Meet actress who did over 700 films, entered industry in school, never got married because.., her name is...

India.com

11-05-2025

In the glamorous industry of Bollywood, where fame is always fleeting, new celebrities come every day with the hope of making it big on the screen. Where one day a celebrity would be winning the hearts of millions, the next day they would become irrelevant. However, there was one such actress who stayed in people's minds for long, redefining the art of comic timing, and she became a household name. Though most remember her for the laughter she brought on screen, few are aware of the sacrifices she made off it. The actress is none other than Kovai Sarala, one of South Indian cinema's most loved and longest-running performers.
Entertaining people for more than four decades, Kovai Sarala has acted in more than 750 films in her career spanning from Tamil, Telugu, to Malayalam industry. She initiated her career during her student time in class 9. Her first acting exposure came to her at that age in the film Velli Ratham. It was followed by a steady but sure climb through the world of theatre and then onto the big screen, where her flawless sense of comedy timing and expressive way of acting secured for herself a niche space never occupied by many.
Born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Sarala was fascinated with cinema at a young age after seeing films of the iconic MGR. Her love for films was nurtured by her father and sister, and by the time she finished her 10th standard, she was already acting in the theatre. She made a seamless transition from stage to screen and, within a couple of years, became famous for supporting roles that tended to steal the show.
Working with top actors of the South film industry during her career, she developed a reputation for her unique comic presence. Although most of her roles were not lead roles, her screen presence was so dominant that she would often end up being the most remembered aspect of the movie. She has the unique distinction of making people laugh irrespective of language and generations.
But when it came to her personal life, even though she was the most successful actress, she never married. She reportedly took on the responsibility of bringing up her siblings, paying for their education, and even marrying them off. She put family above her own life and stays committed to them to this day, assisting in the care of her nieces and nephews as if they were her own.
Sarla is now 63 and has been taking a break from the films; however, she is all set to be back in the limelight, and the fans cannot wait to see her in action again.
In a life that has involved over 750 movies and years of comedy, Kovai Sarala has not only glory and glitz but also legacy and work that's etched in our memory.