Padmini
Padmini (12 June 1932 – 24 September 2006) was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer, who acted in over 250 Indian films. She acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters".
Padmini was born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, in what was then the princely state of Travancore (now the Indian state of Kerala). She was the second daughter of Sree Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma, both coming from noble Nair families. Her sisters Lalitha and Ragini, were also well known film actresses. Together, the three were known as the Travancore sisters. Padmini and her sisters learnt Bharathanatyam from Thiruvidaimarudur Mahalingam Pillai. The trio were the disciples of Indian dancer Guru Gopinath. They learnt Kathakali and Kerala Natanam styles of dancing from him. N.S. Krishnan noticed her talents while she was presenting Parijatha Pushpapaharanam in Thiruvananthapuram. After that performance, he said that in the future she would become an actress. She was thus cast as heroine in his own production Manamagal.
The Travancore Sisters grew up in a joint family tharavadu (Malaya Cottage) in Poojappura, Trivandrum. The matriarchial head of the family was Karthiyayini Amma, whose husband was P.K. Pillai (Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala) alias "Penang Padmanabha Pillai". P.K. Pillai had six sons, of whom Satyapalan Nair (Baby) was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards. Padmini was a leading actress and one of the highest paid actresses of the 50s, 60s and 70s. She is also known as one of the charming beauty queens of the 50s and 60s. She was given the title "Natya Peroli" in Tamil Nadu because of her excellent Bharatnatyam performances in Tamil films. Her Tamil movie Thillana Mohanambal, is a cult classic of Tamil cinema and continues to be remembered even today. Her beautiful performance in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai was outstanding and made her a national star.
| Known For | Acting |
|---|---|
| Most Rating | 0.5281 |
| Birthday | 1932-06-12 |
| Place of Birth | Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore, British India |
| Also Known As | Падмини, பத்மினி, पदमिनी, Pappima, Natiya Peroli, Padmini Ramachandran, Travancore sisters, Lalitha-Padmini, |
1963
Naan Vanangum Deivam
0/0
A Tamil version of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein.
Watch Now
Naan Vanangum Deivam
1969
Nannha Farishta
10/1
Govind, Nazir and Joseph decide to give up the world of crime when a little girl enters their life.
Watch Now
Nannha Farishta
1969
Bhai Bahen
7/1
Raja Saheb (Ashok Kumar) is a rich man, strict father to sons Virendra (Sunil Dutt) and Mahendra. One day, Mahendra has a big fight with his father an...
Watch Now
Bhai Bahen
1982
Dard Ka Rishta
8/1
Time is running out for Khushbu, Ravi Sharma(Sunil Dutt)'s daughter. Her leukemia can be cured only if someone's bone marrow matches her daughter so,...
Watch Now
Dard Ka Rishta
1950
Thigambara Samiar
0/0
When Sattanathan, a corrupt lawyer, forces Vadivambal to marry his brother, a Chokkalingam Pillai arrives to rescue her and expose Sattanathan's activ...
Watch Now
Thigambara Samiar
1949
Kanniyin Kaadhali
7/1
After a shipwreck, Chandrika who's disguised as a man falls in love with Prince Vasanthakumar but he is smitten by Megala Devi. However, Megala falls...
Watch Now
Kanniyin Kaadhali
1971
Annai Velankanni
0/0
Mary, a nurse in a hospital, narrates the tale of how Mother Mary helped Kamakshi and her son Sundaram in Velankanni village and turned an atheist lan...
Watch Now
Annai Velankanni
1971
Thirumagal
8/1
Raju and Ramu, two good friends, study in a law college. Raju, who decides to marry his lover Radha post his final exam, ends up dying in a fatal acci...
Watch Now
Thirumagal
1969
Kumara Sambhavam
8/1
Kumara Sambhavam is based on the epic poem of the poet Kalidasa of the same name.
Watch Now
Kumara Sambhavam
1970
Penn Daivam
9/1
Penn Deivam is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. The film stars...
Watch Now
Penn Daivam
1970
Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
8/1
Sabarimala Sree Dharmashastha is a 1970 Indian Malayalam film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair
Watch Now
Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
1957
Journey Beyond Three Seas
6.125/8
This first co-production of the Soviet and Indian cinematographers is dedicated to the Tver merchant Afanasy Nikitin who in 1466-1472 blazed the trade...
Watch Now
Journey Beyond Three Seas
1971
Adi Parasakthi
7/1
A man saved from death by God and told how God help others.
Watch Now
Adi Parasakthi
1962
Aashiq
9/1
When Pratap learns that his fiancee is in love with his younger brother, Gopal, he steps aside and arranges for them to get married. However, he soon...
Watch Now
Aashiq
1968
Thillana Mohanambal
7.35/10
A classical bharatanatyam dancer and a nathaswaram player fall in love against the wishes of her family.
Watch Now
Thillana Mohanambal
1966
Afsana
7/1
Gopal escapes from prison and finds shelter hos Shekhar, a man who hates all women.
Watch Now
Afsana
1986
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
10/1
A father does not hold a very good opinion about his son, Kannan, who works at his factory. Things take a turn for the worse when Pakkiri creates misu...
Watch Now
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
1978
Punniya Boomi
0/0
Watch Now
Punniya Boomi
1971
Iru Thuruvam
0/0
The atrocities of a landlord lead one brother to the life of a dacoit while the younger brother becomes a police officer. However, things take a turn...
Watch Now
Iru Thuruvam
1967
Iru Malargal
6.5/2
Watch Now
Iru Malargal
1968
Thirumaal Perumai
9/1
Thirumal Perumai tells three spell-bounding stories about how far you can get with Lord Vishnus
Watch Now
Thirumaal Perumai
1966
Selvam
8/1
Watch Now
Selvam
1971
Kulama Gunama
6.5/2
Chinnathambi is a well-respected pillar of his village, dedicating his life to public welfare—but his devotion to duty comes at the cost of time with...
Watch Now
Kulama Gunama
1967
Thiruvarutchelvar
7.5/3
When a dancer makes a king realise the insignificance of the worldly pleasures, he decides to devote his life to the Almighty and starts reciting tale...
Watch Now
Thiruvarutchelvar
1966
Saraswathi Sabatham
7/3
Sage Narada instigates Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvathi against each other. The trio set out to answer what is paramount in a man's life, kno...
Watch Now
Saraswathi Sabatham
1961
Punar Janmam
5/1
Punar Janmam (Rebirth) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. S. Mani. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, Ragini and P. Kannam...
Watch Now
Punar Janmam
1957
Pudhaiyal
0/0
Watch Now
Pudhaiyal
1960
Deiva Piravi
8.333/3
Madhavan marries Thangam. He takes care of Thangam’s mother and brother along with his younger brother. Meanwhile, Madhavan gives shelter to his fathe...
Watch Now
Deiva Piravi
1959
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
6.4/5
After the East India Company forces Kattabomman, the king of Panchalankurichi, to pay taxes and be their subordinate, the latter decides to fight agai...
Watch Now
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
1959
Thangapadumai
10/1
Sivaji Ganesan plays the younger physician to the king (R. Balasubramaniam) and his wife (Padmini) was modelled on Kannagi as the personification of f...
Watch Now
Thangapadumai
1958
Uthama Puthiran
7.333/3
A conspiring uncle separates the twin sons of his sister, the queen. One becomes his uncle's pawn while the other grows to be a brave and honest man,...
Watch Now
Uthama Puthiran
1956
Amara Deepam
9/1
Amara Deepam is a Tamil film is directed by T. Prakash Rao released in 1956. A educated unemployed person Ashok (Sivaji Ganesan) falls in love with at...
Watch Now
Amara Deepam
1953
Anbu
0/0
Watch Now
Anbu
1954
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
9/1
Watch Now
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
1957
Baagyavathi
8/1
Somu, who is a criminal, marries Meena. Unable to expose Somu because of her love and devotion to him, she tries to transform him. In a separate story...
Watch Now
Baagyavathi
1986
Lakshmi Vandhachu
0/0
Rajeshwari is the strict disciplinarian of the family that keeps everyone under her control – particularly her husband Rajasekhar. Her four sons live...
Watch Now
Lakshmi Vandhachu
1956
Asai
0/0
Watch Now
Asai
1960
Meenda Sorgam
0/0
Nirmala (Padmini) is a poor but talented young dancer who falls in love with a rich man's son Sekar (Gemini Ganesan), but he is forced to marry a rich...
Watch Now
Meenda Sorgam
1958
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
7/1
Watch Now
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
1970
Ethirkalam
0/0
Watch Now
Ethirkalam
1972
Appa Tata
0/0
Watch Now
Appa Tata
1958
Vanjikottai Valiban
6/1
Vanjikkottai Valiban is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language romance film written by Gemini Studios story department consisting of K. J. Mahadevan, C. Sriniva...
Watch Now
Vanjikottai Valiban
1969
Gurudhatchanai
8/1
Watch Now
Gurudhatchanai
1970
Vietnam Veedu
7.667/3
Prestige Padmanabha Iyer retires from his company executive position and has a lonely and unhappy life with his family in the ancestral home Vietnam H...
Watch Now
Vietnam Veedu
1970
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
9/1
Watch Now
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
1976
Uzhaikkum Karangal
7/2
Rangan is a servant at the house of Nagalingam, a rich and ruthless man. While he strives to fight against his employer's misdeeds, the latter's siste...
Watch Now
Uzhaikkum Karangal
1971
Rickshawkaran
6.2/2
A rickshaw puller, who also enjoys racing with other rickshaw pullers, finds a child whose father has been killed. All his attempts to seek justice fo...
Watch Now
Rickshawkaran
1977
Navarathinam
8/1
In order to stay away from his mother and her influential demeanor, Thangam, a young and affluent feudal lord, sets off on a quest to avenge his fathe...
Watch Now
Navarathinam
1962
Vikramaadhithan
7/0
1962 Indian Tamil-language film
Watch Now
Vikramaadhithan
1962
Rani Samyuktha
0/0
Prithvirajan falls in love with princess Samyuktha, but her father Jayachandran insults him by installing his statue at the palace hall entrance for t...
Watch Now
Rani Samyuktha
1960
Mannadhi Mannan
0/0
Watch Now
Mannadhi Mannan
1960
Raja Desingu
10/1
Watch Now
Raja Desingu
1957
Rajarajan
4/1
Watch Now
Rajarajan
1956
Madurai Veeran
7/2
Bommi, a princess, falls in love with Veeran, the adopted son of a cobbler, who reciprocates her feelings. However, when her uncle persuades the king...
Watch Now
Madurai Veeran
1960
Arasilangumari
0/0
Watch Now
Arasilangumari
1952
Andhaman Kaidhi
10/1
Watch Now
Andhaman Kaidhi
1950
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
0/0
'Maruthanaatu Ilavarasi' is a well-woven story about a king (Veerappa) with two wives (one played by Saraswathi and the other does not appear in the m...
Watch Now
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1948
Mohini
0/0
Watch Now
Mohini
1950
Manthiri Kumari
10/1
The king of Mullai nadu appoints Veera Mohan as the General of the army. Raja guru, the head priest and Parthiban, his son are enraged by this decisio...
Watch Now
Manthiri Kumari
1958
Raj Tilak
9/1
A young man goes on a quest to find his mother and to restore justice in a kingdom that has fallen into the hands of traitors.
Watch Now
Raj Tilak
1960
Bindya
10/1
A government contractor desires a criminal brother-in-low to marry a girl, but she has fallen in love with contractor's sobriety-conscious brother.
Watch Now
Bindya
1967
Iruttinte Athmavu
5.667/3
Velayudhan, a mentally retarded person, lives along with his family. He shares everything with Lakshmi, his cousin. He struggles as Lakshmi leaves him...
Watch Now
Iruttinte Athmavu
1949
Laila Majnu
7/1
Khayas falls in love with Laila but her father refuses the alliance, which leaves Khayas heartbroken. Things take a turn when Laila then moves to Mecc...
Watch Now
Laila Majnu
1965
Mahabharat
8/3
A version of the epic Indian poem "The Mahabharata", telling the story of the war between the families of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, descending fr...
Watch Now
Mahabharat
1966
Thaaye Unakkaga
8/1
1966 Tamil remake of "Ballad of a Soldier".
Watch Now
Thaaye Unakkaga
1968
Kuzhanthaikkaga
0/0
Watch Now
Kuzhanthaikkaga
1933
Marthanda Varma
9/1
Based on the novel Marthandavarma, the film recounts the adventures of the crown Prince, Marthandavarma on how he eliminates his arch-rivals one by on...
Watch Now
Marthanda Varma
1955
Mangayar Thilakam
7/1
The story starts with the special birthday celebration of a girl. Vasudevan (Sivaji Ganesan) narrates the story which goes back 14 years behind. Karun...
Watch Now
Mangayar Thilakam
1991
Vasthuhara
7.667/3
Vasthuhara (Malayalam: വാസ്തുഹാര English: The Dispossessed) is a Malayalam social film by the late G. Aravindan which looks into the lives of partitio...
Watch Now
Vasthuhara
1958
Mujrim
7.5/2
Shammi Kapoor stars as a criminal who exchanges identity with a dead man in order to start over.
Watch Now
Mujrim
1970
Mera Naam Joker
7.412/74
Raju faces many hurdles and disappointments in matters of the heart throughout his life. But as a clown in a circus, he tries to make his audience lau...
Watch Now
Mera Naam Joker
1954
Snehaseema
0/0
An orphan raised by the local priest becomes a teacher and falls in love with the rich school headmaster's daughter. Despite opposition from her fathe...
Watch Now
Snehaseema
1960
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
6.143/7
Raju informs the police about a group of bandits, even though he is in love with the chief's daughter. The police set out to kill the clan and it is u...
Watch Now
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
1954
Thookku Thookki
0/0
Chitragathan, a young prince, is determined to prove the maxims at a debating society wrong. He undergoes various adventures that makes him realise ho...
Watch Now
Thookku Thookki
1959
Maragatham
7/1
One day, a landlord belonging to a rich family gets murdered and the crime is imposed on Anandar, his innocent brother, and his lovely wife Karpagaval...
Watch Now
Maragatham
1993
Dollar
8/1
The movie depicts the life of Malayali families settled in the US. It discusses the clash of the cultures.
Watch Now
Dollar
1958
Sampoorna Ramayanam
8/1
The story of the complete Ramayana, from the birth of Lord Rama to his Pattabhisheka after completing his exile.
Watch Now
Sampoorna Ramayanam
1960
Singapore
6.6/5
When his employee disappears in Singapore, Shyam travels from India to investigate the absence and becomes entangled in a deadly plot.
Watch Now
Singapore
1970
Mastana
10/1
A poor and lonely woman strikes up a friendship with a rich but neglected child, but her parents refuse to let their child see her - until she falls g...
Watch Now
Mastana
1970
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
0/0
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi is a 1970 Tamil language drama film directed by P. Madhavan
Watch Now
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
1960
Vidivelli
0/0
Chandru (Sivaji Ganesan) has a sister (Rajam) who is married to a handsome Ravi (Balaji). But her in-laws insist on a diamond necklace, without which...
Watch Now
Vidivelli
1961
Then Nilavu
6.5/2
Watch Now
Then Nilavu
1963
Nenjam Marappathillai
7.5/2
A college sophomore, on a visit to his friend's village, explores a dilapidated and haunted villa, falls unconscious and learns completely about his p...
Watch Now
Nenjam Marappathillai
1950
Prasanna
8/1
Thampi and Menon decide to strengthen their relations. Thampi decides to marry Madanika and Menon decides to marry Prasanna. Ayyappan is shocked by th...
Watch Now
Prasanna
1954
Edhir Paradhathu
0/0
Ethirpaaraathathu narrates the story of star-crossed lovers Sundar (Sivaji Ganesan) and Sumathi (Padmini) in whose house Sundar, a college student, lo...
Watch Now
Edhir Paradhathu
1962
Paadha Kaanikkai
6/1
Paadha Kaanikkai (English: Offering to the feet) is a 1962 Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Shankar. The film features Gemini Ganesan, Savitri...
Watch Now
Paadha Kaanikkai
1952
Amarakavi
0/0
Amarakavi (English: Immortal Poet) is a 1952 Indian Tamil language film produced and directed by F. Nagoor. The film featured M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagava...
Watch Now
Amarakavi
1984
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
8/7
Kunjoonjamma Thomas is a widow living in the village all by herself. People always make fun of her because she is grumpy and depressed due to the deat...
Watch Now
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
1961
Umminithanka
10/1
Umminithanka is a 1961 Indian Malayalam film, directed by G Viswanath and produced by PK Sathyapal. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy
Watch Now
Umminithanka
1985
Poove Poochudava
8.333/3
An elderly woman who is rich lives alone in a town. However, her life changes for the better when her granddaughter comes to live with her.
Watch Now
Poove Poochudava
1950
Ezhai Padum Paadu
7.5/2
A small time criminal turns over a new leaf with the help of a bishop and starts leading a new life with a changed identity. When Inspector Javert fin...
Watch Now
Ezhai Padum Paadu
1952
Panam
0/0
Panam (English: Money) is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by N. S. Krishnan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, N. S. Krishnan and T....
Watch Now
Panam
1958
The Eternal Lamp
7/1
Film starring Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala and Padmini
Watch Now
The Eternal Lamp
1965
Kaajal
5.333/3
Raised by a kind matriarch, Madhavi (Meena Kumari) shares a close bond with her foster brother Rajesh (Dharmendra). When Rajesh marries the insecure B...
Watch Now
Kaajal
1963
Dil Hi To Hai
10/1
Children are exchanged by greedy aunt and uncle in childhood and they live undeserved lives.
Watch Now
Dil Hi To Hai
1958
Annaiyin Aanai
8/1
Ganesh's father is falsely accused of a crime and murdered in prison. Years later, his mother asks him to exact revenge against the culprit.
Watch Now
Annaiyin Aanai
1959
Do Behnen
6/2
A truant twin is compelled to take over the life of her married deceased sister.
Watch Now
Do Behnen
1956
Iru Sahodarigal
8/1
Watch Now
Iru Sahodarigal
1963
Iruvar Ullam
10/1
The story revolves around Selvam, an easygoing youngster who befriends many girls without the intention of marrying any of them.
Watch Now
Iruvar Ullam
1957
Mallika
0/0
Watch Now
Mallika
1967
Aurat
9/1
A woman responsible for her mother and 7 siblings faces challenges after marrying a widower with 6 children.
Watch Now
Aurat
1957
Payal
7/2
A remake of the director's own Tamil film Mallika (1957).
Watch Now
Payal
1958
Raagini
10/1
Binda, an old musician in a village near Bombay, has brought up his son Rajan, in the hope that one day Rajan will become a great musician.
Watch Now
Raagini
1970
Vivahitha
9/1
Meena marries her brother-in-law after her sister dies, even though she is in love with Rajendran. Years later, she meets Rajendran and is forced to c...
Watch Now
Vivahitha
1949
Vaazhkai
9/1
Meenakshi, an unwed mother, leaves her baby in Nathan’s car after her lover, Moorthy, abandons her. Though Nathan takes care of the child, his girlfri...
Watch Now
Vaazhkai
1952
Mr. Sampat
9/1
The charming Mr. Sampat weaves his way into theatrical company with his moneymaking schemes, only to cause the everyone involved to go bankrupt, inclu...
Watch Now
Mr. Sampat
1971
Thenum Paalum
0/0
Watch Now
Thenum Paalum
1967
Vasantha Sena
7/1
Vasanthasena is a dancer in a king's palace. When Shakara troubles her, she escapes and meets Charudatta. But Shakara has no plans to leave them alone...
Watch Now
Vasantha Sena
1959
Chathurangam
7/1
1959 Indian Malayalam-language film
Watch Now
Chathurangam
1949
Velaikari
8/1
Watch Now
Velaikari
1954
Sorgavasal
7/1
Watch Now
Sorgavasal
1951
Or Iravu
7/2
A thief breaks into a wealthy man's house unaware that the man is his father, who had abandoned his mother and him a long time ago.
Watch Now
Or Iravu
1951
Devaki
0/0
A man, who goes from rags to riches, forgets his humble past. However, his daughter's loyalty towards her poor and sick husband proves an eye-opener f...
Watch Now
Devaki
1955
Koteeswaran
9/1
After completing their studies, best friends Chandru and Shankar return to their village and get shocked to learn about the prevalence of the dowry sy...
Watch Now
Koteeswaran
1950
Laila Majnu
0/0
Watch Now