Actor

Savitri

90 years · Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India · 86 films

Savitri Kommareddy (January 4, 1936 – December 26, 1981), known mononymously as Savitri, was an Indian actress, film director, and producer who worked predominantly in Telugu and Tamil cinema, alongside appearances in Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam films. After early stage work and brief appearances in Pathala Bhairavi (1951) and Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952), she achieved her breakthrough as a leading actress in the tragic romance Devadasu (1953) and the social drama Ardhangi (1955). Over the 1950s and 1960s, she established herself as a central figure in South Indian cinema, headlining comedies such as Missamma (1955) and Gundamma Katha (1962), alongside dramatic roles in Mayabazar (1957), the family drama Pasamalar (1961), Kalathur Kannamma (1960), and Mooga Manasulu (1964). In 1968, Savitri made her feature directorial debut with the Telugu drama Chinnari Papalu, which won the Nandi Award for Second Best Feature Film, and subsequently directed Kuzhandai Ullam (1969) and Maathru Devatha (1970). Throughout the 1970s, she transitioned into supporting and character roles across regional industries, appearing in features including Puguntha Veedu (1972), Andharangam (1975), Jaganmohini (1978), the Kannada drama Chandanada Gombe (1979), and Gorintaku (1979). Her final screen appearances included the action drama Circus Ramudu (1980).