Shruti (actress)

Last updated

S. Mahendar
(m. 1998;div. 2009)
Chakravarthy Chandrachud
(m. 2013;div. 2014)
Shruti
Shruti (Apr, 2016).jpg
Shruti in 2016
Chairperson, Karnataka Women’s Development Corporation
In office
2008 June 2009
Relatives Sharan (brother)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • politician

Shruti (born Girija; 18 September 1975), is an Indian actress, television personality and politician. She is known for her work predominantly in Kannada language films and in a few Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films. She has appeared in over 100 films and has won three Karnataka State Film Awards, one Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards South in her career spanning over 35 years.

Contents

Shruti was among the leading actresses in Kannada cinema during the 1990s and early 2000s who featured in the lead roles in several commercially successful and critically acclaimed films such as Shruthi (1990), Muddina Maava (1993), Aagatha (1995), Karpoorada Gombe , Kalki (both 1996), Gowdru (2004), Rama Shama Bhama (2005), Akka Thangi (2008) and Puttakkana Highway (2011). In the later years, she switched to character roles and won laurels for her performances in Kalpana (2012), Gombegala Love (2013), Rathnan Prapancha , Bhajarangi 2 (both 2021), Kaatera (2023) and Maadeva (2025).

Shruti is the sister of actor Sharan. In 2016, she won the third season of the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada. [1] She has continued to appear in Television as a judge for reality shows such as Majaa Talkies and Kwaatle Kitchen.

Shruti joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2008. She was made the chairperson of the Karnataka Women and Child Development Corporation before being removed in 2009. In 2013, she joined the Karnataka Janata Paksha which eventually merged in 2014 with BJP. She is currently serving as chief secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing in its Karnataka cadre.

Early life

Shruti was born as Girija on 18 September 1975 into a family of Kannada theatre artists in Hassan, Karnataka, India. Her father J. V. Krishna owned a theatre company and married twin sisters Radha and Rukmini who had joined his troupe as artists. Shruti's elder brother Sharan is a leading actor in Kannada cinema, while her sister Usha is younger to her. Since they have two mothers, the subject about who is their biological mother has generated curiosity among the media and public over the years. However, both Sharan and Shruti have asserted that they consider both to be their biological mother. [2] Shruti spent most of her early life in Puttur where she pursued her basic schooling.

Career

Films

Shruti in 2011 Kannada film Sri Naga Shakthi Shruti.jpg
Shruti in 2011 Kannada film Sri Naga Shakthi
Shruti (Apr, 2016) 01.jpg
Shruti (April 2023) 02.jpg
(L–R) Shruti in an interview in 2016, 2023

At the age of 14, Shruti landed in her first film in a supporting role in S. Umesh's romantic comedy film, Nambidre Nambi Bitre Bidi, released in 1990. She was credited as Priyadarshini by the makers so as not to be confused with another actress Girija Lokesh. Her next role came through another comedy film, Aasegobba Meesegobba released in the same year where she played sister to actor Shiva Rajkumar. However, her breakthrough came in the same year with the film Shruthi , which was directed by Dwarakish who rechristened her name as Shruti. [3] She played the titular role of a struggling singer who is aided by four men to achieve her dreams. The film, which was a remake of Tamil film, Pudhu Vasantham , had a successful theatrical run of over 25 weeks.

Following this, Shruti featured in a series of comedy films out of which Gauri Ganesha , Punda Prachanda (both 1991), Bombat Hendthi , Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi (both 1992) were successful projects. She expanded into Tamil and Telugu cinema in 1992 with Devar Veettu Ponnu and Pellaniki Premalekha Priyuraliki Subhalekha respectively. She followed this by playing second lead roles in films such as C. B. I. Shiva , Sindhoora Thilaka , Shambhavi, Ksheera Sagara and Dakshayini. She later took up family drama films such as Alimayya , Sri Durga Pooje, Midida Hrudayagalu and Muddina Maava , all released in 1993.

In 1994, she appeared in two films opposite V. Ravichandran, Rasika , directed by Dwarakish, and Jaana . Her other notable performance came through Rashmi in the same year. She went on to win her first Filmfare Award for her performance in the drama film, Hettha Karulu. She won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for Aagatha (1995) directed by Suresh Heblikar.

In a career spanning three decades, she has acted with all the leading Kannada heroes of her time - Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Tiger Prabhakar, Shiva Rajkumar, Shashikumar, Ramesh Aravind, Jaggesh, Devaraj, Sunil, Abhijeeth and Ram Kumar. Navashakthi Vaibhava (2008) was Shruti's 100th film (filmed in 2003). [4] [5] Gowdru turned out to be her 100th release in which she played the sister of the character played by Ambareesh. [6]

She made her debut in Telugu with Parugo Parugu opposite Rajendra Prasad and went on to act with him in a few more. Her Tamil film Kalki (1996) directed by the ace director K. Balachander won her the Filmfare Award and also the Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Actress.

Shruti made her small screen debut in the Malayalam serial Sthreethvam aired on Surya TV during 2005. Also, her Tamil daily serial, Karthigai Pengal aired on Sun TV from July 2012. Shruti was a contestant in the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada 3, winning the season, in January 2016. [7] In 2017, she appeared as a judge in the comedy television series Majaa Bharatha. [8]

In Vidhi (Article) 370, set in the backdrop of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, her first release of 2023, Shruti played Preethi, the wife of an army officer who needs a heart transplant. [9] In Veeram, she played Saraswathi, the protective sister of the protagonist played by Prajwal Devaraj. The reviewer for Cinema Express wrote: "Shruti's role brings that emotional connection among siblings and all the sentiment is brought through her." [10]

Personal life

Shruti was married to film director S. Mahendar for 11 years and they divorced in 2009.[ citation needed ] Post her divorce she was linked with Chakravarthy Chandrachud, a journalist-turned-director. They got married in June 2013 and divorced a year later. [11]

Filmography

Kannada films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990Nambidre Nambi Bitre BidiCredited as Priyadarshini
Aasegobba Meesegobba Radha
Shruthi Shruthi
1991 Gauri Ganesha Gauri
Nagu Nagutha Nali
Punda Prachanda
C. B. I. Shiva Shruthi
1992 Sindhoora Thilaka
Bombat Hendthi
Chitralekha
Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi Jayakumari
Shambhavi
Ksheera SagaraChandra
1993Abhijith
Kaadambari
Alimayya Lakshmi
Dakshayini
Sri Durga Pooje
Mouna Sangrama
Ranjitha
Kempaiah IPS
Rupaayi Raja
Midida Hrudayagalu Kaveri
Muddina Maava Lakshmi
Amruta Sindhu
1994Apoorva SamsaraRaji
RashmiRashmi
Rasika Rukmini
Jaana Lakshmi
Vijaya KankanaVijaya
Sammilana
Bhuvaneshwari
Mr. Mahesh KumarSoumya
Hettha Karulu Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
Time Bomb Maala
1995 Thumbida Mane Kaveri
Maangalya Sakshi
Kalyanotsava
Mojugara Sogasugara Shantha
Shubha Lagna
Urvashi
Satya Jwale
Taayi Illada Tavaru
Aagatha Usha Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1996 Karpoorada Gombe Seetha
Thavarina Thottilu
Geluvina Saradara
SthreeHeera
Sowbhagya Devathe
Minugu Thare
Thayi Kotta Seere
1997Taaliya Sowbhagya
Shruthi Hakida Hejje
Baalina Daari
Kodagina KaveriKaveri
Thavarina Theru
1998Bhama SatyabhamaBhama
Marthanda
Nammura Huduga
Goonda Mattu Police
Jagadeeshwari
Tavarina Kanike
1999 Veerappa Nayaka
Durga Shakthi
2000 Soorappa Lakshmi
Kadlimatti Station MasterKashibai
Mahathma
Swalpa Adjust Madkolli
2001Amma Ninna Tholinalli
GattimelaGirijaNominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
Jenu Goodu
Mahalakshmi Mahalakshmi
Ellara Mane Dosenu Vasantha
2002Annayya Thammayya
MutthuGowri [12]
Manase O Manase[ citation needed ]
2004Hendthi Andre Hendthi
Gowdru GowriKarnataka State Film Award for Best Actress;
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
2005 Rama Shama Bhama ShantiVatika Chalana Chitra Award for Best Comedian;
Nominated—Udaya film Award for Best Comedian;
Nominated—Udaya Film Award Best Supporting Actress;
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada
Pandu Ranga Vittala
2006 Sirivantha Lakshmi
Hendathi Kattida ThaliDelayed release
2008 Navashakti Vaibhava Saubhagya
Avva Aane Baddi Rangavva
Nandadeepa
Akka Thangi Nagi
2011 Sri Naga Shakthi
Puttakkana Highway PuttakkaFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada
Nominated—TV9 Film Award for Best Supporting Actress - Kannada;
Nominated—Innovative Award for Best Supporting Actress - Kannada;
Nominated—Sandalwood Star Award for Best Supporting Actress;
Nominated—Udaya Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress;
Nominated—Suvarna Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress
Aidondla Aidu
2012 Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri
Rambo Vijayalakshmi
Kalpana JanakiNominated—Sandalwood Star Award for Best Comedian;
Nominated—Udaya Film Award for Best Comedian;
Nominated—Suvarna Film Award for Best Comedian;
Nominated—Udaya Film Award for Best Supporting Actress;
Nominated—Suvarna Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
2013 Gombegala Love Panju's motherKarnataka Vanijya Mandali Award for Best Supporting Actress
Bachchan Lakshmi
2015 Ond Chance Kodi Tavare
2016 Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja
1944Girija
Home Stay
2017Marali Manege
Dandupalya 2 Abhivyakthi
College Kumar Girija
2018 Dandupalya 3 Abhivyakthi
2020 ACT 1978 Kanika Mehta
2021 Mohandas Putlibai
Rathnan Prapancha Yellavva
Bhajarangi 2 Alamelamma
2023Vidhi (Article) 370Preethi
Veeram Saraswathi
Tatsama Tadbhava Suman
13 Part-1Saira
2023 Kaatera KumariNominated- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress- Kannada [13]
Won - Best Supporting Actress - Chittara Star Awards 2024
Won - Best Supporting Actress - IIFA Utsavam 2024
2024 Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi Krishna's mother
2025 Maadeva Kamalakshi
Ekka Ratna
Just Married Gangamma

Other language films

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
1992Thevar Veettu PonnuSaroja Tamil Credited as Priyadarshini
Pellaniki Premalekha Priyuraliki Subhalekha Keerthi Telugu
1994 Parugo Parugu SarojaTelugu
1996 Kalki KalkiTamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1997 Oral Mathram Devika MenonMalayalam
1998 Kottaram Veettile Apputtan Ambili
Bobbili VamshamTelugu
1999 Annan Thangachi SarasuTamil
2004 C. I. Mahadevan 5 Adi 4 Inchu Dr. LakshmiMalayalam

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2005Sthreetvam Malayalam series
2012–2013 Karthigai Pengal CharuTamil series[ citation needed ]
2015Super MinuteContestant
2015–2016 Bigg Boss Kannada (season 3) ContestantWinner
2017Majaa BharathaJudge [14]
2017 Weekend with Ramesh Herself[ citation needed ]
2017Sathya KatheHerself [15]
2020 Majaa Talkies Guest [16]
Mareyalare
Hejje Guruthu
2022–2023Gicchi GiliGiliJudge [17]
2023 Bigg Boss Kannada (season 10) Guest
2025Kwaatle KitchenJudge

References

  1. "Actress Shruthi wins Bigg Boss Kannada season 3". Daily News and Analysis. 31 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  2. "MothersDay: "I am blessed to have the love and affection of not one but two mothers," says actor Sharan in an exclusive chat". The Times of India. 9 March 2021.
  3. "Girija was named Shruti by the actor director Dwarakish". Filmibeat.com. 18 September 2021.
  4. "Shruthi's 100th film". Deccan Herald. 16 November 2003. Archived from the original on 3 March 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. "Navashakthi Vaibhava". Sify . Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  6. Deepak, S. N. (18 July 2004). "Gowdru". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 25 August 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  7. "Shruthi wins Bigg Boss!". The Times of India. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  8. "Shruthi, Narayan turns judge for Majaa Bharatha". The Times of India. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  9. Reddy, Y. Maheswara (27 February 2023). "Vidhi (Article) 370 Movie Review: Too happening, but nothing happens". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  10. Sharadhaa, A. (10 April 2023). "Veeram Movie Review: This run-of-the-mill actioner brings back Prajwal Devaraj in a mass avatar". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  11. "Kannada star Shruthi marries at Kollur Temple". Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  12. Moviebiz. "Review: Muthu". Sify . Archived from the original on 11 January 2005. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  13. Sharadhaa, A (29 December 2023). "'Kaatera' movie review: Darshan wields his finest weapon yet". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  14. "Shruthi, Narayan turns judge for Majaa Bharatha". The Times of India. 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  15. "Shruti to host new show Sathya Kathe". The Times of India. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  16. "Yesteryears stars Sudha Rani and Shruthi to feature in Majaa Talkies". The Times of India. 19 September 2020. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  17. "Gicchi Gili Gili: Contestants gear up for the grand finale". The Times of India. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
Preceded by
Akul Balaji (2014)
Bigg Boss Kannada Winner
(Series 3) 2015
Succeeded by
Pratham (2016)