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Sithara is a veteran Indian actress known for her work in the South Indian film industry. She was part of more than 100 films over a career spanning more than thirty years.
Wiki/Biography
Sithara Nair was born on Saturday, 30 June 1973 (age 50 years; as of 2023) in Kilimanoor, Kerala, India. She completed her schooling at the Lourdes Mount School, Vattappara, Trivandrum. In 1986, while studying for a pre-university degree at Sree Sankara Vidyapeetom College, Kilimanoor, she made her debut in the Malayalam film industry with Rajeevnath’s directorial ‘Kaveri’ starring Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Hair Colour:Â Black
Eye Colour:Â Black
Family
Sithara belongs to a Malayali family in Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Parents & Siblings
Her father’s name was Parameshwaran Nair. He was an engineer at the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Her mother’s name was Valsala. She has two younger brothers, Pratheesh and Abhilash.
Husband
She is unmarried. In an interview, she revealed that she decided to not marry anyone from a young age. Sithara was very close with her family, especially with her father, and the fear of moving far away from them was one of the reasons she never got married. She said that even after her father passed away, she did not feel the need to marry someone.
Career
Film
In 1986, Sithara made her debut in the Malayalam film industry with the film Kaveri and became one of the most successful actresses in the South Indian film industry and became a part of more than 100 films in different languages such as Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu. In an interview, she said K. Balachander, the famous Tamil director who introduced Sithara through Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, remained the biggest influence on her as an actress, and she became serious about her career in cinema after working with him. In 2000, Sithara took a break from the film industry and later returned to the film industry in 2004.
Malayalam
In 1986, Sithara made her debut in the Malayalam film industry with Rajeevnath’s family drama ‘Kaveri.’ She was part of various Malayalam films, including the Mohanlal starrer Naduvazhikal (1989). She was cast as the lead actress in ‘Mazhavilkavadi (1989), a comedy-drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad. In 1993, Sithara was cast as the lead actress for Bharathan’s directorial Chamayam, and her performance as Liza received a positive reception from the public. She was part of Rajiv Anchal’s fantasy drama Guru (1997) in which she played the role of Vaidehi. The movie was India’s official entry to the Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 70th Academy Awards. Sithara marked her return to the Malayalam film industry in 2009 with Rajasenan’s directorial ‘Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu.’ In 2015, she was cast as Sujatha in Saigal Padukayanu, directed by Sibi Malayil.
Tamil
In 1989, Sithara made her debut in the Tamil film industry with K. Balachander’s Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal. The musical drama film Pudhu Vasantham, released in 1990, was a milestone in her career; the movie was a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics. Pudhu Vasantham put her on top as one of the leading actresses in South Indian cinema. Sithara was cast in the Rajinikanth starrer Padayappa, released in 1999, where she played the role of Rajnikanth’s sister; the movie became Tamil cinema’s highest-grossing film during the early 2000s. Later, Sithara appeared in many more movies, including Thirunelveli (2000), Mathapoo (2013), Munnodi (2017), and Nagesh Thiraiyarangam (2018).
Kannada
Sithara made her debut in the Kannada movie industry in 1994; she was cast in D. Rajendra Babu’s ‘Halunda Tavaru’ in which she played the role of the lead actress opposite Vishnuvardhan; the movie was a commercial hit. Sithara has since appeared in different Kannada films such as Kavya (1995), Ganesha I Love You (1997), Mr. Airavata (2015), and Amma I Love You (2018).
Telugu
She made her Tollywood debut with ‘Manasu Mamatha,’ released in 1990. Sithara was cast in ‘Srivari Chindulu’, released in 1991, in which she played the role of ‘Madhuri’. In 1999, she played the role of ‘Gowri’ in ‘Sneham Kosam’. Later, she appeared in many more films, including Samba (2004), Brindavanam (2010), Chinnadana Nee Kosam (2014), Janatha Garage (2016), and Sammathame (2022).
Television
Sithara became a popular name among the television audience after she appeared in many operas across different languages, such as Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu. She made her Tamil television debut with Ganga Yamuna Saraswati, which aired in 1998; the show was a massive hit among the television audience. Later, Sithara appeared in many more serials including Sindhooram (1999), Parasparam (2000), Eetharam (2006), Aarthi (2005), Swathi Chinukulu (2013), and Intinti Gruhalakshmi (2020).
Facts/Trivia
- South Indian actress Shalini was the initial choice for playing the role of Rajinikanth‘s sister in the film Padayappa, but later, Sithara was cast for the role. In an interview, she pointed out that Rajinikanth was one of the most down-to-earth actors and that she learned a lot from him during the shooting of Padayappa.
- In an interview, she revealed that after becoming an actress she missed celebrating Onam with her family and friends. She added that as a child she loved making Pookkalam (Flower Rangoli) as part of the Onam celebrations.
- She likes reading in her leisure time.
- She won the Best Actress Award (TV Serial) from the Andhra Pradesh State Government.