Saritha

Saritha is an Indian actress who has acted in more than 150 films and provided voice for many actress for more than 200 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages. She was one of the popular and critically acclaimed lead actresses during the 1980s.

She also appeared in a television serial, Selvi. She is also credited as a dubbing artist. She has dubbed her voice for Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu movies for actresses like Nagma, Vijaya Shanthi, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Ramya Krishnan and Soundarya in 1990s.

She is a recipient of several state awards from Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, six Filmfare Awards and six Nandi Awards including a Special Jury Award for the film Arjun. Saritha received Tamil Nadu State Film Awards four times, and Karnataka State Film Awards once.

Career Saritha made her acting debut through Manchiki Sthanam Ledu a movie produced by producer based in Warangal named Akula Sanjeev Kumar in 1978 with a different screen name followed by Maro Charitra, a Telugu film directed by K. Balachander. The movie dealt with cross-cultural romance, where she acted opposite Kamal Haasan as a Telugu-speaking girl. She received more offers in Tamil films and Tamil Audience accepted herself as her own, she mostly acted films directed by Balachander. Some of her films are Thappu Thalangal, Idhi Katha Kadhu, Vandichakkaram, Netrikan, Agni Sakshi, Puthukavithai, Kalyana Agathigal and Achamillai Achamillai. Her performance in Vandichakkaram (1980) and Achamillai Achamillai (1984) won her the Filmfare Best Tamil Actress awards. She also played guest roles as herself in 47 Natkal and its Telugu remake, directed by Balachander.

She acted in many popular Kannada movies with famous Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar like Hosa Belaku, Keralida Simha, Bhakta Prahlada, Chalisuva Modagalu and Kaamana Billu. She gained critical acclaim for her performance in heroine-oriented movies like Eradu Rekhegalu and Sankranthi and the musical Malaya Marutha opposite Dr. Vishnuvardhan.

She had her head tonsured for the cancer-affected role in Sujatha in 1980 and later gained several pounds to play the psychotic role in the 2005 film Julie Ganapathi. Neither of these films were successful but won Critical acclaim. She also won a Nandi Special Jury Award for her performance as Aandaalu in the movie Arjun in 2004.

Saritha also worked as a voice actor in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films. She has lent her voice to other actresses, including Madhavi, Soundarya, Ramya Krishnan, Nagma, Vijayashanti, Simran, Tabu, Sushmita Sen, Roja, Suhasini, Radha, Radhika and Aarthi Agarwal. She won four times the Nandi Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist for her voice to Soundarya in Ammoru, Maa Ayana Bangaram (1997) and Anthapuram (1999).

After a long break, she made her comeback as an actress through the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer film Maaveeran (2023).

Personal life

Saritha was born and brought up as Abhilasha in Munipalle, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

She married Malayalam actor Mukesh on 2 September 1988 and they have two sons, Shravan and Tejas. The couple separated in 2011. Saritha now resides with Shravan (made his acting debut in the 2018 film Kalyanam) in UAE.

Awards

Filmfare Awards South 1980 – Best Actress – Tamil - Vandichakkaram 1982 – Best Actress – Kannada - Hosa Belaku 1984 – Best Actress – Tamil - Achamillai Achamillai 1985 – Best Actress – Kannada - Mugila Mallige 1986 – Best Actress – Kannada - Mouna Geethe 1989 – Best Actress – Kannada - Sankranthi Nandi Awards 1982 – Special Jury – Best Actress - Kokilamma 1995 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Ammoru 1996 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Maavichiguru 1997 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Maa Ayana Bangaram 1998 – Best Female Dubbing Artist - Anthapuram 2004 – Special Jury - Arjun

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu State 1979 – Best Actress - Oru Vellaadu Vengaiyagiradhu 1982 – Best Actress - Agni Sakshi 1988 – Best Actress - Poo Pootha Nandavanam 1995 – Best Female Dubbing Artist – Amman (1995)

Karnataka State Film Awards 1989 – Best Actress - Sankranthi

South Indian International Movie Awards 2024 – SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Tamil for Maaveeran

Filmography

Tamil films

Telugu films Year Title Role Note 1978 Maro Charitra Swapna 1979 Manchiki Sthanam Ledu Idi Katha Kaadu Gayathri Guppedu Manasu Baby Vijaya Vijaya 1980 Gutilo Ramachilaka 1981 Srirasthu Subhamasthu Devi Athagari Pethanam Tholi Kodi Koosindi 47 Rojulu Rama Dandu Aadavallu Meeku Joharlu Papayamma 1982 Chandamama Kalahala Kapuram Krishnaveni 1983 Kokilamma Kokilamma Thodu Needa Sharada 1984 Kanchana Ganga Kanchana Bhagyalakshmi 1985 Kala Rudrudu Anuraga Bandham 1986 Kaliyuga Pandavulu Krishnaveni 1987 Satyagraham Ida Prapancham 1988 Shivude Shankarudu Dr. Kavitha 2004 Arjun Andal

Malayalam films Year Title Role Note 1984 Oru Kochu Kadha Aarum Parayatha Kadha Janu Sandarbham Dr. Indhu Minimol Vathikkaanil Susie 1985 Kathodu Kathoram Marykutty Muhoortham 11:30 Indu Kaattuthee Oru Kochu Kaaryam 1987 Kanikaanumneram Savithri Yaagaagni Bhairavi P.C. 369 Elsa Mathew Manasa Maine Varu Lakshmi Thaniyavarthanam Indu Balan Vilambaram Sunanda 1988 Sangham Ammini Onnum Onnum Pathinonnu Sumi 1989 Anuragi Rosamma Lal Americayil Sindhu 1990 Kuttettan Seetha Lakshmi 1991 Souhrudam Annie 2000 Life Is Beautiful Vice Principal 2003 Ammakilikkoodu Janaki 2026 Aarambham Avantika's mother Filming

Kannada films

Television Year Title Role Language Network(s) Ref 2005-2006 Selvi Thamarai Tamil Sun TV 2024-2025 Mahanadigai Judge Zee Tamil

As dubbing artist Films Dubbed for FilmSujatha Gorintaku (1979) Chanti (1992) Madhavi Haalu Jenu (1982) Jaya Prada 47 Natkal (1981)Suhasini Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu (1983)Swati (1984) Sravanthi (1985) Karpoora Deepam (1985) Sindhu Bhairavi (1985) (Telugu Version) Muddula Manavaraalu (1986) Chantabbai (1986) Punya Dampathulu (1987) Lawyer Suhasini (1987) President Gari Abbai (1987) Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (1987) Sister Nandini (1987) Sudha Chandran Mayuri (1985) Bhanupriya Preminchu Pelladu (1985) Jwala (1985) America Alludu (1985) People's Encounter (1991)Vijayashanti Pattabhishekam (1985) Muddula Krishnaiah (1986) Jeevana Poratam (1986) Kondaveeti Raja (1986) Dhairyavanthudu (1986) Padamati Sandhya Ragam (1987) Bhanumati Gari Mogudu(1987)Sahasa Samrat (1987) Manchi Donga (1988) Yuddha Bhoomi (1988) Bhale Donga(1989) Sathruvu (1990) Kondaveeti Donga (1990) Kartavyam (1990) Lorry Driver (1990) Surya IPS (1991)Thalli Thandrulu (1991) Stuartpuram Police Station (1991) Police Lockup (1992) Mannan (1992) Rowdy Inspector (1992) Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam (1992) Chinarayudu (1992) Mechanic Alludu (1993) Aashayam (1993) Nippu Ravva (1993) Maga Rayudu (1994) Street Fighter (1995) Thilagavathi CBI (1996) Adimaipenn (1997) Thadayam (1997) Suryodayam (1999) Sri Bannari Amman (2002) Radha Enga Chinna Raasa (1987) Saranya Neerajanam (1988)Nadhiya Bazaar Rowdy (1988) Vinta Dongalu (1990) M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) Attarintiki Daredi (2013) Drushyam (2014) Bruce Lee - The Fighter (2015) A Aa (2016) Varudu Kaavalenu (2021) Drushyam 2 (2021)Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022) Swetha Ontari Poratam (1989) Jayabharathi Varusham Padhinaaru (1989) Shobana Nari Nari Naduma Murari (1990)Neti Siddhartha (1990)Mitr, My Friend (Telugu) (2002) Amala Karpoora Mullai (1991)Nirnayam (1991)Vaasalil Oru Vennila (1991)Sridevi Ennamo Nadakuthu (1991)Roshini Gunaa (1991) Madhubala Azhagan (1991) Roja (1992) (Telugu Version only) Puttinilla Metinilla (1993) Ganesh (1998) Aparna Sundarakanda (1992) Master Manjunath Swati Kiranam (1992)Meenakshi Sheshadri Aapadbandhavudu (1992) Duet (1994)Nagma Killer (1992) Gharana Mogudu (1992) Aswamedham (1992) Allari Alludu (1993) Rendilla Poojari (1993) Varasudu (1993) Kaadhalan/Premikudu (1994)Baashha (1995) Rikshavodu (1995) Adavi Dora (1995) Mounam (1995) Love Birds (1996) Surya Putrulu (1997) Janakiraman (1997)Aravindhan (1997) Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathrathilakkam (1998) Allari Ramudu (2002)Meena Pellam Chepte Vinali (1992) Bangaru Mama (1992) Ejamaan (1993) Muthu (1995) (Telugu Version)Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari (1995) Bhamane Satyabhamane (1996) Gillikajjalu (1998) Sneham Kosam (1999) Rythm (2000) (Telugu Version)Ramya Krishnan Allari Mogudu (1992) Bangaru Bullodu (1993) Allari Priyudu (1993) Hello Brother (1994) Aayanaki Iddaru (1995) Criminal (1995) (Telugu version only) Adhirindhi Alludu (1996) Aahwanam (1997) Chinnabbayi (1997) Ooyala(1998) Deergha Sumangali Bhava (1998) Aavide Shyamala (1999)Narasimha (1999) (Telugu version of Padayappa)Oke Maata (2000)Naa Alludu (2005)Kanchan Prema Pusthakam (1993)Priya Raman Valli (1993)Pragathi Veetla Visheshanga (1994)Urvashi Adavallaku Mathrame (1994)Vineetha Nila (1994)Roja Bobbili Simham (1994) Mee Aayana Jagratha (1998) Kshemamga Velli Labamgarandi (2000)Aamani Subha Lagnam (1994) Maavichiguru (1996) Ranjitha Periya Marudhu (1994)Soundarya Ammoru/Amman (1995) Vetagadu (1995) Pavithra Bandham (1996) Dongata (1997) Arunachalam (1997) (Telugu)Maa Aayana Bangaram (1997) Antahpuram (1998) Suryudu (1998) Pelli Peetalu (1998) Taraka Ramudu (1998) Subhavaartha (1999) Arundhati (1999) Annayya (2000) Devi Putrudu (2001)Tabu Kadhal Desam/Prema Desam (1996)Snehithiye (2000)Urmila Matondkar Anaganaga Oka Roju (1997) Sushmita Sen Ratchagan/Rakshakudu (1997)Raasi Gokulamlo Seetha (1997) Moodu Mukkalaata (2000)Rachna Banerjee Nenu Premisthunnanu (1998)Maavidaakulu (1998) Laila Pavitra Prema (1998) Heera Rajagopal Aavida Maa Aavide (1998)Pratyusha Raayudu (1998)Vasuki Tholi Prema (1998)Deepti Bhatnagar Auto Driver (1998)Sakshi Shivanand Iddaru Mitrulu (1999)Vamsoddarakudu (2000) Shalini Sakhi (2000) Priyanka Trivedi Raa (2001) Jyothika Dumm Dumm Dumm (Telugu Version) (2001)Simran Daddy (2001) Amrutha (2002) Seema Simham (2002)Devayani Srimathi Vellostha(1998)Arti Agarwal Indra (2002)Sneha Punnagai Desam (2002) Vinaya Vidheya Rama (2019)Sonali Bendre Palnati Brahmanayudu (2003)Khushbu Stalin (2006)Agnyaathavaasi (2018) Sangeetha Bahumati (2007)Lakshmi Pelli Kanuka (1998)Vidya Balan NTR: Kathanayakudu (2019)

Television Year Title Role Language 2000 KB Micro Thodargal- Kaadhal Vaangi Vanthen Voice Artist for Thamarai (actress) Tamil