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Sharada

SaradhaSaradaUrvasi SharadaSaraswati DeviUrvashi Sharada

Sharada is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Sharada began their career in 1963 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 63 years. With 30 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 7.3, Sharada remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 60+ years, Sharada's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.

Born
30+Known Credits
3.8Avg Rating
1Followers
veteranCareer Phase

Biography

Sharada a three-time National Award winning Indian actress and Indian Parliament member. She originally hails from Andhra Pradesh. She has achieved success through Malayalam movies. Initially she did many supporting roles in Telugu films and later on moved to Malayalam film industry and gained success there. She is also known as Urvasi Sharada because earlier the National Film Award for Best Actress was officially designated the Urvasi Award. Sharada has been selected for the prestigious NTR National Award instituted by the Andhra Pradesh state government for the year 2010.\r\n

Career Stats

27Films
7.3Avg Rating
64%Hit Ratio?
50Yrs Active
1/10Versatility?
7/10Critical?
veteran?

Personal Info

BornJune 12, 1945
Known Credits30+

Career Milestones

1963

Film debut

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1993

Highest rated: Major Chandrakanth (8.3)

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Iconic Roles

Suseela1963

Kungumam

A pivotal early role in a Telugu social drama that helped establish her career.

Unknown1975

Ninaithadhai Mudippavan

A significant role in a popular Tamil romantic drama film.

Actor1975

Naalai Namadhe

A key role in a major Tamil action-drama film starring M.G. Ramachandran.

Defining Moments

1968

First National Award

Won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the Malayalam film 'Thulabharam'.

1972

Second National Award

Won her second National Film Award for Best Actress for the landmark Malayalam film 'Swayamvaram', directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

1980

Third National Award

Won her third National Film Award for Best Actress for the Malayalam film 'Oppol', achieving a historic hat-trick.

2004

Member of Parliament

Nominated to the Rajya Sabha, marking her entry into Indian politics.

Career Analytics

Language Distribution

Telugu
56%
Tamil
41%
Hindi
4%

Films by Decade

3
1960s
5
1970s
4
1980s
11
1990s
3
2000s
1
2010s

Top Co-Actors

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Did You Know?

1

Sharada is the first actress to win three National Film Awards for Best Actress, all for Malayalam films: 'Thulabharam' (1968), 'Swayamvaram' (1972), and 'Oppol' (1980).

2

She served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, from 2004 to 2010.

3

She made her film debut as a child artist in the 1959 Telugu film 'Aggi Barata'.

4

Sharada received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2011 for her contributions to Indian cinema.

5

She is often referred to as the 'First Lady of Malayalam Cinema' due to her pioneering and acclaimed work in the industry.

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Legacy & Influence

Sharada, born in 1945 in Andhra Pradesh, is a monumental figure in Indian cinema, renowned for her profound impact on Malayalam film while maintaining a significant presence in Telugu and Tamil industries. Her career trajectory is a testament to versatility and artistic evolution. Beginning with supporting roles in Telugu cinema in the early 1960s, she honed her craft before transitioning to Malayalam films, where she achieved her greatest acclaim and success. Sharada's contribution lies in her exceptional ability to portray complex, nuanced characters, often embodying the resilience, grace, and emotional depth of the Indian woman. She became a pivotal figure in the golden era of Malayalam cinema, collaborating with legendary directors and elevating narratives with her performances. Her work is characterized by a naturalistic acting style that brought authenticity and depth to both dramatic and subtle roles. A three-time recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actress—a rare and distinguished achievement—she solidified her status as one of India's finest acting talents. These awards, for films like 'Thulabharam', 'Swayamvaram', and 'Oppol', underscore her mastery and critical recognition. Beyond acting, her foray into politics as a Member of Parliament reflects a commitment to public service. Sharada's legacy is that of a trailblazer who bridged regional cinemas, set high benchmarks for acting, and inspired generations of performers with her dedication, skill, and dignified screen presence.

Frequently Asked Questions