She ruled four film industries in the 1980s, but suffered abuse at home: ‘He kicked me when I was pregnant’

The 1980s shaped Indian cinema in unforgettable ways. It introduced bold storytelling and powerful performers. Among them stood Saritha, an actor whose intensity cut across languages. She ruled the screen with ease and earned respect through her craft.

Yet, behind the applause, her personal life carried deep wounds that stayed hidden for decades.

Rise of a formidable performer

Saritha’s turning point arrived when legendary filmmaker K. Balachander cast her opposite Kamal Haasan in 'Maro Charitra'. The film became a landmark, and her performance felt raw and unforgettable. The success opened doors to strong, women-centric roles. Films like 'Agni Sakshi', 'Kalyana Agathigal', and 'Achamillai Achamillai' cemented her reputation as an actor of rare depth.

Conquering multiple industries

Saritha never limited herself to one language. Across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema, she left a strong imprint. Telugu audiences admired her in films like 'Idi Katha Kaadu' and 'Kaliyuga Pandavulu'. In Malayalam cinema, she often appeared opposite Mammootty, playing emotionally complex roles in films such as 'Thaniyavarthanam' and 'Kuttettan'. Kannada cinema also embraced her strength in films like 'Chalisuva Modagalu'.

Awards, dubbing, and lasting impact

Saritha’s performances earned critical acclaim. She won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress three times and received multiple Filmfare Awards. Even after stepping away from on-screen acting following her divorce, her voice continued to command respect. She became one of the most sought-after dubbing artistes in Indian cinema, lending her voice to actresses such as Tabu,

Sushmita Sen

,

Ramya Krishnan

, and Soundarya. Her emotional command made her voice work as powerful as her screen presence.

Marriage, silence, and years of trauma

In 1988, at the peak of her career, Saritha married

Mukesh

and stepped away from cinema. The couple later had two sons and separated in 2001. Their divorce was finalised in 2011. In 2013, Mukesh married dancer Methil Devika, a marriage that also ended in divorce.Years later, Saritha spoke about the pain she endured in an interview with Manorama Online. Reflecting on her silence, she said, “I was ashamed to tell what I had experienced.

I could not believe what was happening to me. I have acted in movies. I have seen all this in movies. But I never thought that all that would happen in my life.” She also alleged infidelity, adding, “Amid all the familial issues, he maintained affairs with many.

I just hoped that he would realise his mistake and come back.”Saritha spoke with deep respect about Mukesh’s father, theatre legend O. Madhavan, and revealed why she never approached the police.

“After my father’s death, I started seeing Mukesh’s father as my own,” she said. “I had given him an assurance. That is why I made no complaint to the police. I kept that assurance until his death.”Recalling a painful moment, she shared, “Once, when his father came to Thiruvananthapuram for tax matters, he came to pick me up. At the airport, he told me, ‘Let’s go home.’ I said I was not coming and that I had taken a room at Pankaj Hotel.”She continued, “He then held my hands and said he knew what I was going through and that he knew his son was wrong. However, he requested that this should not come up in the media. I kept that promise till today.”She later described severe physical abuse, including during pregnancy. “When I was pregnant, he kicked me in the stomach and I fell into the yard. I cried. In such situations, he would say, ‘Oh… you are a good actress… go on, cry,’” she said, recalling moments of fear and humiliation.

Return to cinema

After years as a single mother, Saritha slowly rebuilt her life. Acting roles remained limited, but her strength endured. In 2023, she made a dignified comeback in 'Maaveeran', directed by Madonne Ashwin, alongside Sivakarthikeyan and Aditi Shankar.