Sunitha Upadrashta, a prominent figure in the South Indian entertainment industry, is renowned for her multifaceted talents. This detailed biography explores her remarkable journey as a singer, anchor, dubbing artist, and actress.
Wiki/Biography
Born on Wednesday, 10 May 1978, in Guntur City, Andhra Pradesh, Sunitha Upadrashta’s zodiac sign is Gemini. Her musical training began at the tender age of six, encompassing Carnatic vocal instruction under Pemaraju Surya Rao and light music guidance from Kalaga Krishna Rao. She quickly showcased her talent through numerous concerts and radio performances with All India Radio (AIR). By the age of 13, she had already graced the prestigious Tyagaraja Aradhana Utsavalu alongside her mentor.
Her dedication earned her several childhood awards and a Central Government scholarship for musical training, laying a solid foundation for her future success.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Husband
Sunitha hails from a Telugu Brahmin family with a deep appreciation for music.
Parents & Siblings
Her parents are Upadrasta Narasimha Rao and Sumathi (née Malladi). Information regarding siblings is not publicly available.
Relationships, Husband & Children
At 19, Sunitha married Kiran Kumar Goparaju, a media professional. The marriage later ended in divorce. She has two children from this marriage: a son, Aakash Goparaju, and a daughter, Shreya Goparaju.
Following her divorce, there was speculation surrounding her personal life. She ultimately married Ram Veerapaneni, an entrepreneur, on January 10, 2021, in a traditional Hindu ceremony at the Sri Seetha Rama Chandra Swamy Temple in Hyderabad.
Career
As a Singer
Sunitha’s playback singing career began at age 17 with the Telugu film Gulabi (1995). She quickly expanded her reach, making her Kannada debut with Bhoomi Geetha (1997) and her Tamil debut with Punniyavathi (1997).
Her extensive discography boasts over 3000 songs across Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films. She’s also contributed to numerous private albums.
Devotional Singing
Sunitha’s musical talents extend to the devotional realm. Her work includes projects such as Annamayya Paataku Pattabhishekam (2016) and contributions to various devotional programs and albums.
As a Voice-Over Artist/Dubbing Artist
Initially hesitant, Sunitha became a highly sought-after voice-over artist. Her career in dubbing began with the 1998 film Choodalani Undi, where she dubbed for Soundarya. Since then, she has lent her voice to over 110 actresses in more than 750 films, including a remarkable 60 films in a single year.
In Television
Her television journey started in 1995 with Paadave Koyila on DD National. She has sung title songs for many Telugu TV serials and also hosted several popular shows.
As an Anchor
Sunitha debuted as a television anchor in 1996 with Navaragam on Gemini TV. Her hosting credits include numerous popular shows, showcasing her versatility and engaging personality.
As an Actress
Sunitha’s acting career includes roles in short Telugu films, such as Raagam (2016) and a special appearance in Thadasthu (2018).
Awards & Honours
Sunitha’s contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards, including National Awards, Nandi Awards, Filmfare Awards, and many more prestigious accolades. These awards span her work as a singer, dubbing artist, and overall contributions to the entertainment industry.
| Award | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|
| National Award for Folk Songs | (Year Unspecified) | Folk Songs |
| National Award (All India Radio) | 1994 | Light Music |
| Nandi Award (Best Female Playback Singer) | 1999 | TV film Antha Rangaalu |
| Nandi Award (Best Female Dubbing Artist) | 2002 | Film Jayam |
| Filmfare Award (Best Female Playback Singer – Kannada) | 2010 | Song “O Priyathama” from Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu |
| Filmfare Award (Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu) | 2014 | Song “Em Sandehamledu” from Oohalu Gusagusalade |
Controversy
In 2019, a public statement by Swamy Swaroopanandendra Saraswati caused a controversy, leading to Sunitha publicly addressing the situation on social media.
Favourite Things
- Actress: Sophia Loren
- Singers: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
- Beverage: Coffee
- Scripture: Bhagavad Gita
Facts/ Trivia
Sunitha enjoys travelling and photography, owns a dog named Snoopy, and can also play the Veena. She has performed in over 500 programs across various television channels and in over 19 countries.
