The southern beauty, more so Tamil, Telegu and Kannada star, is now better known as a politician. Born in Mysore, the daughter of screen star Sandhya claimed she wanted to do law, but dropped out of school to follow her aunt Vidyavati into films to support her family. Though her debut film Epistle remained unreleased, her second film in Kannada, Chinnada Gombe, was a major hit. With her Telugu debut in Manushulu Mamathalu and her vampish lead in G. Krishna's James Bond-type hit Goodachari 116 she became a super star.

Having worked with MGR as a co-star she reached the echelons of acting. She quit films for her passion for writing. In 1981 she joined MGR's AIADMK and by 1991 became the Chief Minister and proved her mettle in politics. She made a comeback in films in 1992, playing 'herself' (as a politician/chief minister) in Neenga Nalla Erukkanum, delivering a message on prohibition. Today she is a high player in the field of politics.