Sujatha (actress)

Sujatha menon (10 December 1952 – 6 April 2011) was an Indian actress who performed and starred in a variety of unique characters in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films- in addition to few in Kannada and Hindi languages as well. The actress was best known for restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions. After starring in numerous Malayalam films in her mother-tongue, Sujatha menon later got introduced to the Tamil film industry by veteran director K. Balachander and producer P.R. Govindarajan as a protagonist in her first Tamil film, Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974). It was a critically acclaimed film and launched the actress's first commecrical breakthrough in her acting career. Whereas, her first Telugu picture happened to be a Telugu/Tamil bilingual titled as Guppedu Manasu (1979) in Telugu and was simultaneously shot as Nool Veli in Tamil of the same year. She died of a cardiac arrest on 6 April 2011 in Chennai (aged 58).

Early life
Sujatha was born in a Malayalam-speaking family on 10 December 1952 in Galle, Sri Lanka. She spent most of her early days of childhood over there. She participated in school plays, and later moved to Tamil Nadu 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). Sujatha acted in over 240 films in five languages namely Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She appeared in films like Aval Our Thodar Kadhai, Annakkili, Avargal as a tortured wife, Vidhi, Mayangugiraal Oru Maadhu, Sentamizh Paattu and Aval Varuvaala, and in Telugu such as her debut in Guppedu Manasu.

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 wellwisher. Varalaru (2006) was her last film.

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

Awards and honours

 * Filmfare Awards South
 * 1975 – Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for Uravu Solla Oruvan
 * 1976 – Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for Annakili
 * 1977 – Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for Avargal
 * 1979 – Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for Guppedu Manasu


 * Nandi Awards
 * 1997– Nandi Award for Best Character Actress for Pelli


 * Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
 * 1981 – Special Best Actress for Thunaivi
 * 1982 – Special Best Actress for Paritchaikku Neramaachu


 * Government of Tamil Nadu
 * Kalaimamani

2000s
Kannada films of Sujatha

1.) Nanna Devaru - 1982

2.) Akrosha - 1983

3.) Prema Sakshi - 1984

4.) Kanoonige Saval - 1984

5.) Rowdy Raja - 1984

6.) Super Boy(3D) - 1986

7.) Bidisada Bandha - 1989

8.) Thutta Mutta - 1998

9.) Kiccha - 2003

10.) Neelakanta - 2006

Voice artist

 * Jayapradha - Ninaithale Inikkum, 47 Natkal