Sachu

Saraswathi Sundaresan Iyer, professionally known as Sachu, 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 nonchalantly blended into the roles she has portrayed over five decades. She made her film début in 1952 in the film Rani at the age of 4, and has since then been a prominent face on the silver screen. She started acting in television serials in 1995.

Early life

Sachu was born into a large 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, Maadi Lakshmi, for Bharatanatyam recitals, her film career forged ahead.

In 1953, Sachu, then less than four years old, was noticed by director A. S. A. Sami (of Velaikkari fame), who was in the process of casting her sister for a dance number. Sami cast her in the Bhanumathi-starrer Rani. 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 alongside 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). 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 C. R. Anandan, released in 1961.

She was offered to play the role of a comedian and act as Nagesh's pair in the film Kadhalikka Neramillai, This film starred Muthuraman, Nagesh, Kanchana, Rajasree and T. S. Balaiah. After the success of this film, she was put in comedian's role opposite actors like Suruli Rajan, "Thengai" Srinivasan, Cho Ramaswamy, Thangavelu, M. R. Vasu and M. R. Radha in many films from 1964 to 1989. She, Manorama and Jayalalithaa came together to act in 2 classic comedy films - Galata Kalyanam and Bommalattam. Her other notable films include Kalai Arasi, 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, M. G. Ramachandran, Muthuraman, S. A. Ashokan, Nagesh, Suruli Rajan, Thengai Srinivasan, Thangavelu and M. R. Radha.

The late 1970s and 1980s saw her playing supporting roles in films alongside Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi, and many others, while she has also played mother and grandmother roles to younger actors such as Vijay, Surya, Karthik, Sakthi Vasu 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, Mel Maadi Gaali, Ananda Bhavan, Chellamma Vidiyal Pudithu, Oorarinda Rahasiyam, Mr. Brain, Pitchai Apartments (Kalakendra Humour and Drama), Podunalam Ponnuswamy (Kalakendra Humour and Drama), "Washingtonil Thirumanam" (Kalakendra Humour and Drama), 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, which aired on Sun TV.

Awards and nominations

Sachu received the Kalaimamani award from Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 1991 and the Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha award, which was presented by M. S. Subbulakshmi. In 2012, Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in Chennai honoured Kumari Sachu with the Nadaga Soodamani award.

Partial filmography Tamil films Year Title Role Notes 1952 Rani Shyamala 1953 Devadas Avvaiyar Marumagal 1954 Sorgavasal 1955 Kaveri Sandhosham Kollame song dance-as child Kodeeswaran Child Artist 1957 Mayabazar 1960 Raja Desingu 1962 Veera Thirumagan Annai Sarasu 1963 Kalai Arasi 1964 Kadhalikka Neramillai 1966 Motor Sundaram Pillai Thenmazhai 1967 Bama Vijayam Ninaivil Nindraval Ooty Varai Uravu 1968 Delhi Mapillai Meghala Galatta Kalyanam Kaantha Bommalattam Geetha Kallum Kaniyagum Jeevanamsam 1969 Poova Thalaiya Kulavilakku Nirai Kudam Hema Anbalippu Chandra 1970 Engirundho Vandhal Sorgam Maanavan Ramu's wife Mattukkara Velan Kaveri Penn Deivam 1971 Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa Nurse Sarasa Thenum Paalum Then Kinnam Sumathi En Sundari Kumari Kottam Singhari 1972 Annai Velankanni Candle Seller Woman Pillaiyo Pillai Dhikku Theriyatha Kaattil 1973 Deivamsam 1974 Paruva Kaalam Kai Niraya Kasu Meena Anbu Thangai Thai Piranthal Vairam Athaiya Maamiya Urumaikural 1975 Avandhan Manidhan Cinema Paithiyam 1977 Dheepam Unnai Suttrum Ulagam 1978 Tripurasundari Ival Oru Seethai Anbalippu 1979 Dharma Yuddham Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai Munusamy's second wife Kandhar Alangaram 1980 Ellam Un Kairasi Sujatha Geetha Oru Shenbagapoo 1982 Oorukku Oru Pillai 1986 Oomai Vizhigal 1988 Solla Thudikuthu Manasu Manasukkul Mathappu Nurse Mary 1992 Naangal 1994 Priyanka 1995 Avatharam 1996 Tata Birla 1999 Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga Endrendrum Kadhal 2005 Priyasakhi 2006 Jery Unakkum Enakkum 2008 Sadhu Miranda 2009 Ainthaam Padai 2010 Aatanayagan Gowravargal 2013 Thillu Mullu Naiyaandi 2014 Irumbu Kuthirai 2016 Gethu Vathsala Sadagoppan Avan Aval Kodi Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings 2018 Utharavu Maharaja 2019 Perazhagi ISO Ayogya Jackpot 2020 Dharala Prabhu Kundhavai 2021 Boom Boom Kaalai 2022 Veetla Vishesham The Legend Naai Sekar Returns 2023 Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food Subbulakshmi Patti 2024 Pon Ondru Kanden 2025 Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal

Malayalam films

Telugu films Year Title Role Notes 1952 Tingu Ranga 1953 Ammalakkalu Devadasu 1957 Maya Bazaar 2007 Shankar Dada Zindabad

Hindi films Year Title Role Notes 1952 Rani 1954 Bahut Din Huye