Suma Kanakala (née Pallassana Paachuveettil; born on 22 March 1975) is an Indian actress, television presenter and producer who predominantly works in Telugu television and films. She is best known for hosting ETV's Star Mahila – a Telugu TV game show, which is the longest-running TV game show in India and ran for exactly 12 years.

Early and personal life

Suma was born on 22 March 1975 in her native hometown of Palakkad, Kerala, India. She was born to a Malayalii orthodox family and her parents are Pranavi Narayanan Kutty Nair and Pallassana Paachuveettil Vimala who were associated in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India for a very long time because of the father's job transfer near Lalaguda & Mettuguda railways in Secunderabad. She studied at St. Ann’s high school near Tarnaka colony and completed her Degree from Railway Degree College in Lalaguda. Suma was born 10 years later after her parents’ marriage as the only child for them. After six months of her mother’s delivery, she along with her parents flew to Secunderabad where she was brought up near Lalaguda & Mettuguda railways.She married Tollywood actor, Rajeev Kanakala on 10 February 1999 in Hyderabad. They have two children, Roshan Karthik Kanakala and Snehanaswini Kanakala.i orthodox family and her parents are Pranavi Narayanan Kutty Nair and Pallassana Paachuveettil Vimala who were associated in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India for a very long time because of the father's job transfer near Lalaguda & Mettuguda railways in Secunderabad. She studied at St. Ann’s high school near Tarnaka colony and completed her Degree from Railway Degree College in Lalaguda. Suma was born 10 years later after her parents’ marriage as the only child for them. After six months of her mother’s delivery, she along with her parents flew to Secunderabad where she was brought up near Lalaguda & Mettuguda railways.She married Tollywood actor, Rajeev Kanakala on 10 February 1999 in Hyderabad. They have two children, Roshan Karthik Kanakala and Snehanaswini Kanakala. In addition to her mother tongue of Malayalam, she is fluent in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and English.

Early life

Suma was born on 22 March 1974 in her native hometown of Palakkad, Kerala, India. She was born to a Malayali orthodox family and her parents are Pranavi Narayanan Kutty Nair and Pallassana Paachuveettil Vimala who were associated in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India for a very long time because of the father's job transfer near Lalaguda & Mettuguda railways in Secunderabad. She studied at St. Ann’s high school near Tarnaka colony and completed her Degree from Railway Degree College in Lalaguda. Suma was born 10 years later after her parents’ marriage as the only child for them. After six months of her mother’s delivery, she along with her parents flew to Secunderabad where she was brought up near Lalaguda & Mettuguda railways. She married Tollywood actor, Rajeev Kanakala on 10 February 1999 near Sridhar Function Hall in Hyderabad. The wedding took place near Kairathabad junction near Lakdi Kapul station. They have two children- one son named Roshan Karthik Kanakala (born on 15 March 2000) & Snehanaswini Kanakala (born on 31 August 2005). In addition to her mother tongue of Malayalam, she is fluent in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and English.

Career

A presenter aged 16, she has hosted many Telugu film audio launches, film awards and functions. She is a Malayali from Kerala, but speaks Telugu fluently. She has acted in various serial and telefilms since 1995, her breakthrough came with the boom in satellite channels. ''Swayamvaram'', ''Anveshitha'', ''Geethanjali'', and ''Ravoyi Chandamama'' were her major dramas. She didn't have any interest in working in films. Kanakala's flagship show is ''Star Mahila'' on ETV, which attracted many female audiences.A presenter aged 16, she has hosted many Telugu film audio launches, film awards and functions. She is a Malayali from Kerala, but speaks Telugu fluently. She has acted in various serial and telefilms since 1995, her breakthrough came with the boom in satellite channels. ''Swayamvaram'', ''Anveshitha'', ''Geethanjali'', and ''Ravoyi Chandamama'' were her major dramas. She didn't have any interest in working in films. Kanakala's flagship show is ''Star Mahila'' on ETV, which attracted many female audiences. She created a record by this show becoming one of the longest running women game show in India. Kanakala started her own production house named K. Suma Rajeev Creations on 26 December 2012 and has produced a show named ''Lakku Kikku'' which was telecasted on Zee Telugu. She also worked in a show named ''Genes'' on ETV. Her ''Kevvu Keka'' on MAA TV with co-star Mano and produced by K. Suma Rajeev Creations. Kanakala also sang "Suya Suya" song from the 2017 Telugu film ''Winner''. She is well known for her spontaneous and humorous remarks during her shows.

Television career

Serials/ShowsAnveshitha
Veyi padagalu
Swayamvaram
Geetanjali
Soundarya Lahari
She also played minor roles in Shyam Benegal's Amaravathi ki Kathayein(1994–'95)
House of Hungama (2020- present) on Star MaaAs HostStar Mahila on E TV
Swarabhishekam on ETV
Panchavataram on TV9
Pelli Choopulu along with Pradeep Machiraju on Star Maa
Cash on ETV
Bhale Chance Le on Star Maa
Lakku Kikku on Zee Telugu (also producer)
Genes on ETV
Kevvu Keka on MAA TV(defunct show)
Connexion on MAA TV(defunct show)
Avvakayara on MAA TV
T TIME
Pattukunte Pattucheera for Gemini TV
Genes on Zee Tamil Entertainment Television
E Junction on ETV Plus
GENES 2.0 on ETV
Jujubi Tv on YouTube
Sell Me The Answer on Star Maa
F3 – Fun, family & Frustration on Star Maa
Wife Chetilo Life on Star Maa
Sumadeepam on Sakshi TVOther showsBigg Boss Telugu (season 1) on Star Maa as inspection officer
Jabardasth on ETV as guest
Dhee Juniors 2 on ETV as guest
Memu Saitham on Gemini TV as guest
Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu on Star Maa as guest
Coffee with Yamuna as guest
Alitho Saradaga on ETV as guest
Bigg Boss Telugu (season 3) on Star Maa as guest
Bigg Boss Telugu (season 4) on Star Maa as guest