Soundarya Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Birth Name: Sowmya Sathyanarayana

Profession: Actress

Famous for: Ganga in the Kannada movie Apthamitra (2004)

Date of Birth: 18 July 1972 (Tuesday)

Birthplace: Mulbagal, Karnataka

Age (at the time of death): 31 Years

Zodiac sign: Cancer

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Kolar, Karnataka

Religion: Hinduism

Food Habit: Vegetarian

Marriage Date: 27 April 2003

Age: 31 Years

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PHYSICAL STATISTICS

[1]citationHeight (approx.): 5′ 6″ (168 cm)

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Marital Status (at the time of death): Unmarried

Husband/Spouse: G. S. Raghu

Parents: Father – K. S. Sathyanarayana Iye (Kannada film writer and producer) Mother – Manjula

Husband: G. S. Raghu

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Debut: Films: Baa Nanna Preethisu (1992), Nannai Thangi (1992, Kannada), Raithu Bharatham (1992, Telugu), Ponnumani (1993, Tamil), Sooryavansham (1999, Hindi), and Yathrakarude Sradhakku (2002, Malayalam)

Awards: • Best Actress award by Filmfare Awards for the movie Ammoru in 1995 • Best Actress award by Nandi Awards for the movie Pavithra Bandham in 1996 • Best Actress award by Karnataka State Film Awards for the movie Doni Saagli in 1998 • Best Telugu Actress award by Filmfare Awards for the movie Anthapuram in 1998 Special Jury award by Nandi Awards for the movie Anthapuram in 1998 • Best Telugu Actress award by Filmfare Awards for the movie Raja in 1999 • Best Tamil Actress award by Filmfare Awards for the movie Thavasi in 2001 • Best Supoorting Tamil Actress award by Filmfare Awards for the movie Ivan in 2002 • Best Actress award by Karnataka State Film Awards for the movie Dweepa in 2003 • Best Kannada Actress award by Filmfare Awards for the movie Dweepa in 2003 • Best Kannada Actress award by Filmfare Awards for the movie Apthamitra in 2003, posthumously awarded

OTHER INFORMATION

Last Film: Apthamitra (2004)

Date of Death: 17 April 2004

Place of Death: Jakkur Airfield, Bengaluru

Death Cause: Aircraft Crash

Hobbies: Listening Music, Watching Movies, Dancing

Food: Hyderabadi Biryani

Actor: Amitabh Bachchan

Actress: Rekha

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Soundarya, a luminous figure in Indian cinema, etched her name primarily in the annals of Telugu film history, while also making significant contributions to Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam cinema. A multilingual talent, she effortlessly navigated various languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, English, and Hindi. This linguistic prowess complemented her stellar performances, ultimately establishing her as the most popular Telugu actress of the 1990s. Her remarkable talent shone brightly in iconic films such as “Ammoru” (1995), “Pavitra Bandham” (1996), “Anthahpuram” (1998), “Raja” (1999), “Doni Saagali” (1998), “Dweepa” (2002), and “Apthamitra” (2004), where her portrayal of diverse characters resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Born into a family deeply rooted in cinema, Soundarya was the daughter of a Kannada film writer and producer. Though she initially pursued a degree in medicine, she decided to discontinue her M.B.B.S. studies after her first year in Bangalore, opting instead to follow her passion for acting. Soundarya began her illustrious career in Kannada cinema, where she first found her footing in lead roles. Her entry into Telugu films came with “Rajendrudu Gajendrudu,” directed by S. V. Krishna Reddy, which marked her first hit in the language and set the stage for her meteoric rise. The film, released in 1993, showcased her talent alongside Rajendra Prasad, and Telugu actor Venkatesh later praised her as “a thorough actress,” acknowledging her profound impact on Indian cinema.

Over the course of her career, Soundarya appeared in more than 100 films, primarily in Telugu, within a span of just 12 years. Among her standout performances was her award-winning role in “Ammoru,” directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, where she played the character of Bhavani, a devoted follower of Goddess Ammoru, alongside notable co-stars Ramya Krishna and Suresh. This performance not only garnered acclaim but solidified her status as a beloved actress in the industry. Her foray into Tamil cinema also proved successful, especially with her debut film “Ponnumani,” in which she portrayed a mentally disabled woman, earning significant accolades for her portrayal. In fact, her collaboration with Tamil superstars in films like “Arunachalam” and her impressive output in 1997, including hits like “Pavitra Bandham” and “Kaathala Kaathala,” only enhanced her reputation as a versatile and talented actress.

Following the turn of the millennium, Soundarya continued to shine, featuring in successful projects such as “Sooryavansham” opposite Amitabh Bachchan and making guest appearances in various songs that showcased her charm and charisma. Despite coming from a film background, she humbly attributed her success to the collective effort of the film industry, reflecting her appreciation for the teamwork that goes into filmmaking. Her final film, “Apthamitra,” was a significant hit, starring alongside Vishnuvardhan and Ramesh Arvind. Tragically, her life was cut short on April 17, 2004, when she died in an aircraft crash en route to Karimnagar, alongside her brother Amarnath. In a poignant moment before boarding, she expressed a desire to wear traditional cotton sarees adorned with KumKum, a symbol of her cultural heritage, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate within the cinematic landscape of India.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.