Manjula (Kannada: ಮಂಜುಳ) (8 November 1954 – 19 September 1986) was an Indian actress who acted in Kannada language films and also few Tamil (credited as Kumari Manjula) and Telugu films. She was one of the most successful and prominent actresses of Kannada films in 1970s and 1980s. She acted in more than 100 films and won several awards for her performances, including a Filmfare Award.
Personal life
Manjula was born to M. H. Shivanna and Deveramma in Honnenahalli, a village in Tumkur District. family, her father Shivanna was a police sub inspector. She was married to film director Amrutham who worked with her in films such as Hudugaatada Hudugi and Kanasu Nanasu. The couple had a son, Abhishek.
Career
Manjula started her acting career in 1965 with a drama troupe Prabhat Kalavidaru. She entered the Kannada film industry in a small role in Mane Katti Nodu in 1966. Her debut as a heroine was in the 1972 film Yaara Saakshi, directed by veteran director M. R. Vittal. She shared screen with Kannada actors including Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Srinath, Ashok and Shankar Nag. Her most successful pairing was with Srinath and they acted together in about 35 films.
She starred in over one hundred films. She specialized in the role of the bossy tomboyish village belle which brought her huge success as a top Kannada heroine in the late 1970s. Some of her notable films are Sampathige Savaal, Eradu Kanasu, Sose Thanda Sowbhagya, Besuge and Seetharamu. She also acted with well known actors in other languages like Ramakrishna (Telugu), Kamalahasan and Rajinikanth (Tamil).
Filmography
Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Mane Katti Nodu | Child actress | |
| 1967 | Padhavidhara | Child actress | |
| 1969 | Eradu Mukha | Child actress | |
| 1972 | Yaara Sakshi | ||
| 1973 | Mooroovare Vajragalu | Satyabhama | |
| 1974 | Eradu Kanasu | Lalitha | |
| 1974 | Sampathige Savaal | Durgi | |
| 1974 | Bhakta Kumbara | Manju | |
| 1974 | Professor Huchuraya | Geetha | |
| 1974 | Sri Srinivasa Kalyana | Padmavathi | |
| 1975 | Devara Gudi | Vasanthi | |
| 1975 | Daari Tappida Maga | Pushpa | |
| 1975 | Thota Ramudu | ||
| 1975 | Pudhu Vellam | ||
| 1975 | Ninagagi Naanu | ||
| 1975 | Pooja | Lalitha | |
| 1975 | Mayura | Premavati | |
| 1975 | Nireekshe | Vasumathi | |
| 1975 | Hennu Samsarada Kannu | ||
| 1976 | Hudugatada Hudugi | ||
| 1976 | Baduku Bangaravayithu | ||
| 1976 | Besuge | ||
| 1976 | Chiranjeevi | ||
| 1976 | Bangarada Gudi | ||
| 1976 | Thulasi | ||
| 1976 | Kanasu Nanasu | ||
| 1977 | Deepa | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada | |
| 1977 | Sri Renukadevi Mahatme | ||
| 1977 | Dhanalakshmi | ||
| 1977 | Bayasade Banda Bhagya | ||
| 1977 | Sose Tanda Soubhagya | Geetha | |
| 1977 | Thayigintha Devarilla | ||
| 1977 | Veera Sindhura Lakshmana | ||
| 1977 | Chanda Marutha | ||
| 1977 | Kittu Puttu | Roopa | |
| 1977 | Ganda Hendathi | ||
| 1977 | Kumkuma Rakshe | ||
| 1977 | Galate Samsara | Janaki | |
| 1978 | Halli Haida | ||
| 1978 | Muyyige Muyyi | ||
| 1978 | Anuraga Bandhana | Special appearance | |
| 1978 | Nanna Prayaschittha | ||
| 1978 | Sneha Sedu | ||
| 1978 | Vasantha Lakshmi | Lakshmi | |
| 1978 | Chithegu Chinte | ||
| 1978 | Bhale Huduga | ||
| 1978 | Madhura Sangama | Sharada | |
| 1978 | Singaporenalli Raja Kulla | Tara | |
| 1979 | Adalu Badalu | Special appearance | |
| 1979 | Seetharamu | Seetha | |
| 1979 | Pakka Kalla | ||
| 1979 | Putani Agent 123 | ||
| 1979 | Savathiya Neralu | ||
| 1979 | Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu | ||
| 1979 | Mallige Sampige | ||
| 1979 | Ene Barali Preethi Irali | ||
| 1980 | Point Parimala | ||
| 1980 | Rama Parashurama | ||
| 1980 | Rama Lakshmana | ||
| 1980 | Moogana Sedu | ||
| 1980 | Haddina Kannu | Bhagya | |
| 1980 | Manjina There | ||
| 1980 | Usha Swayamvara | ||
| 1980 | Simha Jodi | ||
| 1980 | Manku Thimma | ||
| 1980 | Rusthum Jodi | Special appearance | |
| 1980 | Janma Janmada Anubandha | ||
| 1980 | Mithuna | ||
| 1980 | Pattanakke Banda Pathniyaru | ||
| 1981 | Nee Nanna Gellalare | Nalini | |
| 1981 | Premanubandha | ||
| 1981 | Avali Javali | ||
| 1981 | Simhada Mari Sainya | Special appearance | |
| 1981 | Guru Shishyaru | ||
| 1981 | Mareyada Haadu | ||
| 1981 | Snehitara Savaal | ||
| 1981 | Shikari | ||
| 1982 | Rudri | ||
| 1982 | Kempu Hori | ||
| 1982 | Chellida Raktha | ||
| 1982 | Mareyalagada Kathe | ||
| 1982 | Archana | Special appearance | |
| 1982 | Swarna Mahal Rahasya | ||
| 1982 | Guna Nodi Hennu Kodu | ||
| 1982 | Benki Chendu | ||
| 1982 | Mava Sose Saval | ||
| 1982 | Snehada Sankole | ||
| 1982 | Hasyaratna Ramakrishna | ||
| 1982 | Betthale Seve | ||
| 1983 | Hosa Theerpu | ||
| 1983 | Keralida Hennu | ||
| 1983 | Kranthiyogi Basavanna | ||
| 1983 | Ananda Sagara | ||
| 1984 | Onti Dhwani | ||
| 1984 | Kalinga Sarpa | ||
| 1984 | Enka Manka | ||
| 1985 | Savira Sullu | ||
| 1985 | Bhayankara Bhasmasura | ||
| 1986 | Aparadhi Nanalla |
Tamil
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Puthu Vellam | ||
| 1975 | Maalai Sooda Vaa | ||
| 1975 | Edupparkai Pillai | ||
| 1980 | Kaalam Badhil Sollum | ||
| 1981 | Bala Nagamma | Mohana |
Telugu
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Thota Ramudu | Durga | |
| 1975 | Pooja | Lalitha |
Death
She died from an accidental fire in the kitchen on 12 September 1986.