Suryakantham
Known for: Acting
Suryakantham (October 28, 1924 – December 18, 1994) was an Indian actress who worked predominantly in Telugu cinema. After early background dancer and uncredited bit parts in the late 1940s, she gained industry attention portraying the cruel sister-in-law Venkamma in the family drama *Samsaram* (1950). The role established her specialization in dominant mother-in-law, shrewish, and comedic character roles, which she expanded upon in the comedy *Pelli Chesi Choodu* (1952), the social drama *Thodi Kodallu* (1957), and as Hidimbi in the fantasy film *Mayabazar* (1957). Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Suryakantham became a central character actress across mainstream cinema, most notably headlining the titular role in the comedy *Gundamma Katha* (1962). Her character credits during this period include the drama *Kula Gotralu* (1962), the social comedy *Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu* (1959), the drama *Mooga Manasulu* (1964), the action drama *Dasara Bullodu* (1971), and the fantasy comedy *Yamagola* (1977). In her later years, she transitioned into elder matriarchal roles, appearing in features such as *Gorintaku* (1979) and *Idem Pellam Baboi* (1990), with final screen appearances in *One by Two* (1993) and the supernatural crime comedy *Govindha Govindha* (1993).
Filmography
Film
Manchi Manasulu
Suryakanthamma
1962
Roopavathi
1951
Konte Mogudu Penki Pellam
1980
Film
Andala Ramudu
Samalamma
1973
Koduku Kodalu
Durgamma
1972
Film
Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
Relangi Mavayya’s Grandmother (Photo)
2013
Film
Vidhi Vilasam
1970
Oorantha Sankranthi
Hostel Warden
1983
Film
Navaratri
1966
Film
Velugu Needalu
Kanaka Durgamma
1961
Film
Engal Swamy Ayyappan
1990
Film
Sri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
1976
Film
Mangalya Balam
Kanthamma
1959
Film
Lava Kusa
Valmiki disciple's wife
1963
Film
Dasara Bullodu
1971
Film
Kula Gotralu
Jagadamba
1962
Film
Donga Ramudu
1955
Film
Mayabazar
Hidimbi
1957
Jeevana Tarangalu
1973
Film
Niluvu Dopidi
Chukamma
1968
Film
Dharma Daata
Vijayapur Rani
1970
Film
Ummadi Mogudu
1987
Film
Chakrapani
1954
Film
Zamindar
1966
Chaduvukunna Ammayilu
Vardhanamma
1963
Film
Mundhadugu
Bhujangam's wife
1983
Film
Maro Prapancham
1970
Pooja
1975
Film
Private Master
1967
Chilipi Krishnudu
Mrs. James
1978
Film
Kalavaari Samsaram
1982
Film
Gundamma Katha
Gundamma
1962
Pelli Choopulu
1983
Film
Ali Baba 40 Dongalu
Sultana
1970
Film
Prema Nagar
1971
Film
Mande Gundelu
1979
Film
Akka Chellelu
1970
Film
Idem Pellam Baboi
1990
Rahasyam
Mallamma
1967
Film
Punarjanma
1963
Film
Banda Ramudu
1959
Film
Samsaram
Venkamma
1950
Film
Narthanasala
1963
Film
Govindha Govindha
Bamma
1993
Film
Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham
Soubhagyam
1961
Film
Beedala Patlu
Kanthamma
1972
Film
One by Two
1993
Film
Sri Katna Leelalu
1985
Film
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
1959
Film
Yamagola
Seethamma
1977
Film
Batasari
Sundaramma
1961
Film
Kanne Manasulu
1966
Film
Bhishma
Dasaraju's Wife
1962
Film
Doctor Chakravarthy
Suryakanthamma
1964
Illali Korikalu
1982
Film
Kalam Marindi
Srinivas' grandmother
1972
Film
Manchi Manasulu
1986
Film
Papam Pasivadu
1972
Film
Pattabhishekham
Warden Kantamma
1985
Film
Ramu
Manikyam
1968
Film
Kanyasulkam
Meenakshi
1955
Film
Charana Daasi
Seshamma
1956
Film
Vivaha Bandham
Manikyamba
1964
Film
Paruvu-Prathishtta
Durgamma
1963
Film
Intiguttu
Nancharamma
1958
Film
Ramudu Bheemudu
Sundaramma
1964
Film
Ummadi Kutumbam
Gowri
1967
Film
Gaduggai
Kanthamma
1989
Cherapakura Chedevu
Menaka's Mother
1955
Film
Pelli Chesi Choodu
Chukkalamma
1952
Film
Varakatnam
Chukkamma
1969
Film
Chandraharam
1954
Film
Mooga Manasulu
1964
Film
Srimanthudu
Kaasulamma
1971
Film
Aathma Bandhuvu
Widowed Daughter
1962
Film
Thodi Kodallu
Anasuya
1957
Film
Gorantha Deepam
1978
Bala Mitrula Katha
1973
Film
Aastiparulu
Kasulamma
1966
Bhagyarekha
1957
Poongothai
Srugaram
1953
Film
Adrushtavanthulu
Pesaratla Peramma
1969
Balaraju Katha
1970