Tara
**Anuradha**, widely known by her screen name **Tara** (born March 4, 1973), is an Indian actress and politician celebrated for her naturalistic performances, dramatic depth, and versatile character roles across Kannada cinema. Over a career spanning more than four decades, she has won a National Film Award, multiple Karnataka State Film Awards, and a Filmfare Award South, establishing herself as one of the finest actors in South Indian cinema. Born and raised in Bengaluru, Tara made her screen acting debut in 1984 with the Tamil film *Ingeyum Oru Gangai*, directed by Manivannan. She entered Kannada cinema with films like *Thulasidala* (1985) and the Rajkumar-starrer *Guri* (1986), quickly becoming a dependable leading and supporting actress. During the late 1980s, she made notable appearances in Mani Ratnam's acclaimed Tamil classics *Nayakan* (1987) and *Agni Natchathiram* (1988), alongside successful ventures in Telugu and Kannada mainstream cinema. Through the 1990s and 2000s, Tara transitioned effortlessly into author-backed, parallel, and art-house cinema. She earned critical acclaim for Girish Karnad's *Kanooru Heggadithi* (1999) and T. S. Nagabharana's *Mathadana* (2002). Her crowning artistic achievement arrived with Girish Kasaravalli's *Hasina* (2004), where her sensitive portrayal of a resilient Muslim woman challenging triple talaq won her the National Film Award for Best Actress. She delivered another powerhouse performance as Mridula in A. M. R. Ramesh's docudrama *Cyanide* (2006), earning the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. In later years, Tara established herself as a revered character actor, bringing emotional weight and sharp comedic timing to contemporary favorites such as *Ulidavaru Kandanthe* (2014), *Hebbet Ramakka* (2018), and *Tagaru Palya* (2023). Beyond cinema, she served as a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council (MLC) and as the President of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. Married to noted cinematographer H. C. Venugopal, she remains an enduring cultural and artistic icon in the Kannada film fraternity.
Known For
Credits
- 2027 · Roshagni as Rathna
- 2026 · Elra Kaaleliyatte Kaala as
- 2025 · Vaamana as
- 2024 · Kotee as Sujatha
- 2023 · Tagaru Palya as
- 2021 · Badava Rascal as
- 2019 · Aadi Lakshmi Puraana as Shanthamma
- 2019 · Evadu Thakkuva Kaadu as
- 2018 · Atharva as
- 2018 · Kilambitaangayaa Kilambitaangayaa as
- 2018 · Hebbet Ramakka as
- 2017 · Sathriyan as
- 2014 · Weekend With Ramesh as Herself
- 2014 · Ulidavaru Kandanthe as Ratnakka
- 2013 · Shravani Subramanya as Anuradha
- 2013 · Galaate as
- 2012 · Maattrraan as Sudha
- 2011 · Hare Rama Hare Krishna as
- 2011 · Kempe Gowda as Kavya's Mother
- 2010 · Modalasala as Deepu's mother
- 2010 · Eradane Maduve as The head of Maid's association
- 2010 · School Master as
- 2009 · Birugaali as Hacchi's mother
- 2008 · Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu as
- 2007 · Ee Bandhana as Sukanya
- 2005 · Pandu Ranga Vittala as
- 2005 · Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as Ramabai
- 2005 · Auto Shankar as
- 2005 · Deadly Soma as
- 2004 · Jyeshta as
- 2004 · Nalla as Dr. Sarla Desai
- 2004 · Haseena as Hasina
- 2003 · Paris Pranaya as "Cell" Seetha
- 2002 · Ninagagi as Rukkamma
- 2001 · Kotigalu Saar Kotigalu as Shalini/Shalu, Moni's wife
- 2001 · Neelambari as
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Gowri
- 2001 · Mathadana as
- 2000 · Munnudi as Rukhiya
- 2000 · Galate Aliyandru as
- 2000 · Devara Maga as Sundari
- 2000 · Hagalu Vesha as
- 1999 · Durga Shakthi as
- 1999 · Premotsava as
- 1999 · Kaanooru Heggadithi as Subbamma
- 1998 · Gadibidi Krishna as
- 1998 · Hendithghelthini as
- 1998 · Yaare Neenu Cheluve as Mary
- 1997 · Amruthavarshini as Vimala
- 1997 · Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda as
- 1996 · Vetri Vinayagar as Mallika
- 1996 · Jeevanadi as
- 1996 · Sipayi as
- 1996 · Dhani as
- 1996 · Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata as
- 1995 · Hello Sister as
- 1995 · Shubha Lagna as
- 1995 · Thumbida Mane as
- 1995 · Killer Diary as
- 1994 · Gandhada Gudi Part 2 as
- 1994 · Alexander as
- 1994 · Mayor Prabhakar as
- 1993 · Prana Snehitha as
- 1993 · Bhagavan Sri Saibaba as
- 1993 · Server Somanna as
- 1993 · Muddina Maava as
- 1993 · Mojina Maduve as
- 1992 · Gili Bete as
- 1992 · Nagaradalli Nayakaru as
- 1992 · Malashree Mamashree as
- 1992 · Halli Meshtru as
- 1992 · Belli Kalungura as
- 1992 · Undoo Hoda Kondoo Hoda as
- 1991 · Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police as
- 1991 · C.B.I Shiva as
- 1991 · Banni Ondsala Nodi as
- 1991 · Nanagu Hendthi Beku as
- 1991 · Shwethagni as
- 1991 · Golmal Part 2 as
- 1991 · Nagu Naguta Nali as
- 1990 · Maneli Ili Beedili Huli as
- 1990 · Nighooda Rahasya as
- 1990 · Sathya Vaakku as
- 1990 · Ivalentha Hendthi as
- 1990 · Sididedda Gandu as
- 1990 · Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar as Muthappa's wife
- 1990 · Neti Siddhartha as Rekha
- 1989 · Premagni as
- 1989 · Padmavyuha as
- 1989 · Sura Sundaranga as
- 1989 · Deva as
- 1989 · En Swamy Aliyandire as
- 1988 · Paravaigal Palavitham as
- 1988 · Ranaranga as Bhavana
- 1988 · Thayigobba Karna as
- 1988 · Pelli Chesi Choodu as
- 1988 · Sangliyana as
- 1988 · Agni Natchathiram as Mallika
- 1987 · Thulasi as Ponni
- 1987 · Nayakan as Shakila
- 1987 · Shubha Milana as
- 1987 · Mr. Raja as
- 1986 · Bete as
- 1986 · Matthondu Charithre as
- 1986 · Brahmastra as
- 1986 · Sathkara as
- 1984 · January 1 as
- Future · Avale Nanna Hendthi as Gayathri
- 1989 · Hendthighelbedi as Inspector Srinivas Wife
- 1988 · Mathrudevobhava as
- 1986 · Maneye Manthralaya as
- 1986 · Guri as
- 1986 · Sundara Swapnagalu as
- 1986 · Anand as Asha
- 1986 · Madhura Bandhavya as
- 1984 · Ingeyum Oru Gangai as Maruthayi