
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
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
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →Highest rated: Major Chandrakanth (8.3)
View film →Iconic Roles
Kungumam
A pivotal early role in a Telugu social drama that helped establish her career.
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
A significant role in a popular Tamil romantic drama film.
Naalai Namadhe
A key role in a major Tamil action-drama film starring M.G. Ramachandran.
Defining Moments
First National Award
Won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the Malayalam film 'Thulabharam'.
Second National Award
Won her second National Film Award for Best Actress for the landmark Malayalam film 'Swayamvaram', directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Third National Award
Won her third National Film Award for Best Actress for the Malayalam film 'Oppol', achieving a historic hat-trick.
Member of Parliament
Nominated to the Rajya Sabha, marking her entry into Indian politics.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →


Career Analytics
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →







Did You Know?
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).
She served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, from 2004 to 2010.
She made her film debut as a child artist in the 1959 Telugu film 'Aggi Barata'.
Sharada received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2011 for her contributions to Indian cinema.
She is often referred to as the 'First Lady of Malayalam Cinema' due to her pioneering and acclaimed work in the industry.
Photos
See all →No photos available.
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.