Padmavati Rao, credited as Akshatha Rao in Kannada films, is an Indian actress, theatre personality, poet, dancer and translator. She is known for her theatre activities and performances in Ondanondu Kaladalli (1978), Geetha (1981), Pardes (1997), Padmaavat (2018), and Tanhaji (2020).
Personal life Padmavati was born in Delhi. She is the sister of actress Arundhati Nag.
Career
Film career Rao's debut movie was 1978 Kannada film Ondanondu Kaladalli, directed by Girish Karnad. In 1981, she played the title role of Geetha in the film Geetha, directed by Shankar Nag. She went on to appear in movies including Pardes and Padmaavat. She played Amitabh Bacchan's wife in the critically acclaimed film Te3n, directed by Ribhu Dasgupta. She performed as Jijabai, mother of Shivaji, in the 2020 film Tanhaji.
Theatre career Rao's career was started with theatre activities. She has conducted and performed plays and workshops across India. She first acted in theatre under the direction of Shankar Nag. She assisted him in Malgudi Days as assistant director, also acted and dubbed for the same project. In her theatre career, Rao has worked with Girish Karnad, M. S. Sathyu, Ramesh Talwar, Shaukat Azmi, A. K. Hanagal and many other theatre personalities. Her theatre work Kitchen Poems, a solo performance, was much appreciated. She has been doing theatre activities for children.
Filmography Year Film Role Language Notes 1978 Ondanondu Kaladalli Savanthri Kannada Debut film 1981 Geetha Geetha Kannada 1997 Pardes Narmada Hindi 2016 Te3n Nancy Hindi 2018 Ek Sangaychay Marathi Padmaavat Kunwar Baisa Hindi Phamous Lall's mother Hindi 2019Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal Bini Noorjehan Malayalam 2020 Tanhaji Jijabai Hindi Raat Akeli Hai Pramila Singh Hindi 2021Maara Meenakshi/Mary Aunty Tamil Amazon Prime Video Film 2023Sweet Kaaram Coffee Deva Tamil Amazon Prime Video Web Series 2025Nodidavaru Enanthare Kranti Devi Kannada
References
External links