Ambika (actress)
{{short description|Indian film and television actress|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Distinguish|Ambika Mohan|Ambika Sukumaran}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ambika
| image = Actress Ambika (cropped).JPG
| caption = Ambika in 2014
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Kallara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| years active = 1976–1989 (as a leading actress)
1997–present (as a supporting artist)
| family = Radha (sister)
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Premkumar|1988|1996|reason=divorce}}
}}
| awards = Kalaimaamani (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.{{Cite web |title=സഹോദരിയെന്നാൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ ബാക്കപ്പാണ്; അംബികയ്ക്ക് ഒപ്പമുള്ള ചിത്രവുമായി രാധ |url=https://malayalam.indianexpress.com/entertainment/actress-ambika-and-radha-sisterhood-photos-throwback-636357/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=ml}} The sisters runs a movie studio called 'ARS Studios', which they converted into a hotel complex in 2013.{{Cite web |title=അന്ന് മോഹൻലാലിനേക്കാൾ പ്രതിഫലം കൈപ്പറ്റിയ നായിക |url=https://malayalam.indianexpress.com/entertainment/south-indian-actress-throwback-photo-561072/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=ml}}
Personal life
Ambika was born to Kallara Kunjan Nair and Sarasamma at Kallara, Thiruvananthapuram.{{cite web |title=Badai Bungalow with Ambika |date=19 October 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyt3SDBQS5U |publisher=asianet |access-date=20 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} Her mother Kallara Sarasamma was Mahila Congress leader during 2014.{{cite web |title=Will Solve Issues Between Government, Party: Rahul |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Will-Solve-Issues-Between-GovernmentParty-Rahul/2014/12/11/article2565595.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113171349/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Will-Solve-Issues-Between-GovernmentParty-Rahul/2014/12/11/article2565595.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2015 |date=11 December 2014 |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=20 October 2015}}{{failed verification|date=June 2017}} She has two younger sisters, Radha and Mallika, and two younger brothers, Arjun and Suresh.{{citation needed|date= October 2022}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Navaneethakrishnan |first=Stalin |title=Ambika Love Story: 'விடாத கிசுகிசு.. அடுத்தடுத்து விவகாரத்து..' அம்பிகாவின் மறுபக்கம்! |url=https://tamil.hindustantimes.com/photos/tamil-actress-ambika-love-story-and-marriage-life-131694606132945.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Tamil Hindustan Times |language=ta}} She is currently settled in Chennai with her sons.{{cite web |url=http://www.kerala9.com/profile/ambika |title=Ambika profile |work=Kerala9 |access-date=2014-11-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070959/http://www.kerala9.com/profile/ambika |archive-date=4 March 2016 |df=dmy}}
Career
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,{{cite web |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=14991455&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@&tabId=3 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140615102453/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=14991455&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@&tabId=3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2014 |title=Ambika |work=Manorama Online |access-date=14 June 2014}} but also in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
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.{{Cite news |date=2020-08-05 |title=When Sivakumar turned makeup man for actress Ambika for the climax of a film |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/when-sivakumar-turned-makeup-man-for-actress-ambika-for-the-climax-of-a-film/articleshow/77371176.cms |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0971-8257}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Navaneethakrishnan |first=Stalin |title=Actress Ambika: 'எங்களுக்குள் போட்டியா? பொறாமையே இருந்தது' அம்பிகா ஓப்பன்! |url=https://tamil.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/actress-ambika-interviewed-about-her-cinema-and-younger-sister-radha-131674486376604.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Tamil Hindustan Times |language=ta}}
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.{{Cite web |title=പത്ത് വർഷങ്ങൾ കഴിഞ്ഞാണ് അംബി ചേച്ചി വീട്ടിൽ വരുന്നത്; താരസഹോദരിമാർ ഒന്നിച്ചപ്പോൾ |url=https://malayalam.indianexpress.com/entertainment/actress-ambika-visits-sister-radha-in-mumbai-see-photos-718173/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=ml}} 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.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-08 |title=#UnforgettableOnes: Actress Ambika |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/unforgettableones-actress-ambika/articleshow/92075721.cms |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0971-8257}} 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.{{Cite news |date=2020-07-02 |title=Ambika remembers working with Dr Rajkumar |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ambika-remembers-working-with-dr-rajkumar/articleshow/76746343.cms |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0971-8257}}
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|date=August 2022}}
She has acted in many advertisements. She is a designer too.{{Cite news |date=2014-01-14 |title=Ambika is back! |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/ambika-is-back/articleshow/28784362.cms |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0971-8257}} She has also judged many reality shows.{{Cite news |date=2020-07-07 |title=Actress Ambika joins social media platform Twitter |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/actress-ambika-joins-social-media-platform-twitter/articleshow/76837750.cms |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0971-8257}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title='வனிதா' கதாப்பாத்திரத்தில் அம்பிகா - 'அன்பே வா' சீரியலில் புது டிவிஸ்ட்! |url=https://tamil.news18.com/news/entertainment/television-actress-ambika-is-excited-about-her-cameo-in-anbe-vaa-serial-on-sun-tv-vin-ghta-555593.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=News18 தமிழ் |language=ta}} She made a cameo in the television serial Mangalyam. She also took on the role of judge in the reality show Drama Juniors.{{Cite news |title=Watch: When Ambika got teary-eyed during niece Karthika Nair's wedding |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/malayalam/watch-when-ambika-got-teary-eyed-during-niece-karthika-nairs-wedding/articleshow/105536623.cms |access-date=2023-12-07 |issn=0971-8257}}
Filmography
In order of languages in which she acted the most to the fewest films.
=Malayalam=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | class=unsortable| Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Chottanikkara Amma | child artist | |
| rowspan=3 | 1977 | Taxi Driver | child artist | |
| Dheerasameere Yamunaatheere | child artist | ||
| Vidarunna Mottukal | Sumam | child artist | |
| rowspan=3 | 1978 | Aval Viswasthayaayirunnu | child artist | |
| Samayamaayilla Polum | Latha | ||
| Asthamayam | Guest appearance | ||
| rowspan=14 | 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 | ||
| rowspan=20 |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 | ||
| rowspan=13 | 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 | |||
| rowspan=9 | 1982 | Pooviriyum Pulari | Renuka | |
| Mylanchi | Shahitha | ||
| Olangal | Rita | ||
| Kelkatha Shabdam | Jayanthi | ||
| Ethiraalikal | Thulasi | ||
| Sharam | Sindhu | ||
| Mukhangal | |||
| Dheera | Indhu | ||
| Anuraagakkodathi | Susheela | ||
| rowspan=10 | 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 | ||
| rowspan=4 | 1984 | Sabarimala Darsanam | ||
| Ente Gramam | |||
| Kalkki | |||
| Oru Sumangaliyude Katha | Yamuna | ||
| rowspan=5 | 1985 | Puzhayozhukum Vazhi | Rema | |
| Oru Nokku Kaanan | Maya | ||
| Agniyasthram | |||
| Iniyum Kadha Thudarum | Mary | ||
| Archana Aaradhana | Archana | ||
| rowspan=5 | 1986 | Thidambu | - | |
| Chekeranoru Chilla | Lathika Menon (Lallu) | ||
| Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu | Nirmala | ||
| Malarum Kiliyum | Thulasi | ||
| Rajavinte Makan | Nancy | ||
| rowspan=6 | 1987 | Swathi Thirunal | Narayani Pillai Kochamma | |
| Ezhuthapurangal | Vimala Jacob | ||
| Vazhiyorakkazhchakal | Sridevi | ||
| Nirabhedangal | Maya | ||
| Vilambaram | Sheela | ||
| Irupatham Noottandu | Aswathy Varma | ||
| rowspan=5 | 1988 | Ayitham | Bhama | |
| Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal | Valsala | ||
| Kudumbapuranam | Geetha | ||
| Manasaputhri | |||
| Pattanapravesham | Shobha | ||
| 1989 | Brahmasthram | ||
| rowspan=3 | 1991 | Manju Peyyunna Rathri | ||
| Sayanthanam | |||
| Sheershakam | |||
| 1992 | Sabarimalayil Thankasooryodayam | ||
| 1997 | Snehasindooram | Uma | |
| rowspan=2 | 1999 | Niram | Baby | |
| Udayapuram Sulthan | Malavika | ||
| rowspan=3 | 2000 | Varnakkazchchakal | Bhagyalakshmi | |
| Swayamvara Panthal | Latha | ||
| Sathyam Sivam Sundaram | Nandhini | ||
| 2001 | Dubai | ||
| 2004 | Koottu | Savitha Vishwambharan | |
| rowspan=4 | 2005 | Ben Johnson | Pathrose's wife | |
| Kalyana Kurimanam | Subhadra | ||
| Pandippada | Mallika | ||
| Annorikkal | Karthu | ||
| 2006 | Arunam | ||
| 2007 | Hareendran Oru Nishkalankan | Hareendran's mother | |
| rowspan=4 | 2009 | The Trigger | ||
| Vairam: Fight for Justice | Judge | ||
| Kana Kanmani | Doctor | ||
| Angel John | Mary | ||
| rowspan=2 | 2010 | Thanthonni | Kathreena | |
| Sadgamaya | Gauri Sudhakaran | ||
| rowspan=3 | 2011 | Naayika | Herself | Archive footage/Uncredited cameo |
| Ponnu Kondoru Aalroopam | - | ||
| Lavakumar 1984 | - | ||
| 2012 | Yakshi – Faithfully Yours | Vishnu's mother | |
| rowspan=3 | 2014 | Polytechnic | Pauly's mother | |
| To Noora with Love | Khadeeja | ||
| Aamayum Muyalum | Kadambari | ||
| rowspan=2 | 2015 | Mili | Mercey | |
| She Taxi | Annamma | ||
| rowspan=2 | 2019 | Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha | Herself | Archive footage/Uncredited cameo |
| Mohabbathin Kunjabdulla | Alima | ||
| rowspan=5 | 2022 | Sathyam Mathrame Bodhippikkoo | Justice Mary Varghese | |
| Ullasam | Marykutty | ||
| August 27 | |||
| Anjil Oral Thaskaran | |||
| Naja |
=Tamil=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | class=unsortable| Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Chakkalathi | ||
| rowspan=2 | 1980 | Tharayil Pootha Malar | ||
| Enga Ooru Rasathi | |||
| rowspan=3 | 1981 | Tharayil Vaazhum Meenkal | ||
| Andha 7 Naatkal | Vasanthi | ||
| Kadal Meengal | Uma | ||
| rowspan=6 | 1982 | Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam | Radha | |
| Sagalakala Vallavan | Geetha | ||
| Enkeyo Ketta Kural | Ponni (first wife) | ||
| Vazhvey Maayam | Sandhiya | ||
| Deviyin Thiruvilayadal | Dakshayini | ||
| Idhayam Pesugirathu | |||
| rowspan=8 | 1983 | Jothi | ||
| Thoongatha Kannindru Ondru | Devi | ||
| Garuda Saukiyama | |||
| Thalaimagan | |||
| Thambathyam | |||
| Soorapuli | |||
| Raagangal Maaruvathillai | |||
| Vellai Roja | Lakshmi | ||
| rowspan=15 | 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 | |||
| rowspan=17 | 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 | |||
| Erimalai | |||
| Thandanai | |||
| Puthiya Theerppu | Radha | ||
| Unakkaga Oru Roja | Meera | ||
| Thoongatha Kannondru Ondru | |||
| Padikathavan | Mary | ||
| rowspan=13 | 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 | ||
| rowspan=11 | 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 | |||
| rowspan=5 | 1988 | Annanagar Mudhal Theru | Seema | |
| Rendum Rendum Aindhu | |||
| Ganam Courtar Avargaley | |||
| Kan Simittum Neram | Lakshmi | ||
| Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam | Sivakami | ||
| rowspan=2 | 1997 | Periya Manushan | Sivagami | |
| Arunachalam | Meenakshi | ||
| rowspan=5 | 1998 | Sandhippoma | ||
| Poonthottam | |||
| Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen | |||
| En Uyir Nee Thaane | |||
| Kaadhal Kavidhai | Vishwa's mother | ||
| rowspan=10 | 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 | ||
| rowspan=3 | 2000 | Simmasanam | Sathyamurthy's wife | |
| Magalirkaga | 'Head Constable' Panchavarnam | ||
| Vallarasu | Anjali's mother | ||
| 2001 | Piriyadha Varam Vendum | Nithi's mother | |
| rowspan=2 | 2002 | Jaya | ||
| Alli Arjuna | Savithri's mother | ||
| 2003 | Ottran | Sudha's mother | |
| rowspan=2 |2004 | Image | Kavya | |
| Super Da | |||
| rowspan=2 | 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 | ||
| rowspan=2 | 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=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | class=unsortable| Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Sri Yediyuru Siddalingeshwara | ||
| rowspan=2 | 1982 | Garuda Rekhe | ||
| Chalisuva Modagalu | Sheela | ||
| rowspan=6 | 1983 | Avala Neralu | Lakshmi | |
| Chakravyuha | Asha | ||
| Gayathri Maduve | Gayathri | ||
| Eradu Nakshatragalu | |||
| Bhakta Prahlada | |||
| Hasida Hebbuli | |||
| rowspan=6 | 1984 | Naane Raja | Asha | |
| Mooru Janma | Chitti | ||
| Pralayanthaka | Special appearance | ||
| Onde Raktha | {{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} | ||
| Indina Bharatha | Bharathi | ||
| Apoorva Sangama | Tara | ||
| 1985 | Chaduranga | Asha | |
| rowspan=5 |1986 | Asambhava | ||
| Digvijaya | Asha / Radha | Dual roles | |
| Shubha Milana | Ganga | ||
| Bete | |||
| Sathkara | |||
| rowspan=6 | 1987 | Bazar Bheema | ||
| Jeevana Jyothi | Radha | ||
| Athiratha Maharatha | Radha | ||
| Poorna Chandra | Kumuda | ||
| Nyayakke Shikshe | |||
| Aapadbandhava | |||
| rowspan=3 | 1988 | Dharmathma | ||
| Kirathaka | |||
| Vijaya Khadga | |||
| 1989 | Hongkongnalli Agent Amar | ||
| 1997 | Simhada Mari | Vishwa's mother | |
| 1999 | Janumadatha | Ahalya | |
| rowspan=2 | 2000 | Kanasugara | Sangeeta's mother | |
| Sulthan | |||
| rowspan=3 | 2002 | Nagarahavu | ||
| Nandhi | Nandhi's mother | ||
| Manasella Neene | Madhavi | ||
| 2003 | Vijaysimha | ||
| 2004 | Om Ganesh | ||
| 2017 | Kaffi Thota | Judge | |
| 2019 | Kalidasa Kannada Meshtru | Principal |
=Telugu=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | class=unsortable| Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=5 | 1981 | Addala Meda | Lakshmi | |
| Viswaroopam | Mallika | ||
| Prema Mandiram | Hema | ||
| Nayudu Gari Abbai | Madhavi | ||
| Bobbili Puli | Jayanthi | ||
| 1983 | Rajkumar | Devi | |
| rowspan=3 | 1984 | Dongalu Baboi Dongalu | Seetha | |
| Kurukshetramlo Sita | Janaki | ||
| Mukhyamantri | |||
| 1987 | Naanum Oru Thozhilali | ||
| rowspan=2 | 1988 | August 15 Rathri | ||
| Yamudiki Mogudu | Dancer | ||
| 1997 | Maa Nannaki Pelli | Shravani | |
| rowspan=2 | 1998 | Kodukulu | ||
| Raayudu | Tulasi | ||
| 1999 | Neti Gandhi | ||
| rowspan=2 | 2002 | Kondaveeti Simhasanam | ||
| Police Sisters | Jaya | ||
| 2005 | Slokam | ||
| 2006 | Manasu Palike Mouna Raagam |
Television
=Serials=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Channel !! Language | ||||
| 1998 | Kudumbam | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2002–2003 | Agni Pravesam | ETV | Telugu | |
| 2003 | Summer in America | Kairali TV | rowspan=3|Malayalam | |
| 2004 | Jalam | Surya TV | ||
| 2004-2005 | Koodum Thedi | Asianet | ||
| 2007–2008 | Brindavanam | Gemini TV | Telugu | |
| 2011 | Kanalpoovu | Jeevan TV | Malayalam | |
| rowspan=2|2012 | Preethiyinda | Star Suvarna | Kannada | |
| Sreepadmanabham | Amrita TV | rowspan=2|Malayalam | ||
| rowspan="2" |2013–2014 | Avakashikal | Sujatha | Surya TV | |
| Sare Gama gama gama | Puthuyugam TV | Tamil | ||
| 2014 | Jeevitha Ganam | rowspan=2|Malayalam | ||
| 2017 | Aparichitha | Bhairavi | Amrita TV | |
| 2018–2020 | Nayagi | Sargunam | rowspan=2|Sun TV | rowspan=6|Tamil |
| 2020 | Chithi 2 | Sargunam (Special Appearance) | ||
| 2020–2021
|Thirumathi Hitler{{Cite news |date=2021-02-14 |title=Vanitha Vijaykumar to play a cameo in 'Thirumathi Hitler' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vanitha-vijaykumar-to-play-a-cameo-in-thirumathi-hitler/articleshow/80909588.cms |access-date=2023-09-05 |issn=0971-8257}} | Jayamma | Zee Tamil | ||
| rowspan="2" |2021 | Star Vijay | |||
| Anbe Vaa | Janaki (Special Appearance) | rowspan=2|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 |
| 2024–Present | Drishti Bottu | Abbakka | Colors Kannada | Kannada |
=Shows=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Ambika (actress)}}
- {{IMDb name|id=0024302|name=Ambika}}
- [http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Ambika%20S&limit=112 Ambika at MSN]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ambika}}
Category:Indian film actresses
Category:Actresses from Thiruvananthapuram
Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema
Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema
Category:20th-century Indian actresses
Category:21st-century Indian actresses
Category:Indian television actresses
Category:Actresses in Malayalam television
Category:Actresses in Tamil television
Category:Actresses in Kannada television
Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema
Category:Actresses in Telugu television