Pandari Bai
Biography
Pandari Bai was a prominent actress of South Indian language films, working mostly in the Kannada language during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Born on September 18, 1928, in Pathal, Bhatkal, Mysor, she is considered Kannada cinema's first successful heroine. Her career included acting in over one thousand films across Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi languages, with one hundred eighty-two known credits listed on the Movie Database. She achieved the distinction of acting as both a heroine and a mother to industry stalwarts such as Rajkumar, M.G.R., and Sivaji Ganesan. Notably, she served as the leading lady in Rajkumar's debut film, Bedara Kannappa, and in Sivaji Ganesan's debut film, Parasakthi. Pandari Bai passed away on January 29, 2003, at the age of seventy-four.
Career overview
Pandari Bai was a prominent actress of South Indian language films, working mostly in the Kannada language during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Born on September 18, 1928, in Pathal, Bhatkal, Mysor, she is considered Kannada cinema's first successful heroine. During her extensive career in acting, she appeared in over 1,000 films across Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi.
She achieved the distinct professional milestone of acting as both a heroine and a mother to industry stalwarts such as Rajkumar, Mgr, and Sivaji Ganesan. Her notable early credits include starring as the heroine in Rajkumar's debut movie, Bedara Kannappa, as well as in Sivaji Ganesan's debut movie, Parasakthi.
Throughout her career, she maintained a prolific presence in cinema, accumulating known credits on the Movie Database platform. Her life and career concluded with her death on January 29, 2003, at the age of 74.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
184 titles- Mojugara Sogasugara (1995)
- Halunda Tavaru (1994)
- Jai Hind (1994) as Maria Devi
- Time Bomb (1994)
- Kunthi Puthra (1994)
- Chinna (1994)
- Akasmika (1993) as Murthy's mother
- Tholi Muddu (1993)
- Server Somanna (1993)
- Navibbaru Namagibbaru (1993)
- Bhagavan Sri Saibaba (1993)
- Golibar (1993)
- Gejje Naada (1993)
- Mannan (1992) as Parvathy Amma
- Jeevana Chaithra (1992) as Seetha
- Pudhiya Raagam (1991) as Thaiyamma
- Jagadeka Veera (1991)
- Sri Yedukondala Swamy (1991)
- Lambadolla Ramadasu (1991)
- Avasara Police 100 (1990) as Raju and Seetha's mother (in archival footage)
- Bhale Chathura (1990)
- Ramarajyadalli Rakshasaru (1990)
- Chakravarthy (1990)
- Gaduggai (1989) as Parvathi
- Sharavegada Saradara (1989)
- Samsaara Nouke (1989)
- Vijaya Khadga (1988)
- Sri Venkateshwara Mahime (1988)
- Daada (1988)
- Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara (1988)
- Uzhavan Magan (1987)
- Bazar Bheema (1987)
- Veerapandiyan (1987)
- Guri (1986) as Guest Appearance
- Henne Ninagenu Bandhana (1986)
- Hosa Neeru (1986)
- Andha Oru Nimidam (1985) as Radha
- Sri Raghavendrar (1985)
- Kettimelam (1985)
- Puthu Yugam (1985)
- Pooja Phala (1984)
- Onde Raktha (1984)
- Onti Dhwani (1984)
- Enakkul Oruvan (1984)
- Nagara Mahime (1984)
- Thai Veedu (1983)
- Vellai Roja (1983)
- Saatchi (1983)
- Ajith (1982)
- Kalavaari Samsaram (1982) as Kantamma
- Chalisuva Modagalu (1982) as Sheela's mother
- Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu (1982) as Shantamma
- Thyagi (1982)
- Adhisaya Piravigal (1982)
- Oru Iravu Oru Paravai (1981)
- Ram Lakshman (1981) as Meenakshi
- Yeh Rishta Na Tootay (1981) as Shyam's mother
- Antha (1981)
- Chattaniki Kallu Levu (1981)
- Keralida Simha (1981)
- Snehithara Saval (1981)
- Kanneer Pookkal (1981)
- Driver Hanumanthu (1980)
- Naan Potta Saval (1980)
- Superman (1980) as Sarada
- Yamanukku Yaman (1980) as Sathyamoorthy's mother
- Guru (1980)
- Ram Robert Rahim (1980)
- Hema Hemeelu (1979) as Rajeswari Devi
- Burripalem Bullodu (1979)
- Mudhal Iravu (1979)
- Lok Parlok (1979)
- Sigappukkal Mookkuthi (1979)
- Vetagadu (1979)
- Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi (1979) as Parvathy
- Kiladi Kittu (1978)
- Ival Oru Seethai (1978) as Meenakshi
- Mallepoovu (1978)
- Vasantha Lakshmi (1978) as Annapoorna
- Kiladi Jodi (1978) as Jaggu's Mother
- Sadhurangam (1978)
- Aaru Pushpangal (1977)
- Uyarnthavargal (1977)
- Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga (1977) as Kumar and Mainaga's mother
- Adavi Ramudu (1977)
- Avan Oru Sarithiram (1977)
- Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga (1977)
- Muthana Muthallavo (1976) as Periya Pillai's wife
- Uzhaikkum Karangal (1976)
- Baalu Jenu (1976) as Doctor
- Athirshtam Azhaikkirathu (1976)
- Raju Vedale (1976)
- America Ammayi (1976) as Janaki
- Lalitha (1976)
- Uthaman (1976)
- Pallandu Vazhga (1975)
- Idhayakkani (1975)
- Pattikkaattu Raja (1975)
- Thota Ramudu (1975) as Pandharibai
- Dr. Siva (1975) as Lakshmi
- Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974)
- Thaai Piranthaal (1974) as Lalitha's mother
- Netru Indru Naalai (1974) as Kanaga, Manavalan Thangappapuram's wife
- Gumasthavin Magal (1974)
- Avalum Penn Thaane (1974)
- Avalum Penn Thaane (1974) Producer
- Eradu Kanasu (1974) as Guest Appearance
- Paadha Poojai (1974)
- Bangarada Panjara (1974) as Janaki, Beera's Biological mother
- O Seeta Katha (1974)
- Gauravam (1973) as Chellamma
- Pandanti Kapuram (1972) as Chinnamma
- Rivaaj (1972) as Shekhar's mother
- Vasantha Maligai (1972)
- Hrudaya Sangama (1972)
- Shehzada (1972)
- Raja (1972)
- Bandagi (1972)
- ...Aval! (1972)
- Annamitta Kai (1972)
- Thavaputhalvan (1972)
- Sampoorna Ramayanam (1972) as Shabari
- Janma Rahasya (1972)
- Sabadham (1971) as Lakshmi
- Iru Thuruvam (1971) as Annapoorani
- Arutperunjothi (1971)
- Prathidhwani (1971) as Meenakshi
- Kasidre Kailasa (1971) as Shakuntala's Mother
- Nadu Iravil (1970) as Ponni
- Namma Kuzhandaigal (1970)
- Bhale Jodi (1970) as Suresh's mother
- Adimai Penn (1969)
- Nannha Farishta (1969) as Gauri's mom
- Anbalippu (1969)
- Nam Naadu (1969)
- Shanti Nilayam (1969)
- Nam Nadu (1969)
- Deiva Magan (1969) as Parvathi
- Doli (1969)
- Kuzhanthaikkaga (1968)
- Anbu Vazhi (1968)
- Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968)
- Gandhinagara (1968)
- Shri Purandaradasaru (1967)
- Punyavathi (1967) as Parvathi
- Penn Entral Penn (1967)
- Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu (1966) as Ramu's mother
- Chandhrodhayam (1966) as Lakshmi
- Motor Sundaram Pillai (1966)
- Sandhya Raaga (1966)
- Belli Moda (1966) as Lalithamma
- Laadla (1966)
- Enga Veettu Pillai (1965) as Susheela
- Nee! (1965) as Mangalam
- Poojaikku Vantha Malar (1965)
- Sathya Harishchandra (1965) as Chandramathi
- Bettada Huli (1965) as Parvathi
- Prathigne (1964) as Gowramma
- Dheiva Thaai (1964) as Sivagami
- Santha Thukaram (1963)
- Irumbu Thirai (1960) as Parvathi
- Kuravanji (1960)
- Paavai Vilakku (1960)
- Paigham (1959) as Parvati Ratan Lal
- Abba! Aa Hudugi (1959) as Jyothi
- Naalu Veli Nilam (1959)
- Annaiyin Aanai (1958)
- Bhabhi (1957)
- Rayara Sose (1957)
- Rayara Sose (1957) Producer
- Kuladeivam (1956)
- Hari Bhakta (1956) as Hari/Lakshmi's Wife
- Bhaktha Vijaya (1956) as Hema
- Sodari (1955) as Hemavathi
- Andha Naal (1954) as Usha
- Manohara (1954)
- Bedara Kannappa (1954) as Neela
- Poongothai (1953) as Susheela
- Thirumbi Paar (1953)
- Parasakthi (1952) as Vimala
- Marmayogi (1951)
- Bahar (1951) as Malti (uncredited)
- Bhakta Kumbara (1948)
- Haridas (1944)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Pandari Bai best known for?
Pandari Bai is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Pooja Phala (1984), The Body (1981), Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1980), Lalitha (1976).
When and where was Pandari Bai born?
Pandari Bai was born on September 18, 1928 in Pathal, Bhatkal, Mysore , British India. They passed away on January 29, 2003.
How many credits does Pandari Bai have?
Pandari Bai has accumulated over 184 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 1995.
What is Pandari Bai's background in cinema and television?
Pandari Bai was a prominent actress of South Indian language films, working mostly in the Kannada language during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Born on September 18, 1928, in Pathal, Bhatkal, Mysor, she is considered Kannada cinema's first successful heroine. Her career included acting in over one thousand films across ...
Pandari Bai by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Thaai Piranthaal (1974) as Lalitha's mother — aged about 45
- Lalitha (1976) — aged about 47
- Gauravam (1973) as Chellamma — aged about 44
- Idhayakkani (1975) — aged about 46
- Pooja Phala (1984) — aged about 55
Full filmography (184) Born on September 18 In memoriam 2003
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