From singing in sarees to slipping into surprise film roles, Usha Uthup’s journey is anything but predictable - here’s how one legendary voice traipsed across the silver screen, undercover.

Let me ask - did you ever peg Usha Uthup for an actor? No, really, between “Hari Om Hari” earworms and her trademark gajra, most only picture the indomitable singer behind a mic. Turns out, that’s just half the show. Peel that shimmering layer of melody, and you’ll find a filmography brimming with cameos, character parts, even some hidden gems that just about nobody talks about at family dinners. She once joked, “Please don’t cast me as myself... I want to be anyone but Usha Uthup!” - which is delightfully true, as you’ll see.

Not Just a Footnote: Her Secret Side Hustle 

Usha Uthup in ‘Pothan Vava’

(Credit:iMDb)

Okay, so technically, “secret” might be stretching it. Still, not many folks recall her acting debut in “Pothan Vava,” a Malayalam flick from 2006, where she played Kurisuveettil Mariamma - no singing, no stage, just raw dramatic chops. She stepped out, sari pleats crisp, and hit her mark with an earnest gusto that left the cast thoroughly impressed. Back then, fans nearly did a double-take. Usha? Acting? What next, Lata on a skateboard? 

Usha Uthup in ‘Bombay to Goa’ 

(@suhana_daur/Instagram)

And let’s not gloss over her blink-and-miss Bollywood entries: she’s popped up in “Bombay To Goa,” twinkled briefly in “Hattrick,” and in “Bow Barracks Forever,” she even played herself - throwing in a wink to Kolkata’s Anglo-Indian crowd. Sometimes, her characters stuck out like a sore thumb, but didn’t she always hug that oddness head-on?

Seven Sins and a Maid’s Apron 

Usha Uthup in 7 Khoon Maaf

(iMDb)

Of course, the pièce de résistance: Vishal Bhardwaj’s audacious “7 Khoon Maaf,” where Usha played the loyal maid, and yes, delivered a memorable song to boot. She's cheeky, helpful, and hard to forget, making her mark alongside the likes of Priyanka Chopra. Now, some say the real spotlight found her not in commercial blockbusters, but in those tiny moments - a grandmother in one movie, a wise old caretaker in another. Usha’s mantra? No role too big, no wig too wild. 

But Usha, ever the unconventional soul, once confessed she'd kill (figuratively!) for the role of a vada paav vendor or a bootlegger. Basically, “Whatever lets me be someone nobody expects. Make me a servant, a gossipy aunty. Just don’t ask me to play by myself!” she teased in a recent chat.

Sarees, Sidesteps, and Stardom 

Let’s face it: her acting pursuits are an extension of that fiercely original personality. A performer through and through, she brings the same sass and sparkle to the camera as she does on stage. There's gusto in her gait, and when she turns up on set, folks notice - fragrant gajra, stacks of bangles, those glorious Kanjeevarams. You can almost hear the anklets jingle.

Truth is, while Usha Uthup never abandoned her “Queen of Pop” throne, she carved a sly, surprising niche on screen. When asked if it’s fame or fun that draws her to acting, she laughed, “Bit of both! And, honestly, isn’t that what life’s about?” 

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to you, Usha ji!