Veteran South Indian actress Tulasi has announced her retirement from the film industry after a remarkable career spanning nearly six decades. The actress, known for her memorable roles as a compassionate mother figure in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada cinema, shared the news with her fans via a series of heartfelt posts on Instagram.
Tulasi's initial posts hinted at her decision with spiritual undertones. One post featured an image of Sai Baba's feet, accompanied by the caption, "Guard and guide me and my son Sai!! Oh deva oh Sainadha". This was followed by an introspective message: "Trust your intuition. You don't need to explain or justify your feelings to anyone, just trust your own inner guidance; it knows best".
Culminating these cryptic messages, Tulasi confirmed her retirement plans in a subsequent post. "In continuation of my Shirdi darshan this December 31, I wish myself a happy retirement will continue my journey in peace with SAINADHA thanking all for helping me learn life SAIRAM," she wrote. She also added in another post, “Happy retirement! Here's to enjoying every minute of your newfound freedom and adventures”. Tulasi has disabled comments on the post.
Tulasi's career began at the tender age of three months in the 1967 Telugu film "Bharya". A family friend, Savitri, requested that she be featured in a cradle for a song in the movie. She gained recognition as a child actor in films such as "Seetamalakshmi" (1978), "Sankarabharanam" (1979), and "Mudda Mandaram" (1981). After marrying Kannada director Sivamani at 28 and having a son named Sai Tarun, Tulasi took a break from acting. During this time, she continued to lend her voice to several Mani Ratnam films.
In 2003, Tulasi made a comeback to the silver screen with the Kannada film "Excuse Me," marking the beginning of her second innings as one of South cinema's most sought-after on-screen mothers. Over the years, she has delivered memorable performances in films like "Mr Perfect", "Iddarammayilatho", "Dear Comrade," and the web series "Oka Chinna Family Story".
Her decision to retire marks the end of an era for South Indian cinema, leaving fans with a legacy of remarkable performances and a career that inspires. Tulasi's transition from a child actor to a beloved mother figure has solidified her place in the hearts of audiences across Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema.
