# Shari (actress)

Sadhana better known by her stage name Shari is an Indian actress. She was a prominent lead actress from 1982 to 1995 in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu films.

## Personal life

Sadhana was born to Subramaniam and Lakshmi Devi in Andhra Pradesh. She is a trained classical dancer who learned Bharata Natyam from Padma Subrahmanyam and Kuchipudi from Vempati Chinna Satyam. She had her primary education from Saraswathi Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai. She is the grand daughter of famous Kannada actress B. Ramadevi.
She married Kumar, a businessman, in 1991. They have a daughter, Kalyani born in 1996. She resides with her family in Chennai.

## Career

She rose to fame after Malayalam Film Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986). She received Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for the same. In the Tamil industry, she is known as Sadhana. She received her first offer in a supporting role in Hitler Umanath in 1982 where she played Sivaji Ganesan's daughter. However she gained attention in her role as the heroine in Nenjathai Allitha (1984) where she was paired with actor Mohan.

## Awards

* 1986 Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress - Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
* 1986 Kerala State Film Critics Award - second best actress - Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
* 1986 Filmfare Award - Best Actress - Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
* 2017 Flowers TV awards - Best supporting actress -Nilavum Nakshatrangalum

## Filmography
### Malayalam

* Ningalil Oru Sthree (1984) as Sindhu
* Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986) as Sofia
* Desatanakkili Karayarilla (1986) as Sally
* Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare (1986) as Elizabeth
* Athinumappuram (1987) as Shobha
* Oru Maymasa Pulariyil (1987) as Suicided lady
* Ithaa Samayamaayi (1987) as Leelamma
* Naaradan Keralathil (1987) as Kousalya
* Nirabhedangal (1987) as Susie
* Kalathinte Shabdam (1987) as Radha
* Theertham (1987) as Mercy
* Kottum Kuravayum (1987) as Rani
* Ithente Neethi (1987) as
* Archanapookkal (1987) as Saritha
* Jaithra Yaathra (1987) as Geetha
* Ponnu (1987) as Maya
* Nombarathi Poovu(1987) as Anitha
* Aankiliyude Tharattu (1987) as Sridevi
* Vilambaram (1987) as Valsala
* Veendum Lisa (1987) as Lisa
* Ellaavarkkum Nanmakal (1987) as Balan's lover
* Aparan (1988) as Anna
* Onninu Purake Mattonnu (1988) as Molly
* Thaala (1988) as Thaala
* Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu (1988) as Dance teacher
* Rahasyam Paramarahasyam (1988) as Deepa
* Season (1989) as Indira
* Mrigaya (1989) as Selina
* Jeevitham Oru Raagam (1989) as Chithra
* Jaathakam (1989) as Shyamala
* Maharaajaavu (1989) as
* Kelikottu (1990) as Usha
* Commander (1990) as Bharathi
* Thaalam (1990)
* Kalikkalam (1990) as Meera Nair
* Maanmizhiyaal (1990) as Lakshmi
* Sthreekku Vendi Sthree (1990) as Mrs. Rajesh/Advocate
* Utharakandam (1991)
* Arangu (1991) as Alice
* Kanalkkattu (1991) as Sathi
* Ennum Nanmakal (1991) as Rama
* Savidham (1992) as Tessy
* Annu Good Friday (1992) as
* Aadhaaram (1992) as Amina
* Simhadhwani (1992) as Sarala
* Mahan (1992) as Jackson's sister
* Aachaaryan (1993) as Sumithra
* Sundharimaare Sookshikkika (1995) as Priya
* Sayahnam (2000) as Amala's mother
* Njaan Raajaavu (2002) as Stella
* Basket (2002) as Saradha
* Mayamohithachandran (2003)
* Raakilipattu (2007) as Arundhathi
* Chocolate (2007) as Eleena John
* Positive (2008) as Winnie's mother
* Sulthan (2008) as Nishi's mother
* Novel (2008) as Manju
* LollyPop (2008) as Jennifer's real mother
* Pulliman (2010)
* Mummy & Me (2010) as Mary Thomas
* Mohabbath (2011) as Sajna's mother
* Doctor Love (2011) as Ebin's mother
* Snehaadaram (2011)
* Ee Dhanya Muhoorttham (2011)
* Kadhayile Nayika (2011) as Sophiya
* Sandwich (2011) as Sreedevi
* Bombay March 12 (2011) as Shajahan's mother
* Karppooradeepam (2012) as Meritta
* Kalikalam (2012) as Meenakshi
* Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar (2012) as Shyam's mother
* Maad Dad (2013) as Sarala
* Rebecca Uthup Kizhakkemala (2013) as Soshamma
* Orissa (2013) as Christhudas's mother
* Red Rain (2013) as Victim's mother
* Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil (2014) as Theyi
* Bad Boys (2014)
* Law Point (2014) as Umadevi
* Jilebi (2015) as Silpa's mother
* Kannirinum Madhuram (2016) as Dr. Seethalakshmi
* Boby (2017) as Archive footage/Uncredited cameo (from :Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal)
* Meenakshi (2017) as Rohan's mother
* Aquarium (2022) as Mother Superior
* Jana Gana Mana (2022) as Shabana
* Viddikalude Mash (2022) as Janaki
* Saturday Night (2022) as Nirmala Davis
* Kunjamminis Hospital (2023) as Dr. Rashmi Balan

### Tamil

* Hitler Umanath (1982) - Umanath's daughter (debut)
* Nenjathai Allitha (1984) - Debut as heroine, Radhika
* Vai Sollil Veeranadi (1984) - Nagalakshmi
* Arthamulla Aasaigal (1985) - Jaya
* Chain Jayapal (1985) - Padma
* Sithirame Sithirame (1985)
* Unnai Thedi Varuven (1985) - Anita
* Kulirkaala Megangal (1986) - Vasi
* Naanum Oru Thozhilali (1986) - Padma
* Raja Mariyadhai (1987) - Meena
* My Dear Lisa (1987) - Lisa
* Kavalan Avan Kovalan (1987) - Special appearance
* Raththa Dhanam (1988) - Radha
* Enne Petha Raasa (1989) - Catherine
* Vaaliba Vilayattu (1990) - Parvathi
* Pathimoonam Number Veedu (1990) - Annam
* Manaivi Oru Manickam (1990) - Female Serpent
* Vetri Karangal (1991) - Radha/Kalpana (dual role)
* Ponnuketha Purushan (1992) - Anandhi
* Veeramani (1994) - Special appearance
* Raja Enga Raja (1995) - Prabha
* Nenjinile (1999) - Karunakaran's sister
* Snegithiye (2000) - Arundati
* James Pandu (2000) - Guest role
* Love Channel (2001) - Parimalam
* Pudhiya Geethai (2003) - Jo's mother
* Thotti Jaya (2005) - Brinda's mother
* Ammuvagiya Naan (2007) - Rani
* Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan (2007)
* Aadatha Aattamellam (2009) - Kannan's mother
* Yennamo Yedho (2014) - Anuradha

### Kannada

* Thayiya Nudi (1983)
* Onde Guri (1983)
* Samayada Gombe (1984) as Mangala
* Brahma Gantu (1985)
* Sita Anjaneya (1993)
* Chandra Chakori (2003)

### Telugu

* Mugguru Ammayila Mogudu (1983)
* Iddaru Kiladilu (1983)
* Moogavani Paga (1983)
* Andarikante Ghanudu (1987)
* Manchi Varu Maavaru (1989) as Radha
* Lady Inspector (1991) as Dr. Madhuri Devi
* Peddarikam (1992) as Chandra Shekarudu's wife
* Teja (1992) as Sarada

## Television
### Malayalam

| Year | Title | Channel | Role |
| 1997 | Snehadaram | DD Malayalam | |
| 1999 | Sindhooram | Asianet | |
| 2000 | Sthree Oru Jwala | Asianet | |
| 2001 | Swantham Malooty | Surya TV | |
| 2001 | Sapathni | Asianet | |
| 2002 | Sparsham | Asianet | |
| 2005 | Sthreedhanam | Jeevan TV | |
| 2008 | Vaishaka Sandhya | | |
| 2017 | Nilavum Nakshatrangalum | Amrita TV | |
| 2023 | Manimuthu | Mazhavil Manorama | Herself |
| 2024-present | Gayathridevi Ente Amma | Mazhavil Manorama | Gayathridevi |
| 2024 | Pookkalam | Mazhavil Manorama | Sophia |

### Tamil

| Year | Title | channel | Role |
| | Arthamulla Uravugal | | |
| | Love in Bangkok | Vasantham TV | |
| | Lakshmi Vanthachi | | |
| | Mariyadhai | | |
| | Iru Mugangal - Micro Thodar Macro Sinthanaigal | | |
| 2000–2001 | Take it easy Vazhkai | Sun TV | |
| 2000–2002 | Gopuram | Sun TV | |
| 2002–2003 | Panam | Sun TV | |
| 2001–2002 | Nambikai | Sun TV | Visalam |
| 2002-2003 | Penn | Sun TV | Indira |
| 2003–2005 | Avargal | Sun TV | |
| 2006–2007 | Sorgam | Sun TV | |
| 2007 | Veppilaikkari | Sun TV | |
| 2007 | Latchiyam | Kalaignar TV | |
| 2007 | Nananyam | Sun TV | |
| 2007-2008 | Namma Kudumbam | Kalaignar TV | |
| 2008–2010 | Rekha IPS | Kalaignar TV | |
| 2008-2009 | Kanmanayee | Sun TV | Amudha |
| 2009–2015 | Thendral | Sun TV | Padma Muthumanikkam |
| 2009–2011 | Dhinam Dhinam Deepavali | Kalaignar TV | |
| 2009 | Thirumangalyam | Kalaignar TV | |
| 2009–2012 | Idhayam | Sun TV | Valmiki's mother |
| 2012-2014 | Vairakyam | Kalaignar TV | Dhanam |
| 2013 | Valli | Sun TV | Bhanumathi |
| 2014–2018 | Kalyana Parisu | Sun TV | Gomathy Dharmalingam |
| 2014–2017 | Kalyanam Mudhal Kadhal Varai | Vijay TV | Manju |
| 2015–2016 | Keladi Kanmani | Sun TV | Bhavani |
| 2017–2019 | Azhagiya Tamil Magal | Zee Tamizh | Rajamma |
| 2017–2019 | Chinna Thambi | Star Vijay | Prabha |
| 2019–2020 | Nila | Sun TV | Kausalya Rajashekar |
| 2020 | Anbudan Kushi | Star Vijay | Rajeswari (Raji) |
| 2023-2025 | Maari | Zee Tamil | Thara gangadharan / Thara Jagadish, Surya's step-mother |

### Telugu

| Title | Channel | Role |
| Karthavyam | Gemini TV | Meena IPS |
| Nanmakal | ETV Telugu | |
| Vijayam | ETV Telugu | |
| Jayam | ETV Telugu | |
| Brundavanam | ETV Telugu | |
| Amma | ETV Telugu | Kasthuri |