Sowcar Janaki biography
Sowcar Janaki was an Indian actress (born 1931), born on 12 December 1931 in Rajahmundry, who died on 21 August 2026.
Sowcar Janaki's screen career began in 1950 with Shavukaru, playing Subbulu.
Sowcar Janaki appeared in 259 films and 6 television or streaming titles across Hindi and Indian cinema, Kannada cinema, Malayalam cinema, Tamil cinema and Telugu cinema between 1950 and 2023.
Honours include Nandi Award and Padma Shri in arts.
- Also known as
- Janaki, Showcar Janaki, Shavukaru Janaki, Sankaramanchi Janaki
- Born
- 12 December 1931
- Died
- 21 August 2026 (aged 94)
- Birthplace
- Rajahmundry
- Work
- Actor
- Film industries
- Hindi and Indian cinema, Kannada cinema, Malayalam cinema, Tamil cinema, Telugu cinema
- Years active
- 1949 to 2023
- Awards
- Nandi Award
- Padma Shri in arts
Sowcar Janaki filmography
259 films and 6 television or streaming titles, newest first.
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Anni Manchi Sakunamule | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 2020 | Biskoth | Janaki Paati | Tamil | 400th film |
| 2019 | Thambi | Parvathy and Saravanan's grandmother | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Babu Bangaram | Sailaja's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 2015 | Yevade Subramanyam | Susheela | Telugu | |
| 2015 | Soukhyam | Modern Bamma | Telugu | |
| 2015 | Kanche | Sitadevi's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 2014 | Vanavarayan Vallavarayan | Krishna's & Anand's grandmother | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Pungi Daasa | Gayatri Devi | Kannada | |
| 2007 | Amoolyam | Telugu | ||
| 2003 | Abhi | Janki | Kannada | |
| 2003 | Ela Cheppanu | Priya's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 2003 | Abhimanyu | Saira Bhanu's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 2000 | Shabdavedhi | Sandeep's mother | Kannada | |
| 2000 | Hey Ram | Mythili's grandmother | Tamil | |
| 1999 | Devi | Vijay's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 1999 | Ravoyi Chandamama | Sasi's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 1999 | Chinna Raja | Karthik's grandmother | Tamil | |
| 1999 | Anbulla Kadhalukku | Tamil | ||
| 1998 | Thodarum | Seetha's grandmother | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Thayin Manikodi | Tamil | ||
| 1998 | Kondattam | Janaki | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Bavagaru Bagunnara? | Swapna's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 1997 | Subhakankshalu | Sitaramaiah's wife | Telugu | |
| 1997 | Nenu Premisthunnanu | Rachna's mother | Telugu |
Show all 259 films
| Year | Title | Role | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Madam | Sarada Devi | Telugu | |
| 1994 | Todi Kodallu | Telugu | ||
| 1993 | Manavarali Pelli | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1992 | Soorya Manasam | Mariya | Malayalam | |
| 1991 | Azhagan | Doctor | Tamil | |
| 1989 | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal | Goa resident | Tamil | |
| 1989 | Vetri Vizha | Shirley's aunt | Tamil | |
| 1989 | Thendral Puyalanadhu | Tamil | ||
| 1989 | Swara Kalpana | Telugu | ||
| 1989 | Siva | Siva's mother | Tamil | |
| 1989 | Geethanjali | Chancellor | Telugu | |
| 1988 | Neti Swatantram | Telugu | ||
| 1988 | Aadade Aadharam | Telugu | ||
| 1987 | Vairagyam | Annapoorani | Tamil | |
| 1987 | Thayaramma Thandava Krishna | Telugu | ||
| 1987 | Sardar Krishnamma Naidu | Telugu | ||
| 1987 | Samsaram Oka Chadarangam | Chilakamma | Telugu | |
| 1987 | Murali Krishnudu | Murali Krishna's grandmother | Telugu | |
| 1987 | Muddu Bidda | Telugu | ||
| 1987 | Majnu | Alekhya's mother | Telugu | |
| 1987 | Gouthami | Sharada Devi | Telugu | |
| 1987 | Brahma Naidu | Telugu | ||
| 1987 | Anand | Tamil | ||
| 1986 | Krishna Garadi | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1986 | Dosti Dushmani | Sumitra Singh | Hindi | |
| 1986 | Aakrandana | Lawyer Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1985 | Pachani Kapuram | Malini | Telugu | |
| 1985 | Kongumudi | Telugu | ||
| 1984 | Kode Trachu | Governess | Telugu | |
| 1984 | Kai Kodukkum Kai | Kaalimuthu's sister-in-law | Tamil | |
| 1984 | Chiranjeevi | Tamil | ||
| 1983 | Rajakumar | Telugu | ||
| 1983 | Onde Guri | Kumar's mother | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Bezawada Bebbuli | Telugu | ||
| 1983 | Aalaya Sikharam | Telugu | ||
| 1982 | Tingu Rangadu | Telugu | ||
| 1982 | Neethi Devan Mayakkam | Lawyer | Tamil | |
| 1982 | Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam? | Lawyer | Telugu | |
| 1981 | Thillu Mullu | Meenakshi Duraiswamy | Tamil | |
| 1981 | Thee | Seetha | Tamil | |
| 1981 | Geetha | Mukta | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Vaaralabbai | Telugu | ||
| 1981 | Puli Bidda | Annapoorna | Telugu | |
| 1981 | Prem Geet | Mrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj | Hindi | |
| 1981 | Parvathi Parameswarulu | Parvathi | Telugu | |
| 1981 | Kula Kozhunthu | Thambi Durai's mother | Tamil | |
| 1981 | Jagamondi | Annapoorna | Telugu | |
| 1980 | Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1980 | Aarada Gaaya | Judge Janaki | Kannada | |
| 1979 | Tayaramma Bangarayya | Tayaramma | Telugu | |
| 1979 | Samajaniki Saval | Telugu | ||
| 1979 | Ravanude Ramudayithe? | Mahalakshmi | Telugu | |
| 1979 | Rangoon Rowdy | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1979 | Pattakkathi Bhairavan | Arjunan's mother | Tamil | |
| 1978 | Iddaru Asadhyule | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1978 | Thayige Thakka Maga | Kumar's adopted mother | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai | Tamil | ||
| 1978 | Devadasu Malli Puttadu | Aruna's sister | Telugu | |
| 1978 | Chal Mohana Ranga | Telugu | ||
| 1978 | Athani Kante Ghanudu | Telugu | ||
| 1978 | Anbin Alaigal | Tamil | ||
| 1977 | Olimayamana Ethirkalam | Tamil | ||
| 1976 | Vemulawada Bheemakavi | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Premabandham | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Perum Pukhazhum | Tamil | ||
| 1976 | Nalla Penmani | Tamil | ||
| 1976 | Manasakshi | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Idhaya Malar | Rajam | Tamil | |
| 1976 | Dasavatharam | Kayadhu | Tamil | |
| 1976 | Athirishtam Azhaikkirathu | Tamil | ||
| 1975 | Cinema Paithiyam | Tamil | ||
| 1975 | Vemulavada Bhimakavi | Telugu | ||
| 1975 | Uravukku Kai Koduppom | Tamil | ||
| 1975 | Pinju Manam | Tamil | ||
| 1975 | Nalla Marumagal | Tamil | ||
| 1975 | Naaku Swatantram Vachindi | Telugu | ||
| 1975 | Manithanum Deivamagalam | Valli | Tamil | |
| 1975 | Devudulanti Manishi | Telugu | ||
| 1975 | Balipeetam | Telugu | ||
| 1974 | Swargathil Thirumanam | Tamil | ||
| 1974 | Ram Raheem | Lakshmi | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Kaliyuga Kannan | Gayatri | Tamil | |
| 1973 | School Master | Tamil | ||
| 1973 | Pasa Dheebam | Tamil | ||
| 1973 | Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu | Teacher and Narrator of the story | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Khaidi Babu | Telugu | ||
| 1973 | Engal Thanga Raja | Seetha | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Thiruneelakandar | Leelavathi | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Thanga Thurai | Tamil | ||
| 1972 | Prajanayakudu | Telugu | ||
| 1972 | Needhi | Seetha | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Deivam | Vedhammai | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Badi Panthulu | Radha | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Appa Tata | Tamil | ||
| 1971 | Rangarattinam | Tamil | ||
| 1971 | Babu | Parvathi | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Kaaviya Thalaivi | Devi (Meera Bai) & Krishna | Tamil | Also produced the film |
| 1970 | Akka Chellelu | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Rendu Kutumbala Katha | Telugu | ||
| 1970 | Paadhukaappu | Parvathi | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Nadu Iravil | Rani | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Maanavan | Parvathy | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Kasturi Thilakam | Kasturi | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Kanmalar | Vadivu | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Inti Gowravam | Telugu | ||
| 1970 | Dharma Daata | Zamindar's wife | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Thunaivan | Marathagam | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Niraparaadhi | Kannada | ||
| 1969 | Kuzhandhai Ullam | Tamil | ||
| 1969 | Kaaval Dheivam | Alamel | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Iru Kodugal | Janaki | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Akka Thangai | Janaki | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Thirumal Perumai | Kumuthavalli | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Teen Bahuraniyan | Parvati | Hindi | |
| 1968 | Ethir Neechal | Pattu | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Chinnari Papalu | Parvathi | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Manchi Kutumbam | Shantha | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Uyarndha Manidhan | Vimala | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Undamma Bottu Pedata | Telugu | ||
| 1968 | Oli Vilakku | Shanti | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Lakshmi Kalyanam | Parvathi | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Jeevanaamsam | Janaki | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Evaru Monagadu | Lakshmi | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Enga Oor Raja | Sivakami | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Chakkaram | Meenakshi | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Bhale Kodallu | Parvathi | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Arunodaya | Kannada | ||
| 1967 | Bama Vijayam | Parvathi | Tamil | |
| 1967 | Thaikku Thalaimagan | Gauwri | Tamil | |
| 1967 | Kan Kanda Daivam | Tamil | ||
| 1966 | Mahakavi Kalidas | Prince | Tamil | |
| 1966 | Petralthan Pillaiya | Jeeva | Tamil | |
| 1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | Meenakshi | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Manchi Kutumbam | Shantha | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Panam Padaithavan | Rama | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Neerkumizhi | Dr. Indra | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Naanal | Savitri | Tamil | |
| 1964 | School Master | Johny's wife | Malayalam | |
| 1964 | Puthiya Paravai | Chitra & Sarasa | Tamil | |
| 1964 | Navakoti Narayana | Saraswati | Kannada | |
| 1964 | Peetala Meeda Pelli | Telugu | ||
| 1964 | Pachai Vilakku | Parvathi | Tamil | |
| 1964 | Dr. Chakravarthi | Nirmala | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Desa Drohulu | Karuna | Telugu | |
| 1964 | Alli | Alli | Tamil | |
| 1963 | Gowri | Kannada | ||
| 1963 | Doctor Chakravarthy | Telugu | ||
| 1963 | Savati Koduku | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Sathi Shakthi | Kannada | ||
| 1963 | Saaku Magalu | Manjula | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Pempudu Kuthuru | Manjula | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Paar Magale Paar | Lakshmi | Tamil | |
| 1963 | Malli Maduve | Kannada | ||
| 1963 | Kanyarathna | Shantha | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Kadavulai Kanden | Tamil | ||
| 1963 | Irugu Porugu | Kanchanamala | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Anuragam | Telugu | ||
| 1963 | Aasai Alaigal | Thangam | Tamil | |
| 1962 | Paarthaal Pasi Theerum | Janaki | Tamil | |
| 1962 | Manchi Manasulu | Radha | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Vadivukku Valai Kappu | Tamil | ||
| 1962 | Devasundari | Kannada | ||
| 1962 | Daiva Leele | Kannada | ||
| 1962 | Annai | Seetha | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Batasari | Shanti | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Palum Pazhamum | Nalini | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Kumudham | Kumudhaa | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Kaanal Neer | Shanti | Tamil | |
| 1961 | Bhagyalakshmi | Kamala | Tamil | |
| 1960 | Padikkadha Medhai | Lakshmi | Tamil | |
| 1960 | Paavai Vilakku | Gowri | Tamil | |
| 1960 | Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | Yerukala Saani | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Revathi | Tamil | ||
| 1960 | Naan Kanda Sorgam | Meenakshi | Tamil | |
| 1960 | Kadeddulu Ekaram Nela | Seeta | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Chinna Marumagal | Tamil | ||
| 1960 | Chavukkadi Chandrakantha | Tamil | ||
| 1959 | Aalu Magalu | Telugu | ||
| 1959 | Ulagam Sirikkirathu | Sellathayi | Tamil | |
| 1959 | Thamarai Kulam | Tamil | ||
| 1959 | Rechukka Pagatichukka | Rajakumari | Telugu | |
| 1959 | Raja Sevai | Tamil | ||
| 1959 | Raja Malaya Simham | Tamil | ||
| 1959 | Raja Malaya Simha | Telugu | ||
| 1959 | Mahishasura Mardhini | Gunavati | Kannada | |
| 1959 | Madhavi | Tamil | ||
| 1959 | Kaveriyin Kanavan | Tamil | ||
| 1959 | Aval Yaar | Vijaya / Ponni | Tamil | |
| 1959 | Abalai Anjugam | Tamil | ||
| 1958 | School Master | Geetha | Kannada | |
| 1958 | Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi | Tamil | ||
| 1958 | Thammudu | Rani | Telugu | |
| 1958 | Nalla Idathu Sammandham | Rathinam | Tamil | |
| 1958 | Mundadugu | Telugu | ||
| 1958 | Ganga Gauri Samvadam | Telugu | ||
| 1957 | Bhagya Rekha | Kathyaini | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Rathnagiri Rahasya | Kannada | ||
| 1957 | Panduranga Mahatyam | Rama's sister | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Bhale Bava | Telugu | ||
| 1956 | Edi Nijam | Raami | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Vetri Veeran | Tamil | ||
| 1956 | Sontha Vooru | Lakshmi | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Sonta Ooru | Lakshmi | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Sadarame | Kannada | ||
| 1956 | Sadarama | Telugu | ||
| 1956 | Naga Devathai | Tamil | ||
| 1956 | Naga Chavithi | Telugu | ||
| 1956 | Jayam Manade | Mallika | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Illarame Inbam | Tamil | ||
| 1956 | Charana Daasi | Saroja | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Bhagyodaya | Kannada | ||
| 1955 | Rojulu Marayi | Radha | Telugu | |
| 1955 | Kanyasulkam | Buchamma | Telugu | |
| 1955 | Ezhayin Aasthi | Tamil | ||
| 1955 | Beedhala Aasthi | Telugu | ||
| 1955 | Pasupu Kumkuma | Telugu | ||
| 1955 | Kanyadhanam | Telugu | ||
| 1955 | Kaalm Maari Pochu | Tamil | ||
| 1955 | Devakannikaa | Kannada | ||
| 1955 | Cherapakura Chedevu | Lalitha | Telugu | |
| 1955 | Bhagya Chakra | Kannada | ||
| 1955 | Asai Anna Arumai Thambi | Tamil | ||
| 1955 | Adarsha Sathi | Kannada | ||
| 1954 | Vaddante Dabbu | Saroja | Telugu | |
| 1954 | Panam Paduthum Padu | Saroja | Tamil | |
| 1954 | Devakannika | Kannada | ||
| 1953 | Prapancham | Telugu | ||
| 1953 | Pichi Pullayya | Vasantha | Telugu | |
| 1952 | Adarsham | Telugu | ||
| 1952 | Valayapathi | Sathyavathi | Tamil | Debut Tamil film |
| 1952 | Adarsam | Telugu | ||
| 1950 | Shavukar | Telugu | ||
| 1950 | Shavukaru | Subbulu | Telugu | Debut film |
Television and streaming
| Year | Title | Role | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Varudhini Parinayam | Zee Telugu | ||
| 2001 | Kelunga Maamiyare Neengalum Marumagal Than | Sun TV | ||
| 1998 | Akshaya | Sun TV | ||
| 1995 | Needa | Telugu | ||
| 1991 | Penn | Doordarshan | ||
| 1991 | Oorarinda Rahasyam | Doordarshan |