At the age of 15, she made her debut in Kannada films with ‘Chinnada Gombe' that was released in 1964. The film became a big hit.
In 1965, she made debut in Tamil Cinemawith a role in' Vennira Aadai'. In 1966, she made her debut in Telugu cinema with the film ‘Manushulu Mamathalu'.
But it was Gonndachari 116, a James Bond-style film, that catapulted her to fame.
M G Ramachandran was her favourite co-star with whom she did 28 films. The famous pair gave some of the best ever hits that included including films like Kavalkaran, Adimai Pen, Engal Thangam, Kudiyiruntha Koil, Ragasiya Police 115 and Nam Naadu. Some of her popular movies are Vennira Aadai, Aayirathil Oruvan, Kavalkaran, Pudhiya Boomi, Iru Deivangal, Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal.