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

Tamil

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1979 Chakkalathi
1980 Tharayil Pootha Malar
Enga Ooru Rasathi
1981 Tharayil Vaazhum Meenkal
Andha 7 Naatkal Vasanthi
Kadal Meengal Uma
1982 Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam Radha
Sagalakala Vallavan Geetha
Enkeyo Ketta Kural Ponni (first wife)
Vazhvey Maayam Sandhiya
Deviyin Thiruvilayadal Dakshayini
Idhayam Pesugirathu
Chinnan Chirusugal
1983 Garuda Saukiyama
Jothi
Thalaimagan
Thambathyam
Soorapuli
Raagangal Maaruvathillai
Vellai Roja Lakshmi
1984 Thiruppam
Vengaiyin Maindhan
Thangamadi Thangam
Naan Paadum Paadal
Neethikku Oru Penn
Anbulla Rajinikanth Mother of Rosy
Kanmaniye Pesu
Thaalithanam
Ambigai Neril Vanthaal
Pei Veedu
Pournami Alaigal
Irumbu Kaigal
Vaazhkai
Nerupukkul Eeram
Thaarasu
1985 Naagam Janaki
Kaakki Sattai Uma
Naan Sigappu Manithan Uma
Puthiya Sagaptham Uma
Uyarndha Ullam Geetha
Engal Kural Guest appearance
Aval Potta Kolam
Sri Raghavendrar Aparajita
Idaya Kovil Gauri
Arthamulla Aasaigal
Karuppu Chattaikaran
Erimilai
Thandanai
Puthiya Theerppu Radha
Unakkaga Oru Roja Meera
Thoongatha Kannondru Ondru
Padikathavan Mary
1986 Mr. Bharath Uma
Nermai
Vikram Vikram's wife
Oruvar Vazhum Alayam
Naanum Oru Thozhilali
Kanmaniye Pesu
Karpoora Deepam
Isai Paadum Thendral
Manakanakku
Thazhuvatha Kaigal Rajeshwari
Raja Nee Vaazhga
Rasigan Oru Rasigai
Maaveeran Rekha
1987 Velundu Vinaiyillai
Muthukkal Moondru
Chinna Kuyil Paaduthu Geetha
Makkal En Pakkam Radha
Kadhal Parisu Malini
Mupperum Deviyar
Veeran Veluthambi
Thambathyam
Nalla Pambu
Aalappirandhavan Seetha IPS
Ivargal Varungala Thoongal
1988 Annanagar Mudhal Theru Seema
Rendum Rendum Aindhu
Ganam Courtar Avargaley
Kan Simittum Neram Lakshmi
Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam Sivakami
1989 Dravidan
1997 Periya Manushan Sivagami
Arunachalam Meenakshi
1998 Sandhippoma
Poonthottam
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
En Uyir Nee Thaane
Kaadhal Kavidhai Vishwa's mother
1999 Uyirodu Uyiraga Anjali's mother
Kodiesvaran
Iraniyan
Poovellam Kettuppar Krishna Bharathi's mother
Anantha Poongathe
Jodi Sneha Varadharajan
Pooparika Varugirom
Time Srinivasa Murthy's mother
Amarkalam Mohana's mother
Suyamvaram wedding guest
2000 Simmasanam Sathyamurthy's wife
Magalirkaga 'Head Constable' Panchavarnam
Vallarasu Anjali's mother
2001 Piriyadha Varam Vendum Nithi's mother
2002 Jaya
Alli Arjuna Savithri's mother
2003 Ottran Sudha's mother
2004 Super Da
2005 Jadhi
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
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 Title Role Notes
1981 Sri Yediyuru Siddalingeshwara
1982 Garuda Rekhe
Chalisuva Modagalu Sheela
1983 Avala Neralu Lakshmi
Chakravyuha Asha
Gayathri Maduve Gayathri
Eradu Nakshatragalu
Bhakta Prahlada
Hasida Hebbuli
1984 Naane Raja Asha
Mooru Janma Chitti
Pralayanthaka Special appearance
Onde Raktha [citation needed]
Indina Bharatha Bharathi
Apoorva Sangama Tara
1985 Chaduranga Asha
1986 Asambhava
Digvijaya Asha / Radha Dual roles
Shubha Milana Ganga
Bete
Sathkara
1987 Bazar Bheema
Jeevana Jyothi Radha
Athiratha Maharatha Radha
Poorna Chandra Kumuda
Nyayakke Shikshe
Aapadbandhava
1988 Dharmathma
Kirathaka
Vijaya Khadga
1989 Hongkongnalli Agent Amar
1997 Simhada Mari Vishwa's mother
1999 Janumadatha Ahalya
2000 Kanasugara Sangeeta's mother
Sulthan
2002 Nagarahavu
Nandhi Nandhi's mother
Manasella Neene Madhavi
2003 Vijaysimha
2004 Om Ganesh
2017 Kaffi Thota Judge
2019 Kalidasa Kannada Meshtru Principal

Telugu

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1981 Addala Meda Lakshmi
Viswaroopam Mallika
Prema Mandiram Hema
Nayudu Gari Abbai Madhavi
Bobbili Puli Jayanthi
1983 Rajkumar Devi
1984 Dongalu Baboi Dongalu Seetha
Kurukshetramlo Sita Janaki
Mukhyamantri
1987 Naanum Oru Thozhilali
1988 August 15 Rathri
Yamudiki Mogudu Dancer
1997 Maa Nannaki Pelli Shravani
1998 Kodukulu
Raayudu Tulasi
1999 Neti Gandhi
2002 Kondaveeti Simhasanam
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
2004-2005 Koodum Thedi Asianet
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[17] Jayamma Zee Tamil
2021 Velammal[18] Star Vijay
Anbe Vaa Janaki (Special Appearance) Sun TV
2021- 2024 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 Geeta Govindam Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam Asianet Malayalam
2024–Present Malli Pothum Ponnu Sun TV Tamil

Shows

[edit]
Year Title Role Channel Language
Suvarna Thaarangal Tamil
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
2016,2017 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
2021 Rajaparvai
2022 Nayakane Ulakam Mega Event Herself Flowers Malayalam
2022 Bumper Chiri Aaghosham Herself Mazhavil Manorama[19]
2022 Comedy Stars Season 3 Judge Asianet
2023 Drama Juniors[20] Judge Zee Keralam
2023 Parayam Nedam Participant Amrita TV
2023 Ente Amma Superaa Judge Mazhavil Manorama
2023-2024 Star Magic Mentor Flowers TV
2024–Present Ithu Item Vere Judge

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Desk, Entertainment. "സഹോദരിയെന്നാൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ ബാക്കപ്പാണ്; അംബികയ്ക്ക് ഒപ്പമുള്ള ചിത്രവുമായി രാധ". The Indian Express (in Malayalam). Retrieved 7 December 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ Desk, Entertainment. "അന്ന് മോഹൻലാലിനേക്കാൾ പ്രതിഫലം കൈപ്പറ്റിയ നായിക". The Indian Express (in Malayalam). Retrieved 7 December 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "Badai Bungalow with Ambika". asianet. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.[dead YouTube link]
  4. ^ "Will Solve Issues Between Government, Party: Rahul". The New Indian Express. 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". The Indian Express (in Malayalam). Retrieved 7 December 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  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. ^ "Vanitha Vijaykumar to play a cameo in 'Thirumathi Hitler'". The Times of India. 14 February 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Velammal to premiere on April 12". The Times of India. 9 April 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "Rajisha Vijayan to grace the premiere of 'Drama Juniors'; here's the teaser". The Times of India. February 2023.
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