{{short description|Indian actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox person | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = [[Tamil Nadu]], India | other_names = Baby Anju | years_active = 1979{{endash}}present | occupation = Actress | spouse = {{marriage|[[Tiger Prabhakar]]|1996|1997|end=separated}} | children = 1 }}

'''Anju''' is an Indian actress best known for her work in [[Malayalam]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] films and television series.

== Personal life== Anju belongs to a [[Tamils|Tamil]] family and was raised in [[Chennai]]. Her father Raja is a [[Muslims|Muslim]] while her mother Ratna was a [[Hindus|Hindu]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sowmya |first=Rakshitha |date=17 February 2023 |title=Anju Prabhakar: ಅವರನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಬರುವಾಗ ಒಂದು ನಯಾ ಪೈಸೆ ಕೂಡಾ ನನ್ನೊಂದಿಗೆ ತರಲಿಲ್ಲ..‌ ಅಂಜು ಪ್ರಭಾಕರ್‌ ಎಕ್ಸ್‌ಕ್ಲೂಸಿವ್‌ ಇಂಟರ್‌ವ್ಯೂ |url=https://kannada.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/prabhakar-3rd-wife-anju-exclusive-interview-181676638655479.html |access-date=23 October 2025 |website=Kannada Hindustan Times |language=kn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Devi |first=Jaya |date=29 June 2025 |title=அப்பா முஸ்லிம், அம்மா இந்து.. 17வயதில் 4வது பொண்டாட்டி.. சாவுக்கு கூட போகல.. அஞ்சுவின் கண்ணீர் கதை! |url=https://tamil.filmibeat.com/specials/keladi-kanmani-actress-anju-prabhakar-painful-unknown-story-159829.html |access-date=23 October 2025 |website=Filmibeat |language=ta}}</ref>

At the age of 17, Anju married actor [[Tiger Prabhakar]], who was 48 years old. They got separated within a year. She has a son, Arjun, from this marriage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chanti |first=Rajitha |date=28 March 2023 |title=Tiger Prabhakar: 17 ఏళ్ల హీరోయిన్‌తో పెళ్లి.. కట్ చేస్తే ఎన్నో ఘటనలు.. టైగర్ ప్రభాకర్ నిజ జీవితంలోనూ విలనేనా..? |url=https://tv9telugu.com/entertainment/tollywood/tollywood-actor-tiger-prabhakar-3rd-wife-kannada-actress-anju-shocking-comments-about-her-husband-au55-920339.html |access-date=7 October 2025 |website=TV9 Telugu |language=te}}</ref>

== Career == Anju debuted at the age of two with the Tamil movie ''[[Uthiripookkal]]'' in 1979. She had acted in a [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]] and [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] movies as well. She won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress]] in 1988 for the movie ''[[Rugmini|Rukmini]]''. The film sometimes spelled Rugmini was directed by K. P. Kumaran.<ref name="jj">{{Citation |title=Rugmini |url=https://mubi.com/films/rugmini |access-date=2023-05-27 |language=en}}</ref> She became known as Baby Anju because of her early roles as Child artist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-02 |title=I was dropped from the film because Mammooka said I wouldn't fit for the role- Baby Anju |url=https://time.news/i-was-dropped-from-the-film-because-mammooka-said-i-wouldnt-fit-for-the-role-baby-anju/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=Time News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Awards== * 1988 '''[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress]]''' - ''[[Rugmini|Rukmini]]''

==Filmography== ===Malayalam=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |1981 |[[Garjanai|''Garjanam'']] |Asha | |- | rowspan="5" | 1982 || ''[[Ormakkayi]]'' || Chakki || |- | ''[[Gaanam]]'' || || |- | ''[[Aa Raathri]]'' || Minikutty || |- | ''[[Kaattile Paattu]]'' || Young Priya || |- | ''[[Olangal]]'' || Young Priya || |- |rowspan="6"| 1983 || ''[[Oomana Thinkal]]'' || Indumol || |- | ''[[Paalam (1983 film)|Paalam]]'' || Bindhu || |- | ''Aana'' || Ayisha || |- | ''[[Saagaram Santham]]'' || Young Sreedevi || |- | ''[[Aashrayam]]'' || Minimol Thomas || |- | ''[[Kattathe Kilikkoodu]]'' || Indu || |- |rowspan="3"| 1984 || ''[[Parannu Parannu Parannu]]'' || Jessy / Sreekutty || |- | ''[[Kodathy]]'' || Minimol || |- | ''[[Rakshassu]]'' || Shalini || |- |rowspan="4"| 1985 || ''[[Yathra]]'' || Girl in the bus || |- | ''[[Dheivatheyorthu]]'' || Young Nani || |- | ''[[Ozhivukalam]]'' || Girl performing Sarpam Thullal || |- | ''[[Janakeeya Kodathi]]'' || Gopi's daughter || |- | 1986 || ''[[Abhayam Thedi]]'' || Aashakutty || |- | 1987 || ''[[Vamban]]'' || Kala's daughter || |- | 1989 || ''[[Rugmini]]'' || Rugmini<ref name=jj/> || |- |rowspan="3"| 1990 || ''[[Kattukuthira]]'' || Charulatha || |- | ''[[Thazhvaram]]'' || Raji || |- | ''Commander'' || Lakshmi|| |- | 1991 || ''[[Neelagiri (film)|Neelagiri]]'' || Usha || |- |rowspan="5"| 1992 || ''[[Kizhakkan Pathrose]]'' || Kunjumol || |- | ''[[Kauravar]]'' || Suja || |- | ''[[Oottyppattanam]]'' || Sethulakshmi || |- | ''[[Pandu Pandoru Rajakumari]]'' || Devu || |- | ''[[Ezhara Ponnana]]'' || Renu || |- | 1993 || ''Thalamura'' || Sreelakshmi || |- |rowspan="4"| 1994 || ''[[Varaphalam]]'' || Geetha || |- | ''[[Cabinet (film)|Cabinet]]'' || Nandana || |- | ''[[Minnaram]]'' || Teena || |- | ''Kadal'' || Fousi || |- |rowspan="4"| 1995 || ''[[Kakkakum Poochakkum Kalyanam]]'' || Bhagyalakshmi || |- | ''[[Street (film)|Street]]'' || Anitha || |- | ''[[Arabikadaloram]]'' || Clara || |- | ''[[Hijack (1995 film)|Hijack]]'' || Gayathri || |- |1996|| ''Swantham Makalkku Snehapoorvam'' || - || |- |rowspan="2"| 1997 || ''Ranger'' || Remya || |- | ''Poomarathanalil'' || Indu || |- | 1998 || ''[[Amma Ammaayiyamma]]'' || Sulochana || |- | 1999 || ''Indulekha'' || Gayathri Menon|| |- |rowspan="4"| 2001 || ''Nimishangal'' || Eleena || |- | ''[[Nariman (film)|Nariman]]'' || Ammini || |- | ''Ee Raavil'' || || |- | ''Jwalanam'' || Maggie || |- | 2003 || ''[[Janakeeyam]]'' || Usha || |- | 2004 || ''Nirappakittu'' || Vasundhara || |- | 2005 || ''Izhra'' || Thevar's wife || |}

===Tamil=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" style="width: 100px;" |Notes |- | 1979 || ''[[Uthiripookkal]]'' || Bhavani || rowspan="20" | Child artist |- | rowspan="3" | 1980 || ''[[Poottaatha Poottukkal]]'' || |- |''[[Polladhavan (1980 film)|Polladhavan]]'' || Manohar's daughter |- |''[[Ullasa Paravaigal]]''||Young Nirmala |- |rowspan="4"| 1981 || ''[[Chinna Mul Peria Mul]]'' || Dolly |- | ''[[Meendum Kokila]]'' || Subramaniam and Kokila's daughter |- | ''[[Garjanai (1981 film)|Garjanai]]'' || Asha |- | ''[[Bala Nagamma (1981 film)|Bala Nagamma]]'' || Young Bala Nagamma |- |rowspan="6"| 1982 || ''[[Hitler Umanath]]'' || |- | ''[[Darling, Darling, Darling]]'' || Young Radha |- | ''[[Poi Satchi]]'' || |- | ''Vadivangal'' || Vini |- | ''[[Azhagiya Kanne]]'' ||Kasthoori |- | ''Boom Boom Madu'' || |- | 1983 || ''[[Villiyanur Matha]]'' || Lalitha |- | 1984 || ''Nee Thodum Pothu'' || |- | 1984 || ''[[Anbulla Malare]]'' || |- |rowspan="2"| 1985 || ''En Selvame'' || |- | ''Oonjaladum Uravugal'' || |- | 1986 || ''[[Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum]]'' || |- | 1989 || ''Mundhanai Sabatham'' ||Sinthamani || Leading Role |- |rowspan="5"| 1990 || ''[[Keladi Kanmani]]'' || Anu || |- | ''[[Engal Swamy Ayyappan]]'' || Lakshmi || |- | ''[[Arangetra Velai]]'' || Sundhari || |- | ''Seetha Geetha'' || Geetha|| |- | ''Reengaram'' |||| |- |rowspan="3"| 1991 || ''[[Adhikari (film)|Adhikari]]'' || Anu || |- | ''Naan Pogum Paadhai'' || Lakshmi || |- | ''[[En Pottukku Sonthakkaran]]'' ||Pallavi || |- |rowspan="2"| 1992 || ''[[Agni Paarvai]]'' || Shanthi || |- | ''[[Abhirami (1992 film)|Abhirami]]'' || Rajeshwari || |- |rowspan="4"| 1993 || ''[[Aadhityan]]'' || Deivanai|| |- | ''[[Prathap (1993 film)|Prathap]]'' ||Priya || |- | ''[[Purusha Lakshanam]]'' || Anju || |- | ''[[Kattalai (film)|Kattalai]]'' || Anju || |- | 1995 || ''Ilavarasi'' || Ilavarasi || |- | 1996 || ''[[Gopala Gopala (1996 film)|Gopala Gopala]]'' || Fathima || |- |rowspan="3"| 1999 || ''[[Endrendrum Kadhal]]'' || Krishna's wife || |- | ''[[Poomagal Oorvalam]]'' || Saravanan's mother || |- | ''[[Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga]]'' || Savithri || |- |rowspan="2"| 2000 || ''[[Kuberan (2000 film)|Kuberan]]'' || Thangam || |- | ''[[James Pandu]]'' || || |- |rowspan="3"| 2003 || ''[[Pop Corn (2003 film)|Pop Corn]]'' ||Valli || |- | ''[[Unnai Charanadaindhen]]'' || Teja's mother|| |- | ''[[Military (film)|Military]]'' || Velu Nayakar's wife|| |- |rowspan="2"| 2007 || ''[[Veerappu]]'' ||Kodi || |- | ''[[Polladhavan (2007 film)|Polladhavan]]'' || Selvam's wife || |- | 2009 || ''[[Indira Vizha]]'' || Indira|| |- | 2010 || ''[[Neeyum Naanum (2010 film)|Neeyum Naanum]]'' || Sunitha || |- | 2011 || ''[[Minsaram]]'' || Minister || |- | 2013 || ''[[Madha Yaanai Koottam]]'' || Deepa || |}

===Telugu=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" style="width: 100px;" |Notes |- |rowspan="2"| 1981 || ''[[Bala Nagamma (1981 film)|Bala Nagamma]]'' || Young Bala Nagamma|| |- | ''[[Agni Poolu (film)|Agni Poolu]]'' || || |- | 1984||''Kode Trachu'' || Babu|| |- | 1986||''[[Nireekshana]]'' ||Girl in bus || |- | 1990||''Udhyamam'' ||- || |- | 1993||''Jeevithame Oka Cinema'' || Ganga|| |- | 2002||''[[Seshu]]'' ||Padma || |- |}

===Kannada=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" style="width: 100px;" |Notes |- |1981 |''[[Garjanai|Garjane]]'' |Asha | |- | 1996||''Ranger'' ||- || |- | 1998||''[[King (1998 film)|King]]'' ||Sundari || |- | 1998||''My Dear Tiger '' ||{{n/a}} || Producer |- | 2001||''Prema Rajya'' ||Soni || |- |}

==Television== ;All shows are TV series unless noted {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year!! Title !!Channel!!Role!!Language |- | 1998|| ''Ladies Hostel''||rowspan=2|[[DD Malayalam]] || ||rowspan=2|[[Malayalam]] |- | 1999|| ''Payyan Kathakal'' |- | 1999–2001 || ''[[Chithi (TV series)|Chithi]]'' ||rowspan=5|[[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] || Vaideghi ||rowspan=5|[[Tamil (language)|Tamil]] |- | 2000–2001 || ''[[Krishnadasi (2000 TV series)|Krishnadasi]]'' || Lecturer Kalyani |- | 2001 || ''Soolam'' || |- |rowspan=3|2002–2003 || ''[[Agal Vilakkugal]]'' || |- | ''Janani''|| |- |''Gayathri''||[[Gemini TV]]||Priya||[[Telugu (language)|Telugu]] |- |rowspan="2"|2004 || ''Manasi'' || [[DD Malayalam]] || ||rowspan=2|[[Malayalam]] |- | ''[[Kadamattathu Kathanar (TV series)|Kadamattathu Kathanar]]'' || [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] || Ettukettil Bhanumathi |- | 2005–2006 || ''Selvi'' ||rowspan=2| [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] || rowspan=2|Shenbagavalli Pandian || rowspan="4" |[[Tamil (language)|Tamil]] |- | 2007–2008 || ''Arasi'' |- | 2007–2008 || ''Akka Thangai'' || [[Kalaignar TV]] || |- |2008||[[Kalasam (TV series)|Kalasam]]||[[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]||Ranjini |- |2007 || ''[[Swami Ayyappan (TV series)|Swami Ayyappan]]'' ||rowspan=2|[[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] ||||rowspan=3|[[Malayalam]] |- |2009 || ''Devi Mahatmyam'' || Pankajakshi |- | 2016–2018|| ''Sathyam Sivam Sundaram'' || [[Amrita TV]] || Bhairavi |- |rowspan="2"| 2020–2021 || ''[[Magarasi]] '' || [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] || Chamundeshwari ||rowspan=6|[[Tamil (language)|Tamil]] |- |''[[Eeramana Rojave (TV series)|Eeramana Rojave]] '' || [[Star Vijay]] || Anjugam |- |2020|| [[Vanakkam Tamizha]] ( TV show)||Sun TV||Herself |- | 2021 ||''[[Idhayathai Thirudathey (TV series)|Idhayathai Thirudathey]]''||[[Colors Tamil]]|| Special Appearance |- | 2021–2022 ||''Geethanjali''||[[Raj TV]]||Chandra |- | 2022–2023 ||''Vidhya No.1''||[[Zee Tamil]]||Sundhari |- |2022|| Red Carpet (TV show)|| [[Amrita TV]]||Herself||rowspan=2|Malayalam |- |2023–2024||''Amme Bhagavathy''||[[Flowers TV]]||Mangalathamma |- | 2023–Present|| ''[[Singapennae]]'' || [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]] || Lalitha || rowspan=2| [[Tamil (language)|Tamil]] |- | 2024–Present|| ''[[Gowri (TV series)|Gowri]]'' || [[Kalaignar TV]] || Akila |- |2024–2025||''Constable Manju''||[[Surya TV]]||Bhanumati||Malayalam |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|1807524}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064924/http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Anju&limit=24 Anju at MSI]

{{KeralaStateAwardForBestActress}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anju}} [[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]] [[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]] [[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]] [[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]] [[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]] [[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]] [[Category:Actresses from Tamil Nadu]] [[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]] [[Category:Indian film actresses]] [[Category:Indian child actresses]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Actresses in Malayalam television]] [[Category:Indian television actresses]] [[Category:Actresses in Tamil television]] [[Category:Child actresses in Malayalam cinema]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]