Umashree

Umashree (born 10 May 1957) is an Indian actress and politician. She appears in Kannada cinema, particularly in character roles and supporting roles. She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for the titular role in the 2008 film Gulabi Talkies.

In 2013, Umashree became a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Karnataka in the government of Siddaramaiah where she was the minister for women and child development, empowerment of disabled and senior citizens, Kannada language and culture.

Personal life Umashree was born into the Devanga family. She has two children, a daughter named Gayathri, who is a dentist, and a son named Vijayakumar, an advocate, she raised them as a single mother.

Public office

Umashree participates in positive social activities such as supporting rural and disadvantaged women. She performs on stage in rural villages to highlight their needs. Her election in 2013 as the member for Terdal constituency (Congress Party) allowed Umashree to continue her work. Umashree is Minister for Women and Child Development, Kannada and Culture.

Stage work Umashree has experience in village, amateur, mythological and professional drama. Her directors have included Fritz Bennewitz, B.V. Karanth, Girish Karnad, C. G. Krishnaswamy, and R. Nagesh. She is a member of Rangasampada amateur theatre group of Bangalore. She played Sakavva in the play Odalala.

Film work

Umashree began her movie career in 1984 in a supporting role in Anubhava with Kashinath. But before that she was seen in a 1980 Kannada film Bangarada Jinke directed by T. S. Nagabharana.

However, it typecast her in comedy roles with a degree of innuendo. She worked with the actor N. S. Rao and later with Dinesh, Dwarakish, Mysore lokesh, Sihikahi chandru,Umesh, Ramesh bhat, Mukhyamantri Chandru, Doddanna and Karibasavaiah. Her directors included S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu, Bhargava, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, Perala, K V Raju, Vijay, Dorai Bhagavan, Dwairakish, D Rajendra babu, Dinesh Babu, V Ravichandran, Puri Jagannath and Yograj Bhat.

Filmography Films All films are in Kannada, unless othrwise noted. Year Title Role Notes 1980 Bangarada Jinke Asha's friend 1984 Anubhava Paddi Amrutha Ghalige 1985 Bidugadeya Bedi Flora Naanu Nanna Hendthi Rao's Wife Swabhimana Hendthi Beku Hendthi Rosie Sneha Sambandha Youvanada Suliyalli Amara Jyothi Maruthi Mahime Balondu Uyyale 1986 Maneye Manthralaya Bete 27 Mavalli Circle Rosie Asambhava Bettada Thayi Brahmasthra Henne Ninagenu Bandhana Kedi No. 1 Namma Oora Devathe Nannavaru Samsarada Guttu Tiger 1987 Ee Bandha Anubandha Prema Jayasimha Olavina Udugore Baby Sowbhagya Lakshmi Sundari Digvijaya Shivi Bazar Bheema Bedi Daiva Shakthi Sundaralakshmi Mr. Raja Nyayakke Shikshe Onde Goodina Hakkigalu Thayi Sangavva Thayi Kotta Thali Lorry Driver 1988 Shanthi Nivasa Onde Goodina Hakkigalu Chinnamma Ramanna Shamanna Krishna Rukmini Balondu Bhavageethe Anjada Gandu Mani Jana Nayaka Ranadheera Yamuna Bai Mathru Vathsalya Shanti Naan Sonnathey Sattam Andaal Tamil film Dharmathma Matru Devo Bhava Nava Bharatha Praja Prabhuthva 1989 Hrudaya Geethe Hongkongnalli Agent Amar Ondagi Balu Onti Salaga Poli Huduga Amaanusha Doctor Krishna Nyayakkaagi Naanu Raja Yuvaraja Yaru Hone 1990 Golmaal Radhakrishna Janaki Mruthyunjaya Ahalya Nigooda Rahasya Lakkanna's Wife Rani Maharani Ashoka Chakra Alamelu Aavesha Savitri Anantha Prema Baare Nanna Muddina Rani Challenge Gopalakrishna Halliya Surasuraru Nammoora Hammeera Poli Kitty Sididedda Gandu Edurumane Meena 1991 Bangaradantha Maga Golmaal Part 2 Janaki Ranachandi Gruhapravesha Kollur Kala Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare Elukoti Marthanda Bhairava Halli Rambhe Belli Bombe Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police Kalla Malla Kalyana Mantapa Kitturina Huli Mangalya Rollcall Ramakrishna Uma Thavarumane Udugore 1992 Sriramachandra Actress Shivanaga Mannina Doni Meenakshi Malashree Mamashree Sangya Balya Paravva Mysore Jaana Ganga Hatamari Hennu Kiladi Gandu Hendtheere Hushar Nanna Thangi Sindhoora Thilaka Soori Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi Amara Prema Dual role Seragu 1993 Server Somanna Cameo appearance Kollura Sri Mookambika Saraswati Bhagavan Sri Saibaba Sakku Hendthi Helidare Kelabeku Jamboo Savari Mouna Sangrama Roopayi Raja Olavina Kanike 1994 Kotreshi Kanasu Kotra's mother Jaana Mary Chinna Karulina Koogu Rukkamma Odahuttidavaru Kamakshi September 8 Tulu film Alexander Chinna Nee Naguthiru Halunda Thavaru Indrana Gedda Narendra Love 94 Musuku Sididedda Pandavaru Swathi 1995 Putnanja Putmalli Himapatha Geetha Thumbida Mane Gangavva Bal Nan Maga Bombat Raja Bandal Rani Killer Diary Kona Edaithe Rowdy Thaliya Sowbhagya 1996 Jeevanadhi Santhanamma Sipayi Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata Aadithya Pankaja Dhani Umashree Circle Inspector Godfather 1997 Kalavida Prema's mother Shreemathi Agni IPS Baasha Khan's mother Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda Surya's mother Maduve Chamundeshwari Muddina Kanmani Mittemari Meenakshi Hegde Thayavva Thayavva Mommaga Cheluva Constable 1998 Baro Nanna Muddina Krishna Maathina Malla Hrudayanjali Preethsod Thappa Uma 1999 Under World O Premave Naanenu Madlilla Chora Chittha Chora Manu Needhi Tamil film 2000 Shabdavedhi Malathi Krishna Leele Yarige Salatte Sambala Subbi Sparsha Cameo appearance Nan Hendthi Chennagidale Rangamma Ticket Tickets Savitri 2001 Diggajaru Mutthayya's Mother Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu Rukmini Ellara Mane Dosenu Ramani Jipuna Nanna Ganda Thimmaraya Jenu Goodu Namma Samsara Ananda Sagara Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu Muniyamma 2002 Preethi Mado Hudugarigella Cook Chandu Mary Thuntata "Lingo" Leela Simhadriya Simha Girija 2003 Laali Haadu Anand's mother Neenandre Ishta Susheela Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu Jayamma Abhi Haseena Begum Nanjundi Janavva Namma Preethiya Ramu Ramu's mother Mani Shantakka Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress 2004 Malla Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi Seenu's mother Telugu film Ranga (S.S.L.C) Paaru Monalisa Ajju 2006 Veeru Paru Suntaragaali Jaya Gopi Chellata Ganesh's grandmother Honeymoon Express Ravi Shastri Neelakanta 2007 Parodi Ekadantha Sheela Devi Lancha Samrajya Masti Circle Rowdy 2008 Vasanthakala Minchina Ota Gulabi Talkies Gulabi National Film Award for Best Actress Premigagi Naa Slum Bala Bidda Mast Maja Maadi Keerthi Bedi 2009 Venkata in Sankata Chamkaisi Chindi Udaysi Male Barali Manju Irali Gilli Aunt of Anita's friend Uncredited role 2010 Thipparalli Tharlegalu Antharathma Chowdamma Krishnan Love Story Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada Idre Gopi Bidre Paapi Jokaali Kanasemba Kudureyaneri Rudri Vaare Vah Bangari 2011 Boss Lakshmi Sanju Weds Geetha Sanju's mother Prema Chandrama Nurse Rajadhani Swayam Krushi Ujwaadu Konkani film 2012 Alemari Saroja Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada Bheema Theeradalli Chandrappa's sister Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kannada) Gandhi Smiles Rambo Kitti's mother Kalpana Raghava's mother Samsaaradalli Golmaal Chenni Sangolli Rayanna Kenchamma Super Shastri 2013 Parari Peede Obayya's mother Chathrigalu Saar Chathrigalu Rajahmundry Rajalakshmi Sweety Nanna Jodi Kalavu Rangamma 2014 Kalyanamasthu Ambareesha 2021 Rathnan Prapancha Saroja Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting ActressFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada 2022 Vedha Shankri 2023 Kranti Kranti's grandmother Kaasina Sara 2026 Landlord

Television + Year Title Role Notes Mussanje Katha Prasanga Mussanje Kicchu Amma Ninagagi 2019–2020 Aarthigobba Keerthigobba Puttmalli 2020 Chinnara Chilipili 2021–2026 Puttakkana Makkalu Puttakka

Other television work Nondavara Haadu, a documentary about leprosy directed by T. S. Ranga for Doordarshan. Hattye, a telefilm directed by H. Girijamma for Doordarshan.