Sujatha (actress)

Sujatha
Born	(1952-12-10)10 December 1952[1] Galle, Sri Lanka
Died	6 April 2011(2011-04-06) (aged 58) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1968–2006
Spouse(s)	Jayakar
Children	Sajith, Divya

Sujatha (10 December 1952^[1] – 6 April 2011)^[2] was a South Indian actress who performed in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi language films, and was best known for restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions. Sujatha was introduced to the Tamil film industry by veteran director K. Balachander as a protagonist in Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974).^[3] She paired with Kamal Haasan in most of her films.^[2] She also acted with leading actors N.T.R, Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Ananthnag, Srinath, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Shobhan Babu and Krishna.^[4] She died of cardiac arrest in Chennai.

Early life

Sujatha was born to Malayali parents on 10 December 1952 in Galle, Sri Lanka^[2] where she spent her childhood. She participated in school plays, and later moved to Kerala when she was about 15. She acted in Ernakulam Junction, a Malayalam movie.

Career

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), Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan.

Sujatha acted in over 300 films in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, with almost 200 in Tamil. She shot to fame instantly with her portrayal of a haughty, free-thinking urban working woman shouldering the family’s responsibilities. Despite displaying her acting prowess through fiery characters in films like Aval Oru Thodarkadhai and Vidhi, Sujatha was equally known for her performances in family dramas like Mayangugiraal Oru Maadhu, Sentamizh Paattu and Aval Varuvaala. She seldom resorted to glamorous roles and graduated to playing older women in the late 1980s.

Character roles

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 Grandmother. Varalaru (2006) was her last film.^[1][5]

Death

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

Awards and honours

Filmfare Awards South

• 1975 – Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for Uravu Solla Oruvan^[7]
• 1976 – Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for Annakili^[7]
• 1977 – Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for Avargal^[7]
• 1979 – Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for Guppedu Manasu^[8]

Nandi Awards

• 1998 - Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress for Pelli^[9]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

• 1981 - Special Best Actress for Thunaivi
• 1982 - Special Best Actress for Paritchaikku Neramaachu

Government of Tamil Nadu

• Kalaimamani

Selected filmography

2000s

1990s

1980s

1970s

1960s

References

External links

• Sujatha at the Internet Movie Database