Career
Suryakantham(Telugu:సూర్యకాంతం) 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 NaradaNaradhi. But small roles did not satisfy the artiste insider 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 quit her job. But her financial position would not permit her pursue her dream.Later, she got a good character artist role in the movie Grihapravesam. Though, she got an opportunity to do the heroine's role in Soudhamini, she did not do it. The heroine chance slipped away from her, when she 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 wano looking back thereafter. The audience began to abuse her racter).Once again, the most-wanted “heroineâ€Â� role tapped her door from Bollywood. 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 artists.â€Â� Such was the integrity of Suryakantham, as an artist. Kodarikam lifted her to lofty heights. Ace directors of the era, B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani would not do a movie without Suryakantham. They had even produced a movie Gundamma Katha, starring N.T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and S.V. Ranga Rao. The entire story would revolve around Suryakantham's role of Gundamma. Audience all over state wondered at the title. But when the movie released, it became a big hit.
Filmography
Year Film Language Character
1946 Narada Naradi Telugu
1949 Dharmangada Telugu
1950 Samsaram Telugu Venkamma
1952 Daasi Telugu
1952 Kalyanam Panni Paar Tamil
1952 Pelli Chesi Choodu Telugu
1952 Prema Telugu
1953 Ammalakkalu Telugu
1953 Bratuku Theruvu Telugu Kotamma
1954 Chakrapani Telugu Manorama
1954 Chandraharam Telugu
1955 Donga Ramudu Telugu
1955 Kanyasulkam Telugu Meenakshi
1956 Chiranjeevulu Telugu
1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Seshamma
1956 Ilavelpu Telugu
1957 Bhagya Rekha Telugu
1957 Dongallo Dora Telugu
1957 Maya Bazaar Telugu Hidimbi
1957 Todi Kodallu Telugu Anasuya
1958 Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu Telugu Rajaratnam
1958 Mangalya Balam Telugu
1959 Jayabheri Telugu Ratnalu
1959 Krishna Leelalu Telugu
1960 Shantinivasam Telugu
1961 Bharya Bharthalu Telugu
1961 Iddaru Mitrulu Telugu
1961 Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham Telugu
1961 Sabash Raja Telugu
1961 Vagdanam Telugu Baalamani
1962 Atma Bandhuvu Telugu Widowed daughter
1962 Bhishma Telugu
1962 Gundamma Katha Telugu Gundamma
1962 Kula Gothralu Telugu
1962 Manchi Manasulu Telugu
1962 Mohini Rugmangada Telugu
1962 Raktha Sambandham Telugu
1962 Siri Sampadalu Telugu
1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Telugu
1963 Lava Kusha Telugu
1963 Mooga Manasulu Telugu
1963 Narthanasala Telugu
1963 Paruvu Prathishta Telugu
1963 Punarjanma Telugu
1963 Tirupathamma Katha Telugu
1964 Dr. Chakravarthy Telugu
1964 Murali Krishna Telugu
1964 Velugu Needalu Telugu Kanaka Durgamma
1966 Kanne Manasulu Telugu
1966 Navarathri Telugu
1966 Zamindar Telugu
1967 Grihalakshmi Telugu
1967 Poola Rangadu Telugu
1969 Aatmiyulu Telugu Mahankali
1969 Buddhimanthudu Telugu
1970 Balaraju Katha Telugu
1971 Dasara Bullodu Telugu
1971 Shrimanthudu Telugu
1972 Iddaru Ammayilu Telugu Sundaramma
1972 Kalam Marindi Telugu
1972 Koduku Kodalu Telugu
1972 Vichitra Bandham Telugu Kantham
1973 Andala Ramudu Telugu Samalamma
1973 Ganga Manga Telugu
1975 Muthyala Muggu Telugu
1975 Pooja Telugu
1975 Yamagola Telugu
1976 Secretary Telugu
1976 Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club Telugu
1977 Andame Anandam Telugu
1978 Gorantha Deepam Telugu
1979 Karthika Deepam Telugu
1982 Pelleedu Pillalu Telugu
1983 Pelli Choopulu 1983
1983 Shri Ranganeethulu Telugu
1987 Gundammagari Krishnulu Telugu
1988 Yamudiki Mogudu Telugu Kali's grandmother
1989 Bandhuvulostunnaru Jagratha Telugu
1989 Hai Hai Nayaka Telugu Suryakanthamma
1993 Govindha Govindha Telugu
1994 S.P.Parasuram Telugu
Awards: Mahanati Savithri Memorial Award
Titles: Gayyali atta
Sahaja Nata Kala Shiromani
Haasya Nata Siromani
Bahumukha Natanaa Praveena
Rangasthala Siromani
Arungalai Maamani (Tamil)
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