Umashree


Umashree is an Indian actress and politician. She appears in Kannada cinema, particularly in character roles and supporting roles. She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role as Gulabi in the 2008 Kannada film Gulabi Talkies.
In 2013, Umashree became a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Karnataka in the government of Siddaramaiah where she was the minister for women and child development, empowerment of the differently abled and senior citizens, Kannada language and culture.

Personal life

Umashree was born into the Devanga family. She has two children, a daughter named Gayathri, who is a dentist, and a son named Vijayakumar, an advocate, she raised them as a single mother.

Public office

Umashree participates in positive social activities such as supporting rural and disadvantaged women. She performs on stage in rural villages to highlight their needs. Her election in 2013 as the member for Terdal constituency allowed Umashree to continue her work. Umashree is Minister for Women and Child Development, Kannada and Culture.

Stage work

Umashree has experience in village, amateur, mythological and professional drama. Her directors have included Fritz Bennewitz, B.V. Karanth, Girish Karnad, C. G. Krishnaswamy, and R. Nagesh. She is a member of Rangasampada amateur theatre group of Bangalore.

Film work

Umashree began her movie career in 1984 in a supporting role in Anubhava with Kashinath. But before that she was seen in a 1980 Kannada film Bangarada Jinke directed by T S Nagabharana.
However, it typecast her in comedy roles with a degree of innuendo. She worked with the actor N. S. Rao and later with Dinesh, Dwarakish, Mysore lokesh, Sihikahi chandru,Umesh, Ramesh bhat, Mukhyamantri Chandru, Doddanna and Karibasavaiah. Her directors included S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu, Bhargava, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, Perala, K V Raju, Vijay, Dorai Bhagavan, Dwairakish, D Rajendra babu, Dinesh Babu, V Ravichandran, Puri Jagannath and Yograj Bhat.

Television work

Nondavara Haadu, a documentary about leprosy directed by T. S. Ranga for Doordarshan.Hattye, a telefilm directed by H. Girijamma for Doordarshan.Musanje, a serial directed by T. S. Nagabarana for Udaya TV.Musanje Katha Prasanga, a serial directed by Prakash Belawadi for ETv.Kicchu, a serial directed by Chaitanya for ETv.Amma Ninagagi for ETv.Arathigobba Kirthigobba for Star Suvarna.Chinnara Chilipili for Udaya TV.Puttakkana Makkalu for Zee Kannada

Partial filmography

Kannada films

Bangarada Jinke...Asha's friendAnubhava Amrutha Ghalige Bidugadeya Bedi Naanu Nanna Hendthi Swabhimana Maneye Manthralaya Bete 27 Mavalli Circle Asambhava Ee Bandha Anubandha Jayasimha Olavina Udugore Sowbhagya Lakshmi Digvijaya...ShiviShanthi Nivasa Onde Goodina Hakkigalu Ramanna Shamanna Krishna Rukmini Balondu Bhavageethe Anjada Gandu Jana Nayaka Ranadheera Mathru Vathsalya...ShantiHrudaya Geethe Hongkongnalli Agent Amar Ondagi Balu Onti Salaga Poli Huduga Doctor Krishna Golmaal Radhakrishna...JanakiMruthyunjaya Nigooda Rahasya Rani Maharani Nammoora Hammera Ashoka Chakra...AlameluBangaradantha Maga Golmaal Part 2...JanakiRanachandi Gruhapravesha Kollur Kala Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare Sriramachandra Shivanaga Mannina Doni...MeenakshiMalashree Mamashree Sangya Balya Mysore Jaana...GangaServer Somanna Kollura Sri Mookambika Bhagavan Sri Saibaba...SakkuKotreshi Kanasu Jaana Chinna Karulina Koogu Odahuttidavaru...KamakshiPutnanja Himapatha Thumbida Mane Jeevanadhi Sipayi Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata Aadithya Dhani Muddina Kanmani Thayavva Mommaga Cheluva Kalavida Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda Preethsod Thappa Viralukketha Veekkam O Premave Chora Chittha Chora Shabdavedhi Krishna Leele Yaarige Saluthe Sambala Nan Hendthi Chennagidale Diggajaru Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu as RukminiEllara Mane Dosenu Jipuna Nanna Ganda Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu as MuniyammaSimhadriya Simha Thuntata as "Lingo leela"Chandu Nanjundi Abhi Laali Haadu Neenandre Ishta Namma Preethiya Ramu Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu as Jayamma Mani Ajju Ranga SSLC as PaaruMalla Monalisa Veeru Gopi Chellata Neelakanta Suntaragaali Parodi Ekadantha as Sheela deviGulabi Talkies Mast Maja Maadi Vasanthakala Venkata in Sankata Gilli Krishnan Love Story Kanasemba Kudureyaneri Vaare Vah Prema Chandrama Swayam Krushi Ujwadu Rajadhani Alemari Bheema Theeradalli Sangolli Rayanna Kalpana Rambo Super Shastri Kalavu Paraari Ambareesha Love You Alia Rathnan Prapancha as SarojaVedha as ShankriKaasina Sara

Tamil films

Telugu films

Awards