Suryakantham (actress)
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (September 2020) |
Suryakantham | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Suryakantham in the 1954 film Chakrapani | |
| Born | Suryakantham 28 October 1924 |
| Died | 18 December 1994 (aged 70) |
| Alma mater | Padmavathi Mahila University, A. P. |
| Occupation | Film actor |
| Spouse | Peddibhotla Chalapathi Rao |
Suryakantham (28 October 1924 – 18 December 1994) was an Indian actress in Tollywood. She was popular for playing the role of a cruel mother-in-law in most of her movies.
Early life[edit]
Suryakantham was born and brought up in a Telugu Brahmin family residing at Venkata Krishnaraya Puram near Kakinada of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh.[citation needed] She was the 14th child to her parents, ten of whose children had died. She learnt dance and singing at the age of six.
She married Peddibhotla Chalapati Rao, a High Court Judge, in 1950.
Career[edit]
Suryakantham started as a dancer in Chandralekha, produced by the Gemini Studios, for which she had been paid Rs 75 in remuneration. She got her first role as character artiste in Narada Naradi, but eventually quit her job at Gemini Studios.
Later, she got a character artist role in the movie Gruhapravesam. She was offered the heroine's role in Soudamini, but did not accept it. She later was in a car accident, in which she received injuries to her face. She later played the role of a cruel mother-in-law in Samsaram.
Another "heroine" role was offered to her from a Bollywood film producer. Knowing that the producer had dropped a heroine from his movie on personal grounds, and that the same was given to her, Suryakantham rejected the offer, saying "I can't live on the unhappiness of other artists." She subsequently appeared in the Telugu film Kodarikam, which brought her a new level of success. The directors B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani would not do a movie without Suryakantham. They produced the movie Gundamma Katha, starring N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and S.V. Ranga Rao, with Suryakantham playing the lead role of Gundamma. The film was commercially successful.
Awards and titles[edit]
Awards[edit]
- Mahanati Savitri Memorial Award
- Honorary Doctorate Padmavati Mahila University
Titles[edit]
- Gayyali atta
- Sahaja Nata Kala Siromani
- Haasya Nata Siromani
- Bahumukha Natanaa Praveena
- Rangasthala Siromani
- Arungalai Maamani (Tamil)
Filmography[edit]
 |
Tamil films[edit]
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Kalyanam Panni Paar | |
| 1953 | Velaikari Magal | |
| Poongothai |
References[edit]
- ^ Narasimham, M.L. (13 May 2015). "Velugu Needalu (1961)". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Paduka Pattabhishekam Telugu Full Movie | Kanta Rao | Krishna Kumari | Old Telugu Full Length Movies, retrieved 10 January 2024
- ^ "Vintha Kapuram Movie Cast".
- ^ "Sri Rama Katha (1969)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Muhurtha Balam Cast and Crew".
- ^ "Vidhi Vilasam (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "Athalu Kodallu (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Anta Mana Manchike (1972) - IMDb, retrieved 28 July 2021
- ^ "Meena (1973)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "Padi Pantalu (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "Oka Challani Rathri (1979)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "Konte Mogudu Penki Pellam (1980)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Bangaru Bhoomi (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "Lanke Bindelu (1983)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Palnati Simham (1985)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Chanakya Sapadam (1986)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
External links[edit]
- Suryakantham at IMDb