{{Short description|Indian dancer and actress (born 1965)}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Disco Shanti | birth_name = Santha Kumari | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1965|4|16}} | birth_place = Madras, Tamil Nadu, India | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1983{{endash}}1997; 2004 | net_worth = <!-- Net worth should be supported with a citation from a reliable source --> | spouse = {{Marriage|Srihari|1996|2013|reason=died}} | children = 3 | relatives = Lalitha Kumari (sister)<br />Jai Varma (brother) | parents = {{ubl|C. L. Anandan|Lakshmi}} }}
'''Santha Kumari''' (born 16 April 1965),<ref name="web.archive.org">[https://web.archive.org/web/20001206120300/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/01-07-00/prakas.htm dinakaran]. Web.archive.org. Retrieved 10 June 2014.</ref> widely known by her stage name '''Disco Shanti''', is an Indian actress and dancer known for her performances in item numbers, particularly in South Indian cinema. She has appeared in over 900 films in multiple languages, including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Odia.
==Personal life== Disco Shanti is the daughter of Tamil actor C. L. Anandan, known for his roles in films such as ''Vijayapuri Veeran'' (1960) and ''Kaattumallika'' (1966). She has a younger sister, Lalitha Kumari, who is also an actress.<ref>{{cite web |title=C.L. Anandan |url=http://imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in/2013/05/cl-anandan.html |access-date=25 February 2017 |website=Imprints On Indian Film Screen}}</ref>
In 1996, she married Telugu actor Srihari and subsequently retired from the film industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2011 |title=Disco Shanthi profile, biography of Disco Shanthi, know the biodata of tollywood actress Disco Shanthi, Disco Shanthi Telugu actress profile. | Telugumovietalkies.com |url=http://www.telugumovietalkies.com/disco-shanthi-profile/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318184937/http://www.telugumovietalkies.com/disco-shanthi-profile/ |archive-date=18 March 2011}}</ref> The couple had two sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Akshara, died at the age of four months. In her memory, the family established the Akshara Foundation, which states that it focuses on quality education for every child, accelerating conventional learning through accessible technology-based innovations for teachers and children.<ref>{{cite web | title=About Us | website=Akshara Foundation | url=https://akshara.org.in/who-we-are/about-us/ | access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref> Additionally, they adopted four villages in Medchal district.<ref>{{cite web |title=Srihari |url=http://www.cinebilla.com/kollywood/profiles/actor/srihari/ |url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226051808/http://www.cinebilla.com/kollywood/profiles/actor/srihari/ |archive-date=26 February 2017 |access-date=25 February 2017 |website=Kollywood}}</ref>
Srihari, who had been battling a liver ailment, died during the filming of ''R... Rajkumar'' (2013). He experienced dizziness on set and was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.<ref name="Sriharideath">{{cite news |date=10 October 2013 |title=Actor Srihari dies in Mumbai |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/actor-srihari-dies-in-mumbai/article5218575.ece |access-date=2024-09-04 |work=Cinema |location=Hyderabad |quote=He was rushed to a hospital where he died later. |series=Features}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Movie !! Role !! Language |- | 1983 || ''Vasanthame Varuga'' || || rowspan="7" | Tamil |- | rowspan="9" | 1985 || ''Vellai Manasu''|| |- | ''Udaya Geetham''|| |- | ''Unnai Thedi Varuven''|| |- | ''Saavi''|| Club dancer |- | ''Ketti Melam''|| Chinna Sethupathi's mistress |- | ''Kattukkulle Thiruvizha''|| |- | ''Uyerthezhunelppu''|| || rowspan="2" | Malayalam |- | ''Aa Neram Alppa Dooram''|| Dancer |- | ''Chidambara Rahasiyam''|| Aasha|| rowspan="3" | Tamil |- | rowspan="9" | 1986 || ''Adutha Veedu''|| |- | ''Marakka Matten'' || |- | ''Sathkaara'' || || Kannada |- |''Thatayya Kankanam'' | |Telugu |- | ''Murattu Karangal'' || || Tamil |- | ''Africadalli Sheela'' || Zeher - the dancer || Kannada |- | ''Oomai Vizhigal'' || || Tamil |- | ''Nimishangal'' || || Malayalam |- | ''Dharma Devathai'' || || rowspan="3" | Tamil |- | rowspan="16" | 1987 || ''Raja Mariyadhai'' || |- | ''Kizhakku Africavil Sheela'' || Naagini - the dancer |- | ''Sheela'' || || Hindi |- | ''Mr. Raja'' || || Kannada |- |''Veera Viharam'' | |Telugu |- | ''Kadhal Parisu'' || || Tamil |- | ''Nee Allenkil Njan'' || Dancer|| Malayalam |- | ''Huli Hebbuli'' || || rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | ''Jayasimha'' || |- | ''Kavalan Avan Kovalan'' || || Tamil |- | ''Aase'' || || rowspan="3" | Kannada |- | ''Kurukshetra'' || |- | ''Sangrama'' || |- | ''Paasam Oru Vesham'' || || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | ''Ivargal Varungala Thoongal'' || |- | ''Anthima Ghatta'' || || rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | rowspan="26" | 1988 || ''Shakthi'' || |- | ''Urimai Geetham'' || || Tamil |- | ''Gudugu Sidilu'' || || rowspan="3" | Kannada |- | ''Thayi Karulu'' || |- | ''Oorigitta Kolli'' || |- | ''Onnum Onnum Pathinettu'' || || Malayalam |- | ''Raasave Unnai Nambi'' || || Tamil |- | ''Nammoora Raja'' || || rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | ''Bharath'' || |- |''Donga Kollu'' | |Telugu |- | ''Manamagale Vaa'' || || Tamil |- | ''Gharwali Baharwali'' || || Hindi |- | ''Ullathil Nalla Ullam'' || || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | ''Kazhugumalai Kallan'' || |- | ''Anjada Gandu'' || || rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | ''Matru Devo Bhava'' || |- | ''Thambi Thanga Kambi'' || || rowspan="4" | Tamil |- | ''Paatti Sollai Thattathe'' || |- | ''Nallavan'' || |- | ''Dharmathin Thalaivan'' || |- | ''Sangliyana'' || || Kannada |- | ''Raththa Dhanam'' || || Tamil |- | ''Jamadagni'' || || Telugu |- | ''Kabzaa'' || Dancer || Hindi |- | ''Arjun'' || || Kannada |- | ''Puthiya Vaanam'' || || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | rowspan="32" | 1989 || ''Pongi Varum Kaveri'' || |- | ''Avatara Purusha'' || || Kannada |- | ''Idhayathai Thirudathe'' || || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | ''Siva'' || |- | ''Asmaan Se Ooncha'' || Guest Appearance|| Hindi |- | ''Malayathi Pennu'' || || Malayalam |- | ''Dharma Devan'' || || rowspan="3" | Tamil |- |''Kalpana House'' | |- | ''Dilli Babu'' || |- | ''Geethanjali'' || Usha|| Telugu |- | ''Khuli Khidki'' || Reena || Hindi |- | ''Moodu Manthiram'' || || Tamil |- | ''Nyayakkaagi Naanu'' || || Kannada |- | ''Naalai Manithan'' || || Tamil |- | ''Indrajith'' || || rowspan="4" | Kannada |- | ''CBI Shankar'' || |- | ''Padma Vyuha'' || |- | ''Hendthighelbedi'' || Shanti |- | ''Vetri Vizha'' || || Tamil |- |''Paila Pachessu'' | |Telugu |- | ''Idu Saadhya'' || || Kannada |- | ''Nyaya Tharasu'' || || rowspan="3" | Tamil |- | ''Penn Buthi Pin Buthi'' || |- | ''Samsarame Saranam'' || |- | ''Hosa Kavya'' || || Kannada |- | ''Sondham 16'' || || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | ''Vaai Kozhuppu'' || |- | ''Onti Salaga'' || || Kannada |- | ''Kanoon Apna Apna'' || Dancer || rowspan="2" | Hindi |- |''Kasam Vardi Kee''<ref>{{Citation |title=Kasam Vardi Ki (1989) |url=https://www.movieranker.com/movie/24mFYkvjyoJPV6c/Kasam-Vardi-Ki |access-date=2024-03-12 |language=en}}</ref> |Nisha |- | ''Vetri Vizha'' || || Tamil |- | ''Jayabheri'' || || Kannada |- | rowspan="28" | 1990 || ''Idhaya Thamarai'' || || Tamil |- | ''Nammoora Hammeera'' || || Kannada |- | ''Kadathanadan Ambadi'' || || Malayalam |- | ''Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga'' || || Tamil |- | ''Ashwamedha'' || Dancer|| rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | ''Poli Kitty'' || |- | ''Paattukku Naan Adimai'' || || Tamil |- | ''Sandhana Kaatru'' || || Tamil |- | ''Kiladi Thatha'' || || Kannada |- | ''Ghayal'' || Dancer || Hindi |- | ''Challenge Gopalakrishna'' || || rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | ''Sididedda Gandu'' || |- | ''Sandhana Kaatru'' || || Tamil |- | ''Gunahon Ka Devta'' || Dancer || Hindi |- | ''My Dear Marthandan'' || || Tamil |- | ''Anantha Prema'' || || rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | ''Pundara Ganda'' || |- | ''48 Manikkur'' || || Malayalam |- | ''Manaivi Oru Manickam'' || || Tamil |- | ''Chakadola Karuchi Leela'' || Dancer|| Odia |- |''Raktha Jwala'' | |Telugu |- |''Chinnari Muddula Papa'' |Shanti |Telugu |- | ''Ashwamedha'' || || Kannada |- | ''Jamai Raja'' || Aruna || Hindi |- | ''Challenge'' || || Kannada |- | ''Oru Veedu Iru Vasal'' || || Tamil |- | ''Shivaraj'' || || Kannada |- | ''Jungle Love'' || || Hindi |- | rowspan="15" | 1991 || ''SP Bhargavi'' || || Kannada |- | ''Naag Mani'' || Item number in the song "Mera Laung Gawaacha"|| Hindi |- | ''Pondatti Pondattithan'' || Padma || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | ''Sami Potta Mudichu'' || |- | ''Zaher'' || || Hindi |- | ''Prema Pareekshe''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prema Pareekshe (1991) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew |url=https://chiloka.com/movie/prema-pareekshe-1991 |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=chiloka.com}}</ref>|| Madonna|| Kannada |- | ''Nee Pathi Naan Pathi'' || || Tamil |- |''Super Express''<ref>{{Citation |title=SUPER EXPRESS {{!}} TELUGU FULL MOVIE {{!}} NAGENDRA BABU {{!}} VANDANA {{!}} KOTA SRINIVAS RAO {{!}} TELUGU MOVIE ZONE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nlPEQ9X4kw |access-date=2023-11-05 |language=en}}</ref> | |Telugu |- | ''Rowdy Alludu'' || Item number in the song "Amalapuram Bulloda" || Telugu |- | ''Eeramana Rojave'' || || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | ''Vetri Padigal'' || |- | ''Alludu Diddina Kapuram'' || || Telugu |- | ''Anatha Rakshaka'' || || Kannada |- | ''Shanti Enathu Shanti'' || || Tamil |- | ''Mathru Bhagya'' || Julie|| Kannada |- | rowspan="21" |1992 |''Balarama Krishnulu'' |Comedy role / Dancer |Telugu |- | ''Amaran'' || || Tamil |- | ''Gharaana Mogudu'' || Item number in the song "Bangaru Kodi Petta" || Telugu |- | ''Chinnavar'' || Item number in the song "Padakottum Pattammah" || Tamil |- | ''Putta Hendthi'' || || Kannada |- |''Srimaan Brahmachari'' | | rowspan="3" |Telugu |- |''420'' | |- |''Karuninchina Kanaka Durga'' | |- | ''Sigappu Paravai'' || || Tamil |- | ''Radha Ka Sangam'' || || Hindi |- | ''Police File'' || || Kannada |- | ''Agni Paarvai'' || || Tamil |- | ''Banni Ondsala Nodi'' || || Kannada |- | ''Pangali'' || || rowspan="2" | Tamil |- | ''Kaaval Geetham'' || |- | ''President Gari Pellam'' || Singing voice || Telugu |- | ''Rishi'' || || Malayalam |- | ''Alli Ramachari Illi Brahmachari'' || || Kannada |- | ''Bharathan'' || || rowspan="3" | Tamil |- | ''Natchathira Nayagan'' || |- | ''Meera'' || |- | rowspan="21" | 1993 || ''Jana Mecchida Maga'' || || Kannada |- | ''Minmini Poochigal'' || || rowspan="4" | Tamil |- | ''RRRKRMRGKK'' || |- | ''Prathap'' || |- | ''Sabash Babu'' || |- | ''Srinatha Kavi Sarvabhowmudu'' || || rowspan="4" | Telugu |- |''Donga Alludu'' | |- |''Rowdy Gari Teacher'' | |- |''Nakshatra Poratam'' | |- | ''Aaha Brahmachari''|| || rowspan="3" | Kannada |- | ''Suryodaya'' || |- | ''Prathiphala'' || |- | ''Mechanic Alludu'' || || Telugu |- | ''Mane Devru'' || || Kannada |- |''Vintha Kodallu'' | |Telugu |- | ''Sarkarakke Saval''|| || rowspan="4" | Kannada |- | ''Poorna Sangrama''|| |- | ''Khaidi No. 407''|| |- | ''Mojina Maduve''|| |- |''Kundan''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kundan (1993) Cast - Actor, Actress, Director, Producer, Music Director |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/-7519/cast-crew |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=Cinestaan}}</ref> |Dancer in 'Ga Re Ga Re' song | rowspan="4" |Hindi |- | ''Bhagyawan''|| |- | rowspan="15" | 1994 || ''Vaade Iraade''|| |- | ''Cheetah''|| |- | ''Ilaignar Ani'' || Rukku|| Tamil |- |''Kurradhi Kurradu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kurradi Kurradu (1994) Telugu Movie Review, Rating - Harish |url=https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/9086?ed=Tolly |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=www.thecinebay.com |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410084229/https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/9086?ed=Tolly |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |Telugu |- | ''Alexander''|| || Kannada |- |''Andaru Andare'' | |Telugu |- | ''Thanikhe''|| || Kannada |- | ''Atha Maga Rathiname''|| || Tamil |- |''Rickshaw Rudraiah'' | |Telugu |- | ''Brahmachari Mogudu''|| || Telugu |- | ''Pavithra''|| Shiba|| Tamil |- | ''Bangaru Kutumbam''|| || Telugu |- | ''Dulaara''|| || Hindi |- | ''Kinnaripuzhayoram''|| || Malayalam |- | ''Gandugali''|| || Kannada |- | rowspan="10" | 1995 || ''Muthu Kaalai''|| || Tamil |- | ''Bhale Bullodu''|| || rowspan="3" | Telugu |- |''Mayabazaar'' | |- |''Muddayi Muddugumma'' | |- | ''Raja Enga Raja''|| || Tamil |- | ''Naajayaz''|| || rowspan="2" | Hindi |- | ''God and Gun''|| |- | ''Betegara''|| || rowspan="3" | Kannada |- | ''Putmalli''|| |- | ''Ganeshana Galate''|| |- | rowspan="9" | 1996 || ''Aatank''|| || Hindi |- | ''Boss''|| || Kannada |- | ''Irattai Roja''|| || Tamil |- | ''Stunt Master''|| || rowspan="4" | Kannada |- | ''Rambha Rajyadalli Rowdy''|| |- | ''Gaaya''|| |- | ''Bangarada Mane''|| |- | ''Thuraimugam'' || || Tamil |- | ''Samayakkondu Sullu'' || || rowspan="2" | Kannada |- | 1997 || ''Yuddha'' || |- |}
;As producer *''Seshadri Naidu'' (2004)<ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/2004/May/7-May-2004.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913153558/http://zaminryot.com/pdf/2004/May/7-May-2004.pdf | archive-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>
==See also== *South Indian film industry
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0788395|name=Disco Shanti}} * {{Bollywood Hungama person|disco-shanti}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shanti, Disco}} Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema Category:Indian film actresses Category:Living people Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema Category:1965 births