Manasi Sudhir is an Indian actress who mostly works in the Kannada film industry. She is also a professional Bharatanatyam dancer. Manasi is best known for playing the lead mother, Kamala, in the Kannada action-thriller ‘Kantara’ (2022), directed by Rishab Shetty.
Wiki/Biography
Manasi Sudhir was born in Udupi, Karnataka. He attended TA Pai English Medium High School in Udupi and graduated from Government First Grade College, Thenkanidiyuru, Karnataka. He then pursued his master’s degree in English Literature at Poorna Prajna College, Udupi.
Picture of Manasi Sudhir from 1989
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 10″
Weight (approx): 60kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Figure Measurements (approx): 34-32-34
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Muraleedhara Upadhya, is a retired Kannada professor. According to Manasi, his father ventured into literature and encouraged him to follow performing arts along with his studies. Manasi’s mother’s name is Sharada Upadhya.
Picture of Manasi Sudhir with her parents, husband, and in-laws
His older sister, Alaka Jithendra, is a yoga instructor and a writer.
Manasi Sudhir with her sister
Wife & Children
On 12 June 2006, Manasi married Sudhir Rao Kodavoor, who was a dance teacher at Nrityaniketana Kodavoor, a Bharatanatyam institution in Udupi, Karnataka. Manasi and her husband are both co-directors of this institution. Together, they had a daughter named Surabhiputti.
Manasi Sudhir with her husband and daughter
Career
Movie
Kannada
While Manasi was studying in college, she was offered to work in a Kannada film titled Ramya Chaitrakala (2006), directed by director Sunil Kumar Desai. In an interview, while talking about her journey as an actress, Manasi said,
It was a small portion, which I accepted out of curiosity. As soon as Desai saw me act, he immediately offered me the second lead role in the film.”
Poster of the movie ‘Ramya Chaitrakala’ (2006)
In 2009, Manasi appeared in the Kannada film Shankara Punyakoti. Later, she appeared in many Indian Kannada-language films including Ammana Mane (2019) and Katha Sangama (2019). In 2022, Manasi appeared in Rishab Shetty’s critically acclaimed thriller ‘Kantara.’ In this film, she plays the role of Kaadubettu Shiva’s lead mother, Kamala.
Manasi Sudhir as Kamala in a still from the movie ‘Kantara’ (2022)
Tulu
In 2011, she made her debut in the Tulu film industry with the award-winning film Kancheelda Bale.
Short film
In 2018, she appeared in a short film called Neralu in which she played the lead role. The film received the award for best film at the Bangalore International Short Film Festival (BISFF) in 2018.
Television
Apart from films, Manasi has also appeared in television series including Mahabharata, Guru Raghavendra Vaibhava (2010), Seethe (2014), and Preeti Emba Maaye (2020). In the Indian Kannada language TV series ‘Seethe,’ she played the role of Mohini Bhasmasura. The show aired on Udaya TV.
Manasi Sudhir as Mohini Bhasmasura in a still from the TV series ‘Seethe’
Facts/Trivia
- Manasi’s father was friends with the famous Kannada poet, Jayant Kaikini. He once asked Manasi to sing at a program in Mangaluru. Jayant Kaikini also suggested to Manasi’s father that he should allow her to act in films as he felt that she had an expressive face and voice. Later, he became a trained artist and performed in Carnatic vocal concerts.
- In addition to acting, Manasi also dabbled in singing; however, due to a minor accident, his vocal cords were damaged and he had to give them up.
- Manasi and her husband run a dance institution, Nrithya Nikithana Kodavoor, in Udipi. On 29 March 2021, Manasi and other members of the institution performed Nritya Saurabh at Byndoor.
Manasi Sudhir (centre) during Nritya Saurabh’s performance
- When Manasi is not working on any film, she travels with her dance troupe performing her choreography in several theater shows and events.
- Manasi is a pet lover and her favorite animal is cats.
Manasi Sudhir holding her pet cat
- On June 13, 2011, Manasi created a YouTube channel where she uploaded her singing videos. He has more than 150k subscribers.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
