Kovai Sarala was born in
Coimbatore,
Tamil Nadu (then in
Madras State) in a
Malayali family. She developed interest in acting after watching
MGR's films. She completed her studies and entered the film industry with the support of her sister and father. and did a supporting role in Malayalam movie
Thaliritta Kinakkal (1980). She completed Class 10 and joined theatre did stage shows for few years, later she played a 32-year-old pregnant woman
Mundhanai Mudichu, her second tamil film. Two years later she acted in
Chinna Veedu, where she played the 65-year-old mother of
Bhagyaraj's character. Also hosting kids game show
Chellame chellam on
Sun TV. ==Personal life==