Subbalakshmi

Subbalakshmi Biography

Subbalakshmi is a popular character artist of Malayalam cinema, best known for playing Karthyani in Dileep starrer Kalyana raman (2002). Though she later gave life to numerous characters on screen, she is still remembered for that small role she played on screen. Her chemistry with Unnikrishnan Namboothiri received a loud noise of applause from film audience and they together appeared in many movies later. The comedy timing between these two was one of the highlights of the movie. Nandanam was her debut movie. Kalyana Raman was also released almost the same time.

Subbalakshmi later appeared in numerous roles, the most notable one being Pandippada (2005) and Nandanam (2002). She played the role of Jessie's grandmother in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and both its Telugu and Hindi versions. Subbalakshmi is one among those artists who made a late entry to movies. A Horlicks advertisement had landed her the role. Now she is regarded as the most beautiful and childish grandmother on Malayalam screen. She picked two teeth to act in her movie – Kalyana Raman. Her daughter Tara Kalyan is a famous classical dancer and a celebrity on Malayalam television since the days of Doordarshan.  

She was born into an orthodox Brahmin family. Though she was interested in doing movies at a younger age, it was not accepted in the conservative family. But she is a trained classical dancer and singer and has worked as an instructor at Jwahar Balabhavan for 27 years. She worked in AIR as a music composer and singer before coming to movies. She has also done numerous concerts. Her daughter was already a shining star on Doordarshan, known as an actress and anchor. The 80-year-old has done supporting roles in over 60 Malayalam movies till now. She resides with her daughter at Manjalikulam in Thiruvananthapuram.

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Updated: November 29, 2015