Jayachitra

Last updated

Jayachitra
Born
Lakshmi Rohini Devi

OccupationActress
Years active1968-present
SpouseGanesh (m.1983-2020)
Children Amresh Ganesh (b.1988)

Jayachitra is an Indian actress films who works mostly in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.

Contents

Early life

Her father Mahendra was a veterinary doctor, who had earlier worked as a lawyer. Her mother Ammaji (a.k.a. Jayasree) was an actress who had acted in films such as the Tamil film Mahaveeran (1955) and Telugu films Rojulu Marai and Daiva Balam (1959). They moved to Chennai for work, which was where Jayachitra was born and raised as Rohini. Her grandmother looked after her when her parents were busy with work. With her mother's encouragement, she became a child star at the age of six in the Telugu film Bhakta Potana.. [1]

Lead actress

When Jayachitra was in her early teens, she screen-tested for a Telugu film titled Beedala Paatlu, but the director felt she was too young and rejected her for the role. However, he did recommend her to K.S. Gopalakrishnan, who was looking for a young, spirited heroine, for the Tamil film Korathi Magan, (1972). He immediately cast her, because he loved the way she delivered her lines. He signed her for three films under his banner and gave her the name Jayachitra. She continued in heroine roles in Ponnukku Thanga Manasu (1973) and played Sivaji's daughter in Bharata Vilas and was one of the 9 heroines in MGR's Navaratnam. She worked for big-name directors, such as K. Balachander in Sollathaan Ninaikiren and Arangetram. She was Kamal Haasan's heroine in the Tamil film Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978) and its Telugu remake Vayasu Pilichindi (1978). As an actress, she was known for her courage and spontaneity as she continued to star in Tamil and Telugu films. She faced a snake up close in Vellikizhamai Viratham (1974), and then a tiger in the Telugu film Cheppindi Chesta (1978). She made other unforgettable films: Ponnukku Thanga Manasu, Sathyam, Kalyanamam Kalyanam, Vandikaran Magan, Cinema Paithiyam (remake of the Hindi hit film Guddi (1971)). Most of her Tamil films are with Kamal Haasan. She memorably played the title role in the Telugu film Kalpana (1977), a remake of the Hindi hit film Anamika (1973)...

Later roles

Later, she became a character actress in K. Balachander's film Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989). [2] After completing 200 films, she turned to television with the serial Sumangali, which she produced, directed and acted in. It became a hit, and she was soon acting and producing other serials, Alaigal and Sivaranjini (2005). [3] She was unanimously elected chairperson of the action committee of the TV Serial Producers' Guild of South India, which in turn led to her involvement in politics. She joined the Congress party and has remained fairly active. [4] She has won numerous awards, including Tamil Nadu's Kalaimamani Award.

As director

She cast herself as the heroine in the Tamil film Pudhiya Raagam (1991), which marked her debut as a director and producer. Unfortunately, the film flopped. In 2010, she cast her son Amresh Ganesh as the hero in the Tamil film Naane Ennul Illai (2010), which she wrote, produced, and directed. [5]

Personal life

After more than a decade as a heroine, Jayachitra decided to concentrate on her personal life by marrying an industrialist named Ganesh in 1983. She has a son with him named Amresh, whom she is trying to promote in show business, just as her mother had done with her. [6] Despite giving him a debut through Naane Ennul Illai (2010), the film's failure made it difficult for Amresh to succeed as an actor. In 2011, it was announced that he would work on projects titled Kaliyuga Kadhalan and Machan Ava En Aalu Da, with the former being set in three different eras, but neither film was completed. [7] Later in the year, Jayachitra announced that she was working on three more films with Amresh in the lead role, Mundru Mugangal, Nedunchalai and Scene Podathey, but again neither film materialised. [8] In 2013, he briefly worked on the making of another incomplete film Thaaru Maaru, which had a grand launch event. [9] In 2015, he was signed on by Raghava Lawrence to work on the music for his forthcoming film Motta Siva Ketta Shiva. Her husband Ganesh died on 3 December 2020. [10]

Partial filmography

Tamil films

YearMovieRoleNotes
1972 Kurathi Magan
Vazhaiyadi Vazhai
1973 Arangetram
School Master
Bharatha Vilas
Ponnukku Thanga Manasu
Pennai Nambungal
Ponvandu
Sollathaan Ninaikkiren
Pookkari Dhanam
1974 Engamma Sapatham
Panathukkaga
Akkarai Pachai
Ungal Viruppam
Idhayam Parkirathu
Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu
Patha Poojai
Unnaithan Thambi
Kadavul Mama
Thaai Paasam
Vellikizhamai Viratham
Kalyanamam Kalyanam
Dheerga Sumangali Special appearance
Engal Kula Deivam
Kaliyuga Kannan
1975 Pattikkaattu Raja
Pattampoochi
Cinema Paithiyam
Yarukku Maappillai Yaro
Sonthangal Vazhga
Pinju Manam
Then Sindhudhe Vaanam
1976Inspector Manaivi
1976Panakkara Penn
Dasavatharam
Thottathellam Pon Aagum
Asai 60 Naal
Payanam
Thayilla Kuzhandai
Satyam
Kumara Vijayam
Varaprasadham
Nee Indri Naan Illai
1977Aalukkoru Aasai
Navarathinam
1978 Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu
Sadhurangam
Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye
Sakka Podu Podu Raja
Vandikkaran Magan
Pilot Premnath
Varuvan Vadivelan
1979Mayandi
Gnana Kuzhandhai
1980Pennukku Yaaru Kaaval
Ratha Paasam
1981Sorgathin Thirappu Vizha
Srinivasa Kalyanam
1982 Nandri, Meendum Varuga Cameo appearance
Mamiyara Marumagala
Nayakarin Magal100th film
1983Kaman Pandigai
1985Thandanai
Engal Kural
Yaar?
1986 Lakshmi Vanthachu
1987 Paruva Ragam
Ivargal Varungala Thoongal
1988 Agni Nakshatram
1989 Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
1991 Pudhiya Raagam Also director, producer and writer
1995 Maaman Magal
1996 Selva
1997 Raasi
Kaadhali
Vasuki
2010 Rettaisuzhi
Naane Ennul Illai
2019 100% Kadhal
2022 Ponniyin Selvan: I Sembiyan Madevi
2023 Ponniyin Selvan: II

Telugu films

Malayalam films

Kannada films

Television

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramya Krishnan</span> Indian actress

Ramya Krishnan, is an Indian actress. In a career spanning over four decades she has appeared in five languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. Ramya has won four Filmfare Awards, three Nandi Awards, and a Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize.

Jayasudha Kapoor is an Indian actress and politician known for her works predominantly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She has also worked in few Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films. Known as natural actress, in a career spanning over 5 decades she received nine state Nandi Awards for her acting in works such as Jyothi (1976), Idi Katha Kaadu (1979), Premabhishekam (1981), Meghasandesam (1982), and Dharmaatmudu (1983).

<i>Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu</i> 1978 film by C. V. Sridhar

Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language romance film written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Sripriya and Jayachitra. It focuses on two women falling in love with the same man.

<i>Vayasu Pilichindi</i> 1978 film by C. V. Sridhar

Vayasu Pilichindi is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language film directed by C. V. Sridhar. It is a remake of his own Tamil film Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978). The film stars Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Sripriya and Jayachitra, all reprising their roles from the original Tamil version. It focuses on two friends falling in love with the same woman.

Sripriya is an Indian former actress, film director and politician from Tamil Nadu. She has acted in over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roja Ramani</span> Indian actress

Roja Ramani is an Indian actress who predominantly worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films. She was a child actor and her debut movie was Bhakta Prahlada (1967) for which she received National Film Award for Best Child Artist. She was popular during the 1970s and early 1980s and has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Odia movies. She worked in 400 films as a dubbing artiste. She is an active member of BlueCross and is involved in several social service activities.

<i>Naane Ennul Illai</i> 2010 Indian film

Naane Ennul Illai is a 2010 Tamil-language film written and directed by former actress Jayachitra, starring her son Amresh Ganesh, in his acting debut, and Arya Menon, with Raaghav, Nassar, and Saranya Ponvannan, among others, playing supporting roles. Amresh Ganesh also worked as the film's music composer, besides writing and singing one song. The film, produced by Sendhur Murugan Combines, released to poor reviews.

Sumithra is an Indian actress. She has appeared in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu language films. She acted as the lead heroine in films between 1974 and 1985. She became well known for her roles as a mother the 1990s onwards.

Sangeeta is an Indian actress who has predominantly worked in Telugu films, alongside Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films. She has appeared with leading actors like Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Chiranjeevi. In the late 1990s she started appearing as a character artist. She has appeared in over 500 films in various south Indian languages.

Rajasree, also known as Rajasri or Rajashri, is an Indian actress active from 1956 to 1979. She is particularly famous for her portrayal as a princess in several folklore Telugu movies opposite N. T. Rama Rao and Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao and for acting alongside Ravichandran in the Tamil comedy films Neeyum Naanum, Kadhalikka Neram Illai and Delhi Mappilai. Notable among Rajasri's roles in non-folklore social films in Tamil are as Nimmi in the Tamil hit comedy film Kaadhalikka Neramillai, remade as Preminchi Choodu in Telugu, as movie star Bhama in Tamil film Bama Vijayam. She was credited as Gracy in the Malayalam movies she starred in her career since her debut film Bharya (1962), directed by Kunchako. Rajasree went on to do 200 films spread across the languages – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi from beginning of 1956 to 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prameela</span> Indian actress

Prameela is a veteran Indian actress in South Indian films. She was a prominent lead actress during the 1970s and 1980s in Malayalam and Tamil films also acted in few Kannada and Telugu films as well. She was noted for her glamorous roles. She has acted more than 50 Malayalam movies. She made her debut through 1968 Malayalam movie "Inspector". She got her major breakthrough in the 1973 Tamil film Arangetram. She is married to an American and settled in Los Angeles, California. She is a Roman Catholic and her mother tongue is Tamil.

Vennira Aadai Nirmala is an Indian actress who has appeared in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. She was a prominent lead actress from 1960s and 70s. She is credited as Ushakumari in Malayalam film industry.

Shubha is an Indian actress who acted prominently in Malayalam films. She was a lead actress during the late 1970s and early 1980s. She also acted in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi films. She was the second lead in the cult Kannada classic Naagarahaavu (1972). For this, she received Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the year 1972–73.

P. R. Varalakshmi is an Indian actress. She was active in movies during the 1970s and 1980s. She was a prominent lead actress during the 1980s in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu films. She has acted around 600 movies in all major south Indian languages. Her debut film was Vazhaiyadi Vazhai in 1972, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan.

Yenigandla Vijaya is an Indian actress and classical dancer. She has appeared in more than 1000 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.

Pudhiya Raagam is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language drama film written, directed and produced by Jayachitra, making her directorial debut with the film featuring herself in lead role with her son Amresh Ganesh, Rahman and Raghuvaran, with Rupini, S. S. Chandran, Chinni Jayanth, Varun Raj and Kovai Sarala playing supporting roles. The film was released on 21 June 1991, and bombed at the box-office.

Amresh Ganesh is an Indian actor, film composer and singer, who has worked in Tamil language films. The son of actress Jayachitra, Amresh appeared as an actor in his mother's productions Pudhiya Raagam (1991) and then in Naane Ennul Illai (2010), before working as a music composer in the late 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muthulingam (poet)</span> Indian Tamil poet and songwriter (born 1942)

Subbiah Muthulingam (Tamil:முத்துலிங்கம்) is an Indian songwriter. He wrote over 1,500 Tamil film songs, and was the winner of Kalaimamani, Pavender Bharathidasan Award, Best Songwriter Award, Artist Award. Muthulingam was appointed as the Tamil Nadu poet laureate in 1980s by the then Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran and was also a Member of Legislative Council (MLC), before it was abolished.

Vindhuja Vikraman is an Indian television actress who appears in Malayalam Tamil and Telugu language soap operas.

References

  1. "CineSouth.com Now and Then Jayachitra". Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2006.
  2. "Stars : Star Interviews : Exclusive : Interview with Jayachitra". Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
  3. "The Hindu : As charming as ever". Archived from the original on 22 March 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2007.
  4. "Metro Plus Tiruchirapalli / Cinema : Small screen, big role". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2006.
  5. "Tamil Cinema News | Tamil Movie Trailers – IndiaGlitz Tamil". Archived from the original on 22 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  6. "Metro Plus Tiruchirapalli / Cinema : Another son rises". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  7. "Two more from Amresh – Tamil News". 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  8. Raghavan, Nikhil (29 October 2011). "Itsy bitsy". The Hindu.
  9. "Thaaru Maaru Movie Launch Photos | New Movie Posters". 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  10. "Celebrities, News, Tips. - baghdadlife.info".[ permanent dead link ]
  11. "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)](PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh . Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)