Mother's Day 2022: Memorable actors who pulled off mother roles with aplomb in Tamil cinema

This Mother's Day, let's take a look at some of the female actors in Tamil cinema who essayed memorable mother roles.

A collage of Ramya Krishnan, Sachu and Radikaa

Kannamba

She is considered one of the most brilliant female actors in Indian cinema. She began acting in Telugu theatre and became a favourite in Tamil. Kannamba acted in more than 170 films and produced about 25 films in Telugu and Tamil, between 1930 and 1960. She was also a talented musician and dancer.

Pandari Bai

Starting her career as a lead actor, Pandari Bai eventually became the "ideal screen mother". She's one of those actors, who spent time playing mother to stars much older than her. With over 1,000 films in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi to her credit, she has had the distinction of having acted as both the heroine and mother to stalwarts like Kannada star Dr Rajkumar and Sivaji Ganesan (in his debut movie Parasakthi).

SN Lakshmi

She began her acting career at 13. Lakshmi was a part of NS Krishnan's stage troupe as a child artiste. As years passed by, she went on to play important roles in over 1,500 Tamil and Telugu films. Her most remembered films include Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Server Sundaram, Thozhilaali, Mahanadhi, Thevar Magan, Kaadhala Kaadhala, Vivasaayi, and Ayya. Lakshmi was particularly known for portraying the strong and affectionate mother in scores of films featuring MGR, RS Manohar, Sivaji Ganesan, and so on. The way she played her characters was not just highly entertaining, but also quite convincing.

Sujatha

Known for subtlety in portraying varied emotions, she was introduced to the Tamil cinema by K Balachander in Aval Oru Thodarkathai. Her entry into the Tamil film industry happened at a time hero-centric films were the norm, in the late 70s. Sujatha was best-known for her performances in Avargal, Vidhi, Mayangugiraal Oru Maadhu, Kadal Meengal, Mangamma Sabadham, Andaman Kaadhali, and Amaidhipadai. Her career surged ahead after Annakili, in which she collaborated with Suriya's father, Sivakumar. As a senior actor, Sujatha played Rajinikanth's mother including Kodi Parakkudu, Uzhaippaali and Baba. Ajith Kumar's Varalaru was her last Tamil film. Sujatha had performed in over 300 films in all four south Indian languages and Hindi

Manorama

An artiste of excellence, her eventful career lasted for almost six decades in Tamil cinema. Manorama excelled in comedy, sentiment, and character roles and played almost everything that came her way with conviction. Some of her best films include Thillana Mohanambal, Chinna Thambi, Chinna Kounder, Annamalai, Vetri Kodi Kattu and Rasukutty. Manorama shared screen space with some big names including MGR, MR Radha, Cho Ramaswamy, Chandra Babu, TS Balaiah, Nagesh, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan, Thengai Srinivasan and Suruli Rajan. Her first film was Malayitta Mangai produced by lyricist Kannadasan in 1958. She went on to sing under every music composer even as she was leaving her mark as a comedian.

Padmini

Known for her dance performances and nuanced expressions in acting, Padmini helped popularise Bharatanatyam abroad. She was the second of the three famous Travancore Sisters, Lalitha and Ragini. Some of her memorable Tamil films include Uttama Puthiran, Vanjikottai Vaaliban, Thillana Moganambal, Vietnam Veedu, Thaaiku Oru Thaalattu and so on. Padmini worked with the likes of Sivaji Ganesan and M G Ramachandran, in several films.

Jayanthi

Born as Kamala Kumari, she debuted in Sandalwood with the screen name, Jayanthi. Jenu Goodu in 1963 was her first film. She acted in more than 500 films in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi. She was paired onscreen in several films with matinee idol Dr Rajkumar in Kannada and did the most number of movies with him. Jayanthi collaborated with legendary film personalities including NT Rama Rao, K Balachander and Gemini Ganesan. Some of her memorable films include Tumbida Koda, Pratigne, Mantralaya Mahatma, Paropakaari, and Kasthuri Nivasa.

Seema

She breathed life into several unconventional heroines created by M.T. Vasudevan Nair and T. Damodaran, in Mollywood. Some of her best films include Aalkkoottathil Thaniye, Anubandham, Innalenkil Naale, Aksharangal, Angadi, Meen, and Sandhaykku Virinjapoovu. Seema was seen last in Vignesh Shivn's triangular love story, Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal, in which she plays Vijay Sethupathi's mother.

KR Vijaya

With an impressive repertoire of 500 odd films that include Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, KR Vijaya made her debut in Karpagam. A very disciplined actor, she acted with all-stars NTR, ANR, Shoban Babu, Harnath, and Sivaji Ganesan. Referred to as Punnagai Arasi, Vijaya's notable films include Idhaya Kamalam, Saraswathi Sabatham, Iru Malargal, Thangappathakkam, Thirisoolam and so on.

Gandhimathi

Having acted in more than 300 films, her journey began as a heroine in the 1960s, but later she played the role of sister and mother in the 1980s and 1990s. One of her best-remembered characters would be Kamal Haasan's Virumaandi. Gandhimathi's popular films include Savaale Samaali with Sivaji Ganesan, Sirithu Vaazha Vendum with MGR and Muthu with Rajinikanth, besides Mann Vaasanai, Karakaattakaaran and Walter Vetrivel.

Anjali Devi

One of the most successful actors of Indian Cinema, her films had a good run in the black and white era, too. Starring opposite the likes of TR Mahalingam, MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan, Anjali Devi also played Rajinikanth’s mother in Annai Oru Aalayam. She acted in over 350 films in a career of over five decades. Some of her best films include Maya Kudhirai, Nirdoshi, Panduranga Mahatmyam, Lava Kusha and Bhaktha Prahalada.

Savithri

In the 1950s, she went on to become an 'evergreen' star in the male-dominated entertainment industry. She acted in over 300 films including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and even a few Hindi films. This was the era when the cinema space was ruled by male icons NT Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Sivaji Ganesan. Savithri was stubborn, determined, cool and chirpy; all at once. She loved silk saris, car racing and cricket, too. She

was in a coma for almost 19 months and died at the age of 46. Some of her best works include Missamma, Mayabazaar, Chivaraku Migiledi and Mooga Manasulu.

Sowcar Janaki

She made her debut in the LV Prasad-directorial, Shavukaru in 1950, which got her the moniker 'Sowcar'. Apart from playing lead roles in her 70-year career, Janaki has portrayed multiple character roles and is well-known for her light-hearted performance in Rajinikanth's Thillu Mullu. She was last seen in Tamil films like Thambi and Biskoth. Now, she is 90!

Kamala Kamesh

She has done nearly 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. She was busy when my daughter Uma Riaz Khan got married. Some of her best films include Vishwa Thulasi, Manal Kayiru, Alaigal Oivathillai, Kudumbam Oru Kadambam, Penmani Aval Kanmani and so on.

MN Rajam

She was only seven when she joined the theatre. Eventually, Rajam did meaty roles that came her way. Some of her best performances include Rathak Kaneer, Pennin Perumai, Nadodi Mannan, Paasamalar and Arangetram.

Bhanumathi

The first woman superstar of Tollywood, her contributions to the film industry remain unparalleled; as a filmmaker, music director, singer, producer, author and lyricist. Bhanumathi made her debut in acting with Vara Vikrayam in 1939 and won other awards.

Srividya

An artiste par excellence, she entered showbiz at a young age. With a career spanning over four decades, she acted in over 900 movies in different languages, including Hindi. She was best known for her performances including Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, Apoorva Sagothargal, Punnagai Mannan, and so on. Daughter of the legendary ML Vasanthakumari, Srividya passed away at 53. She could convey myriad emotions with ease.

Radikaa Sarathkumar

She is perhaps the busiest woman in Tamil cinema. In the last five years, Radikaa has played mother to Vijay Sethupathi, Vishal, Dhanush, Jiiva, Sivakarthikeyan, Atharvaa, Vikram Prabhu, and Bigg Boss fame Arav Nafeez.

Jayasudha

She holds a fabulous repertoire of more than 300 films and has completed 50 years in the industry. She gave her first shot when she was 13 years. Some of Jayasudha's best films include Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, Naan Avanillai, Apoorva Raagangal, Idi Katha Kaadu and so on.

Sumithra

She started her career at 19 with Nrithasala. Sumithra, who once acted as a heroine with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, went on to play their mother, eventually. She was last seen in Ajith Kumar's Valimai.

Vadivukkarasi

She bagged Kamal Haasan's Sigappu Rojakkal, while she was working at Hotel Connemara in the housekeeping department. She never expected to become an actor. Vadivukkarasi has acted in more than 350 films, including Karuththamma, Engal Kural, Mr Bharath, Arunachalam, Kasi and so on.

Kovai Sarala

Her first film was Mundhanai Mudichu in 1983. She was preparing for the Class 10 board exams at that time, but K Bhagyaraj knew she was interested in acting. She went on to establish herself in Nooravathu Naal, Japanil Kalyanaraman, Raja Chinna Roja, and Karakattakaran. But it was Sathi Leelavathi that made her a household name! To date, she has over 900 films, to her credit.

Nadia Moidu

She entered the film industry when she was only 18 with the Malayalam hit Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu and was later recast in its Tamil remake, Poove Poochudava. In 2004, Nadia made a comeback with M Kumaran, S/o Mahalakshmi, as a bubbly mother who single-handedly raises her son.

Sachu

From child star to the heroine, mother and evergreen comedienne, Sachu is an ageless wonder of Tamil cinema who’s still acting in films, and television serials. With an experience of more than 65 years in cinema, she made her debut before the camera as early as seven. Sachu paired with a medley of comedians, like Nagesh, Cho, Thengai Srinivasan, Vennira Aadai Murthy and Surulirajan, among others. She's best known for her performance in Kaadhalikka Neramillai.

Ramya Krishnan

Although she has done blockbusters like Padaiyappa and Panchathanthiram, Baahubali was a game-changer for Ramya Krishnan. Her character, Sivagami Devi, has got a massive fan-following. Remember, in the famous scene, she is underwater, and holds the baby up? Goosebumps guaranteed, even now!

Saranya Ponvannan

Over the years, she has played mother to many top actors including Jiiva, Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, and Udhayanidhi Stalin. It has been three decades since Saranya made her entry into Tamil cinema as a heroine, opposite Kamal Haasan in Nayagan. A huge fan of Rajinikanth and Mohanlal, she has always wanted to act opposite them.

Anupama Kumar

She dabbles in television and has been an anchor and producer, too. She's best known for her films like Kanchana 3, Dharala Prabhu, My Son Is Gay, Sarpatta Parambarai and so on.

Urvashi

Seen in Suriya's Soorarai Pottru, and Nayanthara's Mookuthi Amman, Urvashi acted in around 700 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Her first film as a leading lady was K Bhagyaraj's Munthanai Mudichchu. Some of her best Tamil films include Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Magalir Mattum, Mayabazar, Uttama Villain and so on.

Manju Warrier

Her Tamil debut, Asuran with Vetrimaaran and Dhanush speaks volumes about her craft. The personality and individuality of her role, Pachaiyammal is more layered. In many interviews, Manju had admitted she felt proud and fortunate to have played Pachaiyammal.

Revathy

Who can forget Revathy's character in the iconic Anjali? The film stands out as an important one in Mani Ratnam’s impressive body of work. There are only a handful of actors like her, who have been able to sustain and evolve. Some of Revathy's best films include Mann Vasanai, Magalir Mattum, Thevar Magan, Vaidhegi Kaathirunthaal, Mouna Ragam, Marupadiyum and so on. In the recent past, she made heads turn with a string of impressive releases namely, 2 states, Margarita with a Straw, Amma Kanakku, Pa Pandi, Gulebakavali etc.

Archana

Archana has proved herself to be an artist of high calibre. She must have done nearly 30 films in all the South Indian languages, as well as in Hindi and Oriya. Some of her best films include Rettai Vaal Kuruvi, Veedu, Sandhya Ragam, Parattai Engira Azhagu

Sundaram and Sivakarthikeyan's Namma Veetu Pillai. Also, a recipient of two National awards, Archana is a Kuchipudi and Kathak dancer.

Other famous actors, who played mother characters effectively, include:

Lakshmi (Padayappa), Geetha (Santhosh Subramaniam) Lakshmy Ramakrishnan (Boss Engira Baskaran, Yudham Sei, Poi Solla Porom), Janaki Sabesh (Ghilli), Sridevi (English Vinglish, Mom), Jaya Rao (Madras, Kanaa), Jyotika (36 Vayathinile, Kaatrin Mozhi), Amala Paul (Amma Kanakku), Simran (Kannathil Muththamittal, Vaaranam Aayiram), and Aishwarya Rajesh (Kaaka Muttai).

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