Srividya (24 July 1953 - 19 October 2006) was a leading Indian Film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed. Srividya's personal life was full of tragedies. She fought against all odds with dedication in her work until she died of breast cancer.
Srividya was born on 24 July 1953 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to Tamil film comedian Krishnamurthy and Carnatic classical singer M. L. Vasanthakumari. She had a brother, Sankararaman. Her father had to stop acting in the year she was born because of a disease which affected his facial muscles. Her family fell into financial crisis. Her mother worked long hours to meet the family's financial needs. Srividya once reportedly said that her mother didn't even have time to breastfeed her. Srividya debuted in acting very early in age. When her parent's marriage faced problems due to financial difficulties, Srividya's youth was blighted. She got a marriage proposal from a scientist based in the U.S., but the marriage did not materialize due to financial problems faced by her family.
Srividya launched her career in Malayalam films with a dance scene in Kumarasambhavam, directed by P. Subramanyan. She played a heroine in the film Chattambikkavala opposite Sathyan. She gained public attention in Chenda, directed by A. Vincent. Julie fame Lakshmi is her very close friend. Srividya also helped Malayali actress Seema in her costume selection and make-up.
In mid-1970s she became busy in the Tamil film industry. She acted in films such as Nootrukku Nooru,Sollathan Ninakkiren and Apoorva Raagangal, both directed by K. Balachander. The film Apoorva Raagangal (1975), in which she acted opposite the then-rising stars and now superstars of Tamil films, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, virtually changed her life. In the film she acted as the wife of Rajinikanth and as the lover of Kamal Haasan. She fell in love with Kamal Haasan during the making of the film. They had the support of their families, but they broke up. Later she fell in love with George Thomas, an assistant director in her Malayalam film Teekkanal.[2] She married him on 1978 9 January despite opposition from her family. As George wished, she was baptised before the marriage. She wanted to stay as a housewife, but had to return to acting, when George forced her to, citing financial issues. She soon realised that she made a wrong decision in marrying him. Her family life became miserable and the marriage ended in divorce. It was followed by a prolonged legal battle to settle financial issues between the two. The case went up to the Supreme Court of India, where she won the final decision. After the divorce, she left Chennai and settled in Trivandrum.
Srividya was a good singer as well. She first sang for films in the Malayalam film Ayalathe Sundari. She later sang in several films, such as Oru Painkilikkadha and Nakshathra tharattu. She was an expert classical vocalist as well. She used to sing in functions such as the Soorya Festival.
Srividya's later career was marked with her signature mother roles, the most notable of which was probably in Thalapathi(1991), directed by Maniratnam, in which she acted as the mother of Rajinikanth, who acted as her husband in Apoorva Raagangal(1975). In 31 October 1990 Srividya's mother M. L. Vasanthakumari died, which devastated her. She later began acting in Malayalam and Tamil TV serials. She was part of superhit Malayalam serials like Swapnam. She was a devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttabharthi.
In 2003, she underwent a biopsy test following physical problems and was tested positive for breast cancer. She underwent treatment for three years. In October 2006, she underwent chemotherapy, but cancer had already spread throughout her body. On 19 October 2006 at 7:55 pm she died.
| Movie |
Year |
Producer |
Director |
| Kumaarasambhavam |
1969 |
P Subramaniam |
P Subramaniam |
| Chattambikkavala |
1969 |
P Subramaniam |
N Sankaran Nair |
| Swapnangal |
1970 |
P Subramaniam |
P Subramaniam |
| Chenda |
1973 |
A Vincent |
A Vincent |
| Dharmayudham |
1973 |
Karthika Movies |
A Vincent |
| Sapthaswarangal |
1974 |
MS Narayanan |
Baby |
| Raajahamsam |
1974 |
Hari Pothan |
T Hariharan |
| Arakkallan Mukkaalkkallan |
1974 |
MP Rao,MRK Moorthy |
P Bhaskaran |
| Ayalathe Sundari |
1974 |
GP Balan |
T Hariharan |
| Thumbolaarcha |
1974 |
M Kunchacko |
M Kunchacko |
| Thacholi Marumakan Chanthu |
1974 |
P Bhaskaran |
P Bhaskaran |
| Vrindaavanam |
1974 |
PT Manuel |
KP Pillai |
| Swaami Ayyappan |
1975 |
P Subramaniam |
P Subramaniam |
| Babumon |
1975 |
GP Balan |
T Hariharan |
| Ulsavam |
1975 |
MP Ramachandran |
IV Sasi |
| Aaranyakaandam |
1975 |
RS Prabhu |
Sasi Kumar |
| Akkaldaama |
1975 |
Madhu |
Madhu |
| Maanishaada |
1975 |
M Kunchacko |
M Kunchacko |
| Chottaanikkara Amma |
1976 |
Thiruvonam Pictures |
Crossbelt Mani |
| Hridayam Oru Kshethram |
1976 |
P Subramaniam |
P Subramaniam |
| Theekkanal |
1976 |
George Thomas |
Madhu |
| Kaamadhenu |
1976 |
Hassan,PH Rasheed |
Sasi Kumar |
| Samasya |
1976 |
Kalaratnam Films |
K Thankappan |
| Amba Ambika Ambaalika |
1976 |
P Subramaniam |
P Subramaniam |
| Pushpasharam |
1976 |
Anwar Creations |
Sasi Kumar |
| Amma |
1976 |
KP Kottarakkara |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Sreemad Bhagavadgeetha |
1977 |
P Bhaskaran |
P Bhaskaran |
| Velaankanni Mathavu |
1977 D |
K Thankappan |
K Thankappan |
| Muhoorthangal |
1977 |
People Combines |
PM Benny |
| Parivarthanam |
1977 |
NC Menon |
Sasi Kumar |
| Ottakam |
1978 U |
TK Baburajan |
Thriprayar Sukumaran |
| Thenthulli |
1979 |
PV Shajihan |
KP Kumaran |
| Agniparvatham |
1979 |
KP Kottarakkara |
P Chandrakumar |
| Krishnapparunthu |
1979 |
Babu George |
O Ramdas |
| Prabhaathasandhya |
1979 |
Madhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Puthiya Velicham |
1979 |
Subramaniam Kumar |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
| Ivide Kaattinu Sugandham |
1979 |
A Anandan,N Velayudhan,TV Francis |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Anupallavi |
1979 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Baby |
| Venalil Oru Mazha |
1979 |
Subramaniam Kumar |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
| Pushyaraagam |
1979 |
Abbas,VV Antony |
C Radhakrishnan |
| Oru Raagam Pala Thaalam |
1979 |
George Thomas,Sreevidya |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Sudhikalasam |
1979 |
Madhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Iniyaathra |
1979 |
Jayakrishna Movies |
Sreeni Kodungalloor |
| Jeevitham Oru Gaanam |
1979 |
MR Cine Arts |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
| Ward Number 7 |
1979 |
Jameela Enterprises |
Venugopala Menon (P Venu) |
| Idavazhiyile Poocha Mindappoocha |
1979 |
KC Joy |
T Hariharan |
| Swapnangal Swanthamalla |
1979 U |
P Subramaniam |
Uncategorized |
| Dooram Arike |
1980 |
OM John |
Jeasy |
| Puzha |
1980 |
Salkkala Films |
Jeasy |
| Shakthi |
1980 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Vijayanand |
| Vilkkanundu Swapnangal |
1980 |
VBK Menon |
M Azad |
| Raagam Thaanam Pallavi |
1980 |
Ochira Ramachandran |
AT Abu |
| Ormakale Vida Tharoo |
1980 |
CS Gupthan |
Ravi Gupthan |
| Ambalavilakku |
1980 |
Subramaniam Kumar |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
| Chaakara |
1980 |
TG Ravi,Sivan Kunnampilly |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Vaiki Vanna Vasantham |
1980 |
Madhu |
Balachandra Menon |
| Digvijayam |
1980 |
PK Kaimal |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Swantham Enna Padam |
1980 |
PK Kaimal |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
| Theekkadal |
1980 |
Appachan (Navodaya) |
Appachan (Navodaya) |
| Deepam |
1980 |
Renji Mathew |
P Chandrakumar |
| Aswaradham |
1980 |
S Pavamani |
IV Sasi |
| Muthuchippikal |
1980 |
C Das |
T Hariharan |
| Agnikshethram |
1980 |
Deepa Films |
PT Rajan |
| Meen |
1980 |
NG John |
IV Sasi |
| Aagamanam |
1980 |
G Sugunan |
Jeasy |
| Abhimanyu |
1980 U |
Pambadi Ramakrishnan |
P Somasekharan |
| Ithaa Oru Dhikkaari |
1981 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
NP Suresh |
| Thaaraattu |
1981 |
Sherif Kottarakkara |
Balachandra Menon |
| Enne Snehikkoo Enne Maathram |
1981 |
OM John |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Swarangal Swapnangal |
1981 |
KM Thomas |
AN Thampi |
| Grihalakshmi |
1981 |
Madhu |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Thaaraavu |
1981 |
NK Ramachandran,N Prem Kumar |
Jeasy |
| Sangharsham |
1981 |
Renji Mathew |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Raktham |
1981 |
Appachan (VC George) |
Joshi |
| Dantha Gopuram |
1981 |
Renjith Films |
P Chandrakumar |
| Pathiraasooryan |
1981 |
CK Prabhakaran Padiyathu |
KP Pillai |
| Ellam Ninakku Vendi |
1981 |
TE Vasudevan |
Sasi Kumar |
| Aakramanam |
1981 |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
Sreekumaran Thampi |
| Ithihaasam |
1981 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Sambhavam |
1981 |
Majeendran,Babu Thomas,Babu Settu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Visham |
1981 |
Thomas Mathew,GH Shah |
PT Rajan |
| Kadhayariyaathe |
1981 |
A Raghunath |
M Mohan |
| Attimari |
1981 |
Pushparajan |
Sasi Kumar |
| Sreemaan Sreemathi |
1981 |
Gopi |
T Hariharan |
| Dhanya |
1981 |
Boban Kunchacko |
Fazil |
| Rajani |
1981 U |
Mrs AM Nair,AM Nair |
Uncategorized |
| Njaan Ekanaanu |
1982 |
Madhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Aarambham |
1982 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Ithiri Neram Othiri Kaaryam |
1982 |
OM John,Gandhimathi Balan |
Balachandra Menon |
| Ethiraalikal |
1982 |
M Hassan,Sainaba Hassan |
Jeasy |
| Aakrosham |
1982 |
AB Raj |
AB Raj |
| Sree Ayyappanum Vaavarum |
1982 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
NP Suresh |
| Beedikkunjamma |
1982 |
Ashok Hari Pothan,Azad Hari Pothan |
KG Rajasekharan |
| Idiyum Minnalum |
1982 |
Renjith Films |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Chilanthivala |
1982 |
A Raghunath |
Vijayanand |
| Ivan Oru Simham |
1982 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
NP Suresh |
| Saram |
1982 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Aadarsham |
1982 |
MD George |
Joshi |
| Dheera |
1982 |
Murali Kumar,Raghu Kumar,Shamsudheen,Vappootty |
Joshi |
| Yudham |
1983 |
KP Kottarakkara |
Sasi Kumar |
| Paalam |
1983 |
M Hassan,Sainab Hassan |
M Krishnan Nair |
| Arabikkadal |
1983 |
Ambalathara Divakaran |
Sasi Kumar |
| Pinnilaavu |
1983 |
Century |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Naanayam |
1983 |
CS Production |
IV Sasi |
| Rathilayam |
1983 |
Madhu |
P Chandrakumar |
| Kaikeyi |
1983 |
Hari Pothan |
IV Sasi |
| Prem Nazeerine Kaanmanilla |
1983 |
Susmitha Creation |
Lenin Rajendran |
| Aana |
1983 |
TP Madhavan,P Chandrakumar |
P Chandrakumar |
| Passport |
1983 |
Pushparajan |
Thampi Kannanthanam |
| Bhookambam |
1983 |
Renji Mathew |
Joshi |
| Rachana |
1983 |
Sivan Kunnampilly |
M Mohan |
| Kodunkaattu |
1983 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Mortuary |
1983 |
Pushparajan |
Baby |
| Oru Mukham Pala Mukham |
1983 |
Raja Cherian,Sasi Menon |
PK Joseph |
| Kattathe Kilikkoodu |
1983 |
PV Gangadharan |
Bharathan |
| Ankam |
1983 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Prathijnja |
1983 |
CS Unni,PK Chidambaran |
PN Sundaram |
| Ee Yugam |
1983 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
NP Suresh |
| Swapnalokam |
1983 |
Philip Koshy,Jacob Movies |
John Peters |
| Raajavembaala |
1984 |
Margi Creation |
KS Gopalakrishnan |
| Oru Painkilikkadha |
1984 |
Varada Balachandra Menon |
Balachandra Menon |
| Nethavu |
1984 |
Sakthi Enterprises |
Hassan |
| Aaraante Mulla Kochumulla |
1984 |
Gajaraja Films |
Balachandra Menon |
| Kurishuyudham |
1984 |
C Radhamani |
Baby |
| Amme Naaraayana |
1984 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
NP Suresh |
| Oru Thettinte Kadha |
1984 |
TK Balachandran |
PK Joseph |
| Kadamattathachan |
1984 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
NP Suresh |
| Krishna Guruvaayoorappa |
1984 |
Purushan Alappuzha |
NP Suresh |
| Panchavadippaalam |
1984 |
Gandhimathi Balan |
KG George |
| Sapadham |
1984 |
Varkey Joseph |
MR Joseph |
| Chakkarayumma |
1984 |
Appachan (VC George) |
Sajan |
| Idavelaykku Shesham |
1984 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Adaaminte Variyellu |
1984 |
Vincent Chittilappally |
KG George |
| Orikkal Oridathu |
1985 |
Philip Raymond |
Jeasy |
| Ivide Ee Theerathu |
1985 |
Augustine Prakash |
PG Vishwambharan |
| Janakeeya Kodathi |
1985 |
Arifa Hassan |
Hassan |
| Mukhya Manthri |
1985 |
Shabeer,Varghese Sakharia |
Alleppey Ashraf |
| Vellam |
1985 |
Devan |
T Hariharan |
| Daivatheyorthu |
1985 |
BeeGees |
R Gopi |
| Kannaaram Pothippothi |
1985 |
K Subramaniam |
Hassan |
| Thinkalazhcha Nalladivasam |
1985 |
M Mani |
P Padmarajan |
| Upahaaram |
1985 |
Prem Prakash,Shaji Joseph,Rajan Joseph |
Sajan |
| Onathumbikkoroonjal |
1985 |
PKR Pillai |
NP Suresh |
| Irakal |
1985 |
Sukumaran |
KG George |
| Azhiyaatha Bandhangal |
1985 |
Royal Achankunju |
Sasi Kumar |
| Ayanam |
1985 |
Sivan Kunnampilly |
Harikumar |
| Chillukottaram |
1985 |
Shanmukhapriya Films |
KG Rajasekharan |
| Ozhivukaalam |
1985 |
PV Gangadharan |
Bharathan |
| Geetham |
1986 |
Thomas Mathew |
Sajan |
| Ashtabandham |
1986 |
Arifa Hassan |
Askar |
| Kshamichu Ennoru Vaakku |
1986 |
JB Combines |
Joshi |
| Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kathu |
1986 |
Jose Thomas,KV Peethambaran |
Bhadran |
| Oru Yuga Sandhya |
1986 |
PKR Pillai |
Madhu |
| Udayam Padinjaaru |
1986 |
Madhu |
Madhu |
| Ennennum Kannettante |
1986 |
Sajan |
Fazil |
| Vivaahithare Ithile |
1986 |
Varada Balachandra Menon |
Balachandra Menon |
| Saayamsandhya |
1986 |
Thiruppathi Chettiyar |
Joshi |
| Swaathy Thirunaal |
1987 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Lenin Rajendran |
| Kanikaanumneram |
1987 |
Augustine Prakash |
Rajasenan |
| Jaalakam |
1987 |
M Chandrika |
Harikumar |
| Athirthikal |
1988 |
JD Thottan |
JD Thottan |
| Njangalude Kochu Doctor |
1989 |
Ajitha Sini Arts |
Balachandra Menon |
| Njaattuvela |
1989 U |
|
Uncategorized |
| Vachanam |
1990 |
Dr T Jayan George |
Lenin Rajendran |
| Saamraajyam |
1990 |
Arifa Hassan |
Jomon |
| Innale |
1990 |
Ashraf,Rasheed |
P Padmarajan |
| Manjupeyyunna Raathri |
1990 U |
__ |
Uncategorized |
| Neelagiri |
1991 |
KR Gangadharan |
IV Sasi |
| Ente Sooryaputhrikku |
1991 |
Appachan (PD Abraham) |
Fazil |
| Raajashilpi |
1992 |
GP Vijayakumar |
R Sukumaran |
| Cheppadividya |
1992 |
Mohankumar |
GS Vijayan |
| Kudumbasametham |
1992 |
Changanassery Basheer |
Jayaraj |
| Adwaitham |
1992 |
PV Gangadharan |
Priyadarshan |
| Ezhuthachan |
1993 U |
Savitha Films |
Uncategorized |
| Gazal |
1993 |
Bhasi Sreekumar |
Kamal |
| O Faby |
1993 |
Simon Tharakan |
K Sreekuttan |
| Daivathinte Vikrithikal |
1994 |
Lenin Rajendran |
Lenin Rajendran |
| Paavam IA Ivachan |
1994 |
Dr Valsala Mohan George |
Roy P Thomas |
| Paalayam |
1994 |
Souparnika Productions |
TS Suresh Babu |
| Pavithram |
1994 |
Thankachan |
TK Rajeev Kumar |
| Kaboolivala |
1994 |
Abdul Azeez |
Siddique,Lal |
| Indian Military Intelligence |
1995 |
KG Nair |
TS Suresh Babu |
| Rajakeeyam |
1995 |
MT Mathew |
Saji |
| Kaanchanam |
1996 |
NM Sreedharan |
TN Vasantha Kumar |
| Dilliwaala Rajakumaran |
1996 |
KT Kunjumon,Prem Prakash |
Rajasenan |
| King Soloman |
1996 |
Hameed |
Balu Kiriyath |
| Innalekalillaathe |
1997 |
Athulya |
George Kithu |
| Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakaalathu |
1997 |
R Mohan |
Kamal |
| Poonilaamazha |
1997 |
Sameer |
Sunil |
| Oru Mutham Mani Mutham |
1997 |
Mahima Ramachandran,George Karyathu |
Sajan |
| Maasmaram |
1997 |
Thampi Kannanthanam |
Thampi Kannanthanam |
| Aniyathipraavu |
1997 |
Appachan (PD Abraham) |
Fazil |
| Maanasam |
1997 |
Raphel T Joseph |
CS Sudheesh |
| Aaraam Thamburaan |
1997 |
Menaka |
Shaji Kailas |
| Aayushmaanbhava |
1998 |
Ambili Pravachambalam |
Suresh,Vinu (Radhakrishnan) |
| Achaammakkuttiyude Achaayan |
1998 |
Ajith,Binoy |
Rajan P Dev |
| Siddhaartha |
1998 |
VP Madhavan Nair |
Jomon |
| Ayaal Kadhayezhthukayaanu |
1998 |
PA Latheef,Vindhyan |
Kamal |
| Sooryaputhran |
1998 |
Babu Thomas,Pradeep Paliyath |
Thulasidas |
| Vaazhunnor |
1999 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Joshi |
| Ingane Oru Nilaappakshi |
2000 |
Sargam Kabeer |
Anil Kumar,Babu Narayanan |
| Naadan Pennum Naattupramaaniyum |
2000 |
Trayo Vision |
Rajasenan |
| Dreamz |
2000 |
Sabu Cherian,MA Nishad |
Shajoon Karyal |
| Ee Mazha Thenmazha |
2000 |
KK Rajmohan |
KK Haridas |
| Ennum Sambhavaamiyuge yuge |
2001 |
VM Nahas |
Alleppey Ashraf |
| Randaam Bhaavam |
2001 |
K Manoharan |
Lal Jose |
| Jeevan Masai |
2001 |
C Ratheesh C Nair |
TN Gopakumar |
| Malayaali Maamanu Vanakkam |
2002 |
B Rakesh |
Rajasenan |
| Swapnam Kondu Thulaabhaaram |
2003 |
Khader Hassan |
Rajasenan |
| Mullavalliyum Thenmaavum |
2003 |
Vindhyan |
VK Prakash |
| Malsaram |
2003 |
KV Kaladharan |
Anil C Menon |
| Dalapathi (1992) |
2005 D |
G Venkateswaran |
Manirathnam |
| Nagaravadhu |
2011 |
Mani C Kappan |
Kaladharan |
| Jana (2004) |
2016 D |
|
Shaji Kailas |
| Mannum pennum |
NA U |
|
Uncategorized |
