Sumalatha embarked on her career at 15, and emerged as a celebrated actress, often hailed as an epitome of beauty in Malayalam cinema.
She is famous for her role as Clara in Thoovanathumbikal, a beloved figure known for her on-screen chemistry with Mammootty and
Mohanlal.
Her team-up with Mammootty delivered several hits and was widely loved by audiences.
In Malayalam cinema, the name Clara still rings a bell. The character from Thoovanathumbikal, written and directed by P. Padmarajan, left a deep mark on audiences. Clara was not designed like the usual heroines of that time. She had independence, desire, and vulnerability. She was feminine, but not weak.
Many still say they cannot separate Clara from Sumalatha. The role turned her into what many describe as the epitome of female beauty in Malayalam cinema. It was not just about looks. It was the presence she carried on screen.
Interestingly, Sumalatha is not Malayali by birth. She was born into a Telugu-speaking family in Chennai. Her acting journey began at 15 with the Tamil film Thisai Maariya Paravaigal, opposite Sarath Babu.
She worked in Kannada with Dr. Rajkumar in Ravichandra. In Tamil, she shared screen space with Rajinikanth in films like Murattu Kaalai and Kazhugu. She was becoming known across South India.
Sumalatha’s Malayalam journey moved rapidly. She shared screen space with Jayan in Moorkhan and with Sukumaran in Nizhal Yudham. She was pitted opposite Prem Nazir in Kilungaatha Changalakal. The success of Kolilakkam further strengthened her position. Later came films like Munnettam, Thenum Vayambum, John Jaffer Janardhanan and Chakravalam Chuvannappol.
She also acted with Mohanlal in films like Thazhvaram. But her pairing with Mammootty became especially popular. Films such as Nirakkoottu, Shyama and New Delhi were major successes.
Regardless this successful combination, Sumalatha once backed out of a Mammootty film “Adharvam”.
The film was directed by Dennis Joseph and written by Shibu Chakravarthy.
News Edit KV Raman
