Suryakantham

Infobox actor
name = Suryakantham

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imagesize =
caption =
birthdate = birth date|1924|10|28
location = flagicon|India India
height =
deathdate = death date|1994|12|18
notable role = Gundamma in "Gundamma Katha"

Suryakantham (born 28 October 1924) was a popular character actor in the Telugu film industry. She was known for her nasty mother-in-law roles.

Early life

She was born at Venkata Krishnaraya Puram near Kakinada in East Godavari district on 28 October, 1924. She was the 14th child to their parents, while ten children had died. She learnt dance and singing at a tender age of six.

Career

She started as a dancer in “Chandralekha” produced by the Gemini Studio. Thanks to the efforts of Leela Kumari, she got her first role as character artiste in “Narada Naradhi”. But little roles did not satisfy the artiste in her. She dreamt of going to Bombay (Mumbai) for better opportunities. When Gemini Studio makers failed to provide her roles other than a dancer, she had quit her job. But her financial position would not permit her chase after her dream.

Later, she got a good character artiste role in the movie “Grihapravesam”. Though, she got an opportunity to do the heroine role in “Soudhamini”, God had decided something really worthwhile for her. The heroine chance slipped away from her, when she was met with a car accident (in which Suryakantham was hurt in the face). But she consolidated her position by playing the role of a cruel mother-in-law in “Samsaram”.There was no looking back thereafter. The audience began to abuse her Suryakantham (of course her character).

Once again, the most-wanted “heroine” role tapped her door through Mumbai tinsel world. Knowing that the producer had dropped a heroine from his movie on personal grounds; and the same was given to her; Suryakantham rejected the offer, saying “I can’t live on the unhappiness of other artistes.” Such was the integrity of Suryakantham, as an artiste. “Kodarikam” lifted her to lofty heights. Ace directors or the era, B Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani would not dare to do a movie without Suryakantham. They had even produced a movie “Gundammakatha”, starring N.T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and S.V. Ranga Rao. The entire story would revolve round Suryakantham. Audience all over state wondered at the title. But when the movie released, it became an instant hit.

Awards and Titles

Awards

* Mahanati Savithri Memorial Award

Titles

* Sahaja Nata Kala Shiromani
* Haasya Nata Siromani
* Bahumukha Natanaa Praveena
* Rangasthala Siromani
* Arungalai Maamani (Tamil)

References

http://www.filmchamber.com/tmpl.asp?it=prfbsuryakantham

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