View source for Revathi

{{short description|Indian actress}}
{{other uses}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Revathi
| image              = Revathi at the screening of Masaala at PVR Phoenix (1) (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Revathi at the screening of ''Masaala'' at PVR
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|07|08}}
| birth_place        = [[Kochi]], Kerala, India<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=malayalamcinema.com, Official website of AMMA, Malayalam Film news, Malayalam Movie Actors & Actress, Upcoming Malayalam movies |url=https://www.malayalamcinema.com/meet-star/profile/revathy-asha-kelunni |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=www.malayalamcinema.com}}</ref>
| birth_name         = Asha Kelunni <ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/revathi-birthday-love-to-mouna-ragam-popular-movies-of-the-evergreen-actress-8263531.html|title=Revathi Birthday: Love to Mouna Ragam, Popular Movies of the Evergreen Actress|website=News18}}</ref>
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actress|film director|social worker}}
| years_active       = 1983–present
| works              = [[Revathi filmography|Full list]]
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Suresh Chandra Menon]]|1986|2013|end=divorce}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Court-grants-divorce-to-actor-Revathi/articleshow/19687425.cms |title=Court grants divorce to actor Revathi |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=6 September 2015 |date=23 April 2013}}</ref>
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Revathi|Full list]]
| honours            = [[Kalaimamani]] (1993)
| relatives          = [[Geetha Vijayan]] (cousin)<br />[[Niranjana Anoop]] (niece)
<ref name=DC1>{{cite web |title=Films, a family affair! |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/290417/films-a-family-affair.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429022505/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/290417/films-a-family-affair.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2017 |website=Deccan Chronicle |date=29 April 2017}}</ref>
| children           = 1
}}

'''Asha Kelunni Nair''' (born 8 July 1966), better known by her [[stage name]] '''Revathi''', is an Indian actress and director, known for her works predominantly in [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam]] cinema - in addition to [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Hindi]] and [[Kannada]] films.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="The Times of India">{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/happy-birthday-revathi-interesting-facts-about-the-actress/etphotostory/84225724.cms | title=Happy Birthday Revathi: Interesting facts about the actress | website=[[The Times of India]] | date=8 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/demure-daring-actor-revathy-s-multi-faceted-film-career-74371 |title=From demure to daring, actor Revathy's multi-faceted film career |date=8 January 2018}}</ref>

She was one of the most successful leading actresses of South Indian cinema and has won several accolades, including three [[National Film Awards]], and seven [[Filmfare Awards South]].<ref>{{cite web |title=40th National Film Awards – 1993 |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/40th_nff_1993.pdf |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals – 1993 |access-date=5 July 2013}}</ref> She also won the [[Kerala State Film Awards|Kerala State Film Award]] for her performance in ''[[Bhoothakaalam]]'' (2022).<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2022 |title=It took her 40 years to reach me, I want to dedicate the state award to myself: Revathi |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/25/revathi-best-actor-speech-kerala-state-film-awards.html |access-date=25 September 2022 |website=Onmanorama |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==
Revathi was born as Asha Kelunni Nair to Kelunni, a major in the [[Indian Army]], and Lalitha Kelunni in [[Kochi]], Kerala.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/><ref name="The Times of India" />.In a 2024 interview, Revathi stated that her mother is a [[Tamil Brahmin|Palakkad Tamil Brahmin]].<ref name="revathi-mom">{{cite web |title=Revathi Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwIQh7WllCQ |website=YouTube |access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

When she was in school, she took part in a fashion show. Group photos were taken during the show and a photo was chosen to be the cover of a popular Tamil magazine. This happened to be her photo, which was seen by the director [[Bharathiraja]], who at that time was on the lookout for a new heroine for his latest venture, ''[[Mann Vasanai]]''.<ref name="Saravanan">{{Cite news |last=Saravanan |first=T. |date=9 January 2011 |title=Always in reckoning |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/Always-in-reckoning/article15512011.ece |url-status=live |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406121941/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/Always-in-reckoning/article15512011.ece |archive-date=6 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="NewsMinute">{{Cite news |last=Shekar |first=Anjana |date=8 January 2018 |title=From demure to daring, actor Revathy's multi-faceted film career |work=[[The News Minute]] |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/demure-daring-actor-revathy-s-multi-faceted-film-career-74371 |url-status=live |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808104633/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/demure-daring-actor-revathy-s-multi-faceted-film-career-74371 |archive-date=8 August 2018}}</ref>

==Career==
{{main|Revathi filmography}}

She made her acting debut with the Tamil film ''[[Mann Vasanai (film)|Mann Vasanai]]'' in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramesh |first=Neeraja |date=16 August 2019 |title=Make way for women of substance on screen |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/make-way-for-women-of-substance-on-screen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191019190055/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/make-way-for-women-of-substance-on-screen/ |archive-date=19 October 2019 |access-date=19 October 2019 |website=The Times of India |language=en-US}}</ref> The film was a silver jubilee hit and she was rewarded with a [[Filmfare Special Award – South]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/demure-daring-actor-revathy-s-multi-faceted-film-career-74371 |title=Demure-daring-actor-revathy-s-multi-faceted-film-career |website=The News minute |date=8 January 2018}}</ref> She then made her Malayalam film debut with the movie titled ''[[Kattathe Kilikkoodu]]'' in 1983. This film too hit the gold at the box office and was among her biggest hits of the 1980s. .<ref>{{cite news |last=Aravind |first=C. V. |title=Nedumudi Venu: Malayalam cinema's man for all seasons |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nedumudi-venu-malayalam-cinemas-man-all-seasons-57525 |access-date=19 November 2019 |work=[[The News Minute]] |date=20 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kurup |first=Aradhya |title='Kattathe Kilikkoode': Bharathan's film is a commentary on the yin and yang of marriage |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kattathe-kilikkoodu-bharathan-s-film-commentary-yin-and-yang-marriage-112467 |access-date=19 November 2019 |work=[[The News Minute]] |date=17 November 2019}}</ref> She was introduced to Telugu film industry with 1984 films, ''[[Seethamma Pelli]]'' by director Bapu  and  ''[[Manasa Veena (1984 film)|Manasa Veena]]''.<ref name="Saravanan"/><ref name="NewsMinute"/> Revathy went on to play a blind, rape-survivor Seetha in Tamil in [[Mahendran (filmmaker)|Mahendran]]’s ''[[Kai Kodukkum Kai]]'' (1984) opposite [[Rajinikanth]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/tamil-features/tribute-j-mahendran-who-began-his-directing-career-with-the-rajinikanth-starring-mullum-malarum/ |title=Tribute: J Mahendran, Who Began His Directing Career With The Rajinikanth-starring 'Mullum Malarum' |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=2 April 2019 |website=[[Film Companion]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611191756/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/tamil-features/tribute-j-mahendran-who-began-his-directing-career-with-the-rajinikanth-starring-mullum-malarum/ |archive-date=11 June 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="MM1">{{Cite news |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/11/29234855/actor-rajini--act-in-kai-koduk.html |title=கன்னடத்தில் இருந்து தமிழுக்கு வந்த கை கொடுக்கும் கை |date=29 November 2007 |work=[[Maalai Malar]] |access-date=4 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030123954/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2012/11/29234855/actor-rajini--act-in-kai-koduk.html |archive-date=30 October 2014 |language=ta}}</ref> Revathy went on to play Seetha in ''[[Pudhumai Penn (1984 film)|Pudhumai Penn]]'' (1984) directed by [[Bharathiraja]]. The same year she also did ''[[Vaidehi Kathirunthal]]'', directed by [[R. Sundarrajan]].
[[File:Revathi menon.jpg|thumb|Revathi speaking about organ donation]]

She was versatile in her choice of roles and often played strong, relatable women characters. Her big break, the one that put her name high on the charts, was her portrayal of Divya, a very spirited and headstrong girl who transforms into a [[woman]] through the course of the movie, in [[Mani Ratnam]]’s ''[[Mouna Ragam]]'' (1986).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/demure-daring-actor-revathy-s-multi-faceted-film-career-74371 |title=From demure to daring, actor Revathy's multi-faceted film career |date=8 January 2018}}</ref>

She was cast opposite [[Kamal Haasan]] in ''[[Punnagai Mannan]]'' in 1986. Revathi won several accolades for her role in the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/entertainment/2018/nov/01/32-years-of-punnagai-mannan-why-the-kamal-haasan-film-is-still-in-our-hearts-101890.html |title=32 years of 'Punnagai Mannan': Why the Kamal Haasan film is still in our hearts|date=November 2018 }}</ref> The film too was a huge hit and established her as one of the most sought after actress of Tamil film industry. She finally won her first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam|Best Actress Award]] for her splendid performance in the Malayalam film ''[[Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal]]'' in 1988. She won her [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress Award]] for Tamil film industry with the film titled ''[[Kizhakku Vaasal]]'' in 1990. She gave hits after hits and gave one of her finest performance in [[Priyadarshan]]’s Malayalam film ''[[Kilukkam]]'' (1991). She made her debut in Hindi with [[Suresh Krissna]]’s ''[[Love (1991 Indian film)|Love]]'' (1991), co-starring [[Salman Khan]]. She then won a [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]] under the category of [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for her Tamil film ''[[Thevar Magan]]'' in 1992. She was at the peak of her career in the early 1990s. She also gave occasional appearance in Telugu and Kannada films as well. Revathy again won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil|Filmfare Award]] in [[Balu Mahendra]]’s ''[[Marupadiyum]]'' (1993). The golden run lasted until the end of the 1990s, after appearing in some of her most well-regarded films in that decade ''[[Anjali (1990 film)|Anjali]]'' (1990), ''Thevar Magan'' (1992), ''[[Magalir Mattum (1994 film)|Magalir Mattum]]'' (1994) were already behind her. She has also won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize]] for ''[[Thalaimurai]]'' in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rrtd.nic.in/Film%20Bulletin-July.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 October 2009 |archive-date=30 April 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030430210643/http://rrtd.nic.in/Film%20Bulletin-July.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Abhishekh Bachchan Revathi and Amithabh Bhachchan still3.jpg|left|thumb|Revathi with [[Amitabh Bachchan]] and [[Abhishek Bachchan]] at an event]]

Hindi audiences have savoured Revathi in ''[[Margarita with a Straw]]'' (2014) and ''[[2 States (2014 film)|2 States]]'' (2014). She has appeared in the Tamil films ''[[Pa Paandi]]'' (2017), ''[[Jackpot (2019 film)|Jackpot]]'' (2019), and in the Malayalam ''[[Virus (2019 film)|Virus]]'' (2019).

She was seen in the bilingual Telugu and Hindi film ''[[Major (film)|Major]]'' (2022), where she portrayed [[Sandeep Unnikrishnan|Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan]]'s mother, Dhanalakshmi.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 June 2022 |title=Major movie review: Adivi Sesh's homage to the 26/11 hero is flawed but effective |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/major-movie-review-sandeep-unnikrishnan-7949642/ |access-date=2 June 2022 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

In addition to acting, Revathi has directed three features (''[[Mitr, My Friend]]'', ''[[Phir Milenge (2004 film)|Phir Milenge]]'' and ''[[Salaam Venky]]'') and contributed an episode each to the anthology films ''[[Kerala Cafe]]'' and the unreleased ''[[Mumbai Cutting]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revathi's in the movie. Enough said |date=23 September 2021 |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1005992/revathis-in-the-movie-enough-said}}</ref>

She won [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress]] and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Malayalam]] in ''[[Bhoothakaalam]]'' (2022).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/heres-why-revathy-said-yes-to-bhoothakaalam-which-won-her-the-kerala-state-film-award-for-best-actress/articleshow/92745766.cms|title = Here's why Revathy said yes to 'Bhoothakaalam', which won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress| newspaper=The Times of India | date=8 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/winners-of-the-68th-filmfare-awards-south-malayalam-2023_-67192.html|title = Winners of the 68th Filmfare Awards South (Malayalam) 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Revathi married cinematographer and director [[Suresh Chandra Menon]] in 1986. The couple did not have any children. However, following differences between them, they started living separately from 2002 and were granted  divorce on 23 April 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://poco-solar.de|title=Poco Solar|date=11 October 2022|website=Poco Solar}}</ref> by Chennai Additional Family Court.<ref>Deccan Chronicle http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130423/entertainment-mollywood/article/revathi-suresh-granted-divorce {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527200823/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130423/entertainment-mollywood/article/revathi-suresh-granted-divorce |date=27 May 2013 }}</ref>

In 2018, she revealed that she has a five-year old biological daughter through [[in vitro fertilisation]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/news/cinema/51259-actress-revathi-open-talks-about-her-daughter.html |title=சோதனை குழாய் மூலம் குழந்தை பெற்றேன்.. மனம் திறந்த நடிகை ரேவதி..! |website=Puthiya Thalaimurai|date=2 November 2023 }}</ref>

==In the media==
[[File:Mohd. Hamid Ansari presenting the Rajat Kamal Award to Ms Revathy for BEST FILM ON FAMILY VALUES Red Building where the Sun Sets (English), at the 59th National Film Awards function.jpg|thumb|Revathi receiving the Rajat Kamal award at the 59th Film Awards]]

Revathi is a trained [[Bharatanatyam]] dancer, having studied since the age of seven and performed her [[arangetram (dance)|arangetram]] in [[Chennai]] in 1979.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |author=Harsha Koda (www.jalakara.com) |url=http://revathy.com/loves.htm |title=revathy.com |publisher=revathy.com |access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref> She has been considered one of the all-time top actresses of Tamil cinema and South Indian cinema. She was one of the  most successful leading actresses of South Indian cinema. Revathi was the only South Indian actress of 80s and 90s to win the Filmfare best actress award in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, including three consecutive wins in Tamil.  Apart from films, Revathi has been involved in a variety of social organisations, the most notable being the Banyan, Ability foundation, Tanker foundation and Vidyasagar, and has also served as a member of several [[film festival]]s including the [[Chennai International Film Festival]] and the [[International Film Festival of India]].<ref name="59thaward">{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=80734 |title=59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced |publisher=Press Information Bureau (PIB), India |access-date=7 March 2012}}</ref>

==Awards==
{{see also|List of awards and nominations received by Revathi}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Revathi}}
* {{Official website|http://www.revathy.com}}
* {{IMDb name|0720763}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|revathi}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Revathi
|list =
<!--{{Chalachitra Prathibha Award recipients}}-->
{{NationalFilmAwardBestSupportingActress}}
{{IFFI Silver Peacock - Special Jury Award and Special Mention|state=collapsed}}
{{FilmfareMalayalamBestActress}}
{{FilmfareTamilBestActress}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu}}
{{Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – Malayalam}}
{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestActress}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian people]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Kochi]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Indian women film directors]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Best Supporting Actress National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Kerala Film Critics Awards winners]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam television]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Indian voice actresses]]
[[Category:Film directors from Kochi]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Kerala]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil television]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu television]]
[[Category:Women artists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Tamil television directors]]
[[Category:Tamil television writers]]