{{short description|Indian actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Easwari Rao | image = Easwari Rao, Prashanth Neel, Yash, Srinidhi Shetty Promote KGF Chapter 2 in Chennai (cropped).jpg | caption = Easwari at KGF 2 Promotions | birth_place = Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh, India | occupation = Actress | other_names = Janani, Vijayashree, Vyjayanthi | years_active = {{Ubl | 1990–2005 | 2014–present}} | spouse = L. Raja | children = 2 }}
'''Easwari Rao''' <!-- must cite a published reliable source to verify birth date -->is a South Indian actress who works in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chowdhary |first=Y. Sunita |date=20 February 2017 |title=Easwari Rao: Smooth second coming |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Easwari-Rao-Interview/article17334484.ece |access-date=19 May 2021 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519060411/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Easwari-Rao-Interview/article17334484.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2018 |title=Kaala actress Easwari Rao on working with Rajinikanth: I feared I might end up playing his mother |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kaala-actress-easwari-rao-on-working-with-rajinikanth-i-feared-i-might-end-up-playing-his-mother-4496457.html |access-date=19 May 2021 |website=Firstpost |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316093453/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kaala-actress-easwari-rao-on-working-with-rajinikanth-i-feared-i-might-end-up-playing-his-mother-4496457.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She played lead roles from 1990 to 1999. She started to play supporting and character roles from 2000 onwards.
==Career== Eswari Rao's debut movie was ''Intinta Deepavali'' (1990) in Telugu. She debuted in Tamil in ''Kavithai Paadum Alaigal'' credited as Janani. Though the songs were popular, the movie was a failure at box office. She was first noticed in a character role in Tamil actor Vijay's debut film ''Naalaiya Theerpu'' in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/kaala-easwari-rao-thalapathy-vijay-movie-naalaya-theerpu--malayalam-news-208091|title = 'Kaala' heroine's connection with Thalapathy Vijay's debut}}</ref> She appeared in the 1995 film ''Rambantu'', which was directed by Bapu.
She got her first major break in ''Raman Abdullah'' (1997), directed by Balu Mahendra, where she was credited as Easwari Rao. She notably opted out of a project titled ''Koottaali'' as she felt the role was too glamorous. She went on to appear in Manoj Kumar's film ''Guru Paarvai'' (1998). Easwari also had a role in Bharathiraja's ''Siragugal Murivadhilai'', although the film was shelved after pre-production.<ref name="indolink1">{{cite web |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/People/97/Dec/kuttisp1.htm |title=1997-98 Kodambakkam babies Page |publisher=Indolink.com |access-date=17 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201551/http://indolink.com/tamil/cinema/People/97/Dec/kuttisp1.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> She has played sister roles in films such as ''Appu'' (2000), ''Naaga'' (2003) and ''Sullan'' (2004).
Her popular serial ''Kokila Enge Pogiraal'' was made for Sun TV. She acted in number of TV shows like ''Kasthuri'', ''Aval Appadithan'', ''Ninne Pelladutha'' and ''Agni Saatchi'' and a couple of more serials that shot her into households fame. She won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Female) for the film ''Virumbugiren'' released in 2002. However, her next film wasn't until the Telugu film ''Legend'' (2014). She then was in ''Andhra Pori'' (2015), ''Brahmotsavam'' (2016) and ''Ism'' (2016). Her films ''A Aa'' (2016) and the ''Nenu Local'' (2017) became big hits.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle"/>
She received praise for her performance in ''Kaala'' (2018) in which she starred alongside Rajinikanth. Easwari Rao was seen on big screens in the film ''Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo'' (2020).<ref>{{Cite news |title='Kaala' actress Easwari Rao thanks Superstar Rajinikanth and Pa Ranjith for the biggest opportunity |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kaala-actress-easwari-rao-thanks-superstar-rajinikanth-and-pa-ranjith-for-the-biggest-opportunity/articleshow/77651263.cms |access-date=2020-08-20 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> She acted in Telegu films with Naga Chaitanya in ''Love Story'' (2021), ''Thank You'' (2022) and ''Dhootha'' (2023).
In 2024, Eswari Rao portrays the rural, doting mom in the Tamil drama film ''Aalakaalam''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Aalakaalam Movie Review: Aalakaalam is Lost in Melodrama, Missing the Message|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/aalakaalam/movie-review/109024929.cms |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
== Personal life == Eswari Rao is married to director and actor L. Raja.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle">{{cite web |last1=Kavirayani |first1=Suresh |title=Eswari Rao stages a comeback |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/180617/eswari-rao-stages-a-comeback.html |work=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=8 June 2018 |language=en |date=18 June 2017 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509142315/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/180617/eswari-rao-stages-a-comeback.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The couple have two children.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle"/>
==Filmography== ===Films=== {{Pending films key}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List Easwari Rao film credits |- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Language ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2" |1990 || ''Intinta Deepavali'' || ||Telugu || |- | ''Kavithai Paadum Alaigal'' || Devaki || Tamil || Credited as Janani |- | rowspan="3" | 1991 || ''Stuvartpuram Dongalu'' || Padmini IAS || Telugu || |- | ''Jagannatakam'' || Neela || Telugu || |- | ''Kalikalam'' || || Telugu || |- | rowspan="2" | 1992 || ''Ootty Pattanam'' || Seena / Ranjini Thamburatti || Malayalam || |- | ''Naalaiya Theerpu'' || Raani || Tamil || |- | 1993 || ''Vedan'' || Priya || Tamil|| |- | 1994 || ''Megha Maale'' || Roopa || Kannada || Credited as Vijayashree |- | 1995 || ''Rambantu'' ||Kaveri || Telugu || Credited as Kaveri |- || 1997 || ''Raman Abdullah'' || Gowri || Tamil || |- | rowspan="2" | 1998 || ''Simmarasi'' || Rasathi || Tamil || |- | ''Guru Paarvai'' || Pooja / Alamelu || Tamil || |- | rowspan="2" | 1999 || ''Poomaname Vaa'' || || Tamil || |- | ''Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum'' ||Krishnaveni || Tamil || |- || 2000 || ''Appu'' || Saradha || Tamil || |- | rowspan="2" | 2001 || ''Kutty'' || Chenthamarai || Tamil || |- | ''Thavasi'' || Gowri || Tamil || |- | rowspan="3" | 2002 || ''Kannathil Muthamittal'' || Shyama || Tamil || |- |''Lagna Patrika'' | |Telugu | |- | ''Virumbugiren'' || Latha || Tamil || Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Female)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/movie-actress/easwari-rao|title = Easwari Rao}}</ref> |- | 2003 || ''Naaga'' || Vijji's sister || Telugu || |- | rowspan="2"|2004 || ''Sullan'' || Karpagam || Tamil || |- | ''Aaptudu'' || || Telugu || Guest appearance |- || 2005 || ''Bhadra'' || Surendra's wife || Telugu || |- || 2006 || ''Saravana'' || Soundarapandiyan's wife || Tamil || |- || 2014 || ''Legend'' || Jaidev's aunt || Telugu || |- || 2015 || ''Andhra Pori'' || || Telugu || |- | rowspan="4"| 2016 || ''Premam'' || Sithara's mother || Telugu || |- | ''Brahmotsavam'' || Bhulakshmi || Telugu || |- | ''A Aa'' || Kameswari || Telugu || |- | ''Ism'' || Satyavathi / Ammaji || Telugu || |- | rowspan="4"| 2017 || ''Nenu Local'' || Babu's mother || Telugu || |- | ''Mister'' || Chey's step mother || Telugu || |- | ''Vaisakham'' || || Telugu || |- | ''Jawaan'' || Jai's mother || Telugu || |- | rowspan="3" | 2018 || ''Kaala'' || Selvi || Tamil || {{Blist | Behindwoods Gold Medal Best Supporting Actress<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-actress/easwari-rao/easwari-rao-photos-pictures-stills-15.html |title=Easwari Rao (Aka) Eashwari Rao photos stills & images |date=27 December 2018 |access-date=20 January 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116192508/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-actress/easwari-rao/easwari-rao-photos-pictures-stills-15.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Supporting Actress | SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://siima.in/index.php/awards-2019/ |title=Awards 2019 – SIIMA |access-date=18 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223151337/https://siima.in/index.php/awards-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }} |- | ''Ee Maaya Peremito'' || || Telugu || |- | ''Aravindha Sametha'' || Reddamma || Telugu || |- | rowspan="3" | 2019 || ''F2 – Fun and Frustration'' || Laxmi || Telugu || |- | ''Unda'' || Lalitha || Malayalam|| Cameo |- | ''Azhiyatha Kolangal 2'' || News Reader || Tamil || Also producer |- | rowspan="4" | 2020 || ''Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo'' || Nurse Sulochana || Telugu || |- | ''Johaar'' || Ganga || Telugu || |- | ''Lock Up'' || Illavarasi || Tamil || |- | ''Varmaa'' || Bhavani || Tamil || |- | 2021 || ''Love Story'' || Revanth's mother || Telugu || |- | rowspan="4" | 2022 || ''Theal'' || Durai's adopted mother and Raja's mother|| Tamil || |- | ''K.G.F: Chapter 2'' || Fathima || Kannada || |- | ''Virata Parvam'' || Sujatha || Telugu || |- | ''Thank You'' || Sailaja || Telugu || |- | rowspan="7" | 2023 || ''Veera Simha Reddy'' || Siddhappa's Wife || Telugu || |- | ''Kondraal Paavam'' || Valliyammal || Tamil || |- | ''Peddha Kapu 1'' || || Telugu || |- | ''Dhootha'' || || Telugu || Web series; Released on Amazon Prime Video |- | ''Bandra'' ||Rosamma || Malayalam || |- | ''Pindam'' || Annamma || Telugu || |- | ''Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire'' || Deva's mother || Telugu || |- | rowspan="2" | 2024 || ''Guntur Kaaram'' || Bujji || Telugu || |- | ''Aalakaalam'' || Yashoda || Tamil || |- |2025 |''Hari Hara Veera Mallu'' |Kousalya |Telugu | |}
=== Television === * ''Kokila Enge Pogiraal'' (Sun TV) * ''Oka Stree Katha'' (AVM Productions) (2000) * ''Peyarai Solla Vaa'' (Sun TV/Vikatan Televistas) * ''Udhayam'' (Sun TV) Radaan Mediaworks * ''Kasthuri'' (Sun TV) * ''Aval Appadithan'' (Jaya TV) * ''Ninne Pelladutha'' (Gemini TV) * ''Vennalamma'' (Gemini TV) * ''Agni Saatchi'' (Vijay TV) * ''Vazhnthu Kaatukiren'' (AVM Productions) (Sun TV) * ''Maya'' (Jaya TV) * ''Aaha'' (Vijay TV) * ''Kantham Kathalu'' (Dooradarshan - Telugu)
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Award !Category !Film !Result !Ref. |- | rowspan="1" | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Female Character Artiste | ''Virumbugiren'' | {{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/south-indian/easwari-raos-unbelievable-moment-in-kaala-1.2231578|title = Easwari Rao's unbelievable moment in 'Kaala'}}</ref> |- | rowspan="1" | Behindwoods Gold Medal | rowspan="3" | Best Supporting Actress | rowspan="3" | ''Kaala'' | {{won}} | rowspan="1" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/list-of-winners-for-behindwoods-gold-medals-iconic-edition/gouri-kishan-best-debut-actor.html |title=List of Winners for BGM Iconic Edition |date=16 December 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=28 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228035031/https://m.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/list-of-winners-for-behindwoods-gold-medals-iconic-edition/gouri-kishan-best-debut-actor.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="1" | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | {{won}} | rowspan="1" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vikatan.com/anandavikatan/2019-jan-09/ananda-vikatan-awards/147306-ananda-vikatan-awards-2018.html |title=ஆனந்த விகடன் சினிமா விருதுகள் 2018 - திறமைக்கு மரியாதை |date=3 January 2019 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210250/https://www.vikatan.com/anandavikatan/2019-jan-09/ananda-vikatan-awards/147306-ananda-vikatan-awards-2018.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="1" | 8th South Indian International Movie Awards | {{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://siima.in/index.php/awards-2019/ |title=Awards 2019 - SIIMA |access-date=18 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223151337/https://siima.in/index.php/awards-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|id=0710545}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, Easwari}} Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:21st-century Indian actresses Category:Actresses in Kannada television Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Actresses in Tamil television Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema Category:Actresses in Telugu television Category:Indian film actresses Category:Indian television actresses Category:Living people Category:People from Tanuku Category:Actors from West Godavari district Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners Category:Year of birth missing (living people)