Sudharani
**Sudharani** (born Jayashree, August 14, 1973) is an Indian actress, voice artist, and former model who works predominantly in Kannada cinema, alongside appearances in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films. Celebrated for her expressive performances, classical grace, and screen presence, she was one of Sandalwood's top leading ladies throughout the late 1980s and 1990s before transitioning into a prolific character actor. Born into an artistic family in Bengaluru—her uncle was the legendary screenwriter Chi. Udaya Shankar—she began facing the camera as a child artist in landmark films such as *Kiladi Kittu* (1978), *Kulla Kulli* (1980), and Puttanna Kanagal's *Ranganayaki* (1981). At age 13, she debuted as a leading actress opposite Shiva Rajkumar in his debut film *Anand* (1986). The massive success of the film launched her to instant stardom. Over the next decade, she headlined several critical and commercial landmarks, including *Mana Mechchida Hudugi* (1987), *Devatha Manushya* (1988), P. H. Vishwanath's *Panchama Veda* (1990), T. S. Nagabharana's *Mysore Mallige* (1992), *Mannina Doni* (1992), *Anuraga Sangama* (1995), and Sunil Kumar Desai's romantic thriller *Sparsha* (2000). Her performances in *Panchama Veda* and *Mysore Mallige* earned her both the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and Karnataka State Film Awards. In the 2000s and beyond, Sudharani transitioned smoothly into supporting and maternal roles, appearing in major films such as *Namma Basava* (2005), *Accident* (2008), *Dandupalya* (2012), *Yuvarathnaa* (2021), *Thurthu Nirgamana* (2022), and *Bagheera* (2024). She is also an accomplished dubbing artist, having lent her voice to numerous leading heroines across Kannada cinema.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · Junior as Shyamala
- 2025 · Firefly as
- 2024 · Avatara Purusha 2 as Yashoda
- 2024 · Yuva as
- 2024 · Juni as
- 2022 · Shrirasthu Shubhamasthu as Tulasi
- 2022 · Thurthu Nirgamana as
- 2022 · Avatara Purusha: Part 1 as Yashoda
- 2022 · Trikona as
- 2021 · Yuvarathnaa as
- 2020 · LAW as
- 2020 · Mayabazar 2016 as Usha
- 2019 · Kannad Gothilla as Commissioner of Police
- 2019 · Vrithra as
- 2019 · Geetha as Geethanjali
- 2019 · Amar as
- 2019 · Premier Padmini as Spandana
- 2019 · Padde Huli as Sampath's mother
- 2019 · Jessie as Dr. Aradhya
- 2018 · Life Jothe Ondu Selfie as
- 2017 · Nibunan as Dr. Prema
- 2017 · Happy New Year as Varalakshmi
- 2015 · Sharp Shooter as
- 2015 · Vaastu Prakaara as Vandana
- 2015 · Siddhartha as
- 2014 · Weekend With Ramesh as Herself
- 2013 · Bharath Stores as
- 2012 · Dandupalya as Chalapathi's Wife
- 2010 · Thamassu as
- 2009 · Maleyali Jotheyali as Cameo
- 2009 · Bhagyada Balegara as
- 2009 · Ghauttham as
- 2008 · Mr. Garagasa as Gouri
- 2008 · Accident as
- 2008 · Navashakthi Vaibhava as Sharadamba
- 2007 · Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide as
- 2006 · Mandya as
- 2005 · Anna Thangi as Annapoorna
- 2005 · Auto Shankar as Geetha
- 2005 · Namma Basava as
- 2005 · Magic Ajji as arjun's mother
- 2003 · Preethi Prema Pranaya as Jyothi
- 2000 · Sparsha as Radha
- 1999 · Naanenu Madlilla as
- 1997 · Maa Ayana Bangaram as
- 1996 · Vasantha Kavya as
- 1995 · Anuraga Sangama as Kasthuri
- 1995 · Samara as Usha
- 1995 · Aadyathe Kanmani as Ambika
- 1994 · Curfew as
- 1994 · Mahakshathriya as
- 1994 · Swathi as
- 1993 · Bhagavan Sri Saibaba as
- 1993 · Kumkuma Bhagya as
- 1993 · Chinnari Mutha as Special Appearance
- 1993 · Thangakkili as Swathi
- 1993 · Mane Devru as Janaki
- 1992 · Belliyappa Bangarappa as
- 1992 · Sugamana Sumaigal as
- 1992 · Midida Shruti as Sujatha
- 1992 · Saptapadi as Sudha
- 1991 · Vasanthakala Paravai as
- 1990 · Thrinethra as
- 1990 · Shabarimale Swamy Ayyappa as
- 1990 · Aasegobba Meesegobba as
- 1989 · Annakili Sonna Kathai as Gowri
- 1989 · Manmatha Raja as
- 1988 · Krishna Nee Kunidaga as
- 1988 · Ranaranga as Shashikala
- 1987 · Manamecchida Hudugi as Gowri
- 1986 · Anand as Mala
- 1982 · Baadada Hoo as Usha
- 1980 · Kulla Kulli as Young Chitra
- 1978 · Kiladi Kittu as