| Rama | |
| Birth Name: | Shanthi |
| Birth Place: | Pudukkottai, Tamilnadu |
| Yearsactive: | 1990 2010-present |
| Spouse: | Venkatesh (m. 1991–present) |
| Children: | 2 |
| Relatives: | Vizhuthugal Serial Latha (Younger sister) |
Rama is an Indian actress who has appeared in the Tamil film industry in 1990. After her marriage in 1991, she stopped acting in movies and settled with her husband Venkatesh and two sons. However she made a film comeback in the 2010 movie Aval Peyar Thamizharasi in mother roles and also acting with other supporting roles and TV serials.
Shanthi was a volleyball player for the Tamil Nadu team when director Bharathiraja cast her in En Uyir Thozhan (1990). The director had continued his tradition of christening his heroines in new names beginning with "R", and "Rama" was subsequently the name given to her. Though it fared poorly at the box office, critics since have applauded the film in hindsight. She was cast in a movie Anthi Varum Neram along with her sister Latha as lead heroine role (1990) The failure of the film prompted her to stop appearing in Tamil films.[1] [2]
She made a brief return in 2010, playing a mother role in Aval Peyar Thamizharasi before earning critical acclaim as Karthi’s feisty, possessive mother in Pa. Ranjith’s Madras (2014). She has since also been a part of A. R. Murugadoss’ Kaththi (2014), where she played Vijay’s mother, and the political drama Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai (2015). She also acted in television serials such as Bharathiraja's Appanum Athaalum which was telecast on Kalaignar TV and also in serials Avalum Penn Thaane and Kanavarukaaga which were telecast on Sun TV.[2]
Rama married Venkatesh in 1991. The couple have two sons.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | En Uyir Thozhan | Chittu | |
| Anthi Varum Neram | Latha | ||
| Ladies Hostel | Geetha | ||
| 2010 | Aval Peyar Thamizharasi | Tamizharasi's mother | |
| 2011 | Minsaram | Ilavarasu's mother | |
| Maithanam | |||
| Pillaiyar Theru Kadaisi Veedu | Valli's mother | ||
| Mambattiyan | Kannathaal's mother | ||
| 2014 | Madras | Kaali's mother | |
| Kaththi | Jeeva's mother | ||
| 2015 | Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai | Yamalingam's mother | |
| 2016 | Avan Aval | ||
| Kabali | Mallika | ||
| Thirunaal | Vithya's mother | ||
| 2017 | Senjittale En Kadhala | Veera's mother | |
| Kootathil Oruthan | Arvind's mother | ||
| Podhuvaga Emmanasu Thangam | Ganesh's mother | ||
| Kurangu Bommai | Kathir's mother | ||
| 2018 | Kanaa | Savitri, Kousalya's mother | |
| Mohini | Mohini's mother | ||
| 2019 | Vaandu | ||
| Natpuna Ennanu Theriyuma | Shiva's mother | ||
| Jiivi | Sivagami | ||
| Kazhugu 2 | Merly's mother | ||
| Namma Veettu Pillai | Maniyakkarar's wife | ||
| Bigil | Angel's mother | ||
| Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu | Selvam's mother | ||
| 2021 | Naanum Single Thaan | Udhay's mother | |
| Vettai Naai | |||
| Sulthan | Villager | ||
| Kasada Thapara | Kanmani's mother | ||
| Sabhaapathy | Saavithri's mother | ||
| Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum | |||
| 3:33 | Kathir's mother | ||
| 2022 | Veetla Vishesham | Unni's sister | |
| Yaanai | Jebarani | ||
| Jiivi 2 | Sivagami | ||
| 2023 | Ariyavan | ||
| Parking | Selvi | ||
| 2024 | Devil | Hema's mother | |
| Veppam Kulir Mazhai | Pottu | ||
| Veerayi Makkal | Sornam | ||
| Year | Program Name | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Engga Hostel | Lecturer | Amazon Prime Video | |
| Label | Prabha's mother |