Ambika

Her younger sister Radha was also an actress. They acted together in a number of South Indian films during the peak of their career. The sisters runs a movie studio called 'ARS Studios', which they converted into a hotel complex in 2013.

• Name — Ambika • Birthplace — Kallara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India • Years Active — 1976–1989 (as a leading actress) 1997–present (as a supporting artist) • Family — Radha (sister) • Awards — Kalaimaamani (1984)

Ambika was born to Kallara Kunjan Nair and Sarasamma at Kallara, Thiruvananthapuram. Her mother Kallara Sarasamma was Mahila Congress leader during 2014. She has two younger sisters, Radha and Mallika, and two younger brothers, Arjun and Suresh. Ambika married an NRI, named Premkumar Menon in 1988. The couple has two sons and was settled in the United States. However, they divorced in 1996. She is currently settled in Chennai with her sons.

Ambika started her career as a child artist in Malayalam cinema in 1976 with the film Chottanikkara Amma and later starred as a heroine in more than 200 South Indian films. Her career as a heroine started with the Malayalam movie Seetha, which was released very late in her career. But with films such as Neelathaamara and Lejjavathi, she became a busy actress within a few years not only in Malayalam, Ambika made her debut in Tamil in 1979 with the film Chakkalathi. Ambika's role as a young girl in K Bhagyaraj's Tamil film Andha 7 Naatkal grabbed the eyeballs of movie buffs. In 1984 she acted in Naan Paadum Paadal directed by Sundarrajan which had Sivakumar, Mohan and Pandiyan in lead roles. Ambika shot to fame with Kaakki Sattai (1985). At the zenith of her career she costarred with her sister Radha in Kadhal Parisu (1987), where both actresses demonstrated their acting prowess in the roles of two sisters, both with strong but conflicting personalities. In 1986, she acted in the commercially successful Malayalam movie Rajavinte Makan, which starred Mohanlal. It was Ambika who got paid more than Mohanlal in the movie Rajavinte Makan. Ambika was busier and more popular than Mohanlal at that time. She also acted with him the following year in another box office hit Irupatham Noottandu. The 1980s were the golden era for Ambika, as she acted in over 200 movies in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada, and most of the films were box office hits. Ambika did many films with the leading actors of her time such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj,Karthik, Prabhu, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Dileep, Shankar, N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna, Krishnam Raju, Dr. Rajkumar, Ambareesh and Chiranjeevi. After getting divorced, she returned to India from the U.S. Later in the year 1997, she started acting again in the films Periya Manushan, Simhada Mari, and Maa Nannaku Pelli. She acted in Vikraman's project Mariyadhai (2009), in which Vijayakanth played the double roles of father and son. She has acted in many advertisements. She is a designer too. She has also judged many reality shows. She has been playing the lead role in the serial Mrs. Hitler aired on Zee Tamil TV, and also made a special appearance in the role of a senior government officer named Vanitha in the serial Anbe Vaa which aired on Sun TV. She made a cameo in the television serial Mangalyam. She also took on the role of judge in the reality show Drama Juniors.

In order of languages in which she acted the most to the fewest films.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1976 — Chottanikkara Amma — child artist • 1977 — Taxi Driver — child artist • Dheerasameere Yamunaatheere — child artist • Vidarunna Mottukal — Sumam — child artist • 1978 — Aval Viswasthayaayirunnu — child artist • Samayamaayilla Polum — Latha • Asthamayam — Guest appearance • 1979 — Neelathamara — Kunjimalu • Ajnaatha Theerangal — Geetha • Lajjaavathi — Radha • Krishnapparunthu • Veerabhadran • Raajaveedhi • Agniparvatham — Vimala • Thuramukham — Rosi • Enikku Njaan Swantham — Geetha • Neeyo Njaano — Geetha • Pratheeksha • Prabhaathasandhya — Mini • Maamaankam — Manipennu • Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha — Shyamala • 1980 — Pappu — Herself • Theeram Thedunnavar • Seetha — Seetha • Akalangalil Abhayam — Yamuna • Theekkadal — Sumam • Ishtamaanu Pakshe — Nandinikutty • Aniyaatha Valakal — Sujatha • Angaadi — Ayisha • Sathyam — Seetha • Ithile Vannavar — Bindu • Kaavalmaadam — Malli • Ammayum Makalum — Radha • Meen — Roselin • Anthappuram — Usha • Swantham Enna Padam — Priya • Vaiki Vanna Vasantham — Sheeba • Aagamanam — Seetha • Eden Thottam — Usha • Puzha — - • Dooram Arike — Shirly • 1981 — Anyar • Chamayam • Veshangal • Archana Teacher — Bharathi • Prema Geethangal — Geetha Kumari • Asthamikkatha Pakalukal — Raji • Guha — Devu • Maniyan Pillai Athava Maniyan Pillai — Kamalam • Sambhavam — Radha • Njan Ninne Marakkilla • Thaaraavu — Akka • Swarangal Swapnagal — Latha • Enne Snehikkoo Enne Maathram • 1982 — Pooviriyum Pulari — Renuka • Mylanchi — Shahitha • Olangal — Rita • Kelkatha Shabdam — Jayanthi • Ethiraalikal — Thulasi • Sharam — Sindhu • Mukhangal • Dheera — Indhu • Anuraagakkodathi — Susheela • 1983 — Father Damien • Kaathirunna Naal • Eettappuli — Padmavathi • Theeram Thedunna Thira — Jayalakshmi • Marakkillorikkalum — Suma • Nizhal Moodiya Nirangal — Molamma • Asthi — Priyamvada • Adyathe Anuragam — Shyamala • Enikku Vishakunnu — Shantha • Sandhyakku Virija Poovu — Priya • 1984 — Sabarimala Darsanam • Ente Gramam • Kalkki • Oru Sumangaliyude Katha — Yamuna • 1985 — Puzhayozhukum Vazhi — Rema • Oru Nokku Kaanan — Maya • Agniyasthram • Iniyum Kadha Thudarum — Mary • Archana Aaradhana — Archana • 1986 — Thidambu — - • Chekeranoru Chilla — Lathika Menon (Lallu) • Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu — Nirmala • Malarum Kiliyum — Thulasi • Rajavinte Makan — Nancy • 1987 — Swathi Thirunal — Narayani Pillai Kochamma • Ezhuthapurangal — Vimala Jacob • Vazhiyorakkazhchakal — Sridevi • Nirabhedangal — Maya • Vilambaram — Sheela • Irupatham Noottandu — Aswathy Varma • 1988 — Ayitham — Bhama • Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal — Valsala • Kudumbapuranam — Geetha • Manasaputhri • Pattanapravesham — Shobha • 1989 — Brahmasthram • 1991 — Manju Peyyunna Rathri • Sayanthanam • Sheershakam • 1992 — Sabarimalayil Thankasooryodayam • 1997 — Snehasindooram — Uma • 1999 — Niram — Baby • Udayapuram Sulthan — Malavika • 2000 — Varnakkazchchakal — Bhagyalakshmi • Swayamvara Panthal — Latha • Sathyam Sivam Sundaram — Nandhini • 2001 — Dubai • 2004 — Koottu — Savitha Vishwambharan • 2005 — Ben Johnson — Pathrose's wife • Kalyana Kurimanam — Subhadra • Pandippada — Mallika • Annorikkal — Karthu • 2006 — Arunam • 2007 — Hareendran Oru Nishkalankan — Hareendran's mother • 2009 — The Trigger • Vairam: Fight for Justice — Judge • Kana Kanmani — Doctor • Angel John — Mary • 2010 — Thanthonni — Kathreena • Sadgamaya — Gauri Sudhakaran • 2011 — Naayika — Herself — Archive footage/Uncredited cameo • Ponnu Kondoru Aalroopam — - • Lavakumar 1984 — - • 2012 — Yakshi – Faithfully Yours — Vishnu's mother • 2014 — Polytechnic — Pauly's mother • To Noora with Love — Khadeeja • Aamayum Muyalum — Kadambari • 2015 — Mili — Mercey • She Taxi — Annamma • 2019 — Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha — Herself — Archive footage/Uncredited cameo • Mohabbathin Kunjabdulla — Alima • 2022 — Sathyam Mathrame Bodhippikkoo — Justice Mary Varghese • Ullasam — Marykutty • August 27 • Anjil Oral Thaskaran • Naja • 2026 — Law and Order

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1979 — Chakkalathi — Azhagammal • 1980 — Tharayil Pootha Malar • Enga Ooru Rasathi • 1981 — Tharayil Vaazhum Meenkal • Andha 7 Naatkal — Vasanthi • Kadal Meengal — Uma • 1982 — Theerpugal Thiruththapadalam — Radha • Sagalakala Vallavan — Geetha • Enkeyo Ketta Kural — Ponni (first wife) • Vazhvey Maayam — Sandhiya • Deviyin Thiruvilayadal — Dakshayini • Idhayam Pesugirathu • 1983 — Jothi • Thoongatha Kannindru Ondru — Devi • Garuda Saukiyama • Thalaimagan • Thambathyam • Soorapuli • Raagangal Maaruvathillai • Vellai Roja — Lakshmi • 1984 — Thiruppam • Vengaiyin Maindhan • Tharaasu — Latha • Thangamadi Thangam • Naan Paadum Paadal • Neethikku Oru Penn • Anbulla Rajinikanth — Mother of Rosy • Kanmaniye Pesu • Thaalithanam • Ambigai Neril Vanthaal • Pei Veedu • Pournami Alaigal • Irumbu Kaigal • Vaazhkai • Nerupukkul Eeram • 1985 — Naagam — Janaki • Kaakki Sattai — Uma • Naan Sigappu Manithan — Uma • Puthiya Sagaptham — Uma • Uyarndha Ullam — Geetha • Engal Kural — Guest appearance • Aval Potta Kolam • Sri Raghavendrar — Aparajita • Idaya Kovil — Gauri • Arthamulla Aasaigal • Karuppu Chattaikaran • Erimalai • Thandanai • Puthiya Theerppu — Radha • Unakkaga Oru Roja — Meera • Thoongatha Kannondru Ondru • Padikathavan — Mary • 1986 — Mr. Bharath — Uma • Nermai • Vikram — Vikram's wife • Oruvar Vazhum Alayam • Naanum Oru Thozhilali • Kanmaniye Pesu • Karpoora Deepam • Isai Paadum Thendral • Manakanakku • Thazhuvatha Kaigal — Rajeshwari • Raja Nee Vaazhga • Rasigan Oru Rasigai • Maaveeran — Rekha • 1987 — Velundu Vinaiyillai • Muthukkal Moondru • Chinna Kuyil Paaduthu — Geetha • Naanum Oru Thozhilali • Makkal En Pakkam — Radha • Kadhal Parisu — Malini • Mupperum Deviyar • Veeran Veluthambi • Thambathyam • Nalla Pambu • Aalappirandhavan — Seetha IPS • Ivargal Varungala Thoongal • 1988 — Annanagar Mudhal Theru — Geetha • Rendum Rendum Aindhu • Ganam Courtar Avargaley • Kan Simittum Neram — Lakshmi • Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam — Sivakami • 1997 — Periya Manushan — Sivagami • Arunachalam — Meenakshi • 1998 — Sandhippoma • Poonthottam • Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen • En Uyir Nee Thaane • Kaadhal Kavidhai — Vishwa's mother • 1999 — Uyirodu Uyiraga — Anjali's mother • Kodiesvaran • Iraniyan • Poovellam Kettuppar — Krishna Bharathi's mother • Anantha Poongathe • Jodi — Sneha Varadharajan • Pooparika Varugirom • Time — Srinivasa Murthy's mother • Amarkkalam — Mohana's mother • Suyamvaram — wedding guest • 2000 — Simmasanam — Sathyamurthy's wife • Magalirkkaga — Head Constable Panchavarnam • Vallarasu — Anjali's mother • 2001 — Piriyadha Varam Vendum — Nithi's mother • 2002 — Jaya • Alli Arjuna — Savithri's mother • 2003 — Ottran — Sudha's mother • 2004 — Image — Kavya • Super Da • 2005 — Jadhi • Mazhai — Shailaja's mother • 2007 — Vel — Vel's adoptive mother • 2009 — Mariyadhai — Alamelu Annamalai • 2010 — Uthama Puthiran — Sivakaami • 2011 — Avan Ivan — Maryamma • 2012 — Ullam • 2014 — Jigarthanda — Kayalvizhi's mother • Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe • 2015 — Idhu Enna Maayam — Arun's mother • 2016 — Ennama Katha Vudranunga • 2018 — Traffic Ramasamy — Judge • 2022 — Super Senior Heroes — Mrs. S. / Lady Justice • 2025 — Mrs & Mr — Annalakshmi

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1981 — Sri Yediyuru Siddalingeshwara • 1982 — Garuda Rekhe • Chalisuva Modagalu — Sheela • 1983 — Avala Neralu — Lakshmi • Chakravyuha — Asha • Gayathri Maduve — Gayathri • Eradu Nakshatragalu • Bhakta Prahlada • Hasida Hebbuli • 1984 — Naane Raja — Asha • Mooru Janma — Chitti • Pralayanthaka — Special appearance • Onde Raktha • Indina Bharatha — Bharathi • Apoorva Sangama — Tara • 1985 — Chaduranga — Asha • 1986 — Asambhava • Digvijaya — Asha / Radha — Dual roles • Shubha Milana — Ganga • Bete • Sathkara • 1987 — Bazar Bheema • Jeevana Jyothi — Radha • Athiratha Maharatha — Radha • Poorna Chandra — Kumuda • Nyayakke Shikshe • Aapadbandhava • 1988 — Dharmathma • Kirathaka • Vijaya Khadga — Asha • 1989 — Hongkongnalli Agent Amar • 1997 — Simhada Mari — Vishwa's mother • 1999 — Janumadatha — Ahalya • 2000 — Kanasugara — Sangeeta's mother • Sulthan • 2002 — Nagarahavu • Nandhi — Nandhi's mother • Manasella Neene — Madhavi • 2003 — Vijaysimha • 2004 — Om Ganesh • 2017 — Kaffi Thota — Judge • 2019 — Kalidasa Kannada Meshtru — Principal

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1981 — Addala Meda — Lakshmi • Viswaroopam — Mallika • Prema Mandiram — Hema • Nayudu Gari Abbai — Madhavi • Bobbili Puli — Jayanthi • 1983 — Rajkumar — Devi • 1984 — Dongalu Baboi Dongalu — Seetha • Kurukshetramlo Sita — Janaki • Mukhyamantri • 1988 — Yamudiki Mogudu — Dancer • 1997 — Maa Nannaki Pelli — Shravani • 1998 — Kodukulu • Raayudu — Tulasi • 1999 — Neti Gandhi • 2002 — Kondaveeti Simhasanam • Police Sisters — Jaya • 2005 — Slokam • 2006 — Manasu Palike Mouna Raagam

• Year — Title — Role — Channel — Language • 1998 — Kudumbam — Sun TV — Tamil • 2002–2003 — Agni Pravesam — ETV — Telugu • 2003 — Summer in America — Kairali TV — Malayalam • 2004 — Jalam — Surya TV • 2004–2005 — Koodum Thedi — Asianet • 2007–2008 — Brindavanam — Gemini TV — Telugu • 2011 — Kanalpoovu — Jeevan TV — Malayalam • 2012 — Preethiyinda — Star Suvarna — Kannada • Sreepadmanabham — Amrita TV — Malayalam • 2013–2014 — Avakashikal — Sujatha — Surya TV • Sare Gama gama gama — Puthuyugam TV — Tamil • 2014 — Jeevitha Ganam — Malayalam • 2017 — Aparichitha — Bhairavi — Amrita TV • 2018–2020 — Nayagi — Sargunam — Sun TV — Tamil • 2020 — Chithi 2 — Sargunam (Special Appearance) • 2020–2021 — Thirumathi Hitler — Jayamma — Zee Tamil • 2021 — Velammal — Star Vijay • Anbe Vaa — Janaki (Special Appearance) — Sun TV • 2021–2024 — Aruvi — Saraswathi • 2022 — Padmavati Kalyanam — Bramarambhika Devi — ETV — Telugu • 2023 — Malar — Saraswathi (Special Appearance in promo) — Sun TV — Tamil • 2023 — Mangalyam — Herself (Special Appearance) — Zee Keralam — Malayalam • |2023–2025 — Geeta Govindam — Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam — Asianet — Malayalam • 2024–2025 — Malli — Pothum Ponnu — Sun TV — Tamil • Drishti Bottu — Abbakka — Colors Kannada — Kannada • 2025 — Gettimelam — Kamakshi Ammal (Special Appearance) — Zee Tamil — Tamil • 2026 — Paarijatham — Doctor Mithra (Special Appearance) — Zee Tamil — Tamil

• Year — Title — Role — Channel — Language • Suvarna Thaarangal — Tamil • 2011 — Kerala's Favourite Film Actor — Judge — ACV — Malayalam • Vivel Big Break — Surya TV • 2012 — Veruthe Alla Bharya season 2 — Mazhavil Manorama • 2013 — Jodi Number one season 6 — Vijay TV — Tamil • Bharthakkankarude Sradhakku — Asianet — Malayalam • Vartha Prabhatham — Herself • Page 3 — Herself — Kappa TV • 2014 — Veruthe Alla Bharya season 3 — Judge — Mazhavil Manorama • 2014 — Star Jam — Herself — Kappa TV • 2016 — Uggram Ujjwalam Season 2 — Judge — Mazhavil Manorama • 2016–2017 — Malayali Veetamma — Judge — Flowers • 2016,2017 — Comedy Super Nite Season 2 — Herself • 2017 — Lal Salam — Amrita TV • 2017 — Dancing Khilladies — Judge — Zee Tamil — Tamil • 2017 — Majaa Talkies — Herself — Colors Kannada — Kannada • 2017 — Zee Dance League — Judge — Zee Tamil — Tamil • 2018 — Alitho Saradaga — Herself — |E TV — Telugu • 2019 — Lolluppa — Judge — Sun TV — Tamil • 2019 — Thakarppan Comedy — Herself — Mazhavil Manorama — Malayalam • 2019 — Andha Naal Nyabagam — Angel TV — Tamil • 2020 — Vanakkam Tamizha — Herself — Sun TV • 2021 — Red Carpet — Mentor — Amrita TV — Malayalam • 2021 — Vanakkam Tamizha — Herself — Sun TV — Tamil • 2021 — Poova Thalaiya • 2021 — Rajaparvai • 2022 — Nayakane Ulakam Mega Event — Herself — Flowers — Malayalam • 2022 — Bumper Chiri Aaghosham — Herself — Mazhavil Manorama • 2022 — Comedy Stars season 3 — Judge — Asianet • 2023 — Drama Juniors season 1 — Judge — Zee Keralam • 2023 — Parayam Nedam — Participant — Amrita TV • 2023 — Ente Amma Superaa — Judge — Mazhavil Manorama • 2023-2024 — Star Magic — Mentor — Flowers TV • 2024 — Ithu Item Vere — Judge • 2025 — Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri — Judge — Mazhavil Manorama • 2026 — Drama Juniors season 2 — Judge — Zee Keralam