Sumithra is an Indian actress. She has appeared in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada languages. She acted as the lead heroine in films between 1974 and 1986. She later started being known for her roles as mother since 1990s.Sumithra was born to Ragavan Nair and Janaki at Thrissur, Kerala.[4] She has three brothers, her father was working in an oil refining company. When she was doing her schooling she learnt dance from Murugappan Master, who was the guide to K.R Vijaya on that time. Sumithra is a good classical dancer. Sumithra started her career at her 19 years in the movie Nirthasala in 1972, Director A.P Raj is the first director who noticed sumithra's talent. Sumithra acted as heroine with Rajini and Kamal as well as she acted as mother to both of them. Sumithra made her debut in Nirmalayam. She has acted in over 200 films in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada languages. In Tamil, Avalum Penn Thaane (1974) was her first movie. Later in 1975 she made her debut Kannada movie Mugiyada Kathe which had a popular song "Kangalu Vandane Helide". She has acted with leading heroes like Vishnuvardhan, Rajesh in Kannada, Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Sivakumar, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in Tamil. She's performed supporting roles in hundreds of Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam,and Telugu movies