Sharada Gaaru was recently given the JC Daniel Award, the highest film honor of Kerala Govt for her contribution to Malayalam cinema. While her body of work in Telugu cinema is well known, it was Malayalam cinema that actually gave her the recognition first.
Sharada Gaaru's real name is Saraswati Devi, and she was from Tenali. She mostly played supporting roles in her initial Telugu movies, though she did play the heroine opposite ANR in Iddaru Mitrulu, for a long time she was mostly in second rung roles, appearing opposite comedians or side heroes.
It was in 1965, that she got noticed as a lead actress in series of roles in Malayalam movies like Murappenu, Kattu Thulasi, Iruttinte Athmavu mostly opposite Prem Nazir. Her first national award came for Thulabharam in 1967, where she marries a trade union leader, who is murdered, leading to hard times, and out of desperation kills her own children and tries to commit suicide. Arrested she is defended in court by her former best friend, a lawyer.
She went on to win the National Award twice after that for Swayamvaram(1972) and Nimmajnam( Telugu, 1978).
Swayamvaram opposite Madhu, has her playing the role of a heroine, forced into a marriage she was against, and her struggle. In Nimmajanam she plays a Brahmin housewife who becomes victim of a rape and her trauma.
The 1969 Telugu remake of Thulabaram, Manushulu Marali opposite Shoban Babu, was what made her a leading star in Telugu. She had a very succesful combo with Shoban Babu in fact during the 70s, a series of hits like Sharada, Balipeetam, Manavudu Daanavudu, Kaalam Marindi saw her become one of the leading heroines in Telugu. The 80s and 90s saw her shift into character roles, mostly playing Amma, Vadina or strong supporting characters. Movies like Pratidwani in 1986, showcased her ability to pull a movie on her own strength.
Even after her success in Telugu cinema, she still kept acting in many memorable roles in Malayalam, where she got her major break, and which made her get noticed as a lead actress.
Sharada Gaaru completely deserves the top honor given to her by the Kerala Govt, and she was also awarded the NTR Award in 2010 by Andhra Pradesh Govt for her contribution to cinema.
She in fact was not active in recent times, kept away from public appearances, and this award ceremony by Kerala Govt saw her appear again.
Posted Jan 30, 2026, 5:14 AM UTC