Seema (actress)

Seema
Born	Shanthakumari (1957-05-22) 22 May 1957
Other names	Shanthi
Occupation	Film actress
Years active	1974 - present
Spouse	I. V. Sasi
Children	Anu, Ani

Seema (Malayalam: :സീമ) is an Indian actress. She has performed in approximately 250 films in Malayalam, nine in Tamil, seven in Telugu, three in Kannada and one in Hindi. Seema is still active in the movie industry.

She began her career in Tamil film at fourteen as a dancer. At the age of 19, she starred as the heroine in her first movie in Malayalam titled Avalude Ravukal (Her Nights), directed by I. V. Sasi. She continued acting till 1988 when she took a break after the Malayalam movie Mahayaanam. Seema became active again in 1998 in Olympiyan Anthony Adam. Seema won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress in 1984 and in 1985, and is known for her versatility.

Seema is married to I. V. Sasi, the veteran South Indian director, with whose sperm,she has a daughter and son.

Early life and career

Seema was born in 1957 as an only child. At the age of twelve, she learned to dance from Kamal Hassan, who was the assistant of her dance master, Thankappan.

She entered the movies at age 14 as a normal group dancer, under dance master Chopra. Later, she became a dance master and worked in the film industry as a composer and dancer for almost five years. At the age of 17, she was asked to act in a Kannada movie as a second heroine with Kannada actor Ambarish. I. V. Sasi spotted her and gave her the opportunity to act in his film Avalude Raavukal (Her Nights) as the heroine, which was released on 3 March 1978. The movie, with Sherif's script and I. V. Sasi's direction, created waves among Malayali audiences because of its soft porn nature and its challenging subject. Seema's extra glamourous attire in the movie created ripples among the Malayali youth and she became an instant hit among the youth.

During that time, the Malayalam film industry was ruled by actresses Sheela, Sharada, Jayabharathi, K. R. Vijaya, and Srividya. Seema received roles from many directors. Things changed when her movies with the star Jayan proved popular. The Jayan and Seema pair attracted people to theatres. This made her an independent heroine in films such as Angaadi, Kaanthavalayam, Sakthi, Manushyamrugam, Benz Vasu, Meen, Karimpana, Thadavara, and Anupallavi. The hit pair acted together for eighteen movies in a very short span of time, but the unexpected demise of Jayan ended the partnership.

She also branched out to Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. She was Rajinikanth's heroine in films like Kaali and Ellam Un Kairasi.

Directors wanted to find another star to fill the gap left by Jayan. Many movies were planned for Jayan, such as Sphodanam directed by P. G. Viswambaran. He gave the chance to Mammooty to take the role of Jayan. Later Ratheesh came, also paired with Seema.

Milestone

Director P. G. Viswambharan decided to direct a movie based on a novel serialized in the popular Indian magazine Vanitha. He chose Seema to play the character of Dr. Bala even though the readers preferred Lakshmi for the role. The movie was released under the name Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu with Mammootty as a negative hero and Mohanlal as the villain. The movie was a hit and it changed Seema's image; she proved she could handle character type roles and she received many serious good characters of Malayalam cinema. The Mammooty-Seema pair become very popular through this movie.

Versatility

Seema played many characters created by writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair, ranging from a bold heroine in the movie Naanayam to a pathetic mother in Rugma. She did comedy in Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi and played a villain in Oru Sumangaliyude Kadha. She performed as a jobless widow with a child in Anubandham, while portraying a vengeful widow in Athiraathram.

Heroes and co-actresses

She played opposite Mammootty, Jayan and Ratheesh most often but she co-starred with a number of actors and actresses. Above all, she shared a special affection with Sreevidya. Seema used to call her Vidya Chechi. Sreevidya helped Seema discover nuances in make-up and hair styles. Seema has mentioned that Sreevidya would personally sit up and plait Seema's long hair whenever they acted or travelled together for a shooting.

Directors

Seema worked primarily with I.V. Sasi and Sasikumar but with many other directors as well.

The voice behind Seema

Until 1988, with the exception of two movies, Avalude Raavukal and Adavukal Pathinettu, all Seema's characters were dubbed by Kottayam Shantha at Seema's request. Kottayam Shantha also dubbed for other actresses like Lakshmi, Swapna, and Sumalatha.

Filmography

• Vella Thooval (2009)
• Pudhiye Vaarpugal (2008)
• Perumaal (2008)
• Aayudham (2008)
• Kaalai (2008)
• Nagaram (2007)
• Pranayakaalam (2007)
• Prajapathi (2006)
• Udayam (2004)
• Kilichundan Mampazham (2003)
• Anbe Sivam (2003)
• Baba(2002)
• Parthale Paravasam (2001)
• Sradha (2000)
• Olympian Antony Adam (1999)
• Mahayanam (1989)
• Sudhikalasham (1989)
• Ayarthi Thollayirathi Irupathonnu (also known as Nineteen Twenty-One) (1988)
• Njaan Njaan Maathram (1988)
• Chekkeraanoru Chilla (1988)
• Vicharana (1988)
• Sarvakalasala (1987)
• Koodanayum Kaattu (1987)
• Sandharbham (1987)
• Chandrahaasam (1987)
• Aaroodam (1987)
• Kodathi (1987)
• Ee Kaikalil (1986)
• Aavanazhi (1986)
• Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986)
• Vartha (1986)
• Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi (1986)
• Ayitham (1986)
• Adhikaaram (1986)
• Thushaaram (1986)
• Karimpin Poovinakkare (1985)
• Aa Neram Alppa Dooram (1985)
• Anu Bandham (1985)
• Guruji Oru Vakku (1985)
• Janakeeya Kodathi (1985)
• Vasantha Sena (1985)
• Vellarikka Pattanam (1985)
• Aalkkodttathil Thaniye (1984)
• Adiyozhukkukal (1984)
• Athirathram (1984)
• Ivide Ingane (1984)
• Lakshmana Rekha (1984)
• Onnanu Nammal (1984)
• America America (1983)
• Iniyenkilum (1983)
• Rugma (1983)
• Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu (1983)
• Kalyana Agathigal (1983)
• Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki (1982)
• Gandhinagar second street (1982)
• Innalenkil Nale (1982)
• Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam (1982)
• Thadakom (1982)
• Thadavara (1981)
• Meen (1981)
• Kaanamarayathu (1981)
• Ahimsa (1981)
• Aarathi (1981)
• Archana Teacher (1981)
• Thathayya Premaleelalu (1980)
• Angaadi (1980)
• Pappu (1980)
• Ellaam Un Kairaasi (1980)
• Karimpana (1980)
• Manushya Mrugam (1980)
• Moorkhan (1980)
• Sakthi (1980)
• Yenge Oor Kannagi (1980)
• Ezhamkadalinakkare (1979)
• Ithrayum Kaalam (1979)
• Oru Sumangaliyude Kadha (1979)
• Sarppam (1979)
• Naanayam (1979)
• Kaali (1979)
• Eeta (1978)
• Lisa (1978)
• Avalude Ravukal (1978)
• Idanilangal
• shaari alla Shaarada
• Akalangalil
• Manassoru mahaasamudram
• Prabhu
• Aaarathi
• Anupallavi
• Sphodanam