Tara (Kannada actress)
Indian actress and politician
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Anuradha (born 4 March 1965), known by her stage name Tara, is an Indian actress, television personality and a politician. She is known for her work predominantly in Kannada language films in addition to a few Telugu and Tamil films. She has appeared in over 250 films and has won a National Film Award for Best Actress, three Karnataka State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South in her career spanning over 40 years.
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Tara | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member (nominated) of Karnataka Legislative Council | |
| In office 10 August 2012 – 2018 | |
| President of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy | |
| In office 15 March 2012 – June 2013 | |
| President of The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Be | |
| Assumed office January 2020 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anuradha 4 March 1965[a] |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Occupation | Actress, politician |
Tara made her debut in 1984 with the Tamil film Ingeyum Oru Gangai. Her Kannada film debut came in 1985 with Thulasidala. Some of her most notable films in Kannada include Krama (1991), Munjaneya Manju (1993), Kanooru Heggadithi (1999), Munnudi (2000), Mathadana (2001), Hasina (2005), Cyanide (2006) and Ee Bandhana (2007), Ulidavaru Kandanthe (2014). Even though she started off in the lead role, most part of her film career has been in playing the second lead and supporting roles during the 1980s and the early 1990s. In the mid-1990s she began to take up author backed roles which earned her critical acclaim and several awards and laurels including the National Film Award for the film Hasina.[3] She has been among the judge panel in television reality shows such as Raja Rani (2021) and Nannamma Super Star (2021–22).
She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2009 and is currently a nominated member of the Karnataka Legislative Council. After joining BJP, she was elected as the president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy in 2012 and held the position for a year.[4] In the same year, she was nominated as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, the upper house of the legislature of Karnataka.[5]
Career
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Anuradha was first noticed by director Venagal Jagannath Rao during her ballad performance in school, and offered her a role in his 1985 film, Thulasidala, which she appeared in. Following this, she was signed in the Tamil film, Manivannan's Ingeyum Oru Gangai (1984) opposite Murali, where she was first credited as Tara. It became her first theatrical release.[6] Tara got her break in Dr. Rajkumar starrer Guri (1986) and thereafter acted in several movies as a leading lady and supporting actress.
Tara has worked with almost all leading Kannada heroes of the 1980s and 1990s including Rajkumar, Shankar Nag, Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Ananth Nag, Ravichandran, Shashikumar, Tiger Prabhakar, Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar, Murali, Karthik, Sunil and Devaraj.
Her performance in Girish Karnad's Kanooru Heggadithi brought her widespread recognition. She received her first award as best actress for the Kannada movie Krama (1991), directed by debutant director Asrar Abid. In the late 1980s, she appeared as a supporting actress in Mani Ratnam's Tamil films, Nayakan and Agni Natchathiram. Her performance in Girish Karnad's Kanooru Heggadithi brought her widespread recognition for which she also received her second "best actress" state award. She received the "best supporting actress" award for Munjaneya Manju. She received wide critical acclaim for the female centric Munnudi which received multiple National Film Awards, including Best Film on Other Social Issues.[7][8]
In 2005, she was cast by Girish Kasaravalli in Hasina, for which she won the National Award. Subsequently, her role in Deadly Soma was appreciated. Then came another breakthrough performance in Cyanide (2006), for which she received her third Best Actress award at the Karnataka State Film Awards.[9] She portrayed a "traumatic" Mridula, the wife of Rangayana Raghu's Raghunath, who provide shelter to the plotters of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.[10]
Beside acting, Tara produced Hasina, and announced her intention to direct films as well.[11] In the social drama Hebbet Ramakka (2018), Tara played an illiterate yet forthright villager whose world revolved around tending to her farmland, caring for her livestock, and raising her two school-going children.[12] Her performance won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for the fourth time.[13]
Personal life
Tara married cinematographer H. C. Venugopal in 2005. They have a son (b. 2013).[2]
Filmography
Kannada films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Thulasidala | Anitha | |
| 1986 | Anand | Asha | |
| Guri | |||
| Brahmastra | Mala | ||
| Maneye Manthralaya | |||
| Samsarada Guttu | |||
| Sundara Swapnagalu | |||
| Ella Hengasarinda | |||
| Satkaara | |||
| Hennina Koogu | |||
| Madhura Bandhavya | |||
| Mathondu Charithre | |||
| Thavaru Mane | |||
| Bete | Guest appearance | ||
| 1987 | Ravana Rajya | ||
| Shubha Milana | |||
| Mr. Raja | |||
| Anthima Ghatta | |||
| Bala Nouke | |||
| Karunamayi | |||
| Kurukshetra | |||
| Mukhavada | |||
| Thayi | Guest appearance | ||
| Bhadrakali | |||
| Lorry Driver | |||
| 1988 | Ranaranga | Bhavana | |
| Avale Nanna Hendthi | Gayathri | ||
| Kampana | |||
| Mathrudevobhava | |||
| Sangliyana | |||
| Mutthaide | |||
| Thayigobba Karna | |||
| Kote | |||
| Meenakshi Mane Meshtru | |||
| Dharmapathni | |||
| Thayi Karulu | |||
| 1989 | Hendthighelbedi | ||
| Avathara Purusha | |||
| Bidisada Bandha | Aruna | ||
| En Swamy Aliyandre | |||
| Deva | Sujatha | ||
| Anthintha Gandu Nanalla | Kamala | ||
| Doctor Krishna | Chanchala | ||
| Poli Huduga | |||
| Raja Yuvaraja | |||
| Padmavyuha | |||
| C.B.I. Shankar | Actress | Guest appearance | |
| Premagni | |||
| Sura Sundaranga | |||
| 1990 | Nigooda Rahasya | ||
| Agni Divya | |||
| Amrutha Bindu | |||
| Khiladi Thatha | |||
| Maheshwara | |||
| Neene Nanna Jeeva | |||
| Policena Hendthi | |||
| Chakra | |||
| Muraligana Amruthapana | |||
| Challenge | |||
| Ivalentha Hendthi | |||
| Kaliyuga Krishna | |||
| Raja Kempu Roja | |||
| Sididedda Gandu | |||
| Sri Sathyanarayana Pooja Phala | |||
| 1991 | C. B. I. Shiva | Ranjini | |
| Ide Police Belt | |||
| Krama | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress | ||
| Nagu Nagutha Nali | |||
| Anatha Rakshaka | |||
| Kadana | |||
| Khiladi Gandu | |||
| Aranyadalli Abhimanyu | |||
| Maneli Ili Beedeeli Huli | |||
| Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police | Rukmini "Rukku" | ||
| Karnana Sampathu | |||
| Nagini | |||
| Nanagu Hendthi Beku | |||
| Rollcall Ramakrishna | |||
| Shwethagni | |||
| Golmaal Part 2 | Meera | ||
| Sundara Kanda | |||
| 1992 | Undu Hoda Kondu Hoda | Rukmini | |
| Halli Meshtru | Teacher's wife | Cameo role | |
| Belli Kalungura | Tunga | ||
| Nagaradalli Nayakaru | |||
| Vajrayudha | |||
| Malashree Mamashree | Tara | ||
| Prema Sangama | |||
| Banni Ondsala Nodi | |||
| Gili Bete | |||
| Roshagara | |||
| Police File | |||
| 1993 | Munjaneya Manju | Hema | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| Apoorva Jodi | |||
| Karimaleya Kaggathalu | |||
| Muddina Maava | |||
| Khaidi No.407 | |||
| Manikantana Mahime | |||
| Mojina Maduve | |||
| Prana Snehitha | |||
| Bhagavan Sri Saibaba | Lakshmi | ||
| Sidukabeda Singari | |||
| Bhavya Bharatha | |||
| Jwala | |||
| Love Training | |||
| Mahendra Varma | |||
| Sarkarakke Savaal | |||
| Server Somanna | Guest appearance | ||
| Shrungara Raja | |||
| 1994 | Alexander | ||
| Sammilana | |||
| Gandhada Gudi Part 2 | Marappa's wife | ||
| Hettha Karulu | |||
| Praja Shakti | |||
| Yarigu Helbedi | |||
| Apoorva Samsara | |||
| Bhuvaneshwari | |||
| Poorna Sathya | |||
| 1995 | Operation Antha | ||
| Thumbida Mane | Geetha | ||
| Mana Midiyithu | |||
| Nilukada Nakshatra | |||
| Mister Abhishek | Revathi | ||
| Bhavani | |||
| Hello Sister | Guest appearance | ||
| Killer Diary | |||
| Ravitheja | |||
| Chinnada Raja | |||
| Eshwar | |||
| Professor | |||
| Shubha Lagna | |||
| 1996 | Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata | ||
| Sipayi | |||
| Dhani | Guest appearance | ||
| Aadithya | Inspector | ||
| Jeevanadhi | |||
| Nannaseya Nandini | |||
| Nirnaya | |||
| Saakida Gini | |||
| Mouna Raga | |||
| Muddina Sose | |||
| Surya Puthra | |||
| Veerabhadra | |||
| Karadipura | |||
| 1997 | Amrutha Varshini | Vimala | |
| Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda | |||
| Central Jail | |||
| Jackie Chan | |||
| Vimochane | |||
| Kandalli Gundu | |||
| 1998 | Yaare Neenu Cheluve | Mary | |
| Anthargami | |||
| Gadibidi Krishna | |||
| Hendithghelthini | |||
| High Command | |||
| O Gandasare Neeveshtu Olleyavaru | |||
| Sri Siddharooda Mahime | |||
| 1999 | Kanooru Heggadithi | Subbamma | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada Suprabhata Award for Best Actress[citation needed] |
| Premotsava | Shanti | ||
| Chandrodaya | Divya's sister-in-law | ||
| Durga Shakti | |||
| Tharikere Erimele | Guest appearance | ||
| Final Judgement | |||
| 2000 | Galate Aliyandru | ||
| Devara Maga | Sundari | ||
| Hagalu Vesha | |||
| Kadlimatti Station Master | |||
| Deveeri | Guest appearance | ||
| Munnudi | Rukhiya | ||
| Swalpa Adjust Madkolli | |||
| Tiger Padmini | |||
| 2001 | Diggajaru | Gowri | |
| Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu | Actress | ||
| Amma | |||
| Namma Samsara Ananda Sagara | |||
| Neelambari | |||
| 2002 | Mathadana | Lakshmi | |
| Ninagagi | Rukkamma | ||
| Karmugilu | Gowri | ||
| Balarama | |||
| Daddy No.1 | |||
| Galate Maduve | |||
| Sri Krishna Sandhana | |||
| 2003 | Hey Nan Bheeshma Kano | Lakshmi | [14] |
| Paris Pranaya | Seetha | ||
| Ondagona Baa | |||
| Shravana Sambhrama | |||
| 2004 | Nalla | Dr. Sarala Desai | |
| Aagodella Olledakke | |||
| Saradara | |||
| Jyeshta | |||
| Nalla | |||
| Devasura | |||
| Naari Munidare Gandu Paraari | |||
| Roshagni | |||
| 2005 | Deadly Soma | Parvathi | |
| Karnana Sampathu | |||
| Siddhu | Sowmya | ||
| Namma Basava | |||
| Hasina | Hasina | National Film Award for Best Actress | |
| Dr. B. R. Ambedkar | Ramabai Ambedkar | ||
| Pandu Ranga Vittala | Sarala | ||
| Samarasimha Nayaka | |||
| Auto Shankar | |||
| 2006 | Mata | Chandra's lover | |
| Cyanide | Mridula | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress | |
| Pandavaru | |||
| Care of Footpath | Saraswati | ||
| Eesha | |||
| 2007 | Shri Kshetra Kaivara Thathaiah | Suvarna Film Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige | Jummi | ||
| Ee Bandhana | Sukanya | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada | |
| Right Adre | |||
| Deepa | |||
| Vidyarthi | |||
| 2008 | Aramane | Savitri | |
| Jnanajyothi Sri Siddaganga | |||
| Ganga Kaveri | Ganga's mother | Guest appearance | |
| 2009 | Birugaali | ||
| Nirudyogi | |||
| Abhimani | Lakshmi | ||
| Brahmacharigalu Saar Brahmacharigalu | |||
| Prashne | |||
| 2010 | Modalasala | Paaru | |
| School Master | |||
| Eradane Maduve | |||
| Jotheyagi Hithavagi | |||
| Kunidu Kunidu Baare | |||
| Niranthara | |||
| 2011 | Mathond Madhuvena | ||
| Kirataka | Nandisha's mother | ||
| Jolly Boy | Lakshmi | ||
| Panchamrutha | Shanthi | segment: "Ondu Kanasu: a dream" | |
| Kempegowda | Kavya's mother | ||
| Sogasugara | |||
| 2012 | Bhageerathi | Udaya Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| Samsaaradalli Golmaal | |||
| Golmal Gayathri | |||
| 2013 | Galaate | ||
| Shravani Subramanya | Anuradha | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada | |
| 2014 | Ulidavaru Kandanthe | Ratna | |
| 2015 | Octopus | ||
| 2016 | CBI Sathya | ||
| Madamakki | Ratna | ||
| Golisoda | |||
| 2017 | Bharjari | Nimmi | |
| Gapallondu Cinema | |||
| 2018 | Hebbet Ramakka | Ramakka | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress Nominated—Filmibeat Award for Best Actress – Kannada |
| Atharva | |||
| Savitribai Phule | |||
| 2019 | Sinnga | Janakamma | |
| Aadi Lakshmi Puraana | Shanthamma | ||
| Ellidde Illi Tanaka | Lakshmi | ||
| Bharaate | Jagan's mother | ||
| 2020 | Shivarjuna | Shiva's mother | |
| 2021 | Tom And Jerry | ||
| Mugilpete | Raja's mother | ||
| Badava Rascal | Shankar's mother | ||
| 2022 | Dandi | ||
| 2023 | Tagaru Palya | Shantha | |
| Bad Manners | Lakshmamma | ||
| 2024 | Kotee | Kotee's mother | |
| 2025 | Vaamana | ||
| Marutha | Eeshwar's mother | ||
| 2026 | Elra Kaaleliyatte Kaala | ||
| Uttara | Judge |
Other language films
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Ingeyum Oru Gangai | Maruthayi | Tamil | |
| January 1 | Tamil | |||
| 1985 | Bullet | Telugu | ||
| 1987 | Nayakan | Shakila | Tamil | |
| Sankeertana | Telugu | |||
| Thulasi | Ponni | Tamil | ||
| 1988 | Agni Natchathiram | Mallika | Tamil | |
| Pelli Chesi Choodu | Seeta | Telugu | ||
| 1989 | Sarvabhoumudu | Usha | Telugu | |
| 1990 | Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar | Muthappa's wife | Tamil | |
| Kaliyuga Abhimanyudu | Padma | Telugu | ||
| Neti Siddhartha | Rekha | Telugu | ||
| Maa Inti Katha | Telugu | Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress | ||
| Sathiyavakku | Tamil | |||
| 1991 | Brahmarshi Viswamitra | Sakunthala's friend | Telugu | |
| 2008 | Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu | Tamil | ||
| 2012 | Maattrraan | Sudha | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Sathriyan | Niranjana's mother | Tamil | |
Television
| Year | Serial | Role | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Mikhaelinte Santhathikal | Malayalam | |||
| –2002 | Sarojini | Kannada | [15] | ||
| 2002 | Parva | Kannada | [16] | ||
| 2007 | Mega Bangarada Bete | Host | Kannada | Kannada version of Mega Thangavettai which is the revamped version of Tamil gameshow Thanga Vettai | |
| 2021 | Raja Rani | Judge | Kannada | ||
| 2021–2022 | Nannamma Super Star | Judge | Kannada | ||
| 2025–present | Naavu Nammavaru | Judge | Kannada |
Awards and nominations
Notes
- Tara has said that she was born on 4 March 1965[1] whereas a news report carried by The Times of India in 2013 quoted she was 48, which implies she was born in c. 1965.[2]
