Suchitra Murali – Malayalam film actress of ‘No.20 Madras Mail’ fame

Suchitra Murali, best known as Suchitra to Malayalis is a former film actress who predominantly worked in the 1990s. She mostly worked in Malayalam movies, apart from a very few Tamil films. She acted in several multi-starrer small budget Malayalam movies of 1990s, where she formed a part of ensemble star cast. She mostly played lead roles and frequently worked with Mukesh, Saikumar, Jagadish and Siddique in many movies. She played child artist role in many movies since late 1970s, and is best known for her debut movie as an adult actress in a lead role, No.20 Madras Mail released in 1990. She is a TV anchor too.

Suchitra started her career as a child artist in 1978

Suchitra Murali was born in 1975 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala into a family with filmy background. Her father Karunakaran, a navy officer by profession has produced around 70 movies. Her father wanted to see her as an actress. For the same reason she nurtured her acting dreams right from her school days at Holy Angel’s School of the capital city. Her younger brother Deepu Karunakaran is a noted filmmaker who directed hit movies like Crazy Gopalan, Winter, Teja Bhai & Family etc. She started her career as a child artist in 1978, and appeared in movies – Aaravam, followed by Vrutham, Oothikachiya Ponnu, Angaadi, Adimakkachavadam etc. She worked as a child artist in the industry till 1987.

Three years later she returned as a lead actress through the thriller movie, No.20 Madras Mail. She was only 15 then. Actor Mohanlal is seen flirting with the actress, when they together travel by a train named No.20 Madras Mail, and later her character is seen murdered. Her role remained memorable, and she got more lead roles from Malayalam cinema at a young age.

She mostly played lead roles throughout 1990s

Initially she played character roles in Kshanakkathu, Kuttettan etc. Her role as Jagadheesh’s younger sister in Priyadarshan’s blockbuster Abhimanyu was a major turning point of her career. Same year she shared screen space with Jagadheesh in one more hit film, Mimics Parade which was a commercial hit. Offers came pouring in. They also worked together in Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans, Kasargod Khader Bhai, Sowbhagyam etc.

She played lead/parallel lead roles in Kasargod Khader Bhai, Neelakurukkan, Mookilla Rajyathu, Kanyakumariyil Oru Kavitha, Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans, Makkal Mahatmyam, Mantrika Cheppu, Mr & Mrs etc, and meaty supporting roles in Sthreedhanam, Kashmeeram, Kashmeeram, Hitler, Rakkili Paatu, Kadinjool Kalyanam, Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu, Kavadiyattam, Sukham Sukhakaram, Cheppadividya, Sowbhagyam etc. Gopura Vasalile in 1991 marked her Tamil debut, where she played second lead.

Though she remained one of the top Malayalam actresses in the first half of 1990s, her career slowly faded after that and she moved to supporting roles. Kakkakkuyil, Snegithiye, Achaneyanenikkishtam, Rakshasa Rajavu, Kasi and Aabharanacharthu in the early 2000s are among her last releases, before she retired from films. She played Mammotty’s wife in Rakshasa Rajavu (2002) after which she disappeared from screen.

She got married to Murali, a pilot by profession in 2002 and moved to US. He resigned his job at American Airlines and took IT job before moving to US. She also enrolled for computer science course in US, and worked in Robotic Process Automation field for some time till her daughter was born. She got into the same profession only after her daughter grew up. She left the industry at the age of only 26, and by that time she acted in around 38 films. She played both traditional and modern girl roles on screen with ease. Now also she receives numerous film offers. Yet she is waiting for the right moment and good script to mark a glorious comeback.

Suchitra Murali – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Her father, a film producer always supported her acting dreams, and he dreamt for a magical entry of his daughter. He wanted to see her debut through a movie directed by Balachandra Menon.

2. She was quite active in cultural events, especially dance competitions during her school days. When her friends dreamt to become a doctor or an engineer, she dreamt to become an actress.

3. She was studying in class 10 when she got her first lead role.

4. She served as the joint secretary of AMMA twice for two consecutive terms during the period, 1997 – 2003. She was introduced to the film organization by Balachandra Menon. In fact she dreamt to be launched to cine world through any movie directed by Menon.

5. When “Miss World Pageant” held in Bangalore, India in 1997, she represented the state – Kerala.

6. She is a trained classical dancer in dance forms – Bharatnatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kuchipudi.

7. No.20 Madras Mail is her only movie watched by daughter. After watching her lying dead in one of the scenes, she quit seeing her mother’s films.