Sumalatha

{{Infobox officeholder

| party = Bharatiya Janata Party (2024–present)

| otherparty =Independent (2019–2024)

| name = Sumalatha

| image = Sumalatha (cropped).jpg

| caption = Sumalatha in 2019

| office = Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha

| constituency = Mandya

| term_start = 23 May 2019

| term_end = 4 June 2024

| predecessor = L. R. Shivarame Gowda

| successor = H.D.Kumaraswamy

| birthname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|8|27|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Parliament of India biodata |url=http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=5180 |access-date=23 June 2020}}

| birth_place = Madras, Madras State (present-day Chennai, Tamil Nadu), India

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|politician}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Ambareesh|1991|2018|end=died}}

| children = Abhishek Gowda

}}Sumalatha Ambareesh (born 27 August 1963) is an Indian actress and politician. She has acted in over 220 films across multiple languages, primarily in Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, with a few appearances in Tamil and Hindi cinema. She received the Nandi Award for Best Actress for her role in Sruthilayalu (1987).

Sumalatha is the widow of Kannada actor-politician Ambareesh, with whom she has a son, Abhishek Ambareesh. In March 2019, she announced her candidacy for the Mandya Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka. Contesting as an independent, she won the election, defeating Nikhil Kumaraswamy by a margin of over 1.25 lakh votes.{{cite news |year=2019 |title=Sumalatha Ambareesh |url=https://www.news18.com/lok-sabha-elections-2019/karnataka/sumalatha-mandya-candidate-s10p20c01/ |access-date=8 October 2020 |publisher=news18.com}}

File:0I5B1233.jpg

Career

File:Sumalatha.jpg in 2013]]

Sumalatha did her schooling at St. Joseph's Convent School, Brodipet, Guntur.{{cite web |title=Sumalatha Ambareesh(Independent(IND)):Constituency- MANDYA(KARNATAKA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=http://myneta.info/LokSabha2019/candidate.php?candidate_id=7742 |website=myneta.info}} She began acting at age 15, after winning an Andhra Pradesh beauty contest in 1979. After her pictures began circulating in the magazines, film producer D. Ramanaidu expressed interest in casting her in his film and offered her a signing amount of {{INR}}1,001 in 1979.{{cite news |last1=Shivakumar |first1=S. |title=On the road of flowers |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/on-the-road-of-flowers/article7036978.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=23 April 2017 |date=27 March 2015}} However, she made her film debut in Tamil with Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979). She was named the Best New Face following the film.

She entered the Telugu film industry with Samajaniki Saval (1979). She made her Kannada debut with Ravichandra (1980) opposite Dr. Rajkumar her Malayalam debut with Moorkhan (1980). She was Rajinikanth's heroine along with Rati Agnihotri in films like Murattu Kaalai and Kazhugu. She was the heroine of legendary Malayalam actor Jayan's last film Kolilakkam (1981).

Sumalatha reportedly speaks six languages, and has acted in five appearing in many Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada films and a few in Tamil and Hindi. Her most memorable Malayalam films include Thazhvaram, Isabella, Nirakkoottu, Dhinarathrangal, Thoovanathumbikal, Parampara and New Delhi.{{cite web |title=Nostalgia |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=14763455&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=3 |website=www.manoramaonline.com |access-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816015706/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=14763455&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=3 |archive-date=Aug 16, 2013 |language=ml |date=Aug 14, 2013}} Her popular Kannada movies include Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, New Delhi, Taayi Kanasu, Karna, Hong Kongnalli Agent Amar, Taayiya Hone and Kallarali Hoovagii.

She received the best actress Nandi Award for her role in Shrutilayalu in 1987.

She is a close friend of actress Suhasini Maniratnam. The friendship between the two provided the material for a candid scene in the film, when director Kodandarami Reddy noticed Suhasini combing Sumalatha's long hair on a train journey to the film set. Reddy had asked his cameraman, Ashok Reddy, to film the two and added the scene to the movie's final cut.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/birds/39/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 April 2008 |archive-date=1 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801192539/http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/birds/39/ |url-status=dead}}

Personal life

File:The Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Shri M. H. Ambareesh and his wife Smt. Sumalatha calls on the Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.jpg]]

Sumalatha married Kannada actor and politician Ambareesh on 8 December 1991 and their son Abhishek Gowda was born in the year 1993.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} She starred alongside Ambareesh{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} in movies like Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, Kallarali Hoovagi, New Delhi and Sri Manjunatha. Kallarali Hoovagi went on to win a National Film Award.

In an interview with TV9 Kannada, the couple revealed that they first met each other on the sets of the movie Aahuti. In the course of the interview, Sumalatha expressed that Ambareesh was extroverted and gregarious in nature where as she leaned more towards an introverted and conscientious personality on the sets. She shared memories of Ambareesh giving her friendly advice to mingle with other co-stars on set by involving herself in group activities; else it could lead to misunderstandings. She revealed that it was Ambareesh's bold, and carefree personality that made him memorable and attractive to her.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62TkNXk8Loo&p=63A3F7071FFD1B8C&index=16 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/62TkNXk8Loo |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Rebel-Star ಅಂಬರೀಶ್Sumalatha ,PRAMAPALLAVI |date=11 August 2009 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|url=https://sumalatha.tripod.com/personal.htm|title=personal|website=sumalatha.tripod.com}}

On 24 November 2018 Ambareesh died due to a cardiac arrest.{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/kannada-actor-former-union-minister-ambareesh-dies-in-bengaluru-hospital/articleshow/66789564.cms |title=Ambareesh death: Kannada actor, former Union minister Ambareesh died in Bengaluru hospital |date=25 November 2018 |first=Anil |last=Gejji |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=7 March 2020}} Sumalatha shared an emotional letter addressed to late Ambareesh on 8 December 2018, their 27th wedding anniversary.{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/sumaambareesh/posts/10156900187869266 |title=Sumalatha Amarnath |via=Facebook |language=en |access-date=7 March 2020}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} On 6 July 2020, it was reported that Sumalatha tested positive for COVID-19 and had placed herself in home quarantine.

Political life

In March 2019, Sumalatha announced that she would be contesting as an independent candidate in the 2019 Indian general election in Karnataka (Lok Sabha) from Mandya.{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mandya-sumalatha-to-contest-as-independent-candidate-723819.html |title=Sumalatha to contest Mandya LS polls as an independent |date=18 March 2019 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |access-date=26 March 2019}} She was backed by big stars from the Kannada film industry like Darshan, Yash, Rockline Venkatesh, Doddanna.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha-2019/its-official-sumalatha-to-contest-as-independent-from-mandya/article26572594.ece |title=It's official. Sumalatha to contest as Independent from Mandya |date=18 March 2019 |work=The Hindu |access-date=7 March 2020 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} Bharatiya Janata Party decided not to field a candidate in Mandya in efforts to support her. Some of the Congress Party workers supported her indirectly due to the history of traditional rivalry between JDS - Congress rivalry in Mandya which was a tricky situation for congress.{{cite news |title=Actor Ambareesh's Wife Sumalatha Gets BJP Backing In Karnataka's Mandya |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2019-actor-ambareeshs-wife-sumalatha-gets-bjp-backing-in-karnatakas-mandya-2011866 |access-date=18 May 2019 |work=NDTV.com |date=23 March 2019 |language=en}} She won, defeating Nikhil with a margin of 128,876 votes.{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/karnataka-lok-sabha-election-results-kumaraswamys-son-nikhil-loses-in-mandya/articleshow/69469766.cms |title=Karnataka Lok Sabha Election Results: Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil loses in Mandya |date=23 May 2019 |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=7 March 2020}} She is the first Independent woman Member of parliament from Karnataka.{{Cite news |last=Yasmeen |first=Afshan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/two-women-from-state-heading-to-lok-sabha-this-time/article27243939.ece |title=Two women from State heading to Lok Sabha this time |date=25 May 2019 |work=The Hindu |access-date=7 March 2020 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

Sumalatha joined BJP ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections on 05 April 2024 in the presence of Former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa & D V Sadananda Gowda, State President B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly R Ashoka, national General Secretary in-charge of elections in Karnataka Radha Mohan Das Agarwal.{{cite news |last1=NDTV |title=Karnataka Independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh Joins BJP Ahead Of Polls |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/karnataka-independent-mp-sumalatha-ambareesh-joins-bjp-ahead-of-polls-5379410 |access-date=5 April 2024 |work= |date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405190420/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/karnataka-independent-mp-sumalatha-ambareesh-joins-bjp-ahead-of-polls-5379410 |archive-date=5 April 2024}}{{cite news |last1=The Hindu |first1= |title=Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh joins BJP in Karnataka |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mandya-mp-sumalatha-ambareesh-joins-bjp-in-karnataka/article68032224.ece |access-date=5 April 2024 |date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405190935/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mandya-mp-sumalatha-ambareesh-joins-bjp-in-karnataka/article68032224.ece |archive-date=5 April 2024 |language=en-IN}}

Awards

Devar's Best New Face Award: Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979) (Tamil)
Special Jury Nandi award (Best Actress): Sruthilayalu (1987) (Telugu)
Film Fans Award for Best Actress: Sruthilayalu (1987) (Telugu)
Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress: New Delhi and Thoovanathumbikal (1987) (Malayalam)
Lux Award for Best Actress: New Delhi (1987) (Malayalam)
Film Fans Award for Best Actress: New Delhi (1987) (Hindi)
Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress: Isabella (1988) (Malayalam){{Cite web|url=https://sumalatha.tripod.com/biodata.html|title=Biodata|website=sumalatha.tripod.com}}
Honorary doctorate by the United Technological Research University of America in Hyderabad (2024).{{cite news |last1=Raashtra |date=20 January 2024 |title=ఘనంగా డాక్టరేట్స్ ప్రదానం.. మీడియా పార్టనర్ గా 'రాష్ట్ర' |url=https://raashtra.com/nmkoi-honorary-doctorate-awards-2024/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121120541/https://raashtra.com/nmkoi-honorary-doctorate-awards-2024/ |archivedate=21 January 2024 |accessdate=21 January 2024}}

Filmography

=Telugu=

Karunamayudu (1978)
Samajaniki Saval (1979)
Rajadhi Raju (1980) as Lilly
Bhola Shankarudu (1980)
Kalam Marindi
Girija Kalyanam (1981) as Rosy
Agni Poolu (1981)
Jeevitha Ratham (1981) as Sandhya
Pelleedu Pillalu (1982) as Poorna
Subhalekha (1982) as Sujata
Hima Bindu (1982)
Savaal (1982)
Aalaya Sikharam (1983) as Radha
Khaidi (1983) as Dr. Sujata
Raghu Ramudu (1983)
Rangula Puli (1983)
Bharya Bhartala Saval (1983)
Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
Amarajeevi (1983)
Merupu Daadi (1984) as Sivangi
Justice Chakravarthy (1984) as Latha
Janani Janmabhoomi (1984) as Pammy/Padmini
Agni Gundam (1984)
Kai Raja Kai (1984)
Jagan (1984)
Bhola Shankarudu (1984)
Pulijoodam (1984)
Uddhandudu (1984)
Nayakulaku Saval (1984) as Lalitha
Pralaya Simham{{Cite web |title=PRALAYA SIMHAM (1984) |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b75b34688 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114025321/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b75b34688 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2019 |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=BFI |language=en}} (1984) as Aruna
Jackie (1985)
Chattamtho Poratam (1985) as Kalyani
Kattula Kondayya (1985) as Jyothi
Ranarangam (1985)
Intiko Rudramma{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=M7CS6DeiqF8 |title=Intiko Rudramma Full Movie {{!}} Bhanuchander,Sumalatha,Ranganath,Sharada,Sujatha,Giribabu {{!}} ETV Cinema |date=2024-09-09 |last=ETV Cinema |access-date=2024-09-13 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/intiko-rudramma-am413699/cast-crew |title=Intiko Rudramma (1985) - S.A. Chandrashekhar {{!}} Cast and Crew {{!}} AllMovie |language=en |access-date=2024-09-13 |via=www.allmovie.com}} (1985) as Ganga
Mugguru Mitrulu (1985)
Srimathi Garu (1985)
Illalu Vardhillu (1985)
Veta (1986) as Jyothirmayi
Tandra Paparayudu (1986) as Subhadra
Rakshasudu (1986) as Vani
Jeevana Ragam (1986)
Iddaru Mithrulu (1986)
Jailu Pakshi (1986)
Nampalli Nagu (1986)
Ashtalakshmi Vaibhavam (1986)
Thandri Kodukula Challenge (1987)
Sruthi Layalu (1987) as Sita
Pasivadi Pranam (1987)
Swayam Krushi (1987) as Sharada
Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987)
Punnami Chandrudu (1987)
Raaga Leela (1987)
Donga Kollu (1988) as Neeraja
Antima Teerpu (1988) as Vasanta
Donga Pelli (1988)
Jamadagni (1988)
Jayammu Nischayammu Raa as Shanti
Guru Sishyulu (1990)
Gang Leader (1991) as Latha
Dabbu Bhale Jabbu (1992) as Hema
Raja Kumarudu (1999) as Rajya Lakshmi
Okkadu Chalu (2000) as Lakshmi
Sri Manjunatha (2001)
Boss (2006)
Srirastu Subhamastu (2016)

= Malayalam =

Naayika (2011) as herself (Archive footage/Uncredited cameo)
Kandahar (2010) as Sumangaly
Purappadu (1990) as Nalini
Parampara (1990) as Meera
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990) as Lakshmi Haridas
No.20 Madras Mail (1990) as Sr. Gloria
Thazhvaram (1990) as Kochootti
Nair Saab (1989) as Prabha
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas (1988) as Sophia
Dhinarathrangal (1988) as Dr. Savithri
David David Mr. David (1988)
Isabella (1988) as Isabella
New Delhi (1987) as Maria Fernandez
Thoovanathumbikal (1987) as Clara
Shyama (1986) as Lakshmi
Nirakkoottu (1985) as Mercy
Idavelakku Shesham (1984) as Sindhu
Alakadalinakkare (1984) as Mohan's wife
Himam (1983) as Indu
Chakravalam Chuvannappol (1983) as Latha
Kodunkattu (1983) as Sreekala
Kilukilukkam (1982)
John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982) as Jeny
Thadaakam (1982) as Sabira
Kazhumaram (1982) as Radhika
Aarambham (1982) as Santha
Dheera (1982) as Rathi
Irattimadhuram (1982) as Sangeetha
Aranjaanam (1982) as Anu
Aadarsham (1982) as Radha
Thenum Vayambum (1981) as Sreedevi
Ithihasam (1981) as Shobha
Munnettam (1981) as Ramani
Kolilakkam (1981) as Suma
Raktham (1981) as Valsala
Kadathu (1981) as ThulasiKilungaatha Changalakal
Saahasam (1981)
Ellam Ninakku Vendi (1981) as Sreedevi
Kilungaatha Changalakal (1981) as Latha
Nizhal Yudham (1981) as Radha
Moorkhan (1980) as Raji
Vilangum Veenayum

=Kannada=

Ravichandra (1980)...Sheela
Thayiya Kanasu (1985)
Aahuti (1985)
Thayiya Hone (1985)...Suma
Thayi Mamathe (1985)
Karna (1986)
Kathanayaka (1986)
Sathya Jyothi (1986)
Huli Hebbuli (1987)...Dr. Priya
Thayigobba Karna (1988)
New Delhi (1988)...Vasantha
Hongkongnalli Agent Amar (1989)
Nyayakkagi Naanu (1989)
Raja Yuvaraja (1989)
Maheshwara (1990)
Kaliyuga Bheema (1991)
Sri Manjunatha (2001)...Sumalatha Devi
Paris Pranaya (2003)
Excuse Me (2003)...Parvati
Kanchana Ganga (2004)
Kallarali Hoovagi (2006)
Bhoopathi (2007)
Ee Sambhashane (2009)
Varadhanayaka (2013){{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/varadanayaka-khakhi-power/articleshow/21240339.cms|title=Varadanayaka: Khakhi Power|website=Bangalore Mirror}}
Viraat (2016)...Viraat's mother
Bhale Jodi (2016)
Jessie (2016)...Jessie's mother
Doddmane Hudga (2016)...Doddamane Rajeeva's wife
Thayige Thakka Maga (2018)...Parvathi
D/O Parvathamma (2019)...Parvathamma
India vs England (2020)...Janaki
Hope (2022)...Sulakshana Amarnath
Kranti (2023)...Chief Minister