Disco Shanti


Santha Kumari, also known as Disco Shanti, is an Indian film actress who was particularly famous in South India for her appearances in item numbers. She rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s, ruling the item number niche for quite a long time, since lead actresses were unwilling to make glamorous appearances back then.
She has appeared in more than 900 films in different languages of India, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Odia.

Personal life

Disco Shanti is the daughter of Tamil actor C. L. Anandan, who starred in many films, such as Vijayapuri Veeran and Kaattumallika. She has a younger sister, actress Lalitha Kumari. She married Telugu actor Sri Hari in 1996 and stopped working in movies. The couple had two sons and a daughter. Their daughter Akshara died when she was just four months old. The family started the Akshara Foundation in her memory, which aims to supply villages with fluoride-free water and students with school supplies. They also adopted four villages in Medchal. Sri Hari, who had been suffering from a liver ailment for some time, complained of giddiness during the shooting of R... Rajkumar, being directed by Prabhu Deva. He was rushed to a hospital where he died later.

Filmography

Disco Shanti performed / acted in the following movies.
YearMovieLanguageRole
1983Vasanthame VarugaTamil
1985Vellai ManasuTamil
1985Udaya GeethamTamil
1985SaaviTamilClub dancer
1985Ketti MelamTamilFake Illaya Rani
1985Kattukkulle ThiruvizhaTamil
1985UyerthezhunelppuMalayalam
1985Aa Neram Alppa DooramMalayalamDancer
1985Chidambara RahasiyamTamilAasha
1986Adutha VeeduTamil
1986Marakka MattenTamil
1986SathkaaraKannada
1986Murattu KarangalTamil
1986Africadalli SheelaKannadaZeher - the dancer
1986Oomai VizhigalTamil
1986NimishangalMalayalam
1986Dharma DevathaiTamil
1987Raja MariyadhaiTamil
1987Kizhakku Africavil SheelaTamil
1987Mr. RajaKannada
1987Kadhal ParisuTamil
1987Nee Allenkil NjanMalayalamDancer
1987Huli HebbuliKannada
1987JayasimhaKannada
1987Kavalan Avan KovalanTamil
1987AaseKannada
1987KurukshetraKannada
1987SangramaKannada
1987Paasam Oru VeshamTamil
1987Ivargal Varungala ThoongalTamil
1987Anthima GhattaKannada
1988ShakthiKannada
1988Urimai GeethamTamil
1988Gudugu SidiluKannada
1988Thayi KaruluKannada
1988Oorigitta KolliKannada
1988Onnum Onnum PathinettuMalayalam
1988Raasave Unnai NambiTamil
1988Nammoora RajaKannada
1988BharathKannada
1988Manamagale VaaTamil
1988Gharwali BaharwaliHindi
1988Kazhugumalai KallanTamil
1988Anjada GanduKannada
1988Puthiya VaanamTamil
1988Matru Devo BhavaKannada
1988Paatti Sollai ThattatheTamil
1988NallavanTamil
1988Dharmathin ThalaivanTamil
1988Ullathil Nalla UllamTamil
1988SangliyanaKannada
1988Raththa DhanamTamil
1988KabzaaHindiDancer
1988ArjunKannada
1989Pongi Varum KaveriTamil
1989Avatara PurushaKannada
1989Idhayathai ThirudatheTamil
1989SivaTamil
1989Asmaan Se OonchaHindiGuest Appearance
1989Malayathi PennuMalayalam
1989Dharma DevanTamil
1989Dilli BabuTamil
1989GeethanjaliTeluguDancer
1989Khuli KhidkiHindiReena
1989Moodu ManthiramTamil
1989Nyayakkaagi NaanuKannada
1989Naalai ManithanTamil
1989IndrajithKannada
1989CBI ShankarKannada
1989Padma VyuhaKannada
1989HendthighelbediKannadaShanti
1989Vetri VizhaTamil
1989Idu SaadhyaKannada
1989Nyaya TharasuTamil
1989Penn Buthi Pin ButhiTamil
1989Samsarame SaranamTamil
1989Hosa KavyaKannada
1989Sondham 16Tamil
1989Vaai KozhuppuTamil
1989Onti SalagaKannada
1989Kanoon Apna ApnaHindiDancer
1989Vetri VizhaTamil
1989JayabheriKannada
1990Idhaya ThamaraiTamil
1990Nammoora HammeeraKannada
1990Kadathanadan AmbadiMalayalam
1990Ulagam Pirandhadhu EnakkagaTamil
1990AshwamedhaKannada
1990Poli KittyKannada
1990Paattukku Naan AdimaiTamil
1990Sandhana KaatruTamil
1990Kiladi ThathaKannada
1990GhayalHindiDancer
1990Challenge GopalakrishnaKannada
1990Sididedda GanduKannada
1990Sandhana KaatruTamil
1990Gunahon Ka DevtaHindiDancer
1990My Dear MarthandanTamil
1990Anantha PremaKannada
1990Pundara GandaKannada
199048 ManikkurMalayalam
1990Manaivi Oru ManickamTamil
1990Chakadola Karuchi LeelaOdiaDancer
1990AshwamedhaKannada
1990Jamai RajaHindiAruna
1990ChallengeKannada
1990Oru Veedu Iru VasalTamil
1990ShivarajKannada
1990Jungle Love Hindi
1991SP BhargaviKannada
1991Naag ManiHindiItem number in the song "Mera Laung Gawaacha"
1991Pondatti PondattithanTamilPadma
1991Sami Potta MudichuTamil
1991ZaherHindi
1991Prema PareeksheKannada
1991Nee Pathi Naan PathiTamil
1991Rowdy AlluduTeluguItem number in the song "Amalapuram Bulloda"
1991Eeramana RojaveTamil
1991Vetri PadigalTamil
1991Alludu Diddina KapuramTelugu
1991Anatha RakshakaKannada
1991Shanti Enathu ShantiTamil
1991Mathru BhagyaKannada
1992Balarama KrishnuluTeluguComedy role / Dancer
1992AmaranTamil
1992Gharaana MoguduTeluguItem number in the song "Bangaru Kodi Petta"
1992ChinnavarTamilItem number in the song "Padakottum Pattammah"
1992Putta HendthiKannada
1992Sigappu ParavaiTamil
1992Radha Ka SangamHindi
1992Police FileKannada
1992Agni PaarvaiTamil
1992Banni Ondsala NodiKannada
1992PangaliTamil
1992Kaaval GeethamTamil
1992President Gari PellamTeluguSinging voice
1992RishiMalayalam
1992Alli Ramachari Illi BrahmachariKannada
1992BharathanTamil
1992Natchathira NayaganTamil
1993Jana Mecchida MagaKannada
1993RRRKRMRGKKTamil
1993PrathapTamil
1993Sabash BabuTamil
1993Srinatha Kavi SarvabhowmuduTelugu
1993Aaha BrahmachariKannada
1993SuryodayaKannada
1993PrathiphalaKannada
1993Mechanic AlluduTelugu
1993Mane DevruKannada
1993Sarkarakke SavalKannada
1993Poorna SangramaKannada
1993Khaidi No. 407Kannada
1993Mojina MaduveKannada
1993BhagyawanHindi
1994Vaade IraadeHindi
1994CheetahHindi
1994Ilaignar AniTamilRukku
1994AlexanderKannada
1994ThanikheKannada
1994Atha Maga RathinameTamil
1994Brahmachari MoguduTelugu
1994PavithraTamilShiba
1994Bangaru KutumbamTelugu
1994DulaaraHindi
1994KinnaripuzhayoramMalayalam
1994GandugaliKannada
1995Muthu KaalaiTamil
1995Bhale BulloduTelugu
1995Raja Enga RajaTamil
1995NaajayazHindi
1995God and GunHindi
1995BetegaraKannada
1995PutmalliKannada
1995Ganeshana GalateKannada
1996AatankHindi
1996BossKannada
1996Irattai RojaTamil
1996Stunt MasterKannada
1996Rambha Rajyadalli RowdyKannada
1996GaayaKannada
1996Bangarada ManeKannada
1996ThuraimugamTamil
1997YuddhaKannada

Depictions in popular culture

The Dirty Picture, a 2011 Bollywood musical drama film was inspired by the life of Silk Smitha as well as her southern contemporaries such as Disco Shanti and other women in popular culture, including Hollywood actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe.