Shylashri began her career with a small role in the Kannada film Sandhya Raga, released in 1966. Later she played various roles as heroine, second heroine, vamp, dancer and supporting character.

She is well remembered for her role in the National Award-winning Kannada film Naguva Hoovu, released in 1971. She played a nurse who falls in love with a doctor but sacrifices her love for a cancer patient who loves her and is the son of the hospital's owner. She wrote the story for the film, which was produced by R.N.R. Productions.

She appeared in Bangarada Hoovu with Dr. Rajkumar, Makkale Manege Manikya, Nakkare Ade Swarga. Apart from Kannada films, she also appeared in a few Tamil films as well.

She married Kannada actor R.N.Sudarshan, with whom she acted in films such as Naguva Hoovu, Kadina Rahasya, Kallara Kalla, Malathi Madhava, etc.

Tamil

• Motor Sundaram Pillai (1966)
• Atthai Magal (1966)
• Pandhyam (1967)
• Penne Nee Vazhga (1967)
• Selva Magal (1967)
• Muthu Chippi (1968)
• Aayiram Poi (1969)
• Dharisanam (1969)
• Vaa Raja Vaa (1969)
• Subhadhinam (1969)
• Aindhu Laksham (1969)
• Thirumalai Thenkumari (1970)
• Thabalkaran Thangai (1970)
• Aathi Parasakthi (1971)
• Kurathi Magan (1972)