Akkineni Nageswara Rao for Andala Ramudu (1973), marking her debut in Telugu films.

She specialized playing roles in Tamil and Telugu films. She played Zeenat Aman's role in the two remakes of Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973): the Telugu film, Annadammula Anubandham (1975) and the Tamil film Naalai Namadhe (1975). She played Jaya Bhaduri's role from Zanjeer (1973) in the Telugu remake Nippulanti Manishi (1974), and the Tamil remake, Sirithu Vazha Vendum (1974). She won a Filmfare Award for her performance in Vattathukkul Sadhuram (1978).

She was also briefly involved in politics, following her father Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi, the Raja of Ramnad. Pavithrabandham, and Matti Manishi. Latha had impressed audience with her act on the small screen as well, and has been part of many TV soaps, including Chithi, Selvi, Arasi and Chandrakumari.

Politics

She was one of the founding member of AIADMK. When MGR founded the party, Latha joined and donated money.

Personal life She married Sabapathy, a businessman from Singapore, in 1983. She has two sons, Karthik and Srinivas. Following her marriage, she gradually reduced her acting commitments, focusing more on her personal life. Despite stepping away from the limelight, she has remained a well-known figure in Tamil cinema.

Notable filmography Year Film Role Language 1973 Ulagam Sutrum Valiban Lilly Tamil 1973 Gandhi Puttina Desham Telugu 1973 Veettukku Vandha Marumagal Tamil 1973 Andala Ramudu Sita Telugu 1974 Netru Indru Naalai Sumathi Tamil 1974 Sirithu Vazha Vendum Mala Tamil 1974 Urimai Kural Radha Tamil 1974 Chamundeshwari Mahime Kannada 1974 Sorgathil Thirumanam Tamil 1974 Sivakamiyin Selvan Kavitha Tamil 1974 Nippulanti Manishi Lakshmi Telugu 1974 Intinti Katha Telugu 1974 Ammayi Pelli Padmini / Puppy Telugu 1975 Pallandu Vazhga Saroja Tamil 1975 Naalai Namadhe Rani Tamil 1975 Ninaithadhai Mudippavan Mohana Tamil 1975 Niramaala Malayalam 1975 Anbu Roja Tamil 1975 Rakta Sambandhalu Telugu 1975 Annadammula Anubandham Sunitha / Sony Telugu 1976 Padi Pantalu Leela Telugu 1976 Needhikku Thalaivanangu Vimala Tamil 1976 Uzhaikkum Karangal Muthamma Tamil 1976 Manamaara Vazhthungal Tamil 1976 Magaadu Geeta Telugu 1977 Meenava Nanban Kamali Tamil 1977 Navarathinam Manikkum Tamil 1977 Kurukshetram Satyabhama Telugu 1978 Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan Kayalvizhi Tamil 1978 Devadasi Manjari Kannada 1978 Shankar Salim Simon Vasanthi Tamil 1978 Vayasu Ponnu Tamil 1978 Prathyaksha Daivam Malayalam 1978 Prema Paga Telugu 1978 Kumara Raja Telugu 1978 Simha Garjana Telugu 1978 Aayiram Jenmangal Savithri Tamil 1978 Ahalya Malayalam 1978 Varuvan Vadivelan Uma Tamil 1978 Vayanadan Thamban Malayalam 1978 Vattathukkul Chaduram Anu Tamil 1978 Kannamoochi Tamil 1979 Andadu Aagadu Latha Telugu 1979 Sankhu Teertham Telugu 1979 Pancha Bhoothalu Telugu 1979 Neeya? Latha Tamil 1979 Gnana Kuzhandhai Ponni Tamil 1979 Suprabatham Tamil 1979 Urvashi Neene Nanna Preyasi Kannada 1979 Urvasi Neeve Naa Preyasi Telugu 1979 Malligai Mohini Tamil 1979 Needhikku Mun Neeya Naana Tamil 1979 Srungara Ramudu Shanti Telugu 1979 Ramabanam Telugu 1979 Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren Vani Tamil 1979 Pancha Bhoothalu Telugu 1980 Love in Singapore Sudha Malayalam 1980 Ramudu Parasuramudu Telugu 1980 Love in Singapore Sudha Telugu 1980 Raman Parasuraman Tamil 1980 Anna Paravai Tamil 1981 Oru Iravu Oru Paravai Tamil 1981 Pinneyum Pookkunna Kadu Malayalam 1981 Deiva Thirumanangal Parvathy / Meenatchi Tamil 1981 Devi Dharisanam Tamil 1981 Parvathy Parvathi Bhai Malayalam 1981 Antha Rajni Kannada 1981 Samskaram Malayalam 1982 Erattai Manithan Kannamma Tamil 1982 Ilaya Magan Tamil 1992 Amaran Tamil 1994 Raja Pandi Tamil 1997 Vasuki Parvatham Tamil 1997 Rettai Jadai Vayasu Anjali's mother Tamil 1998 Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi ushpa's mother Tamil 1999 Pudhu Kudithanam Seethalakshmi Tamil 1999 Thachiledathu Chundan Malayalam 2000 Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela Parvathi amma Tamil 2004 Jana Jana's aunt Tamil 2006 Kusthi Tamil 2010 Vallakottai Easwara Pandian's mother Tamil 2018 Nagesh Thiraiyarangam Dr. Sakuntala Tamil 2022The LegendSaravanan's motherTamil

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