Celebrating 100 Years of 'Suryakantham'

HYDERABAD: Suryakantham, the legendary actress known for her versatile roles, would have celebrated her birthday today, October 28. On this special occasion, let's take a moment to remember and celebrate her incredible contributions to Indian cinema.

Born on October 28, 1924, in Venkata Krishnarayapuram, near Kakinada in East Godavari district, Suryakantham embodied talent and uniqueness. A joyful and spirited childhood marked her early years. Known as "Surya," she was a ray of sunshine, often seen donning boy's clothes and playfully imitating a boy's demeanor.

Suryakantham's dreams were simple yet profound – to grace the silver screen as a beautiful and gentle heroine. Her journey in the film industry began as a side dancer, where she earned a humble salary of Rs. 60 from Gemini Studio. Her insistence on receiving Rs. 75 led to her departure from the studio. Her first film as an actress was "Narada Naradi" in 1946, which opened the door to her illustrious acting career.

An unfortunate car accident caused a facial injury and deprived her of the opportunity to play the heroine in the film "Saudamini." However, this setback did not deter Suryakantham, who made a remarkable comeback by accepting a pivotal character in "Samsaram" (1950), which marked a turning point in her career, and there was no looking back.

Over her four-decade-long career, Suryakantham graced nearly 700 films. One of her most notable films is "Gundamma Katha" (1962), where her character name gave the film its title. Despite sharing the screen with legendary actors like NTR and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Suryakantham held her ground and showcased her impeccable acting skills.

Her filmography includes many renowned movies like 'Chakrapani,' 'Donga Ramudu,' 'Chiranjeevulu,' 'Todikodallu,' 'Illarikam,' 'Kulagotralu,' 'Dagudu Moothalu,' 'Ummadi Kutumbam,' 'Dussehra Bullodu,' and 'Viyyalavari Kayyalu.' Her portrayal of Hidimbi in 'Mayabazar' is still celebrated.

Suryakantham was known for her honesty in financial dealings and her cautious nature, which made her tough to deceive. She would even oversee car repairs, ensuring that mechanics fixed her car in her presence.

Despite the challenges she faced in life, Suryakantham's legacy as an actress remains unparalleled. Her unique screen presence and acting prowess ensured there would never be another like her. She was a remarkable artist who etched her name in the history of Indian cinema.

Suryakantham's personal life was marked by her marriage to Madras High Court Judge Pedibhotla Chalapathy Rao in 1950. The couple had no children, but they adopted her sister's son, Ananta Padmanabha Murthy. Her husband, Chalapati Rao, passed away in 1978, and Suryakantham herself left us on December 18, 1994.

However, it is worth noting that despite her immense contributions to cinema, her departure did not receive the attention it deserved, with only a handful of movie celebrities attending her final rites.

Today, on her birth anniversary, we remember Suryakantham for the indelible mark she left on the world of Indian cinema.

Happy Birthday, Suryakantham, your legacy lives on.