Sumalatha

Sumalatha (born 27 August 1963) is an Indian actress, politician who is the current Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Mandya, Karnataka. She has acted in more than 220 films in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi. She gained popularity in Telugu cinema and Malayalam cinema and later married Kannada actor-politician Ambareesh and has a son Abhishek Gowda.
In March 2019, Sumalatha announced that she would seek election for Lok Sabha from Mandya constituency of Karnataka as an independent candidate. On 23 May 2019, Sumalatha won against Nikhil Kumaraswamy by a margin of more than 1.25 lakh votes in the Lok Sabha election.
Career
Sumalatha did her schooling at St. Joseph's Convent School, Brodipet, Guntur. She began acting at age 15, after winning an Andhra Pradesh beauty contest in 1979. After her pictures began circulating in the magazines, film producer D. Ramanaidu expressed interest in casting her in his film and offered her a signining amount of 1,001 in 1979. However, she made her film debut in Tamil with Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979). She was named the Best New Face following the film. Her Kannada entry was through Ravichandra opposite to Rajkumar. She entered Telugu through Samajaniki Saval (1979), and Malayalam through Moorkhan (1980). She appeared in films in many languages Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu early in her career. She was Rajinikanth's second heroine besides Rati Agnihotri in films like Murattu Kaalai and Kazhugu. She was the heroine of legendary Malayalam actor Jayan's last film Kolilakkam (1981). In her Malayalam entry film Moorkhan, she acted as Jayan's second heroine. Her most memorable Malayalam films include Thazhvaram, Isabella, Nirakkoottu, Dhinarathrangal, Thoovanathumbikal, Parampara and New Delhi. She has acted in many Kannada movies like Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, Tayi Kanasu, Karna, Hong Kong nalli Agent Amar Tayiya Hone, Kallarali Hoovagi with Ravichandra being her Kannada debut in which she acted with actor Rajkumar. Telugu is the language in which she acted the most followed by Malayalam and Kannada.
She received the best actress Nandi Award for her role in Shrutilayalu in 1987. She is a close friend of actress Suhasini Maniratnam, her co-star in a Telugu movie. The friendship between the two provided the material for a candid scene in the film, when director Kodandarami Reddy noticed Suhasini combing Sumalatha's long hair on the train journey to the film set. Reddy asked his cameraman, Ashok Reddy, to film the two and added the scene to the movie's final cut.
Sumalatha reportedly speaks six languages, and has acted in five.
Personal life
Sumalatha married Kannada actor and politician Ambareesh on 8 December 1991 and their son Abhishek Gowda was born in the year 1993. She starred alongside Ambareesh in movies like Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, Kallarali Hoovagi, New Delhi and Sri Manjunatha. Kallarali Hoovagi went on to win a National Film Award.
In an interview with TV9 Kannada, the couple revealed that they first met each other on the sets of the movie Aahuti. In the course of the interview, Sumalatha expressed that Ambareesh was extroverted and gregarious in nature where as she leaned more towards having an introverted and conscientious personality on the sets. She shared memories of Ambareesh giving her friendly advice to mingle with other co-stars in the set by involving herself in group activities; else it could lead to misunderstandings. She revealed that it was Ambareesh's bold, genuine, carefree, down to earth personality that made him memorable and attractive to her.
On 24 November 2018 Ambareesh died due to a cardiac arrest. Few days after Sumalatha shared an emotional letter addressed to late Ambareesh on 8 December 2018 the eve of their 27th marriage anniversary.
On 6 July 2020 It was reported that Sumalatha tested positive for COVID-19 and placed herself in home quarantine.
Political life
In March 2019, Sumalatha announced that she would be contesting as an independent candidate in the 2019 Indian general election in Karnataka (Lok Sabha) from Mandya. She was backed by big stars from the Kannada film industry like Darshan, Yash, Rockline Venkatesh, Doddanna. Bharatiya Janata Party decided not to field a candidate in Mandya in efforts to support her. Some of the Congress Party workers supported her indirectly due to the history of traditional rivalry between JDS - Congress rivalry in Mandya which was a tricky situation for congress. She won, defeating Nikhil with a margin of 128,876 votes. She is the first Independent woman Member of parliament from Karnataka.
Awards
Devar's Best New Face Award: Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979) (Tamil)
Special Jury Nandi award (Best Actress): Shrutilayalu (1987) (Telugu)
Film Fans Award for Best Actress: Shrutilayalu (1987) (Telugu)
Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress: New Delhi and Thoovanathumbikal (1987) (Malayalam)
Lux Award for Best Actress: New Delhi (1987) (Malayalam)
Film Fans Award for Best Actress: New Delhi (1987) (Hindi)
Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress: Isabella (1988) (Malayalam)
Filmography
Malayalam
Naayika (2011) as herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo)
Kandahar (2010) as Sumangaly
Purappadu (1990) as Nalini
Parampara (1990) as Meera
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990) as Lakshmi Haridas
No.20 Madras Mail (1990) as Sr. Gloria
Thazhvaram (1990) as Kochootti
Nair Saab (1989) as Prabha
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas (1988) as Sophia
Dhinarathrangal (1988) as Dr. Savithri
David David Mr. David (1988)
Isabella (1988) as Isabella
New Delhi (1987) as Maria Fernandez
Thoovanathumbikal (1987) as Clara
Shyama (1986) as Lakshmi
Nirakkoottu (1985) as Mercy
Idavelakku Shesham (1984) as Sindhu
Alakadalinakkare (1984) as Mohan's wife
Himam (1983) as Indu
Chakravalam Chuvannappol (1983) as Latha
Kodunkattu (1983) as Sreekala
Kilukilukkam (1982)
John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982) as Jeny
Thadaakam (1982) as Sabira
Kazhumaram (1982) as Radhika
Aarambham (1982) as Santha
Dheera (1982) as Rathi
Irattimadhuram (1982) as Sangeetha
Aranjaanam (1982) as Anu
Aadarsham (1982) as Radha
Thenum Vayambum (1981) as Sreedevi
Ithihasam (1981) as Shobha
Munnettam (1981) as Ramani
Kolilakkam (1981) as Suma
Raktham (1981) as Valsala
Kadathu (1981) as ThulasiKilungaatha Changalakal
Saahasam (1981)
Ellam Ninakku Vendi (1981) as Sreedevi
Kilungaatha Changalakal (1981) as Latha
Nizhal Yudham (1981) as Radha
Moorkhan (1980) as Raji
Vilangum Veenayum
Telugu
Karunamayudu (1978)
Samajaniki Saval (1979)
Rajadhi Raju (1980) as Lilly
Bhola Shankarudu (1980)
Kalam Marindi
Girija Kalyanam (1981) as Rosy
Agni Poolu (1981)
Jeevitha Ratham (1981) as Sandhya
Pelleedu Pillalu (1982) as Poorna
Subhalekha (1982) as Sujata
Hima Bindu (1982)
Savaal (1982)
Aalaya Sikharam (1983) as Radha
Khaidi (1983) as Dr. Sujata
Raghu Ramudu (1983)
Rangula Puli (1983)
Bharya Bhartala Saval (1983)
Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
Amarajeevi (1983)
Merupu Daadi (1984) as Sivangi
Justice Chakravarthy (1984) as Latha
Janani Janmabhoomi (1984) as Pammy/Padmini
Agni Gundam (1984)
Kai Raja Kai (1984)
Jagan (1984)
Bhola Shankarudu (1984)
Pulijoodam (1984)
Uddhandudu (1984)
Nayakulaku Saval (1984) as Lalitha
Pralaya Simham (1984) as Aruna
Jackie (1985)
Chattamtho Poratam (1985) as Kalyani
Kattula Kondaiah (1985) as Jyothi
Ranarangam (1985)
Mugguru Mitrulu (1985)
Srimathi Garu (1985)
Illalu Vardhillu (1985)
Veta (1986) as Jyothirmayi
Tandra Paparayudu (1986) as Subhadra
Rakshasudu (1986) as Vani
Jeevana Ragam (1986)
Iddaru Mithrulu (1986)
Jailu Pakshi (1986)
Nampalli Nagu (1986)
Ashtalakshmi Vaibhavam (1986)
Thandri Kodukula Challenge (1987)
Sruthi Layalu (1987) as Sita
Pasivadi Pranam (1987)
Swayam Krushi (1987) as Sharada
Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987)
Punnami Chandrudu (1987)
Raaga Leela (1987)
Donga Kollu (1988) as Neeraja
Antima Teerpu (1988) as Vasanta
Donga Pelli (1988)
Jamadagni (1988)
Jayammu Nischayammu Raa as Shanti
* Guru Sishyulu (1990)
Gang Leader (1991) as Latha
Dabbu Bhale Jabbu (1992) as Hema
Raja Kumarudu (1999) as Rajya Lakshmi
Okkadu Chalu (2000)
Boss (2006)
Srirastu Subhamastu (2016)
Kannada
Ravichandra (1980)...Sheela
Thayiya Kanasu (1985)
Aahuti (1985)
Thayiya Hone (1985)...Suma
Thayi Mamathe (1985)
Karna (1986)
Kathanayaka (1986)
Sathya Jyothi (1986)
Huli Hebbuli (1987)
Thayigobba Karna (1988)
New Delhi (1988)...Vasantha
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar (1989)
Nyayakkagi Naanu (1989)
Raja Yuvaraja (1989)
Maheshwara (1990)
Kaliyuga Bheema (1991)
Sri Manjunatha (2001)...Sumalatha Devi
Paris Pranaya (2003)
Excuse Me (2003)...Parvati
Kanchana Ganga (2004)
Kallarali Hoovagi (2006)
Bhoopathi (2007)
Ee Sambhashane (2009)
Viraat (2016)...Viraat's mother
Bhale Jodi (2016)
Jessie (2016)...Jessie's mother
Doddmane Hudga (2016)...Doddamane Rajeeva's wife
Thayige Thakka Maga (2018)...Parvathi
D/O Parvathamma (2019)...Parvathamma
India vs England (2020)...Janaki
Hope (2022)...Sulakshana Amarnath
Kranti (2023)...Chief Minister
Tamil
Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979)
Murattu Kaalai (1980) as Soundarya
Madhavi Vandhal (1980)
Azhaithal Varuven (1980) as Rani
Kazhugu (1981) as Suma
Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo (1981) as Snegalatha
Pen Manam Pesugirathu (1981)
Aradhanai (1981)
Enakkaga Kaathiru (1981)
Sollathe Yarum Kettaal (1981)
Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981) as Uma
Theerpu (1982)
Azhagiya Kanne (1982)
Oru Varisu Uruvagiradhu (1982)
Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu (1983)
Hindi
New Delhi (1988) as Maria Fernandes
Pratibandh (1990) as Naseem
Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan (1991) as Suman V. Kumar
Aaj Ka Goonda Raj (1992) as Ritu Saxena
Pardesi (1993)
Dushman Duniya Ka (1996) as Reshma
Mahaanta (1997) as Shanti Malhotra
Kshatriya (1993) as Suman, Maharaja Prithvi Singh's wife (Surjangarh)
References
External links
Living people
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Actresses in Telugu cinema
Actresses in Kannada cinema
Indian film actresses
Actresses from Chennai
20th-century Indian actresses
21st-century Indian actresses
1963 births
India MPs 2019–present
Women members of the Lok Sabha
Indian actor-politicians
Actresses in Hindi cinema
Telugu people
People from Guntur district
Independent politicians in India
Lok Sabha members from Karnataka
21st-century Indian women politicians