
Padmini
Known for Acting · 116 credits
- Born
- 1932-06-12
- Died
- 2006-09-24
- Place of birth
- Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore, British India
- Also known as
- Падмини · பத்மினி · पदमिनी · Pappima · Natiya Peroli · Padmini Ramachandran
Biography
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.
Known For
Movies (116)

Iru Thuruvam
1971
as Thangam

Mera Naam Joker
1970
as Meenu

Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
1984
as Kunjoonjamma Thomas
Iruttinte Athmavu
1967
as Nani
Navarathinam
1977
as Vayiduriyam
Uthama Puthiran
1958
as Amudhavalli

Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
1986
as Dhanam

Snehaseema
1954

Thiruvarutchelvar
1967

Rickshawkaran
1971
as Parvathi

Vietnam Veedu
1970

Vivahitha
1970

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
1960
as Kammo

Uzhaikkum Karangal
1976

Vasthuhara
1991
as Bhavani

Manthiri Kumari
1950
Rajarajan
1957

Iruvar Ullam
1963
Arasilangumari
1960

Dollar
1993
as Ammachi

Panam
1952
as Jeeva

Deiva Piravi
1960
as Thangam

Edhir Paradhathu
1954
as Sumathi

Umminithanka
1961

Saraswathi Sabatham
1966
as Parvathi

Mastana
1970
as Gauri

Penn Daivam
1970
as Ponnamma

Maragatham
1959
as Maragatham/Alamu

Veerapandiya Kattabomman
1959
as Vellayamma
Thangapadumai
1959

Aashiq
1962
as Preeti

Vaazhkai
1949
as Dancer
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952

Thigambara Samiar
1950
Mohini
1948

Kaajal
1965
as Bhanu

Vikramaadhithan
1962
as Princess Rathnamalai

Paadha Kaanikkai
1962

Meenda Sorgam
1960
as Nirmala

Sampoorna Ramayanam
1958
as Seetha

Mujrim
1958

Lakshmi Vandhachu
1986
as Rajeshwari

Amarakavi
1952
as Special appearance
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950
Baagyavathi
1957
as Meena

Dard Ka Rishta
1982

Or Iravu
1951

Bhai Bahen
1969
as Rani / Tara

Journey Beyond Three Seas
1957
as Court Dancer Lakshmi

Amara Deepam
1956
as Roopa

Madurai Veeran
1956
as Velliaiyamma

Marthanda Varma
1933
as Parukutty

Rani Samyuktha
1962
as Rani Samyuktha

Mahabharat
1965
as Draupadi

Nenjam Marappathillai
1963

Vidivelli
1960
as Rosie

Mangayar Thilakam
1955
as Sulochana
Thaaye Unakkaga
1966
as Devi

Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
1970

Mr. Sampat
1952
as Malini

Bindya
1960
as Bindya

Kanniyin Kathali
1949
as Dancer

Iru Malargal
1967
Iru Sahodarigal
1956

Thillana Mohanambal
1968
as Mohanambal

Kulama Gunama
1971

Annaiyin Aanai
1958
Raja Desingu
1960

Raj Tilak
1958

Adi Parasakthi
1971

Dil Hi To Hai
1963
as Bahar

Kumara Sambhavam
1969
as Parvathi / Sathi
Thirumagal
1971

Raagini
1958

Nannha Farishta
1969
as Gauri

Singapore
1960
as Lata

Aurat
1967

Kuzhanthaikkaga
1968
as Gowri

Punar Janmam
1961
as Parvathi
Ezhai Padum Paadu
1950
as Lakshmi
Gurudhatchanai
1969
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
1970

Then Nilavu
1961
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
1970
as Maragatham

Vanjikottai Valiban
1958
as Princess Padma

Poove Poochudava
1985
as Poongavanathamma

Sorgavasal
1954
as Queen Kumara Devi

Annai Velankanni
1971

Afsana
1966

Payal
1957

Thenum Paalum
1971
as Janaki
Pudhaiyal
1957
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
1954
as Padmini
Selvam
1966

Naan Vanangum Deivam
1963
as Rukmani

Mallika
1957

Prasanna
1950
as Madanika

Thookku Thookki
1954
as Rajakumari

Kalpana
1948

The Eternal Lamp
1958
as Roopa

Laila Majnu
1949
as Dancer
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
1958
Punniya Boomi
1978
Chathurangam
1959
Ethirkalam
1970
Mannadhi Mannan
1960
Anbu
1953
as Malathi
Vasantha Sena
1967
as Anaga Sena
Asai
1956

Velaikari
1949
Laila Majnu
1950
as Self - Dancer
Koteeswaran
1955
as Neela

Thirumaal Perumai
1968
as Dancer
Devaki
1951
as Self - Dancer
Appa Tata
1972
Do Behnen
1959
About Padmini
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 fam… With 116 credits spanning from 1933 to 1993, Padmini has appeared in 116 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for Padmini movies, Padmini filmography, or the latest projects starring Padmini can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Padmini Movies
- Iru Thuruvam (1971) — as Thangam
- Mera Naam Joker (1970) — as Meenu
- Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984) — as Kunjoonjamma Thomas
- Iruttinte Athmavu (1967) — as Nani
- Navarathinam (1977) — as Vayiduriyam
Where to Watch Padmini Films
Most Padmini movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Padmini, check our movies catalogue and browse page.