Overview
Asha Kelunni (born 8 July 1966), known professionally as Revathi, is an Indian actress, film director, voice actress, Bharatanatyam dancer and philanthropist. She has worked predominantly in Tamil and Malayalam cinema, with notable appearances in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films. She is regarded as one of South Indian cinema's accomplished actresses, recognised for her versatility and natural style of performance.
Revathi has received three National Film Awards, seven Filmfare Awards South, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Kerala State Film Award over the course of her career. In 1993, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani, the highest civilian award conferred by the state of Tamil Nadu.
She had her first leading role in Bharathiraja's Mann Vasanai (1983), which earned her the Filmfare Special Award – South. In 1988, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal. She received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress and her second Filmfare Award for portraying a devoted wife in the political drama Thevar Magan (1992). For her performance in the Telugu film Ankuram (1993), she won her third Filmfare Award. Through the 1980s and 1990s, she continued to feature in several commercially successful and critically appreciated films across Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu cinema.
Revathi made her debut as a director with the English-language film Mitr, My Friend (2002), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English. She subsequently directed Phir Milenge (2004), Kerala Cafe (2009) and Salaam Venky (2022). She also debuted as a voice actress in Pasumpon and Aasai (both 1995), lending her voice for actresses Saranya Ponvannan and Suvalakshmi respectively.
References
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