Hema Chaudhary


Durga Prabha, known by her stage name, Hema Chowdari is an Indian actress who has predominantly acted in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. Starting her career as a lead actress in the Telugu film Pelli Kani Pelli in 1976, she switched over to supporting roles in the 1980s.
She is best remembered for her negative roles in Kannada films like Vijaya Vani, Shubhashaya, Deepa, Gaali Maathu and Nee Bareda Kadambari. Among her Tamil films, the K. Balachander directed Manmatha Leelai opposite Kamal Haasan is the most notable. Having acted in over 180 films, Hema is considered one of the most popular character artistes in South Indian cinema.
Apart from acting, Hema Choudhary is an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer and has performed for over 700 shows all across the world with her guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. She wasa classmate of Rajanikanth in the acting school at Madras. She is a recipient of the Panorama Award for her dancing skills. She has also been chosen by the National Film Awards committee as the judging panel for three years.

Early life

Hema was born to the popular female dubbing artiste and Telugu film Actress Brundavana Chowdari, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She graduated from the Chennai Film Institute with Rajini Kanth and others.

Career

After completing her acting course, Hema started her career in the 1976 film Pelli Kani Pelli directed by Adhiraj Anand Mohan, opposite Tamil actor Sridhar. and was one of the heroines opposite Kamal Haasan in the blockbuster Tamil film Manmatha Leelai.
Her maiden Kannada film was Vijaya Vani (film) in which she played the second lead followed by Shubhashaya, Devara Duddu, Vamsha Jyothi and Deepa. She also worked in Telugu films such as Bangaru Manishi, Nijam, Kotta Alludu. Her bold portrayal of a character with grey shades in Gaali Maathu made her a household name. From then on, she went on to appear in more than 150 films as a supporting actress with all the big directors and actors in Kannada cinema.
Hema follows the practice of offering a silk saree at Hindu Goddess temples across the country after the completion of each of her films.

Filmography

Kannada

  1. Vijaya Vani
  2. Shubhashaya
  3. Deepa
  4. Devara Duddu
  5. Sridevi
  6. Anubandha
  7. Vamsha Jyothi
  8. Varadakshine
  9. Narada Vijaya
  10. Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha
  11. Manku Thimma
  12. Sri Raghavendra Vaibhava
  13. Guru Shishyaru
  14. Gaali Maathu
  15. Avali Javali
  16. Prema Mathsara
  17. Kannu Theresida Hennu
  18. Jimmy Gallu
  19. Garuda Rekhe
  20. Thirugu Baana
  21. Kranthiyogi Basavanna
  22. Yarivanu
  23. Aaradhane
  24. Nee Bareda Kadambari
  25. Masanada Hoovu
  26. Kuridoddi Kurukshethra
  27. Haavu Yeni Aata
  28. Goonda Guru
  29. Bhayanakara Bhasmasura
  30. Sampradaya
  31. Thayiya Aase
  32. Krishna Rukmini
  33. Devatha Manushya
  34. Samsara Nauke
  35. Nyayakaagi Naanu
  36. Krishna Nee Kunidaga
  37. Kindari Jogi
  38. Santha Shishunala Sharifa
  39. Maheshwara (film)
  40. Kiladi Thatha
  41. Kempu Gulabi
  42. Ajay Vijay
  43. Bangaradantha Maga
  44. Thavarumane Udugore
  45. Readymade Ganda
  46. Mangalya
  47. Ganesha Subramanya
  48. Putta Hendthi
  49. Midida Shruthi
  50. Prema Sangama
  51. Halli Krishna Delhi Radha
  52. Anuraga Geethe
  53. Sididedda Shiva
  54. Kurubana Rani
  55. Taayi Kotta Sire
  56. Kubera
  57. Veerappa Nayaka
  58. Surya Vamsha
  59. Sankata Bangada Venkata Ramana
  60. Durgada Huli
  61. Deepavali
  62. Namma Samsara Ananda Sagara
  63. Kanasugara
  64. Jamindaru
  65. Thavarige Baa Thangi
  66. Super Police
  67. Yarado Duddu Yallamana Jatre
  68. Kasu Iddone Basu
  69. Sri Ram
  70. Samudra
  71. Anna Thangi
  72. Ayya
  73. Valmiki
  74. Savira Mettilu
  75. Thavarina Siri
  76. Lava Kusha
  77. Santha
  78. Gandana Mane
  79. Budhivanta
  80. Bandhu Balaga
  81. Devaru Kotta Thangi
  82. Male Barali Manju Irali
  83. Vismaya Pranaya
  84. Sogasugara
  85. Mallikarjuna
  86. Shakthi
  87. Bhagirathi
  88. God Fother
  89. Dasavala
  90. Super Ranga
  91. Ganga
  92. ''Dasharatha''

Tamil

  1. Manmatha Leelai as Madhavai
  2. Kungumam Kathai Solgirathu
  3. Paartha Gnabagam Illiyo
  4. Star
  5. Naan Avanillai
  6. ''Thotta''

Telugu

  1. Ee Kalam Dampathulu
  2. Pelli Kani Pelli
  3. Manmatha Leela
  4. Bangaru Manishi
  5. Premayanam
  6. Jaruguthunna Katha
  7. Nijam
  8. Kotta Alludu
  9. Sri Raghavendra Vaibhavam
  10. Premalayam
  11. Tandra Paparayudu
  12. Disco Samrat
  13. Ramudu Kadhu Rakshasudu
  14. Sundarakanda
  15. Prema Vijetha
  16. Puttintiki Raa Chelli
  17. Gorintaku
  18. ''Mesthri''

Malayalam

  1. Thulavarsham
  2. Premashilpi
  3. Sundarimaarude Swapnangal
  4. Tharoo Oru Janmam Koodi
  5. Kochu Kochu Thettukal
  6. Garuda Rekha
  7. ''Pattanatil Naradan''

Television

  1. Amruthavarshini
  2. ''Nayaki''

Awards

Government of KarnatakaInternational film festival of kerala award given by kerala state chalanachitra academy Innovative Film Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role Santhosham Lifetime achievement award - For Contribution to South Indian Cinema Suvarna Life Time Achievement AwardSuvarna Rathna AwardAmogha Ratna AwardSuvarna Sadhaki Special AwardJana Mechhida Thare Award Dedicated by Suvarna TVPanorama Award For Best Dance Skills