Sunitha Upadrashta
Sunitha Upadrashta, known mononymously as Sunitha, is an Indian playback singer and a voice actor who primarily works in Telugu cinema. She is a recipient of nine Nandi Awards and two Filmfare Awards South in various categories. At the age of 15, she received a National Award from All India Radio under the light music category. She won her first Nandi Award in 1999, followed by consecutive awards from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2012. In 2011, she was conferred the Lata Mangeshkar Best Singer Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Sunitha made her playback singing debut in 1995 with the film Gulabi. She is also recognised as an anchor and host for music-based and flagship programmes, including the foundation-laying ceremony of Amaravati in 2015. She has been associated as a judge with several music reality shows on different television channels, notably Padutha Theeyaga, a long-running programme on ETV launched and hosted by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. As a dubbing artist, she has lent her voice to over 110 actresses in more than 750 films.
Sunitha has performed as a singer in 19 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Mauritius.
Early and personal life
Sunitha was born on 10 May 1978 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. At the age of six, she began training in Carnatic vocals under Pemmaraju Surya Rao and in light music under Kalaga Krishna Mohan. From a young age, she had opportunities to perform in several concerts, including programmes featured by All India Radio. At the age of 13, she participated in the Tyagaraja Aradhana Utsavalu along with her guru Pemmaraju Surya Rao. She later received a scholarship from the Government of India to pursue her musical training.She was born into a music-loving family, and her parents were fond of music. At the age of 19, she married Kiran Kumar Goparaju, a media professional. The couple later divorced. They have two children, Akash and Shreya. Shreya made her playback singing debut with the song "Tick Tick Tick" in the Telugu film Savyasachi.
In January 2021, Sunitha married businessman Rama Krishna Veerapaneni in the presence of family members and close friends.
Career
Playback singing
Sunitha began her playback singing career at the age of 17. She was introduced by music director Sashi Preetham, who gave her an opportunity to sing in her debut film Gulabi. Her first song was "Ee Vela Lo Neevu", written by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry. In 1997, she sang a solo track for the Kannada film Bhoomi Geetha, composed by Ilayaraja. She also rendered title songs for Telugu television serials such as Ruturagalu and Antarangalu. For the title song of Antarangalu, she received her first Nandi Award from the then undivided state of Andhra Pradesh in 1999.She has collaborated with several music directors, including Ilayaraja, Vidyasagar, M.M. Keeravani, A.R Rahman, S.V. Krishna Reddy, Vandematharam Srinivas, Mani Sharma, Ramana Gogula, S.A. Raj Kumar, Sandeep Choutha, Mickey J. Mayer, Devisri Prasad, R.P. Patnaik, Chakri, Anup Rubens, Sunil Kashyap, Madhavapeddi Suresh, V. Harikrishna, Jassie Gift, S. Thaman and others.
Over the course of her career, Sunitha has recorded nearly 3,000 songs in South Indian films. She has sung in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.
Voice acting
Sunitha began her career as a dubbing artist with the film Choodalani Vundi, starring Chiranjeevi and Soundarya, for whom she provided her voice. She went on to become one of the leading voice-over artists in the Telugu film industry, dubbing for more than 110 actresses in over 750 films. In a single year, she reportedly dubbed for as many as 60 films. Her 750th film as a dubbing artist was Gautamiputra Satakarni, in which she lent her voice to Shriya Saran.Discography
Telugu
Selective works of singer Sunitha as a playback singer listed below:| Year | Film | Song | Music director | Co-singer |
| 1995 | Gulabi | "Ee Velalo Neevu" | Sashi Preetam | |
| 1997 | Egire Paavurama | "Maaghaa Maasam" | S.V. Krishna Reddy | |
| 1997 | Egire Paavurama | "Gunde Gutiki" | S.V. Krishna Reddy | |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "Nee Oohallo" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "Om Ani" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "Raamayana Saaram" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "Yevamma Computeramma" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "O Prema" | M.M. Keeravani | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "Yevamma Vinavemamma" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "Shuklam Baradharam" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 1999 | Thammudu | "Pedhavi Datani" | Ramana Gogula | Ramana Gogula |
| 2000 | Badri | "Vevela Mainala Gaanam" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2000 | Badri | "Bangalakathamlo" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2000 | Badri | "Chali Pidugullo" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2000 | Badri | "Hey Chikitha" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2000 | Yuvaraju | "Manasemo" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2000 | Yuvaraju | "Tholivalape Tiyyanidi" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2000 | Yuvaraju | "Chandamama" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2000 | Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa | "Abbo Naa Bangaru Laddu" | Vandemataram Srinivas | Sukhwinder Singh, Swarnalatha |
| 2001 | Murari | "Alanati Ramachandruni" | Mani Sharma | Jikki, Sandhya |
| 2001 | Naa Manasistha Raa | "Punnami Jabilli" | S.A. Rajukumar | SP. Balu |
| 2001 | Naa Manasistha Raa | "Kadantaava Cheppu" | S.A. Rajukumar | |
| 2001 | Naa Manasistha Raa | "Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle" | S.A. Rajukumar | |
| 2002 | Aadi | "Nee Navvula" | Mani Sharma | Mallikarjun |
| 2003 | Vijayam | "Meghala Pallaki" | Koti | Tippu |
| 2003 | Nenu Pelliki Ready | "Nuvvunte Chalu" | Chakri | |
| 2003 | Nenu Pelliki Ready | "Mugguru Bhamala" | Chakri | |
| 2003 | Ela Cheppanu | "Meghala Pallakilona" | Koti | |
| 2003 | Ela Cheppanu | "Rangula Taaraka" | Koti | |
| 2003 | Ee Abbai Chala Manchodu | "Chandamama Kathalo" | M.M. Keeravani | Kalyani Malik |
| 2003 | Gangotri | "Ganga" | M.M. Keeravani | SPB. Charan |
| 2003 | Maa Alludu Very Good | "Paluke Bangaramayena" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2003 | Maa Alludu Very Good | "Padaka Padaka" | M.M. Keeravani | MM Keeravani |
| 2003 | Seethaiah | "Samayaniki" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2003 | Seethaiah | "Adhishankarula" | M.M. Keeravani | SPB.Charan |
| 2003 | Simhadri | "Nannedo Seyyamaku" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani |
| 2003 | 2 Much | "Papa Nee Votu" | K. Veeru | |
| 2003 | 2 Much | "Talentu Bayata Pettu" | K. Veeru | |
| 2003 | Anaganaga O Kurraadu | "Sakku Sakku" | Chakri | |
| 2003 | Appudappudu | "Nee Kalalu Kaavali" | R. P. Patnaik | |
| 2004 | Siva Puthrudu | "Chirugali Veechene" | Ilayaraja | R.P. Patnaik |
| 2004 | Letha Manasulu | "Letha Manasulu" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2004 | Nenunnanu | "Nenunnanani" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani |
| 2004 | Nenunnanu | "Ryali Ravalapadu" | M.M. Keeravani | Tippu |
| 2004 | Pallakilo Pellikoothuru | "Naa Peru Cheppukondi" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2004 | Athade Oka Sainyam | "Naa Paata Teta Telugu" | S.V. Krishna Reddy | |
| 2004 | Athade Oka Sainyam | "Maa Intiki Ninnu Pilichi" | S.V. Krishna Reddy | |
| 2004 | Athade Oka Sainyam | "Hey Apparao" | S.V. Krishna Reddy | |
| 2004 | Swarabhishekam | "Kudikannu Adirene" | Vidya Sagar | SP. Balu |
| 2004 | Anji | "Maanava Maanava" | Mani Sharma | tippu |
| 2004 | Apparao Driving School | "Ninnu Chuse Velalone" | Ghantadi Krishna | |
| 2005 | Chatrapathi | "Gundusudi" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani |
| 2005 | Chatrapathi | "Summa Maasuriya" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2005 | Allari Bullodu | "Andhamante Evaridi" | M.M. Keeravani | SPB. Charan |
| 2005 | Athadu | "Avunu Nijam" | Mani Sharma | |
| 2005 | Radha Gopalam | "Maa Muddu Radhamma" | Mani Sharma | |
| 2005 | Radha Gopalam | "Nee Vaalu Jada" | Mani Sharma | sp Balasubramaniam |
| 2005 | That Is Pandu | "Vennelona Adapillanu" | Mani Sharma | |
| 2005 | Manasu Maata Vinadhu | "Nuvvu Nijam" | Kalyan Koduri | |
| 2005 | Alex | "O Meghamala" | Bunty | |
| 2005 | Allari Pidugu | "Maa Subbalachamma" | Mani Sharma | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 2006 | Shiva 2006 | "Adaganidhe Cheppedi Yela" | Ilayaraja | Vijay Prakash |
| 2006 | Vikramarkudu | "Jum jum Maya" | M. M. Keeravani | m.m keeravani |
| 2006 | Godavari | "Andhanga Lena" | K.M. RadhaKrishnan | |
| 2006 | Sri Ramadasu | "Chalu Chalu' | M.M. Keeravani | sp.charan |
| 2006 | Sri Ramadasu | "Idigidigo Naa Ramudu" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2006 | Sri Ramadasu | "Nanubrovamani" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2006 | Sri Ramadasu | "Thandrimatanu" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2006 | Kokila | "Shubhamo Sukhamo" | Madhukar | |
| 2006 | Boss | "Yedho Thamasaga" | Kalyan Koduri | |
| 2006 | Boss | "Naa Kallu Valle" | Kalyan Koduri | |
| 2006 | Boss | "Andhagadu Muttukunte" | Kalyan Koduri | |
| 2006 | Boss | "Anaganaganaga" | Kalyan Koduri | |
| 2006 | Boss | "Veluthunna" | Kalyan Koduri | |
| 2006 | Chinnodu | "Hey Manasa" | Ramana Gogula | Venu |
| 2006 | Lakshmi | "Thara Thaluku Thara" | Ramana Gogula | |
| 2007 | Sangamam | "Chinuku Chinuku' | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2007 | Yamadonga | "Noonugu Meesalodu" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani |
| 2007 | Gita | "Neekosam Nennunantu" | Sunil Kashyap | |
| 2007 | Yogi | "Nee Illu Bangaram" | Ramana Gogula | Ramana Gogula |
| 2007 | Viyyalavari Kayyalu | "Neelala Neekallu" | Ramana Gogula | Sri Krishna |
| 2007 | Aata | "Yela Yela" | Devi Sri Prasad | |
| 2007 | Bookailas | "Venu Madhava" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2007 | Chirutha | "Ivvale" | Mani Sharma | |
| 2007 | Godava | "Okkasaari" | Mani Sharma | |
| 2007 | Gundamma Gaari Manavadu | "Chengaavi Rangu Cheera" | Vandemataram Srinivas | |
| 2007 | Manchu Kurise Velalo | "Andhama Nee Vooredhamma" | Usha Kanna, Krishna Mohan | |
| 2007 | Manchu Kurise Velalo | "Choodalani Vundi" | Usha Kanna, Krishna Mohan | |
| 2007 | Nee Navve Chaalu | "Poola Pallaki" | Vandemataram Srinivas | |
| 2007 | O Chinnari korika | "Aataladukundam" | Nagendra Kumar Vepuri | |
| 2007 | Okkadunnadu | "Adugaduguna" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2007 | Veduka | "Mallela Mancham" | Anup Rubens | |
| 2008 | Pandurangadu | "Govindhude Kokachutti" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2008 | Pandurangadu | "Kosaladeshapu Kamalitho" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2008 | Kanthri | "Vayassunami" | Mani Sharma | Hema Chandra |
| 2008 | Rainbow | "Aasha Chinni Aasha" | Nihal | |
| 2008 | Rainbow | "Manasa Chalinchake" | Nihal | |
| 2008 | Rainbow | "Challu Challu" | Nihal | |
| 2008 | Rainbow | "Naa Kallalo" | Nihal | |
| 2008 | Rainbow | "O Lalana" | Nihal | |
| 2008 | Rainbow | "Sala Sala" | Nihal | |
| 2008 | Rainbow | "Swamy Raa" | Nihal | |
| 2008 | Aalayam | "Neetho Vasthunna" | Koti | |
| 2008 | Bhuma | "Abba Yem Kandaluro" | Vandemataram Srinivas | |
| 2009 | Nachav Alludu | "Enthentha Dhooram" | Koti | Hema Chandra |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | "Alaka Nabambhu Chalada" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | "Harinama" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | "Hari Alasiti" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | "O Thalli Ganga" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | "Srikaramuganu" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | "Sri Rukminilola" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2009 | Vengamamba | "Thirukonda Harathi" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2009 | Boni | "Nammaleni Kale Nijamayena" | Ramana Gogula | Deepu |
| 2009 | Saarai Veerraju | "Needho Naadho" | V. Sri Sai | Karthik |
| 2009 | Saarai Veerraju | "Veeche Gaali" | V. Sri Sai | |
| 2009 | Aa Intlo | "Hrudayavedhana" | Koti | |
| 2010 | Jhummandi Naadam | "Entha Entha" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2010 | Jhummandi Naadam | "Sannayi Mogindhi" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2010 | Vedam | "Egiripothe Entha Baguntundi" | M. M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani |
| 2010 | Subhapradam | "Nee Navve Kadadaka" | Mani Sharma | Karthik |
| 2011 | Raaj | "Bheemavaram Bulloda" | Koti | |
| 2011 | Raaj | "Sutiga Chusava" | Koti | |
| 2011 | Aha Naa Pellanta! | "Subhramanyam" | Raghu Kunche | |
| 2011 | Aha Naa Pellanta! | "Saturday Evening" | Raghu Kunche | |
| 2012 | Damarukam | "Kanya Kumari" | Devi Sri Prasad | Jaspreet Jasz |
| 2012 | Shirdi Sai | "Saranu Saranu" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2012 | Shirdi Sai | "Sai Ante Thalli' | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2012 | Shirdi Sai | "Ekkadayya Sai" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2012 | Shirdi Sai | "Nee Padamulu" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2012 | Shirdi Sai | "Aarati" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2012 | Aakashamlo Sagam | "Naaku Neevu Pranam" | Yasho Krishna | |
| 2013 | Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha | "Thamari Thone" | Kalyani Malik | |
| 2013 | Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha | "Nenea Aa Nenena" | Kalyani Malik | |
| 2013 | Intinta Annamayya | "Venkatadri Samam" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2013 | Intinta Annamayya | "Neeke Saranu" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2013 | Maha Bhaktha Siriyala | "Ee Dehamu Pranamu" | Mangala Poornachandh | |
| 2013 | Maha Bhaktha Siriyala | "Kalyana Sugunakara" | Mangala Poornachandh | |
| 2014 | Lakshmi Raave Maa Intiki | "Aa Venneladaina" | K. M. RadhaKrishnan | |
| 2014 | Lakshmi Raave Maa Intiki | "Venu Gaana Lolude" | K. M. RadhaKrishnan | |
| 2014 | Oohalu Gusagusalade | "Em Sandeham Ledu" | Kalyani Malik | Kalyani Malik |
| 2014 | Anamika | "Kshanam Kshanam" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2014 | Anamika | "The Search" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2014 | Anamika | "Dead & Live" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2014 | Ice Cream 2 | "Kiss Me" | Satya Kashyap | |
| 2014 | Ice Cream 2 | "Kiss Me" | Satya Kashyap | |
| 2014 | Alibaba Okkade Donga | "Adugadugu" | Sai Srikanth | |
| 2014 | Alibaba Okkade Donga | "Aakasham" | Sai Srikanth | |
| 2014 | April Fool | "Raa Raa" | Bunty | |
| 2015 | Mariyaan | "Inka Konchem Sepu" | A. R. Rahman | Vijay Prakash |
| 2015 | Mariyaan | "Sonapareeya" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2015 | Yes | "Ee Vela Madilona" | Indraganti Laxmi Srinivas | |
| 2015 | Yes | "Premante Maayele" | Indraganti Laxmi Srinivas | |
| 2016 | Kalyana Vaibhogame | "Chakkandaala Chukka" | Kalyani Koduri | Kalyani Koduri |
| 2016 | Manalo Okadu | "Madhuram" | R. P. Patnaik | |
| 2016 | Raagam | "Yeenadu Neepai Jaali Padadhe" | Sunil Kashyap | Sunil Kashyap |
| 2016 | Evaro Taanevvaro | "Kammani Kalalu" | S Sriram | |
| 2016 | Atu Itu Kaani Hrudayam Thoti | "Maruvaleni" | GP Raavin | |
| 2016 | Aa Mugguru | "Pachani Pandiri" | Sathya Kashyap | |
| 2016 | Jilakarra Bellam | "Vintha Vinthaga" | Vandemataram Srinivas | |
| 2016 | Sri Sri | "Nela Nichi" | E. S. Murthy | |
| 2017 | Mixture Potlam | "Allari Godhari" | Madhavapeddi Suresh | |
| 2017 | Mixture Potlam | "Nee Maate" | Madhavapeddi Suresh | |
| 2017 | Om Namo Venkatesaya | "Vayyari Kalahamsika" | M. M. Keeravani | |
| 2017 | Malli Raava | "Malli Raava" | Shravan Bharadwaj | |
| 2018 | Srinivasa Kalyanam | "Modalaudaam" | Mickey J. Meyer | Anurag Kulkarni |
| 2018 | Srinivasa Kalyanam | "Vinavamma Toorupu Chukka" | Mickey J. Meyer | |
| 2018 | Mahanati | "Chivaraku Migiledi" | Mickey J. Meyer | |
| 2018 | Bluff Master | "Ye Maayo Yemo Teliyade" | Sunil Kashyap | |
| 2019 | NTR Mahanayakudu | "Ramanna Katha" | M. M. Keeravani | K. S. Chithra |
| 2019 | Pranavam | "Edo Edo Kaavalantu" | Padmanav Bharadwaj | |
| 2019 | Oorantha Anukuntunnaru | "Alavaatu Lo Leni" | K. M. Radha Krishnan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 2019 | Paarari | "Siggu" | Mahith Narayan | Yazin Nizar |
| 2020 | 30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela | "Neeli Neeli Aakasham" | Anup Rubens | Sid Sriram |
| 2020 | Local Boy | "Tholi Suryuda" | Vivek–Mervin | |
| 2020 | Nireekshana | "Kalalu Yenno" | Mantra Anand | |
| 2021 | Guduputani | "Neeli Ningi Thaakalani" | Pratap Vidya | |
| 2021 | Bro | "Annayya " | Shekar Chandra | |
| 2022 | Sita Ramam | "Tharali Tharali" | Vishal Chandrashekhar | |
| 2022 | Madhi | "Soul Of Madhi" | P. V. R. Raja | Deepu |
| 2024 | Honeymoon Express | "Nijama" | Kalyani Malik | Kalyani Malik |
| 2024 | Pranaya Godari | "Choodakayyo Nemalikalla" | Markandeya Paramalla | Sai Charan |
| 2025 | Dooradarshini | "Naa Needa Veluthundhaa" | Anand Gurrana | Anurag kulkarni |