Annapoorna

Annapurna (born Umamaheswari; 17 October 1948), also credited as Annapurnamma, is an Indian actress who appears primarily in Telugu films. She is known for her portrayal as mother, mother-in-law, grand mother, aunt, etc. She started her film career as an actor alongside Mohan Babu (debut film) in the blockbuster Telugu film Swargam Narakam directed by Dasari Narayana Rao in 1975. She appeared in over 900 films and won three Nandi Awards.

Annapurna was born as Umamaheswari on 17 October 1948 in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh to Prasad Rao and Sitaravamma. Though she was initially credited as Uma, lyricist C. Narayana Reddy changed it when she did Dasari Narayana Rao-directed Swargam Narakam.

Annapurna has started her film career in 1975. She is well remembered for her character roles in Samsaram Oka Chadarangam, Muthyamantha Muddu, Swargam Narakam, Assembly Rowdy and acted in almost all of the 1980s movies with Chiranjeevi as lead hero namely Donga (film), Chattamtho Poratam, Sangharshana, Rakshasudu (1986 film), Trinetrudu, Marana Mrudangam, Khaidi No 786, and Jwala.

She has also acted in Tamil film such as Nadodi Pattukkaran, and Varavu Nalla Uravu etc. With the absence from the screen for few years, she started her second innings in 2007 with the Telugu films Evadithe Nakenti and Godava as mother and grand mother respectively.

Annapurna who played the role of lead actress in Swargam Narakam alongside Mohan Babu, also played the role of mother to Mohan Babu in Assembly Rowdy (1991). She went on to appear in over 700 to 800 films.

Annapurna had a daughter, Keerthi, who died by suicide in June 2018.

List of films appeared: