On This Day, 20 Years Ago, South Lost Actress Soundarya

Soundarya became a renowned name after the 1993 hit Ponnumani.

South Indian actress Soundarya, who appeared in films in all the major South languages, was a star who ceased to shine before her full potential could be reached. Leaving for her heavenly abode at the tender age of just 31, her career, which was at an all-time high, was cut short by her untimely death. Soundarya died in a plane crash on April 17, 2004, exactly 20 years ago. On her 20th death anniversary, let us explore her magnificent journey and revel in the success of her short but eventful career.

Soundarya, born in 1972 in Bengaluru into a Kannada-speaking family, was initially studying to be a doctor. However, she discontinued her MBBS after just one year after enrolment.

Soundarya debuted in the film industry with the Kannada movie Baa Nanna Preethisu, directed by S. Siddalingaiah, in April 1992. Shortly after, in July 1992, she appeared in Gandharva. During the same year, she ventured into Telugu cinema with the film Raithu Bharatham, alongside Krishna, directed by Tripuraneni Sriprasad, also known as Varaprasad Starting with lead roles in Kannada, her mother tongue, Soundarya swiftly rose to prominence as the most beloved actress in Telugu cinema. Her debut Telugu film was Rajendrudu Gajendrudu, directed by S. V. Krishna Reddy.

After the 1993 Tamil film Ponnumani was a huge hit, Soundarya went on to appear in almost all South Indian languages. With films like Arunachalam and Padyappa, she solidified her position in the Tamil film industry as well. She also left behind a significant mark in Bollywood by appearing in the Hindi film Sooryavansham opposite Amitabh Bachchan.

From 1992 to 2003, Soundarya emerged as the leading actress in South India, garnering immense popularity for her exceptional acting prowess. Alongside her successful acting career, Soundarya also held aspirations to leverage her fame in the realm of politics. Having joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2004, on the fateful day of April 17 of the same year, she was flying from Karimnagar to Bengaluru to campaign for the party when her Cessna 180 plane crashed. She was killed in the crash along with her brother Amarnath.