Ambika is an Indian film and television actress that works predominantly in the South Indian Entertainment Industry. At one point, Ambika was one of the leading South Indian heroines from 1978 to 1989. Along with her sister who is also an actress, Ambika has done numerous films together when the sisters were at the peak of their career.  

Born on the 16th of August 1962 to Kunjan Nair and Sarasamma at Karalla village, located in Thiruvananthpuram district, Ambika is the eldest amongst five children. She has two younger sisters and two younger brothers. Ambika’s mother was a Mahila Congress leader during 2014. Ambika started her career young, she entered the industry as a child artist and then proceeded to become a heroine, working in over 200 South Indian films ad becoming one of the top actresses in the South Indian entertainment industry.  

Ambika predominantly worked in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada films. Her career transition from a child artist to a heroine happened with the Malayalam movie Seetha. Though the movie was released quite later on in Ambika’s career, other movies like Neelathamaara and Lejjavathi kept Ambika quite busy and in the highlights. Her career expanded from just Malayalam movies to Tamil and Kannada movies as well, increasing Ambika’s popularity. 

Being one of the leading actresses of her time, Ambika worked with all the leading and well-respected artists like Kamal Hassan, Rajnikanth, Vijyakanth, Mammootty, N. T. Rama Rao, Shankar, Dileep, Krishna, Chiranjeevi amongst others.  

Ambika gained popularity for her versatile and bold roles in movies back in the 1980s. In Tamil and Malayalam movies she did bold roles while her roles in Kannada movies were more glamorous. Her rain songs with famous actor Vishnuvardhan are often shown on television still and are considered groundbreaking in the otherwise very conservative entertainment industry.  

Some of Ambika’s movies that lead to her rise in popularity include; Rajavinte Makan, Irupatham Noottandu, both of which she starred opposite Mohanlal, an on-screen couple that was well-loved. Other movies like Kaakki Sattai also increased her popularity and she also shot numerous movies with her sister Radha like Kadhal Parisu. This movie greatly showed both the actresses acting talents with their versatile roles. 

She took a sabbatical after her marriage and moved to the U.S but since her divorce, Ambika has moved back to India and worked in acting again, giving movies like Periya Manushan, Maa Naanaki Pelli, Simhada Mari, Mariyadhai, amongst others. 

Apart from her acting job, Ambika has done many advertisements and she is also a designer. Along with this in a few of her movies, she has also done lyrics work. When it comes to awards and accolades, Ambika has won the Mirchi Music Award for Female Icon (Malayalam), she won the Lifetime Achievement Award in Realistic Award in 2020, the Fan favorite of 80s award by Galatta Wonder Woman Awards, and she also won the Edison Award for Best Character Role Female in 2010.  

On the occasion of her 59th birthday, Saregama wishes Happy Birthday to Ambika and celebrates her contribution to the South Indian Entertainment Industry. 

Now you can play Ambika’s famous songs on Saregama Carvaan Malayalam. Saregama Carvaan Malayalam is a portable digital player with 5000 evergreen songs categorized in 50+ dedicated stations that you can enjoy anytime without an internet connection or Ad breaks. It has other features like Bluetooth, USB, and AUX connectivity.