Umashree (born 10 May 1957) 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 the titular role in the 2008 film Gulabi Talkies.[1]
In 2013, Umashree became a Member of the Legislative Assembly[2] in Karnataka in the government of Siddaramaiah where she was the minister for women and child development,[3] empowerment of disabled and senior citizens, Kannada language and culture.[4]
Personal life
Umashree was born into the Devanga family.[5][6] 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 (Congress Party) 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. She played Sakavva in the play Odalala.[7]
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.
Filmography
Films
- All films are in Kannada, unless othrwise noted.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Bangarada Jinke | Asha’s friend | |
| 1984 | Anubhava | Paddi | |
| Amrutha Ghalige | |||
| 1985 | Bidugadeya Bedi | Flora | |
| Naanu Nanna Hendthi | Rao’s Wife | ||
| Swabhimana | |||
| Hendthi Beku Hendthi | Rosie | ||
| Sneha Sambandha | |||
| Youvanada Suliyalli | |||
| Amara Jyothi | |||
| Maruthi Mahime | |||
| Balondu Uyyale | |||
| 1986 | Maneye Manthralaya | ||
| Bete | |||
| 27 Mavalli Circle | Rosie | ||
| Asambhava | |||
| Bettada Thayi | |||
| Brahmasthra | |||
| Henne Ninagenu Bandhana | |||
| Kedi No. 1 | |||
| Namma Oora Devathe | |||
| Nannavaru | |||
| Samsarada Guttu | |||
| Tiger | |||
| 1987 | Ee Bandha Anubandha | Prema | |
| Jayasimha | |||
| Olavina Udugore | Baby | ||
| Sowbhagya Lakshmi | Sundari | ||
| Digvijaya | Shivi | ||
| Bazar Bheema | |||
| Bedi | |||
| Daiva Shakthi | Sundaralakshmi | ||
| Mr. Raja | |||
| Nyayakke Shikshe | |||
| Onde Goodina Hakkigalu | |||
| Thayi | Sangavva | ||
| Thayi Kotta Thali | |||
| Lorry Driver | |||
| 1988 | Shanthi Nivasa | ||
| Onde Goodina Hakkigalu | Chinnamma | ||
| Ramanna Shamanna | |||
| Krishna Rukmini | |||
| Balondu Bhavageethe | |||
| Anjada Gandu | Mani | ||
| Jana Nayaka | |||
| Ranadheera | Yamuna Bai | ||
| Mathru Vathsalya | Shanti | ||
| Naan Sonnathey Sattam | Andaal | Tamil film | |
| Dharmathma | |||
| Matru Devo Bhava | |||
| Nava Bharatha | |||
| Praja Prabhuthva | |||
| 1989 | Hrudaya Geethe | ||
| Hongkongnalli Agent Amar | |||
| Ondagi Balu | |||
| Onti Salaga | |||
| Poli Huduga | |||
| Amaanusha | |||
| Doctor Krishna | |||
| Nyayakkaagi Naanu | |||
| Raja Yuvaraja | |||
| Yaru Hone | |||
| 1990 | Golmaal Radhakrishna | Janaki | |
| Mruthyunjaya | Ahalya | ||
| Nigooda Rahasya | Lakkanna’s Wife | ||
| Rani Maharani | |||
| Ashoka Chakra | Alamelu | ||
| Aavesha | Savitri | ||
| Anantha Prema | |||
| Baare Nanna Muddina Rani | |||
| Challenge Gopalakrishna | |||
| Halliya Surasuraru | |||
| Nammoora Hammeera | |||
| Poli Kitty | |||
| Sididedda Gandu | |||
| Edurumane Meena | |||
| 1991 | Bangaradantha Maga | ||
| Golmaal Part 2 | Janaki | ||
| Ranachandi | |||
| Gruhapravesha | |||
| Kollur Kala | |||
| Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare | |||
| Elukoti Marthanda Bhairava | |||
| Halli Rambhe Belli Bombe | |||
| Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police | |||
| Kalla Malla | |||
| Kalyana Mantapa | |||
| Kitturina Huli | |||
| Mangalya | |||
| Rollcall Ramakrishna | Uma | ||
| Thavarumane Udugore | |||
| 1992 | Sriramachandra | Actress | |
| Shivanaga | |||
| Mannina Doni | Meenakshi | ||
| Malashree Mamashree | |||
| Sangya Balya | Paravva | ||
| Mysore Jaana | Ganga | ||
| Hatamari Hennu Kiladi Gandu | |||
| Hendtheere Hushar | |||
| Nanna Thangi | |||
| Sindhoora Thilaka | |||
| Soori | |||
| Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi | |||
| Amara Prema | Dual role | ||
| Seragu | |||
| 1993 | Server Somanna | Cameo appearance | |
| Kollura Sri Mookambika | Saraswati | ||
| Bhagavan Sri Saibaba | Sakku | ||
| Hendthi Helidare Kelabeku | |||
| Jamboo Savari | |||
| Mouna Sangrama | |||
| Roopayi Raja | |||
| Olavina Kanike | |||
| 1994 | Kotreshi Kanasu | Kotra’s mother | |
| Jaana | Mary | ||
| Chinna | |||
| Karulina Koogu | Rukkamma | ||
| Odahuttidavaru | Kamakshi | ||
| September 8 | Tulu film[8] | ||
| Alexander | |||
| Chinna Nee Naguthiru | |||
| Halunda Thavaru | |||
| Indrana Gedda Narendra | |||
| Love 94 | |||
| Musuku | |||
| Sididedda Pandavaru | |||
| Swathi | |||
| 1995 | Putnanja | Putmalli | |
| Himapatha | Geetha | ||
| Thumbida Mane | Gangavva | ||
| Bal Nan Maga | |||
| Bombat Raja Bandal Rani | |||
| Killer Diary | |||
| Kona Edaithe | |||
| Rowdy | |||
| Thaliya Sowbhagya | |||
| 1996 | Jeevanadhi | Santhanamma | |
| Sipayi | |||
| Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata | |||
| Aadithya | Pankaja | ||
| Dhani | Umashree | ||
| Circle Inspector | |||
| Godfather | |||
| 1997 | Kalavida | Prema’s mother | |
| Shreemathi | |||
| Agni IPS | Baasha Khan’s mother | ||
| Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda | Surya’s mother | ||
| Maduve | Chamundeshwari | ||
| Muddina Kanmani | Mittemari Meenakshi Hegde | ||
| Thayavva | Thayavva | ||
| Mommaga | |||
| Cheluva | Constable | ||
| 1998 | Baro Nanna Muddina Krishna | ||
| Maathina Malla | |||
| Hrudayanjali | |||
| Preethsod Thappa | Uma | ||
| 1999 | Under World | ||
| O Premave | |||
| Naanenu Madlilla | |||
| Chora Chittha Chora | |||
| Manu Needhi | Tamil film | ||
| 2000 | Shabdavedhi | Malathi | |
| Krishna Leele | |||
| Yarige Salatte Sambala | Subbi | ||
| Sparsha | Cameo appearance | ||
| Nan Hendthi Chennagidale | Rangamma | ||
| Ticket Tickets | Savitri | ||
| 2001 | Diggajaru | Mutthayya’s Mother | |
| Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu | Rukmini | ||
| Ellara Mane Dosenu | Ramani | ||
| Jipuna Nanna Ganda | |||
| Thimmaraya | |||
| Jenu Goodu | |||
| Namma Samsara Ananda Sagara | |||
| Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu | Muniyamma | ||
| 2002 | Preethi Mado Hudugarigella | Cook | |
| Chandu | Mary | ||
| Thuntata | “Lingo” Leela | ||
| Simhadriya Simha | Girija | ||
| 2003 | Laali Haadu | Anand’s mother | |
| Neenandre Ishta | Susheela | ||
| Katthegalu Saar Katthegalu | Jayamma | ||
| Abhi | Haseena Begum | ||
| Nanjundi | Janavva | ||
| Namma Preethiya Ramu | Ramu’s mother | ||
| Mani | Shantakka | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| 2004 | Malla | ||
| Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi | Seenu’s mother | Telugu film | |
| Ranga (S.S.L.C) | Paaru | ||
| Monalisa | |||
| Ajju | |||
| 2006 | Veeru | Paru | |
| Suntaragaali | Jaya | ||
| Gopi | |||
| Chellata | Ganesh’s grandmother | ||
| Honeymoon Express | |||
| Ravi Shastri | |||
| Neelakanta | |||
| 2007 | Parodi | ||
| Ekadantha | Sheela Devi | ||
| Lancha Samrajya | |||
| Masti | |||
| Circle Rowdy | |||
| 2008 | Vasanthakala | ||
| Minchina Ota | |||
| Gulabi Talkies | Gulabi | National Film Award for Best Actress | |
| Premigagi Naa | |||
| Slum Bala | |||
| Bidda | |||
| Mast Maja Maadi | Keerthi Bedi | ||
| 2009 | Venkata in Sankata | ||
| Chamkaisi Chindi Udaysi | |||
| Male Barali Manju Irali | |||
| Gilli | Aunt of Anita’s friend | Uncredited role | |
| 2010 | Thipparalli Tharlegalu | ||
| Antharathma | Chowdamma | ||
| Krishnan Love Story | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada | ||
| Idre Gopi Bidre Paapi | |||
| Jokaali | |||
| Kanasemba Kudureyaneri | Rudri | ||
| Vaare Vah | Bangari | ||
| 2011 | Boss | Lakshmi | |
| Sanju Weds Geetha | Sanju’s mother | ||
| Prema Chandrama | Nurse | ||
| Rajadhani | |||
| Swayam Krushi | |||
| Ujwaadu | Konkani film | ||
| 2012 | Alemari | Saroja | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada |
| Bheema Theeradalli | Chandrappa’s sister | Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kannada) | |
| Gandhi Smiles | |||
| Rambo | Kitti’s mother | ||
| Kalpana | Raghava’s mother | ||
| Samsaaradalli Golmaal | Chenni | ||
| Sangolli Rayanna | Kenchamma | ||
| Super Shastri | |||
| 2013 | Parari | Peede Obayya’s mother | |
| Chathrigalu Saar Chathrigalu | Rajahmundry Rajalakshmi | ||
| Sweety Nanna Jodi | |||
| Kalavu | Rangamma | ||
| 2014 | Kalyanamasthu | ||
| Ambareesha | |||
| 2021 | Rathnan Prapancha | Saroja | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada |
| 2022 | Vedha | Shankri | |
| 2023 | Kranti | Kranti’s grandmother | |
| Kaasina Sara | |||
| 2026 | Landlord |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mussanje Katha Prasanga | ||||
| Mussanje | ||||
| Kicchu | ||||
| Amma Ninagagi | ||||
| 2019–2020 | Aarthigobba Keerthigobba | Puttmalli | [9] | |
| 2020 | Chinnara Chilipili | [10] | ||
| 2021–2026 | Puttakkana Makkalu | Puttakka | [11] |
Other television work
- Nondavara Haadu, a documentary about leprosy directed by T. S. Ranga for Doordarshan.
- Hattye, a telefilm directed by H. Girijamma for Doordarshan.
References
- ^ “Jo misses National Award by a whisker!”. Sify. 8 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ “Karnataka 2013.” Myneta website, National Election Watch. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ “Writer’s remarks on Umashree draw flak.” The Hindu Bangelore, 9 February 2014.
- ^ Nandakumar P. “Karnataka: Umashree lone woman minister.” Deccan Chronicle 18 May 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2014
- ^ “Ahead of 2018 polls, CM Siddaramaiah increases Lingayat quota in Cabinet”. The Times of India. 20 June 2016.
- ^ Menasinakai, Sangamesh. “Ex-cop Bidari pitted against cine-star Umashree at assembly polls”. DNA India.
- ^ “‘Gulabi has a strong message for all women’“. The Times of India. 16 October 2009.
- ^ “TULU FILM SHOT IN 24 HOURS”. Tulu Cinema. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ^ “Recently launched daily soap ‘Aarthigobba Keerthigobba’ to go off-air”. The Times of India. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ^ “Now, Shalini replaces Umashree as TV host”. The Times of India. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ^ “Umashree returns to TV as a single mother in Puttakana Makkalu”. The Times of India. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2026.