Padmavati Rao, credited as Akshatha Rao in Kannada films, is an Indian actress, theatre personality, poet, dancer and translator. She is known for her theatre activities and performances in movies including Ondanondu Kaladalli (1978),Geetha (1981 film),Pardes (1997), Padmaavat (2018) and Tanhaji (2020).

Personal life
Padmavati was born in Delhi. She is the sister of actress Arundhati Nag.