Sukanya (actress)
Indian Bharatnatyam dancer, film actress, music composer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
R. Sukanya[1] (born 25 November 1972) is an Indian actress who mainly worked in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films. She is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, and has worked as a composer, lyricist and voice actress.
Sukanya | |
|---|---|
Sukanya in 2020 | |
| Born | 25 November 1972 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other name | Suganya |
| Occupations | Actress, dancer, singer, dubbing artist, composer, lyricist |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse |
Sridhar Rajagopalan
(m. 2002; sep. 2003) |
| Awards | Kalaimamani |
Career
Sukanya made her debut in the Tamil movie Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu (1991). She gained fame through films like Chinna Gounder (1992), Senthamizh Paattu (1992), Walter Vetrivel (1993), Mahanadhi (1994) and Indian (1996).
Some of Sukanya's Malayalam movies include Apaaratha (1992), Sagaram Sakshi (1994), Thooval Kottaram (1996), Chandralekha (1997), Rakthasakshikal Sindabad (1998), Vinayapoorvam Vidhyaadharan (2000), Udayon (2005), Innathe Chintha Vishayam (2008), Last Bench (2012), and Aamayum Muyalum (2014).
Sukanya's contribution to Telugu cinema consists of Peddarikam (1992) Amma Koduku (1994), Captain (1994), Sri (2005), Munna (2007), Adhinayakudu (2012) and Srimanthudu (2015).
She has also appeared on television shows such as Jannal: Ammavukku Rendula Ragu (2000–2001), Anandham (2003–2009), Swami Ayyappan (2006–2007) and Adhiparasakthi (2010). Known for her love towards hair and makeup, she can be seen on the sets of the TV show Anandham, doing her co-star's hairstyles. As a voice actress, she is known as the voice of Nandita Das in Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). She has also composed two devotional albums, namely Azhagu (2005) and Thirupathi Thirukudai Thiruvizha (2012).[2]
Personal life and family
Sukanya was born in Madras on 25 November 1972 to Ramesh, a film producer as the younger of two children.[3][4][5] Both Sukanya as well as her older sister Geetha Sridhar have trained in Bharatanatyam at the Kalakshetra Foundation.[6] Geetha runs the UK-based dance company Natyashri as part of which Sukanya has given dance performances.[6] The film actress S. Jayalakshmi was her grandmother and actors S. Rajam and S. Balachander were her great-uncles.[7]
Sukanya married R. Sridhar, a software engineer based in New Jersey on April 17, 2002.[8] The two later separated and Sukanya filed for divorce on March 3, 2004, alleging domestic abuse.[9] While Sridhar filed a Special Leave Petition on the divorce proceedings, arguing that he was not subject to Indian laws as he was a United States citizen, the plea was dismissed and the couple were granted a divorce in 2012.[10]
Sukanya has described herself in interviews as a deeply religious person.[11] She composed and sang a Tamil song Jai Shri Ram and released the album during the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.[11] In an interview to the website Galatta.com, Sukanya denied any intention to join politics or stand in elections.[11][12][13]
Filmography
Tamil
Malayalam
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Apaaratha | Surya | |
| 1994 | Sagaram Sakshi | Nirmala | |
| 1996 | Thooval Kottaram | Sujatha | Choreography also |
| Kaanaakkinaavu | Sathi | ||
| 1997 | Chandralekha | Chandra/Chandrika Varma | |
| 1998 | Rakthasakshikal Sindabad | Sivakami Ammal | |
| Manjukalavum Kazhinju | Shobha | ||
| Amma Ammaayiyamma | Prabhavati | ||
| 1999 | Swastham Grihabharanam | Ashwathi | |
| Prem Poojari | Herself | Guest appearance | |
| 2000 | Vinayapoorvam Vidhyaadharan | Shalini | |
| 2004 | Kanninum Kannadikkum | Herself | Guest appearance |
| 2005 | Udayon | Susiemol | |
| 2006 | Notebook | Sridevi's mother | |
| 2008 | Innathe Chintha Vishayam | Treesa | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam |
| 2012 | Last Bench | Rosili | |
| The Hitlist | Cameo | ||
| 2013 | Manikya Thamburattiyum Christmas Carolum | Step-mother | |
| 2014 | My Life Partner | Dr. Leela Iyer | |
| Aamayum Muyalum | Bhandaravathi |
Telugu
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Peddarikam | Janaki | |
| Amma Koduku | Rajakumari | ||
| 1994 | Captain | Uma | Partially reshot in Tamil |
| Khaidi No. 1 | Seetha | ||
| 2004 | Samba | Pasupathi's wife | |
| 2005 | Sri | Sriram's mother | |
| 2007 | Munna | Kakha's second wife | |
| 2012 | Adhinayakudu | Ramakrishna Prasad's wife | |
| 2015 | Srimanthudu | Harsha Vardhan's mother |
Kannada
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Guru Brahma | Uma, Suma | Dual role |
| 2013 | Chandra | Queen Sarala Devi |
Singer
| Year | Film / Album | Song | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Krishna Krishna | "Thalli Vechu" | |
| 2005 | Azhagu | Only lyrics and music | |
| 2012 | Thirupati Thirukkural Thiruvizha | "Ashtalakshmi" | |
| 2024 | DNA | Lyrics[14] | |
As dubbing artist
- 2002 – Kannathil Muthamittal (for Nandita Das) – Tamil film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Judgement | Director | Tamil | Telefilm | |
| 1999–2000 | Jannal Marabu Kavithaigal | Saroja | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2000–2001 | Jannal: Ammavukku Rendula Ragu | Mythili | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2000–2001 | Aaya | Vadivamma | DD Podhigai | Tamil | |
| 2003–2009 | Anandham | Shanthi | Sun TV Zee Tamizh | Tamil | (Re-telecast) 2014 – 2015 |
| 2004–2005 | Kadamattathu Kathanar | Neeli | Asianet Asianet Plus | Malayalam | (Re-telecast) 2016 – 2017 |
| 2005 | Kadalinakkare | Sukanya | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| Devi | Surya TV | Malayalam | |||
| 2006–2007 | Swami Ayyappan | Panthalam Maharani | Asianet Asianet Plus | Malayalam | (Re-telecast) 2016 – 2017 |
| 2008 | 20 million Apple Star | Judge | Jeevan TV | Malayalam | |
| 2010 | Adhiparasakthi | Adiparashakthi | Raj TV | Tamil | (Re-telecast) 2017 |
| 2011–2012 | Appanum Aathalum | Kalaignar TV | Tamil | ||
| 2012 | Super Kudumbam | Judge | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Uravugal Sangamam | Singer | Raj TV | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Odi Vilayadu Papa | Judge | Kalaingar TV | Tami | |
| 2019 | Comedy Stars season 2 | Judge | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| 2024 | Shakthi IPS | Nurse Dharani | DD Podhigai | Tamil |