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Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

In this Indian name, the name Sarathkumar is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Varalaxmi.

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar at 2014 CCL
Born (1985-03-05) 5 March 1985 (age 39)
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Other namesVaru[1]
Education
OccupationActress
Years active2012–present
Spouse
Nicholai Sachdev
​
(m. 2024)​
Parent(s)R. Sarathkumar (father)
Raadhika (step-mother)

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar (born 5 March 1985) is an Indian actress who appears in Tamil, Telugu also appeared in a few Kannada films. She made her debut with the Tamil film Podaa Podi (2012).[2][3][4][5]

Early life and family

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Varalaxmi was born to actor Sarathkumar and Chaya on 5 March 1985 in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka, India.[6][7] Her stepmother is actress Raadhika.[6][8]

Varalaxmi did her schooling at St. Michael's Academy, Chennai.[9] She is a graduate in Microbiology from Hindustan Arts and Science college, Chennai[10] with a Masters in Business Management from the University of Edinburgh. She honed her acting skills at Anupam Kher's Acting School in Mumbai, before becoming a professional actress.[8]

Personal life

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On 2 March 2024, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar got engaged to Nicholai Sachdev, who is a gallerist based in Mumbai.[11] They married on 3 July 2024.[12][13]

Career

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Varalaxmi auditioned for Shankar's Boys (2003) and was selected to play the lead role, before her father requested her to turn down the opportunity. Likewise, she also missed out on opportunities to act in Balaji Sakthivel's Kaadhal (2004) and Venkat Prabhu's Saroja (2008).[citation needed]

Varalaxmi signed on to star in Vignesh Shivan's romantic drama film Podaa Podi (2012) during June 2008, citing that the opportunity to portray a London-based dancer had excited her. The film went through a protracted development, taking four years to make, before being released in October 2012. Co-starring Silambarasan, Varalaxmi won critical acclaim for her performance. Rediff.com noted she was the "scene stealer" and added "she comes across as a genuine, warm person, able and willing to accept those around her for themselves, and rattles off her dialogues with such spontaneity and charm that she wins you over right away".[14] Likewise, a critic from Sify.com wrote she "is the big surprise here as she makes a promising debut and brings alive her character with not just those smart lines, but with the kind of confidence and candour".[15] The film performed moderately at the box office but performed well in the multiplexes.[16] Soon after the film's release, Varalaxmi worked on Sundar C's masala film Madha Gaja Raja, alongside Vishal, but the film remains unreleased owing to financial troubles.

In 2014, she embarked on her second venture, the Kannada film Maanikya (2014), starring alongside actor Sudeep. This film proved to be a major success and emerged as one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of that year. Additionally, in the same year, she commenced shooting for Bala's Tharai Thappattai (2016), in which she had to undergo a weight loss of ten kilograms to convincingly portray a karakattam dancer.

In 2016, she announced on Twitter that she has been cast alongside Mammootty in the Malayalam film Kasaba. In her tweet, the actress said that the big opportunity to work alongside Mammootty came to her apparently due to her performance in the Tamil film Tharai Thappattai.[17] Varalaxmi was also committed to starring in Aakasha Mittaayee, the Malayalam remake of the Tamil film Appa but left, citing the behaviour of its producers whom she called "mannerless".[18] In 2017, Varalaxmi appeared in Vikram Vedha, Nibunan, Vismaya, Sathya, Kaattu and Masterpiece. Varalaxmi turned as Host for a TV show titled Unnai Arindhaal (2018) on Jaya TV.[19] She played the antagonist's role in Sandakozhi 2 (2018) and Sarkar (2018).[20] She worked on her first Telugu film, Tenali Ramakrishna BA. BL (2019).[21] She has played a role in investigative thriller Danny (2020) in which she tried out the role of a cop.[22] [23]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Films

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List of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar film credits
Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2012 Podaa Podi Nisha Tamil credited as Varu Sarathkumar
2014 Maanikya Sindhu Kannada
2015 Ranna Herself Special appearance in the song "What To Do"
2016 Kasaba Kamala Malayalam
Tharai Thappattai Sooravali Tamil
2017 Vikram Vedha Chandra
Nibunan Inspector Vandhana CB-CID
Vismaya Kannada
Sathya ACP Anuya Bharathwaj Tamil
Kaattu Muthu Lakshmi Malayalam
Masterpiece ACP Bhavani Durga IPS
2018 Mr. Chandramouli Bairavi Tamil
Echcharikkai Swetha
Sandakozhi 2 Pechankarasi (Pechi)
Sarkar Komala Valli (Pappa)
Maari 2 Vijaya
2019 Neeya 2 Devi
Tenali Ramakrishna BA. BL Varalakshmi Devi Telugu
2020 Velvet Nagaram Usha Tamil
Danny Inspector Kunthavai
Kanni Raasi Anjali
2021 Krack Jayamma Telugu
Naandhi Adv.Aadhya Mullapudi
Ranam Police officer Kannada
Chasing Athira Tamil
Singa Paarvai Divya
2022 Pakka Commercial Lawyer Telugu Cameo appearance
Iravin Nizhal Prema Kumari Tamil
Poikkal Kuthirai Rudhra
Kaatteri Mathamma [24]
Yashoda Madhu Bala Telugu [25]
2023 V3 Sivagami Tamil
Veera Simha Reddy Bhanumathi Reddy Telugu
Michael Kannamma
Kannitheevu Madhi Tamil [26]
Kondraal Paavam Mallika [27]
Agent Ricky's mother Telugu [28]
Maruthi Nagar Police Station Archana Tamil
Kota Bommali PS Razia Ali Telugu
2024 Hanu Man Anjamma [29]
Sabari Sanjana [30]
Raayan Sethu's wife Tamil Cameo appearance
Mr. Celebrity Telugu
Max Roopa Kannada

Television

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List of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar television credits
Year Title Role Network Language Note
2018 Enga Veetu Mapillai Herself Colors Tamil Tamil
Unnai Arindhaal Host Jaya TV
2019 High Priestess Vaishnavi Zee5 Telugu Guest appearance in Episode 6[31]
2020 Addham Shruti Aha Segment: The Unwhisperable Secret
Ummadi Kutumbam Tho Kammati Bhojanam[32] Herself Zee Telugu
2023 Mansion 24 Amrutha Disney+Hotstar [33]

Awards and nominations

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List of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar awards and nominations
Year Award Work Result Ref.
2012 Vijay Award for Best Debut Actress Podaa Podi Won [citation needed]
Edison Award for Best Debut Actress Won [citation needed]
2016 6th South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Debut Actress Kasaba Nominated [citation needed]
6th South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Actress (Critics) Tharai Thappattai Won [citation needed]
Behindwoods Gold Medals Won [citation needed]
2017 Edison Award for Best Character Role – Female Vikram Vedha Won [citation needed]
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Nominated [4]
7th South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Supporting Actress Won [citation needed]
2018 Behindwoods Gold Medals Sarkar & Sandakozhi 2 Won [citation needed]
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards for Best Villain – Female Won [citation needed]
2019 8th South Indian International Movie Awards Won [citation needed]
17th Santosham Film Awards Won [citation needed]
2024 IIFA Utsavam for Supporting Actress – Telugu Veera Simha Reddy Won

References

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  1. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (3 April 2018). "Varalaxmi's fan moment with Kamal Haasan". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Simbu follows Ajith". The Times of India. Times News Network. 9 November 2012. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  3. ^ Mangandan, K.R. (20 October 2012). "Worth the wait". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Nominations for the 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018". Filmfare. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  5. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (7 March 2019). "Varalaxmi gets a moniker". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Happy Birthday Varalaxmi Sarathkumar: The Complete Actress of South Cinema". The Times of India. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  7. ^ Sharadhaa, A (29 April 2014). "Varalaxmi is Excited about Maanikya". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Varalakshmi: I always wanted to become an actress". Rediff. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Carving their own niche". The New Indian Express. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Best Arts and Science College in Chennai | Hindustan College of Arts & Science". hcaschennai.edu.in. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar engaged to Mumbai-based gallerist Nicholai Sachdev". The News Minute. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  12. ^ "AR Rahman and Mani Ratnam among stars at Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Nicholai Sachdev's wedding reception. See photos". The Indian Express. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Ties The Knot In An Intimate Wedding In Thailand". News18. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  14. ^ Srinivasan, Pavithra. "Review: Varalakhsmy shines in Poda Podi". Rediff. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Review : (2012)". Sify. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015.
  16. ^ Raghavan, Nikhil (27 June 2015). "Star scions". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  17. ^ "'Kasaba': Mammootty's next with Renji Panicker's son starts rolling". OnManorama. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  18. ^ ""Can't Work With Male Chauvinists.": Actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Walks Out Of A Movie Set!". Just For Women. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  19. ^ "Here's how 'Unnai Arindhal' host Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and mother Chaya helped migrant labour". The Times of India. 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  20. ^ "It was fun playing villain in 'Sandakozhi 2': Varalaxmi". 13 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Varalaxmi Sarathkumar to debut in Telugu with 'Tenali Ramakrishna BA BL'". The News Minute. 16 January 2019. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  22. ^ K, Janani (3 July 2020). "Varalaxmi's Danny and Yogi Babu's Cocktail to have its digital premiere on Zee5". India Today. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Varalaxmi is now Makkal Selvi!". The Times of India. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  24. ^ "Varalaxmi, Aathmika, Sonam and Manali in Katteri". The Times of India. 21 April 2018. Archived from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  25. ^ Hymavati, Ravali (15 December 2021). "Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Joins The Cast Of Samantha's 'Yashoda' Movie". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's Kannitheevu to premiere directly on TV". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  27. ^ "Kondraal Paavam Movie Review: An effective suspense drama shouldered by compelling performances". Cinema Express. 10 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  28. ^ Nyayapati, Neeshita (28 April 2023). "Agent Movie Review : Akhil Akkineni has fun; the audience - not so much". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Kiccha Sudeepa Unveils Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's Fierce First Look From 'HANU-MAN'". Outlook. 4 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  30. ^ "It's a wrap for Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's Sabari". Cinema Express. 8 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  31. ^ Ramachandran, Mythily (24 April 2019). "Telugu web series 'High Priestess' explores psychic world". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Lakshmi Manchu shares an emotional note on daughter Nirvana's debut TV appearance; says, 'My real purpose in life came to light after I became a mother'". The Times of India. 10 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Trailer of Varalaxmi sarathkumar's Mansion 24 series out". Cinema Express. 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
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