Devadarshini
Devadarshini Sukumaran is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil films, in addition to few Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi films and television series. She began her career as a television anchor and entered cinema playing supporting and comedic roles. She is a recipient of three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. She has performed in television serials including Marmadesam and Athipookal.
Devadarshini | |
|---|---|
 Devadarshini in 2025 | |
| Born | Devadarshini Sukumaran Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Spouse | Chetan |
| Children | Niyathi Kadambi |
| Honours | Kalaimamani (in 2020) |
Devadarshini Sukumaran is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil films, in addition to few Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi films and television series. She began her career as a television anchor and entered cinema playing supporting and comedic roles.[1] She is a recipient of three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. She has performed in television serials including Marmadesam and Athipookal.[2]
Career
[edit]While still in college, she began anchoring television shows. She was then offered an opportunity to act in the Doordarshan serial Kanavugal Ilavasam, which led to her landing a role in the mystery series Marmadesam by Naga. She was introduced in Ramany vs Ramany Part 02, which was also directed by Naga. Devadarshini became part of the series' second installment, Vidathu Karuppu, which she considers a "big turning point" in her life as it established her in the industry.[1]
She won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for Parthiban Kanavu (2003). She played the lead role in Sakthi Pirakuthu (2010), a film made by an NGO.[3] She is still on the small screen with Athipookal and Idhayam.[4]
Pointing out the difference between films and serials, she says, “Our performance would be lauded in films despite a poor performance by the co-star, whereas the entire scene would be criticised in such a scenario in serials as timing is more important on the small screen.[5]
After Muni 2: Kanchana (2011), she was continuously doing humorous characters.[6] In 2015, she won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for 36 Vayadhinile and Thiruttu Kalyanam.[7] She received a lot of recognition and positive feedback for her role in '96 (2018).[8]
In the series, The Family Man (Season 2), Devadarshini played a Tamil-speaking police officer based in Chennai. Her performance received positive responses from critics following the show’s release.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Devadarshini was born in Chennai to a Telugu-speaking family.[10] She studied commerce in college and later gained a master's degree in Applied Psychology.[1]
In 2002, Devadarshini married Chetan, a television actor.[11] They first worked together on Marmadesam - Vidathu Karuppu, and then went on to act several projects together like Athipookal.[1] Her daughter, Niyati Kadambi, made her debut in 96 portraying the younger version of her mother's character.[12]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian | Parthiban Kanavu | Won | [13] |
| 2011 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian | Muni 2: Kanchana | Won | [14] |
| 2011 | Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards | Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress | Mahaan Kanakku | Won | |
| 2015 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian | 36 Vayadhinile, Thiruttu Kalyanam | Won | [15] |
Filmography
[edit]Tamil films
[edit]| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Parthiban Kanavu | Amudha | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian |
| Kaakha Kaakha | Swathi Srikanth | ||
| Enakku 20 Unakku 18 | Sridhar's sister | ||
| Kadhal Kirukkan | Psychiatrist | ||
| 2004 | Azhagiya Theeye | Sandhya | |
| 2005 | Gurudeva | Deva's friend | |
| 6'2 | Meenakshi | ||
| Ponniyin Selvan | Venu's sister | ||
| Mazhai | Arjun's sister | ||
| Kanda Naal Mudhal | Krishna's sister | ||
| 2006 | Saravana | Saravana's sister-in-law | |
| Rendu | Madhavan's sister | ||
| 2007 | Deepavali | Sumathi | |
| Kireedam | |||
| Manase Mounama | Gowri | ||
| Vel | Sarala | ||
| Evano Oruvan | Vetri Maran's wife | ||
| Puli Varudhu | Sudha | Special appearance | |
| 2008 | Pirivom Santhippom | Natesan's sister-in-law | |
| Saroja | Herself | Guest appearance | |
| 2009 | Padikathavan | Kousalya Gowtham | |
| Pudhiya Payanam | Devi | ||
| Solla Solla Inikkum | Bhadri Narayanan's wife | ||
| 2010 | Kola Kolaya Mundhirika | Jamindar's wife | |
| Enthiran | Latha | ||
| Kanagavel Kaaka | Kanagavel's sister | ||
| Shakti Pirakkudhu | |||
| 2011 | Muni 2: Kanchana | Kamakshi | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian |
| Mahaan Kanakku | Janaki | Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| Yuvan Yuvathi | Nisha's sister | ||
| 2012 | Saguni | Sathyamoorthy's daughter | |
| Naan Ee | Bindhu's sister-in-law | ||
| 2013 | Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya | Maami (Neighbour) | |
| Karuppampatti | Sivagami | ||
| Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru | Kumar's sister | ||
| Thillu Mullu 2 | Bank Officer | ||
| Ya Ya | Aishwarya | ||
| Kolagalam | Ramya's sister-in-law | ||
| Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham | Parvati | ||
| 2014 | Veeram | District Collector Subbu's wife | |
| Tenaliraman | Eating Joint Owner's Sister | ||
| Irumbu Kuthirai | Mary Narayanan | ||
| Murugaatrupadai | |||
| Amma Ammamma | |||
| Vaanga Pazhagalam | Alwarpet Anjalai | Singaporean television film | |
| Vingyani | |||
| Azhagiya Pandipuram | |||
| 2015 | 36 Vayadhinile | Girija | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil |
| Aavi Kumar | Patient's wife | ||
| Kadhal Agadhi | |||
| Thiruttu VCD | |||
| Thiraipada Nagaram | |||
| Pallikoodam Pogamale | Vijay's mother | ||
| 2016 | Saagasam | Lalitha | |
| Vaaliba Raja | Devadarshini | ||
| Nambiar | Ramachandran's sister in law | ||
| Achamindri | Chellam | ||
| 2017 | Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva | Banu | |
| Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae | Swetha's mother | ||
| 7 Naatkal | Gautham's sister | ||
| Mersal | Nurse | ||
| 2018 | Titanic Kadhalum Kavundhu Pogum | Unknown | Unreleased |
| Bhaagamathie | Kanchana | ||
| Semma Botha Aagathey | Devi | ||
| Itly | Sub-Inspector | ||
| Roja Maaligai | |||
| 96 | Subhashini | ||
| Johnny | Prema | ||
| 2019 | 90ML | Doctor | |
| Muni 4: Kanchana 3 | Kamakshi | ||
| Ayogya | Sindhu's mother | ||
| Thiruttu Kalyanam | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian | ||
| Gurkha | Gayathri | ||
| Jackpot | Rahul's mother | ||
| Bigil | Elizabeth | ||
| Market Raja MBBS | Kalavathy | ||
| Capmaari | Priya | ||
| Thirupathi Samy Kudumbam | |||
| 2021 | Calls | Sangeetha | |
| Annabelle Sethupathi | Kumari | ||
| Thanne Vandi | |||
| 2022 | Etharkkum Thunindhavan | Anjumani | |
| The Legend | Thirupathi's wife | ||
| 2023 | Bakasuran | Inspector Radhika | |
| Ghosty | |||
| Theerkadarishi | Hema | ||
| 2024 | Yaavarum Vallavare | Athaachi | |
| Udhir @ Poomara Kathu | |||
| PT Sir | Eswari | ||
| Raayan | Doctor | ||
| Raghu Thatha | Alamelu | ||
| Lubber Pandhu | Vijaya | ||
| Meiyazhagan | Hema Arul | ||
| 2025 | Badava | Selvi | [16] |
| Phoenix | [17] | ||
| Bun Butter Jam | Uma | [18] | |
| 2026 | Lucky the Superstar | Anu | [19] |
| Youth | Saroja Unnikrishnan |
Other language films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu | Girija | Telugu | Bilingual film |
| 2004 | Love Today | Dharma's wife | ||
| 2006 | Amma Cheppindi | Saraswati's neighbor | ||
| 2012 | Eega | Bindhu's sister-in-law | Bilingual film | |
| 2016 | Sarrainodu | Gana's aunt | ||
| 2018 | Bhaagamathie | Kanchana | Bilingual film | |
| Awe | Parvati | |||
| Krishnarjuna Yudham | Dhinchak Roja | |||
| 2019 | Manmadhudu 2 | Sangeetha | ||
| 2021 | Tuck Jagadish | Ganga Bhavani | ||
| 2022 | Shabaash Mithu | Leela Raj | Hindi | |
| 2023 | The Kerala Story | Shalini's mother | ||
| 2025 | Am Ah | Ammini Amma | Malayalam | [20] |
| Thalavara | Asha | [21] |
Dubbing artist
[edit]| Year | Title | Actor | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Kanavu Meippada Vendum | Lakshmi Gopalaswamy |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Kanavugal Ilavasam | Tamil | |||
| 1997–1998 | Vidathu Karuppu | Reena | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Ethanai Manidhargal | DD Podhigai | Tamil | ||
| 1998 | Nimmathi Ungal Choice II | Tamil | |||
| 2000–2001 | Ramany vs Ramany II | Ramany | Raj TV | Tamil | |
| 2000–2001 | Edhuvum Nadakkum | Varsha | Tamil | ||
| 2002 | Parvathy | Parvathy | Surya TV | Malayalam | |
| 2002–2005 | Annamalai | Valliammai | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2004–2006 | Chidambara Rahasiyam | Thulasi | Tamil | ||
| 2004–2005 | Kolangal | Sujatha | Tamil | ||
| 2004–2006 | Chinna Papa Periya Papa Season 2 | Periya Papa | Tamil | ||
| Penmanam | Tamil | ||||
| Uravugal Oru Thodarkadhai | DD Podhigai | Tamil | |||
| Kannadi Kathavugal | Vijay TV | Tamil | |||
| 2005–2006 | Adhu Mattum Ragasiyam | Sun TV | Tamil | ||
| 2006–2008 | Anjali | Tamil | |||
| Lakshmi | Tamil | ||||
| 2006–2008 | Ammayi Kapuram | Padmavati | Gemini TV | Telugu | |
| 2006 | Jodi Number One | Contestant | Vijay TV | Tamil | Reality show |
| 2007–2012 | Athipookal | Padma Manohar | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Paadhaigal | DD Podhigai | Tamil | ||
| 2009–2012 | Idhyam | Jeya | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2009–2011 | Sollathan Ninaikkiren | Vidhya Shankar | Zee Tamil | Tamil | |
| 2010 | Poovilangu | Star Vijay | Tamil | ||
| 2013–2014 | Sunday Galatta | Host | Sun TV | Tamil | Comedy show |
| 2018 | Genes | Host | Zee Tamil | Tamil | Game show |
| 2018 | Comedy Khiladis | Judge | Zee Tamil, Star Vijay | Tamil | Reality show |
| 2019 | Mr. and Mrs. Chinnathirai 1 | Tamil | |||
| 2020 | Mr. and Mrs. Chinnathirai 2 | Tamil | |||
| 2021 | Amman | Tamil | |||
| 2021 | Mr. and Mrs. Chinnathirai 3 | Judge | Star Vijay | Tamil | |
| 2021 | The Family Man | S I Umayaal | Amazon Prime Video | Hindi | |
| 2022 | Mr. and Mrs. Chinnathirai 4 | Judge | Star Vijay | Tamil | Reality show |
| 2024 | Thalaivettiyaan Paalayam | Meenakshi Devi | Prime Video | Tamil | |
| 2024 | Aindham Vedham | Advocate Ketaki | ZEE5 | Tamil |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Vandhana (19 May 2015). "Small Beginnings: The Devadarshini Interview". Silverscreen.in. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Double impact". The Hindu. 5 April 2004. Archived from the original on 5 July 2004. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Devadarshini is a possessive mother". The Times of India. 5 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ "When Devadarshini became Aishwarya Rai's sister".
- ^ "Everyone is blessed with a sense of humour: Devadarshini Neelakandan".
- ^ "Devadarshini: It's easier to make viewers cry than make them laugh- Cinema express". Cinema Express.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for 2015 announced".
- ^ "Devadarshini: It's easier to make viewers cry than make them laugh". Cinema Express. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ "After The Family Man Season 2, Devadarshini set to wow Hindi audiences again in Shabaash Mithu". Ott Play. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (14 July 2012). "The big journey". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
We are Telugu-speaking people from Chennai and my husband is a Kannadiga
- ^ "நாங்க ரெடி... நீங்க ரெடியா?". Kalki (in Tamil). 24 July 2005. pp. 72–75. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "96 Actress Niyathi Kadambi Slays Traditional Look In Floral Saree".
- ^ "Tamilnadu State Film Awards – awards for Vikram, Jyotika". cinesouth.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
- ^ "TN Govt. announces Tamil Film Awards for six years". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for 2015 announced". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Kumar, Akshay (27 January 2025). "Vemal-Soori's Badava to get a Valentine's Day release". Cinema Express. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ Mullappilly, Sreejith (5 July 2025). "Review praises Phoenix but offends its star Varalaxmi Sarathkumar; here is why". Cinema Express. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Features, C. E. (21 September 2024). "Second look poster of Raju Jeyamohan's Bun Butter Jam out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ "Lucky glimpse: GV Prakash is in search of a gifted dog amidst political chaos". Cinema Express. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Dileesh Pothan and Jaffer Idukki's Am Ah gets a release date". Cinema Express. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ Mullappilly, Sreejith (26 July 2025). "Arjun Ashokan's Thalavara gets first look, release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
External links
[edit]- Devadarshini at IMDb