Sumathi (actress)
Sumathi | |
---|---|
Born | |
Other names | Baby Sumathi, Sumi |
Occupation | Film actress |
Years active | 1966–1989 |
Relatives | Master Prabhakar (brother) |
Sumathi (Tamil: சுமதி) (born 19 August 1964) is an Indian actress from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She started her career at the age of two. She starred in many Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi language films.[1][2]
Personal life
Sumathi was born in Madurai; a city in Tamil Nadu, India. Her mother tongue is Saurashtra. Her father and mother were originally from Madurai. Her father managed several businesses such as photo studio and printing press. Her mother, was a housewife taking care of Sumathi and her seven brothers and three sisters. Her elder brother Master Prabhakar was the first one in the family to enter the film industry.[3][4]
In 1966, Sumathi moved in with her Aunt along with Prabhakar to pursue her dreams. Sumathi entered the film industry when a director was looking for a young baby to play a role in a Malayalam film along with veteran actor Bharath Gopi.
Career
She started her film career in Tamil movies as a child actress (Baby Sumathi) by playing the role of daughter of Gopi in the late 60's. She appeared in many children's movies. She played dual roles and in some movies acted as a boy. Soon she moved to Telugu and Malayalam films, where she starred in many films.
As Baby Sumathi grew up, she took to modeling and started endorsing many products. She has won many Nandi and Filmfare awards as a child. She acted many films with her third elder brother Master Prabhakar and second younger brother Kumar. As soon as her brothers entered the film industry, most of her family members were interested to go on the same line. Sumathi's cousin was a well known actress who was successful in various Tamil films. Sumathi's other cousins were cinematography and assistant directors. Sumathi also dubbed for many actresses in the past in every language.
In her acting career, she was often stereotyped as the girl next door. She acted with many stars such as M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Jaya Bachchan, Manorama, Nagesh, Rajinikanth, Jayalalithaa, Ambika, and Bhagyaraj to name a few. Her debut film, as heroine, was Bhagyaraj's directorial debut; Suvarillatha Chithirangal (1979) in Tamil. She gave up her acting career at the peak after her marriage in 1989 to move to America.
Personal life
Sumathi is married and settled in America with their daughter and son.
Awards
Child Artist awards in Malayalam
Baby Sumathi is a three-time winner Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist (female).[5]
- 1969 Best Female Child Artist (female) Baby Sumathi - Nadhi
- 1972 Best Female Child Artist (female) Baby Sumathi
- 1977 Best Female Child Artist(female) Baby Sumathi - Shankupushpam
Filmography
Malayalam
- Nadhi (1969) - Babymol
- Kuttavali(1970) - Young Santhi
- Kochaniyathi (1971) - Young Indu
- Anubhavangal Paalichakal(1971).... Kumari
- Thettu (1971) - Minimol
- Muthassi (film) (1971) ...Rekha
- Panithiratha Veedu (1972)
- Prathikaram (1972) - Leela
- Professor (1972).... Rema
- Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972) -
- Achanum Bappayum (1972) - Young Amina
- Padmavyooham (1973) - Leenamol
- Panitheeratha Veedu (1973) - Roshini
- Azhakulla Celina (1973) - Sajan
- Kaamini (1974) -
- Moham (1974) -
- Chandrakandam (1974) - Young Vinayan, Bindu (double role)
- Poonthenaruvi (1974) - Young Valsamma
- Jeevikkan Marannu Poya Sthree (1974) -
- Sethubandanam (1974) - in dual role as Kavitha / Saritha
- Swamy Ayyappan (1975)
- Chattambikkalyaani (1975)...Young Kalyani
- Soorya Vamsham (1975) -
- Pravaham (1975) - Young Ragini
- Hiridhayam Oru Kshethram (1976) - Sumam
- Chennay Valarthiya Kutty (1976) -
- Thulavarsham(1976 )....Young Ammini
- Shankupushpam (1977).... Mini
- Sathyavan Savithri (1977) -
- Hridayame Sakshi (1977) -
- Sree Murukan (1977) -
- Aradhana (1977) -
- Sneha Yamuna (1977) -
- Amme Anupame (1977) -
- Aa Nimisham (1977) -
- Vidarunna Mottukal (1977) - Kanchana
- Samudram (1977) - Bindu
- Rathi Nirvedam (1978) - Shanthi
- Kaithappo (1978) -
- Avalude Raavukal (1978) -
- Avalkku Maranamilla (1978) -
- Mudra Mothiram (1978) - Amina
- Sarapanjaram (1979)
- Choola (1979) -
- Lajjavathi(1979).... Sandhya
- Enne Njan Thedunnu(1983).... Janaki
- Aval Kathirunnu Avanum (1986) -
Tamil
- Iru Kodugal (1967)
- Va Raja Va (1969)
- Balaraju Katha (1970)
- Thirumalai Thenkumari (1970)
- Velli Vizha (1972)
- Appa Tatta! (1972)
- Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil (1972)
- Suvarillatha Chithirangal (1979)
- Pennin Vazhkai (1981)
- Ponnazhagi (1981)
- Azagu (1984)
- Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985)
Hindi
- Swarg Narak (1978, film, as Baby Sumathi)