Tara
Biography
**Anuradha**, widely known by her screen name **Tara** (born March 4, 1973), is an Indian actress and politician celebrated for her naturalistic performances, dramatic depth, and versatile character roles across Kannada cinema. Over a career spanning more than four decades, she has won a National Film Award, multiple Karnataka State Film Awards, and a Filmfare Award South, establishing herself as one of the finest actors in South Indian cinema.
Born and raised in Bengaluru, Tara made her screen acting debut in 1984 with the Tamil film *Ingeyum Oru Gangai*, directed by Manivannan. She entered Kannada cinema with films like *Thulasidala* (1985) and the Rajkumar-starrer *Guri* (1986), quickly becoming a dependable leading and supporting actress. During the late 1980s, she made notable appearances in Mani Ratnam's acclaimed Tamil classics *Nayakan* (1987) and *Agni Natchathiram* (1988), alongside successful ventures in Telugu and Kannada mainstream cinema.
Through the 1990s and 2000s, Tara transitioned effortlessly into author-backed, parallel, and art-house cinema. She earned critical acclaim for Girish Karnad's *Kanooru Heggadithi* (1999) and T. S. Nagabharana's *Mathadana* (2002). Her crowning artistic achievement arrived with Girish Kasaravalli's *Hasina* (2004), where her sensitive portrayal of a resilient Muslim woman challenging triple talaq won her the National Film Award for Best Actress. She delivered another powerhouse performance as Mridula in A. M. R. Ramesh's docudrama *Cyanide* (2006), earning the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress.
In later years, Tara established herself as a revered character actor, bringing emotional weight and sharp comedic timing to contemporary favorites such as *Ulidavaru Kandanthe* (2014), *Hebbet Ramakka* (2018), and *Tagaru Palya* (2023). Beyond cinema, she served as a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council (MLC) and as the President of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. Married to noted cinematographer H. C. Venugopal, she remains an enduring cultural and artistic icon in the Kannada film fraternity.
Movies 115
Nayakan
as Shakila
1987
Maattrraan
as Sudha
2012
Bete
1986
Ulidavaru Kandanthe
as Ratnakka
2014
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata
1996
Server Somanna
1993
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
as Ramabai
2005
January 1
1984
Maneli Ili Beedili Huli
1990
Ingeyum Oru Gangai
as Maruthayi
1984
Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu
2008
Sathkara
1986
Kempe Gowda
as Kavya's Mother
2011
Deadly Soma
2005
Thumbida Mane
1995
Eradane Maduve
as The head of Maid's association
2010
Roshagni
as Rathna
2027
Deva
1989
Brahmastra
1986
Killer Diary
1995
Hello Sister
1995
Belli Kalungura
1992
School Master
2010
Agni Natchathiram
as Mallika
1988
Paravaigal Palavitham
1988
Pandu Ranga Vittala
2005
Muddina Maava
1993
Hebbet Ramakka
2018
Ee Bandhana
as Sukanya
2007
Thayigobba Karna
1988
Kotee
as Sujatha
2024
Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar
as Muthappa's wife
1990
Munnudi
as Rukhiya
2000
C.B.I Shiva
1991
Modalasala
as Deepu's mother
2010
Hagalu Vesha
2000
Undoo Hoda Kondoo Hoda
1992
Pelli Chesi Choodu
1988
Dhani
1996
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
as Mary
1998
Nanagu Hendthi Beku
1991
Premagni
1989
Kaanooru Heggadithi
as Subbamma
1999
Ranaranga
as Bhavana
1988
Premotsava
1999
Golmal Part 2
1991
Vaamana
2025
Badava Rascal
2021
Gadibidi Krishna
1998
Prana Snehitha
1993
Nalla
as Dr. Sarla Desai
2004
Vetri Vinayagar
as Mallika
1996
Matthondu Charithre
1986
Ibbaru Hendira Muddina Police
1991
Aadi Lakshmi Puraana
as Shanthamma
2019
Bhagavan Sri Saibaba
1993
Ninagagi
as Rukkamma
2002
Guri
1986
Banni Ondsala Nodi
1991
Ivalentha Hendthi
1990
Hendthighelbedi
as Inspector Srinivas Wife
1989
Jyeshta
2004
Neti Siddhartha
as Rekha
1990
Sundara Swapnagalu
1986
Gandhada Gudi Part 2
1994
Kotigalu Saar Kotigalu
as Shalini/Shalu, Moni's wife
2001
Malashree Mamashree
1992
Mr. Raja
1987
Auto Shankar
2005
Shubha Milana
1987
Durga Shakthi
1999
Sangliyana
1988
Mojina Maduve
1993
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997
Mathadana
2001
Haseena
as Hasina
2004
Shubha Lagna
1995
Halli Meshtru
1992
Atharva
2018
Sura Sundaranga
1989
Shravani Subramanya
as Anuradha
2013
Neelambari
2001
Jeevanadi
1996
Anand
as Asha
1986
Hare Rama Hare Krishna
2011
Padmavyuha
1989
Elra Kaaleliyatte Kaala
2026
Gili Bete
1992
Nighooda Rahasya
1990
Sathriyan
2017
Amruthavarshini
as Vimala
1997
Devara Maga
as Sundari
2000
Sipayi
1996
Birugaali
as Hacchi's mother
2009
Hendithghelthini
1998
Thulasi
as Ponni
1987
Sididedda Gandu
1990
Kilambitaangayaa Kilambitaangayaa
2018
Maneye Manthralaya
1986
Paris Pranaya
as "Cell" Seetha
2003
En Swamy Aliyandire
1989
Diggajaru
as Gowri
2001
Sathya Vaakku
1990
Avale Nanna Hendthi
as Gayathri
Alexander
1994
Galaate
2013
Mathrudevobhava
1988
Galate Aliyandru
2000
Madhura Bandhavya
1986
Nagaradalli Nayakaru
1992
Nagu Naguta Nali
1991
Shwethagni
1991
Mayor Prabhakar
1994
Evadu Thakkuva Kaadu
2019
