Ambika (actress)

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Not to be confused with Ambika Mohan or Ambika Sukumaran.

Ambika
Ambika in 2014
Born
Kallara, Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala, India
Years active1976–1989 (as a leading actress)
1997–present (as a supporting artist)
Spouses
Premkumar
​
​
(m. 1988; div. 1996)​
​
​
(m. 2000; div. 2002)​
ChildrenRamkesav (b.1989)
Rishikesh (b.1991)
Parent(s)Kallara Kunjan Nair (father)
Sarasamma (mother)
FamilyRadha (sister)
AwardsKalaimaamani (1984)

Ambika is an Indian actress known for her work predominantly across the entire southern film industry and in several tele serials. She has also acted in an English film (Indian-American), to date. She was one of the top South Indian heroines for more than a decade from 1976 to 1989. Her younger sister Radha was also an actress. They acted together in a number of South Indian films during the peak of their career.[1] The sisters runs a movie studio called 'ARS Studios', which they converted into a hotel complex in 2013.[2]

Personal life[edit]

Ambika was born to Kallara Kunjan Nair and Sarasamma at Kallara, Thiruvananthapuram.[3] Her mother Kallara Sarasamma was Mahila Congress leader during 2014.[4] She has two younger sisters, Radha and Mallika, and two younger brothers, Arjun and Suresh.[citation needed]

Ambika married an NRI, named Premkumar Menon in 1988. The couple has two sons and is settled in the United States of America. However, they divorced in 1996.[5] Later, she got remarried to actor Ravikanth in 2000, which also ended in a divorce in 2002. She is currently settled in Chennai with her sons.[6]

Career[edit]

Ambika started her career as a child artist in Malayalam cinema in 1976 with the film Chottanikkara Amma and later starred as a heroine in more than 200 South Indian films. Her career as a heroine started with the Malayalam movie Seetha, which was released very late in her career. But with films such as Neelathaamara and Lejjavathi, she became a busy actress within a few years not only in Malayalam,[7] but also in Tamil and Kannada.[citation needed]

Ambika made her debut in Tamil in 1979 with the film Chakkalathi. Ambika's role as a young girl in K Bhagyaraj's Tamil film Andha 7 Naatkal grabbed the eyeballs of movie buffs. In 1984 she acted in Naan Paadum Paadal directed by Sundarrajan which had Sivakumar, Mohan and Pandiyan in lead roles.[8] Ambika shot to fame with Kaakki Sattai (1985). At the zenith of her career she costarred with her sister Radha in Kadhal Parisu (1987), where both actresses demonstrated their acting prowess in the roles of two sisters, both with strong but conflicting personalities.[9]

In 1986, she acted in the commercially successful Malayalam movie Rajavinte Makan, which starred Mohanlal. It was Ambika who got paid more than Mohanlal in the movie Rajavinte Makan. Ambika was a busier and more popular than Mohanlal at that time.[10] She also acted with him the following year in another box office hit Irupatham Noottandu.

The 1980s were the golden era for Ambika, as she acted in over she acted in over 200 movies in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada, and most of the films were box office hits.[11] Ambika did many films with the leading actors of her time such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Dileep, Shankar, N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna, Krishnam Raju, Dr. Rajkumar, Ambareesh and Chiranjeevi.[12]

After getting divorced, she returned to India from the U.S. Later in the year 1997, she started acting again in the films Periya Manushan, Simhada Mari, and Maa Nannaku Pelli. She acted in Vikraman's project Mariyadhai (2009), in which Vijayakanth played the double roles of father and son. Unlike Ambika, her younger sister Radha never returned to movies after marriage and got completely engrossed in supporting her husband's business in different locations, across all Indian cities.[citation needed]

She has acted in many advertisements. She is a designer too.[13] She has also judged many reality shows.[14] She has been playing the lead role in the serial Mrs. Hitler aired on Zee Tamil TV, and also made a special appearance in the role of a senior government officer named Vanitha in the serial Anbe Vaa which aired on Sun TV.[15] She made a cameo in the television serial Mangalyam. She also took on the role of judge in the reality show Drama Juniors.[16]

Filmography[edit]

In order of languages in which she acted the most to the fewest films.

Malayalam[edit]

Year Film Role Notes
1976 Chottanikkara Amma child artist
1977 Taxi Driver child artist
1977 Dheerasameere Yamunaatheere child artist
1977 Vidarunna Mottukal Sumam child artist
1978 Aval Viswasthayaayirunnu child artist
1978 Samayamaayilla Polum Latha
1978 Asthamayam Guest Role
1979 Neelathamara Kunjimalu
1979 Ajnaatha Theerangal Geetha
1979 Lajjaavathi Radha
1979 Krishnapparunthu -
1979 Veerabhadran -
1979 Raajaveedhi
1979 Agniparvatham Vimala
1979 Thuramukham Rosi
1979 Enikku Njaan Swantham Geetha
1979 Neeyo Njaano Geetha
1979 Pratheeksha
1979 Prabhaathasandhya Mini
1979 Maamaankam Manipennu
1979 Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha Shyamala
1980 Pappu Herself
1980 Theeram Thedunnavar
1980 Seetha Seetha
1980 Akalangalil Abhayam Yamuna
1980 Theekkadal Sumam
1980 Ishtamaanu Pakshe Nandinikutty
1980 Aniyaatha Valakal Sujatha
1980 Angaadi Ayisha
1980 Sathyam Seetha
1980 Ithile Vannavar Bindu
1980 Kaavalmaadam Malli
1980 Ammayum Makalum Radha
1980 Meen Roselin
1980 Anthappuram Usha
1980 Swantham Enna Padam Priya
1980 Vaiki Vanna Vasantham Sheeba
1980 Aagamanam Seetha
1980 Eden Thottam Usha
1980 Puzha -
1980 Dooram Arike Shirly
1981 Anyar
1981 Chamayam
1981 Veshangal
1981 Archana Teacher Bharathi
1981 Prema Geethangal Geetha Kumari
1981 Asthamikkatha Pakalukal Raji
1981 Guha Devu
1981 Maniyan Pillai Athava Maniyan Pillai Kamalam
1981 Sambhavam Radha
1981 Njan Ninne Marakkilla
1981 Thaaraavu Akka
1981 Swarangal Swapnagal Latha
1981 Enne Snehikkoo Enne Maathram
1982 Pooviriyum Pulari Renuka
1982 Mylanchi Shahitha
1982 Olangal Rita
1982 Kelkatha Shabdam Jayanthi
1982 Ethiraalikal Thulasi
1982 Sharam Sindhu
1982 Mukhangal
1982 Dheera Indhu
1982 Anuraagakkodathi Susheela
1983 Father Damien
1983 Kaathirunna Naal
1983 Eettappuli Padmavathi
1983 Theeram Thedunna Thira Jayalakshmi
1983 Marakkillorikkalum Suma
1983 Nizhal Moodiya Nirangal Molamma
1983 Asthi Priyamvada
1983 Adyathe Anuragam Shyamala
1983 Enikku Vishakunnu Shantha
1983 Sandhyakku Virija Poovu Priya
1984 Sabarimala Darsanam
1984 Ente Gramam -
1984 Kalkki -
1984 Oru Sumangaliyude Katha Yamuna
1985 Puzhayozhukum Vazhi Rema
1985 Oru Nokku Kaanan Maya
1985 Agniyasthram
1985 Iniyum Kadha Thudarum Mary
1985 Archana Aaradhana Archana
1986 Thidambu -
1986 Chekeranoru Chilla Lathika Menon (Lallu)
1986 Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu Nirmala
1986 Malarum Kiliyum Thulasi
1986 Rajavinte Makan Nancy
1987 Swathi Thirunal Narayani Pillai Kochamma
1987 Ezhuthapurangal Vimala Jacob
1987 Vazhiyorakkazhchakal Sridevi
1987 Nirabhedangal Maya
1987 Vilambaram Sheela
1987 Irupatham Noottandu Aswathy Varma
1988 Ayitham Bhama
1988 Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal Valsala
1988 Kudumbapuranam Geetha
1988 Manasaputhri
1988 Pattanapravesham Shobha
1989 Brahmasthram
1991 Manju Peyyunna Rathri
1991 Sayanthanam
1991 Sheershakam
1992 Sabarimalayil Thankasooryodayam
1997 Snehasindooram Uma
1999 Niram Baby
1999 Udayapuram Sulthan Malavika
2000 Varnakkazchchakal Bhagyalakshmi
2000 Swayamvara Panthal Latha
2000 Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Nandhini
2001 Dubai
2004 Koottu Savitha Vishwambharan
2005 Ben Johnson Pathrose's wife
2005 Kalyana Kurimanam Subhadra
2005 Pandippada Mallika
2005 Annorikkal Karthu
2006 Arunam
2007 Hareendran Oru Nishkalankan Hareendran's mother
2009 The Trigger
2009 Vairam: Fight for Justice Judge
2009 Kana Kanmani Doctor
2009 Angel John Mary
2010 Thanthonni Kathreena
2010 Sadgamaya Gauri Sudhakaran
2011 Naayika Herself Archive footage/Uncredited cameo
2011 Ponnu Kondoru Aalroopam -
2011 Lavakumar 1984 -
2012 Yakshi – Faithfully Yours Vishnu's mother
2014 Polytechnic Pauly's mother
2014 To Noora with Love Khadeeja
2014 Aamayum Muyalum Kadambari
2015 Mili Mercey
2015 She Taxi Annamma
2019 Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha Herself Archive footage/Uncredited cameo
2019 Mohabbathin Kunjabdulla Alima
2022 Sathyam Mathrame Bodhippikkoo Justice Mary Varghese
2022 Ullasam Marykutty
2022 August 27
2022 Anjil Oral Thaskaran
2022 Naja

Tamil[edit]

Year Film Role Notes
1979 Chakkalathi
1980 Tharayil Pootha Malar
1980 Enga Ooru Rasathi
1981 Tharayil Vaazhum Meenkal
1981 Andha 7 Naatkal Vasanthi
1981 Kadal Meengal Uma
1982 Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam Radha
1982 Sagalakala Vallavan Geetha
1982 Enkeyo Ketta Kural Ponni (first wife)
1982 Vazhvey Maayam Sandhiya
1982 Deviyin Thiruvilayadal Dakshayini
1982 Idhayam Pesugirathu
1982 Chinnan Chirusugal
1983 Garuda Saukiyama
1983 Jothi
1983 Thalaimagan
1983 Thambathyam
1983 Soorapuli
1983 Raagangal Maaruvathillai
1983 Vellai Roja Lakshmi
1984 Thiruppam
1984 Vengaiyin Maindhan
1984 Thangamadi Thangam
1984 Naan Paadum Paadal
1984 Neethikku Oru Penn
1984 Anbulla Rajinikanth Mother of Rosy
1984 Kanmaniye Pesu
1984 Thaalithanam
1984 Ambigai Neril Vanthaal
1984 Pei Veedu
1984 Pournami Alaigal
1984 Irumbu Kaigal
1984 Vaazhkai
1984 Nerupukkul Eeram
1984 Thaarasu
1985 Naagam Janaki
1985 Kaakki Sattai Uma
1985 Naan Sigappu Manithan Uma
1985 Puthiya Sagaptham Uma
1985 Uyarndha Ullam Geetha
1985 Engal Kural Guest appearance
1985 Aval Potta Kolam
1985 Sri Raghavendrar Aparajita
1985 Idaya Kovil Gauri
1985 Arthamulla Aasaigal
1985 Karuppu Chattaikaran
1985 Erimilai
1985 Thandanai
1985 Puthiya Theerppu Radha
1985 Unakkaga Oru Roja Meera
1985 Thoongatha Kannondru Ondru
1985 Padikathavan Mary
1986 Mr. Bharath Uma
1986 Nermai
1986 Vikram Vikram's wife
1986 Oruvar Vazhum Alayam
1986 Naanum Oru Thozhilali
1986 Kanmaniye Pesu
1986 Karpoora Deepam
1986 Isai Paadum Thendral
1986 Manakanakku
1986 Thazhuvatha Kaigal Rajeshwari
1986 Raja Nee Vaazhga
1986 Rasigan Oru Rasigai
1986 Maaveeran Rekha
1987 Velundu Vinaiyillai
1987 Muthukkal Moondru
1987 Chinna Kuyil Paaduthu Geetha
1987 Makkal En Pakkam Radha
1987 Kadhal Parisu Malini
1987 Mupperum Deviyar
1987 Veeran Veluthambi
1987 Thambathyam
1987 Nalla Pambu
1987 Aalappirandhavan Seetha IPS
1987 Ivargal Varungala Thoongal
1988 Annanagar Mudhal Theru Seema
1988 Rendum Rendum Aindhu
1988 Ganam Courtar Avargaley
1988 Kan Simittum Neram Lakshmi
1988 Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam Sivakami
1989 Dravidan
1997 Periya Manushan Sivagami
1997 Arunachalam Meenakshi
1998 Sandhippoma
1998 Poonthottam
1998 Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
1998 En Uyir Nee Thaane
1998 Kaadhal Kavidhai Vishwa's mother
1999 Uyirodu Uyiraga Anjali's mother
1999 Kodiesvaran
1999 Iraniyan
1999 Poovellam Kettuppar Krishna Bharathi's mother
1999 Anantha Poongathe
1999 Jodi Sneha Varadharajan
1999 Pooparika Varugirom
1999 Time Srinivasa Murthy's mother
1999 Amarkalam Mohana's mother
1999 Suyamvaram wedding guest
2000 Simmasanam Sathyamurthy's wife
2000 Magalirkaga 'Head Constable' Panchavarnam
2000 Vallarasu Anjali's mother
2001 Piriyadha Varam Vendum Nithi's mother
2002 Jaya
2002 Alli Arjuna Savithri's mother
2003 Ottran Sudha's mother
2004 Super Da
2005 Jadhi
2005 Mazhai Shailaja's mother
2007 Vel Vel's adoptive mother
2009 Mariyadhai Alamelu Annamalai
2010 Uthama Puthiran Sivakaami
2011 Avan Ivan Maryamma
2012 Ullam
2014 Jigarthanda Kayalvizhi's mother
2014 Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe
2015 Idhu Enna Maayam Arun's mother
2016 Ennama Katha Vudranunga
2018 Traffic Ramasamy Judge
2022 Super Senior Heroes Mrs. S. / Lady Justice

Kannada[edit]

Year Film Role Notes
1981 Sri Yediyuru Siddalingeshwara
1982 Garuda Rekhe
1982 Chalisuva Modagalu Sheela
1983 Avala Neralu Lakshmi
1983 Chakravyuha Asha
1983 Gayathri Maduve Gayathri
1983 Eradu Nakshatragalu
1983 Bhakta Prahlada
1983 Hasida Hebbuli
1984 Naane Raja Asha
1984 Mooru Janma Chitti
1984 Pralayanthaka Special appearance
1984 Onde Raktha [17]
1984 Indina Bharatha Bharathi
1984 Apoorva Sangama Tara
1985 Chaduranga Asha
1986 Asambhava
1986 Digvijaya Asha / Radha Dual roles
1986 Shubha Milana Ganga
1986 Bete
1986 Sathkara
1987 Bazar Bheema
1987 Jeevana Jyothi Radha
1987 Athiratha Maharatha Radha
1987 Poorna Chandra Kumuda
1987 Nyayakke Shikshe
1987 Aapadbandhava
1988 Dharmathma
1988 Kirathaka
1988 Vijaya Khadga
1989 Hongkongnalli Agent Amar
1997 Simhada Mari Vishwa's mother
1999 Janumadatha Ahalya
2000 Kanasugara Sangeeta's mother
2000 Sulthan
2002 Nagarahavu
2002 Nandhi Nandhi's mother
2002 Manasella Neene Madhavi
2004 Om Ganesh
2003 Vijaysimha
2017 Kaffi Thota Judge
2019 Kalidasa Kannada Meshtru Principal

Telugu[edit]

Year Film Role Notes
1981 Addala Meda Lakshmi
1981 Viswaroopam Mallika
1981 Prema Mandiram Hema
1981 Nayudu Gari Abbai Madhavi
1981 Bobbili Puli Jayanthi
1983 Rajkumar Devi
1984 Dongalu Baboi Dongalu Seetha
1984 Kurukshetramlo Sita Janaki
1984 Mukhyamantri -
1988 August 15 Rathri
1988 Yamudiki Mogudu Dancer
1997 Maa Nannaki Pelli Shravani
1998 Kodukulu -
1998 Raayudu Tulasi
1999 Neti Gandhi -
2002 Kondaveeti Simhasanam -
2002 Police Sisters Jaya
2005 Slokam -
2006 Manasu Palike Mouna Raagam -

Television[edit]

Serials[edit]

Year Title Role Channel Language
1998 Kudumbam Sun TV Tamil
2002–2003 Agni Pravesam ETV Telugu
2003 Summer in America Kairali TV Malayalam
2004 Jalam Surya TV
2005 Koodum Thedi
2007–2008 Brindavanam Gemini TV Telugu
2011 Kanalpoovu Jeevan TV Malayalam
2012 Preethiyinda Star Suvarna Kannada
Sreepadmanabham Amrita TV Malayalam
2013–2014 Avakashikal Sujatha Surya TV
Sare Gama gama gama Puthuyugam TV Tamil
2014 Jeevitha Ganam Malayalam
2017 Aparichitha Bhairavi Amrita TV
2018–2020 Nayagi Sargunam Sun TV Tamil
2020 Chithi 2 Sargunam (Special Appearance)
2020–2021 Thirumathi Hitler[18] Jayamma Zee Tamil
2021 Velammal[19] Star Vijay
Anbe Vaa Janaki (Special Appearance) Sun TV
2021- present Aruvi Saraswathi
2022 Padmavati Kalyanam Bramarambhika Devi ETV Telugu
2023 Malar Saraswathi
Cameo in promo		 Sun TV Tamil
2023 Mangalyam Herself (guest appearance) Zee Keralam Malayalam
2023-present Geetha govindam Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam Asianet Malayalam

Shows[edit]

Year Title Role Channel Language
Suvarna Thaarangal Tamil
2009 Chennai Silks Ad Actress - Malayalam
2011 Kerala's Favourite Film Actor Judge ACV Malayalam
Vivel Big Break Surya TV
2012 Veruthe Alla Bharya season 2 Mazhavil Manorama
2013 Jodi Number one season 6 Vijay TV Tamil
Bharthakkankarude Sradhakku Asianet Malayalam
Vartha Prabhatham Herself
Page 3 Herself Kappa TV
2014 Veruthe Alla Bharya season 3 Judge Mazhavil Manorama
2014 Star Jam Herself Kappa TV
2016 Uggram Ujjwalam Season 2 Judge Mazhavil Manorama
2016–2017 Malayali Veetamma Judge Flowers
2016 Comedy Super Nite Herself
2017 Comedy Super Nite Season 2 Herself
2017 Lal Salam Amrita TV
2017 Dancing Khilladies Judge Zee Tamil Tamil
2017 Majaa Talkies Herself Colors Kannada Kannada
2017 Zee Dance League Judge Zee Tamil Tamil
2018 Alitho Saradaga Herself E TV Telugu
2019 Lolluppa Judge Sun TV Tamil
2019 Thakarppan Comedy Herself Mazhavil Manorama Malayalam
2019 Andha Naal Nyabagam Angel TV Tamil
2020 Vanakkam Tamizha Herself Sun TV
2021 Red Carpet Mentor Amrita TV Malayalam
2021 Vanakkam Tamizha Herself Sun TV Tamil
2021 Poova Thalaiya Participant Sun TV Tamil
2021 Rajaparvai Herself Sun TV Tamil
2022 Nayakane Ulakam Mega Event Herself Flowers Malayalam
2022 Oru Chiri Iruchiri Bumber Chiri Aaghosham Herself Mazhavil Manorama Malayalam[20]
2022 Comedy Stars Season 3 Judge Asianet Malayalam
2023 Drama Juniors[21] Judge Zee Keralam Malayalam
2023 Parayam Nedam Participant Amrita TV Malayalam
2023 Ente Amma Superaa Judge Mazhavil Manorama Malayalam

References[edit]

  1. ^ Desk, Entertainment. "സഹോദരിയെന്നാൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ ബാക്കപ്പാണ്; അംബികയ്ക്ക് ഒപ്പമുള്ള ചിത്രവുമായി രാധ". malayalam.indianexpress.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  2. ^ Desk, Entertainment. "അന്ന് മോഹൻലാലിനേക്കാൾ പ്രതിഫലം കൈപ്പറ്റിയ നായിക". malayalam.indianexpress.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Badai Bungalow with Ambika". asianet. Retrieved 20 October 2015.[dead YouTube link]
  4. ^ "Will Solve Issues Between Government, Party: Rahul". newindianexpress.com. 11 December 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.[failed verification]
  5. ^ Navaneethakrishnan, Stalin. "Ambika Love Story: 'விடாத கிசுகிசு.. அடுத்தடுத்து விவகாரத்து..' அம்பிகாவின் மறுபக்கம்!". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Ambika profile". Kerala9. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  7. ^ "Ambika". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  8. ^ "When Sivakumar turned makeup man for actress Ambika for the climax of a film". The Times of India. 5 August 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  9. ^ Navaneethakrishnan, Stalin. "Actress Ambika: 'எங்களுக்குள் போட்டியா? பொறாமையே இருந்தது' அம்பிகா ஓப்பன்!". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  10. ^ Desk, Entertainment. "പത്ത് വർഷങ്ങൾ കഴിഞ്ഞാണ് അംബി ചേച്ചി വീട്ടിൽ വരുന്നത്; താരസഹോദരിമാർ ഒന്നിച്ചപ്പോൾ". malayalam.indianexpress.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  11. ^ "#UnforgettableOnes: Actress Ambika". The Times of India. 8 June 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Ambika remembers working with Dr Rajkumar". The Times of India. 2 July 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Ambika is back!". The Times of India. 14 January 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Actress Ambika joins social media platform Twitter". The Times of India. 7 July 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  15. ^ "'வனிதா' கதாப்பாத்திரத்தில் அம்பிகா - 'அன்பே வா' சீரியலில் புது டிவிஸ்ட்!". News18 தமிழ் (in Tamil). 8 September 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Watch: When Ambika got teary-eyed during niece Karthika Nair's wedding". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Onde Raktha (1984) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew".
  18. ^ "Vanitha Vijaykumar to play a cameo in 'Thirumathi Hitler'". The Times of India. 14 February 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Velammal to premiere on April 12". The Times of India. 9 April 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri to felicitate veteran Malayalam actresses on Women's Day; watch teaser". The Times of India. 3 March 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  21. ^ "Rajisha Vijayan to grace the premiere of 'Drama Juniors'; here's the teaser". The Times of India. February 2023.

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