Padmini

Born: 1932-06-12

Padmini (12 June 1932 – 24 September 2006) was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer, who acted in over 250 Indian films. She acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters". Padmini was born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, in what was then the princely state of Travancore (now the Indian state of Kerala). She was the second daughter of Sree Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma, both coming from noble Nair families. Her sisters Lalitha and Ragini, were also well known film actresses. Together, the three were known as the Travancore sisters. Padmini and her sisters learnt Bharathanatyam from Thiruvidaimarudur Mahalingam Pillai. The trio were the disciples of Indian dancer Guru Gopinath. They learnt Kathakali and Kerala Natanam styles of dancing from him. N.S. Krishnan noticed her talents while she was presenting Parijatha Pushpapaharanam in Thiruvananthapuram. After that performance, he said that in the future she would become an actress. She was thus cast as heroine in his own production Manamagal. The Travancore Sisters grew up in a joint family tharavadu (Malaya Cottage) in Poojappura, Trivandrum. The matriarchial head of the family was Karthiyayini Amma, whose husband was P.K. Pillai (Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala) alias "Penang Padmanabha Pillai". P.K. Pillai had six sons, of whom Satyapalan Nair (Baby) was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards. Padmini was a leading actress and one of the highest paid actresses of the 50s, 60s and 70s. She is also known as one of the charming beauty queens of the 50s and 60s. She was given the title "Natya Peroli" in Tamil Nadu because of her excellent Bharatnatyam performances in Tamil films. Her Tamil movie Thillana Mohanambal, is a cult classic of Tamil cinema and continues to be remembered even today. Her beautiful performance in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai was outstanding and made her a national star.


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Mera Naam Joker

as Meenu
Released: 1970-12-18

Raju faces many hurdles and disappointments in matters of the heart throughout his life. But as...

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Journey Beyond Three Seas

as Court Dancer Lakshmi
Released: 1957-12-13

This first co-production of the Soviet and Indian cinematographers is dedicated to the Tver...

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Singapore

as Lata
Released: 1960-01-01

When his employee disappears in Singapore, Shyam travels from India to investigate the absence...

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Veerapandiya Kattabomman

as Vellayamma
Released: 1959-05-16

After the East India Company forces Kattabomman, the king of Panchalankurichi, to pay taxes and...

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Thillana Mohanambal

as Mohanambal
Released: 1968-07-27

A classical bharathanatyam dancer and a nathaswaram player fall in love against the wishes of...

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Rickshawkaran

as Parvathi
Released: 1971-05-29

A rickshaw puller, who also enjoys racing with other rickshaw pullers, finds a child whose...

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Dard Ka Rishta

as uncredited
Released: 1982-01-01

Time is running out for Khushbu, Ravi Sharma(Sunil Dutt)'s daughter. Her leukemia can be cured...

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Saraswathi Sabatham

as Parvathi
Released: 1966-09-03

Sage Narada instigates Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvathi against each other. The trio...

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Meenda Sorgam

as Nirmala
Released: 1960-07-29

Nirmala (Padmini) is a poor but talented young dancer who falls in love with a rich man's son...

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Mahabharat

as Draupadi
Released: 1965-01-01

A version of the epic Indian poem "The Mahabharata", telling the story of the war between the...

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Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu

as Kunjoonjamma Thomas
Released: 1984-10-26

Kunjoonjamma Thomas is a widow living in the village all by herself. People always make fun of...

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The Eternal Lamp

as Roopa
Released: 1958-01-01

Film starring Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala and Padmini

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Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai

as Kammo
Released: 1960-01-01

Raju informs the police about a group of bandits, even though he is in love with the chief's...

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Mastana

as Gauri
Released: 1970-10-16

A poor and lonely woman strikes up a friendship with a rich but neglected child, but her parents...

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Adi Parasakthi

as uncredited
Released: 1971-10-17

A man saved from death by God and told how God help others.

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Aashiq

as Preeti
Released: 1962-01-01

When Pratap learns that his fiancee is in love with his younger brother, Gopal, he steps aside...

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Mangayar Thilakam

as Sulochana
Released: 1955-08-26

The story starts with the special birthday celebration of a girl. Vasudevan (Sivaji Ganesan)...

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Vaazhkai

as Dancer
Released: 1949-12-23

Meenakshi, an unwed mother, leaves her baby in Nathan’s car after her lover, Moorthy, abandons...

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Paadha Kaanikkai

as uncredited
Released: 1962-07-14

Paadha Kaanikkai (English: Offering to the feet) is a 1962 Tamil-language drama film directed by...

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Maragatham

as Maragatham/Alamu
Released: 1959-08-21

One day, a landlord belonging to a rich family gets murdered and the crime is imposed on...

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Kumara Sambhavam

as Parvathi / Sathi
Released: 1969-12-26

Kumara Sambhavam is based on the epic poem of the poet Kalidasa of the same name.

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Amara Deepam

as Roopa
Released: 1956-06-20

Amara Deepam is a Tamil film is directed by T. Prakash Rao released in 1956. A educated...

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Raagini

as uncredited
Released: 1958-01-01

Binda, an old musician in a village near Bombay, has brought up his son Rajan, in the hope that...

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Naan Vanangum Deivam

as Rukmani
Released: 1963-04-12

A Tamil version of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein.

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Punar Janmam

as Parvathi
Released: 1961-04-21

Punar Janmam (Rebirth) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. S. Mani. The...

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Bhai Bahen

as Rani / Tara
Released: 1969-01-01

Raja Saheb (Ashok Kumar) is a rich man, strict father to sons Virendra (Sunil Dutt) and...

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Madurai Veeran

as Velliaiyamma
Released: 1956-04-12

Bommi, a princess, falls in love with Veeran, the adopted son of a cobbler, who reciprocates her...

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Afsana

as uncredited
Released: 1966-01-01

Gopal escapes from prison and finds shelter hos Shekhar, a man who hates all women.

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Mr. Sampat

as Malini
Released: 1952-12-25

The charming Mr. Sampat weaves his way into theatrical company with his moneymaking schemes,...

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Vanjikottai Valiban

as Princess Padma
Released: 1958-04-11

Vanjikkottai Valiban is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language romance film written by Gemini Studios...

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Poove Poochudava

as Poongavanathamma
Released: 1985-07-19

An elderly woman who is rich lives alone in a town. However, her life changes for the better...

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Vasthuhara

as Bhavani
Released: 1991-01-01

Vasthuhara (Malayalam: വാസ്തുഹാര English: The Dispossessed) is a Malayalam social film by the...

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Uzhaikkum Karangal

as uncredited
Released: 1976-05-23

Rangan is a servant at the house of Nagalingam, a rich and ruthless man. While he strives to...

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Thiruvarutchelvar

as uncredited
Released: 1967-07-28

When a dancer makes a king realise the insignificance of the worldly pleasures, he decides to...

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Nenjam Marappathillai

as uncredited
Released: 1963-08-02

A college sophomore, on a visit to his friend's village, explores a dilapidated and haunted...

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Bindya

as Bindya
Released: 1960-12-29

A government contractor desires a criminal brother-in-low to marry a girl, but she has fallen in...

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Sampoorna Ramayanam

as Seetha
Released: 1958-04-14

The story of the complete Ramayana, from the birth of Lord Rama to his Pattabhisheka after...

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Nannha Farishta

as Gauri
Released: 1969-01-01

Govind, Nazir and Joseph decide to give up the world of crime when a little girl enters their life.

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Mallika

as uncredited
Released: 1957-06-01

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Laila Majnu

as Dancer
Released: 1949-09-30

Khayas falls in love with Laila but her father refuses the alliance, which leaves Khayas...

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Deiva Piravi

as Thangam
Released: 1960-04-12

Madhavan marries Thangam. He takes care of Thangam’s mother and brother along with his younger...

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Iruvar Ullam

as uncredited
Released: 1963-03-29

The story revolves around Selvam, an easygoing youngster who befriends many girls without the...

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Thirumaal Perumai

as Dancer
Released: 1968-02-16

Thirumal Perumai tells three spell-bounding stories about how far you can get with Lord Vishnus

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Vidivelli

as Rosie
Released: 1960-12-31

Chandru (Sivaji Ganesan) has a sister (Rajam) who is married to a handsome Ravi (Balaji). But...

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Kaajal

as uncredited
Released: 1965-01-01

The Munim (Clerk) in Ranimaa's family lives with his son, Kaushal and daughter, Madhavi. After...

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Payal

as uncredited
Released: 1957-01-01

A remake of the director's own Tamil film Mallika (1957).

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Then Nilavu

as uncredited
Released: 1961-09-30

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Vietnam Veedu

as uncredited
Released: 1970-04-10

Prestige Padmanabha Iyer retires from his company executive position and has a lonely and...

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Annai Velankanni

as uncredited
Released: 1971-08-15

Mary, a nurse in a hospital, narrates the tale of how Mother Mary helped Kamakshi and her son...

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Dil Hi To Hai

as Bahar
Released: 1963-01-01

Children are exchanged by greedy aunt and uncle in childhood and they live undeserved lives.

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Aurat

as uncredited
Released: 1967-08-18

A woman responsible for her mother and 7 siblings faces challenges after marrying a widower with...

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Vikramaadhithan

as uncredited
Released: 1962-10-27

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The Maiden's Lover

as Dancer
Released: 1949-08-06

After a shipwreck, Chandrika who's disguised as a man falls in love with Prince Vasanthakumar...

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Annaiyin Aanai

as uncredited
Released: 1958-07-04

Ganesh's father is falsely accused of a crime and murdered in prison. Years later, his mother...

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Raj Tilak

as uncredited
Released: 1958-01-01

A young man goes on a quest to find his mother and to restore justice in a kingdom that has...

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Edhir Paradhathu

as Sumathi
Released: 1954-12-09

Ethirpaaraathathu narrates the story of star-crossed lovers Sundar (Sivaji Ganesan) and Sumathi...

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Panam

as Jeeva
Released: 1952-12-27

Panam (English: Money) is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by N. S. Krishnan. The...

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Snehaseema

as uncredited
Released: 1954-12-30

An orphan raised by the local priest becomes a teacher and falls in love with the rich school...

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Amarakavi

as Special appearance
Released: 1952-02-09

Amarakavi (English: Immortal Poet) is a 1952 Indian Tamil language film produced and directed by...

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Prasanna

as Madanika
Released: 1950-08-17

Thampi and Menon decide to strengthen their relations. Thampi decides to marry Madanika and...

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Vivahitha

as uncredited
Released: 1970-01-01

Meena marries her brother-in-law after her sister dies, even though she is in love with...

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Umminithanka

as uncredited
Released: 1961-04-14

Umminithanka is a 1961 Indian Malayalam film, directed by G Viswanath and produced by PK...

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Thigambara Samiar

as uncredited
Released: 1950-09-29

When Sattanathan, a corrupt lawyer, forces Vadivambal to marry his brother, a Chokkalingam...

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Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha

as uncredited
Released: 1970-12-11

Sabarimala Sree Dharmashastha is a 1970 Indian Malayalam film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair

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Rani Samyuktha

as Rani Samyuktha
Released: 1962-01-14

Prithvirajan falls in love with princess Samyuktha, but her father Jayachandran insults him by...

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Marthanda Varma

as Parukutty
Released: 1933-05-13

Based on the novel Marthandavarma, the film recounts the adventures of the crown Prince,...

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