Sithara (actress)

Sithara was born as the eldest of the three children of Parameshwaran Nair and Valsala Nair in Kilimanoor. Her father Parameshwaran Nair was an engineer at the electricity board and her mother was also an officer at the electricity board. She has two younger brothers, Pratheesh and Abhilash. She studied in Lourdes Mount School, Vattappara. She was studying for pre-university certification at Sree Sankara Vidyapeetom College, Kilimanoor, when she acted in her debut movie Kaveri (1986).^[3]

Sithara never married, a decision she took early in her life after her father's death.^[4]

Sithara made her acting debut in 1986 with the Malayalam film Kaveri, directed by Rajeevnath. Her performance was well-received, and she soon became a sought-after actress in the Malayalam film industry. She went on a signing spree and turned to be most sought after actress of 80's and 90's in South India.^[5]

She then expanded her career to Tamil cinema with her debut in Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989), directed by K. Balachander, which was a major success and established her as a prominent actress in Tamil films.^[6]

Throughout her career, Sithara has worked with several leading actors and acclaimed directors. Some of her notable Malayalam films include Nakhakshathangal (1986), Mazhavilkavadi (1989), Jaathakam (1989), Dasharatham (1989), Amaram (1991), Chamayam (1993) and Guru (1997).

In Tamil cinema, she is known for her performances in films like Pudhu Vasantham (1990) and Padayappa (1999). She has to be part of more than 100 films in each south languages as heroin and character artists.^[7]

In late 2000, she took a break from the industry. Sithara made her comeback to Mollywood with Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu directed by Rajasenan. After her comeback, she acted in Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu (2013) and Saigal Padukayanu (2015).^[8]

She is also known for her work in Television. The serial likes Mouna Raagalu, Kavari Maangal, Parasakti, Eetharam Katha, Intinti Gruhalakshmi and Poova Thalaya.^[9]