Jayachitra
Jayachitra | |
---|---|
Born | Lakshmi Rohini Devi 9 September 1957 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Occupation | Actress |
Spouse(s) | Ganesh (m.1983-2020)(his death) |
Children | Amresh Ganesh (b.1988) |
Jayachitra is an actress in South Indian films of the 1970s and 1980s, her work consisting mostly of Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.
Early life[]
Jayachitra was born in 1957. 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, (1973). 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 Hassan'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 Hassan. 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] He also shot for a comedy film titled Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam alongside Mansoor Ali Khan during late 2011, but the film also did not release.[9] In 2013, he briefly worked on the making of another incomplete film Thaaru Maaru, which had a grand launch event.[10] 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 December 3, 2020, leaving her a widow.[11]
Partial filmography[]
Tamil films[]
Year | Movie | Co-star | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1972 | Kurathi Magan | Gemini Ganesan, Master Sridhar, Kamal Haasan | |
1972 | Vazhaiyadi Vazhai | Muthuraman, Prameela | |
1973 | Arangetram | Sivakumar, Kamal Haasan, Jayasudha, Prameela | |
1973 | School Master | Gemini Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki | |
1973 | Bharatha Vilas | Sivaji Ganesan, K.R Vijaya | |
1973 | Ponnukku Thanga Manasu | Sivakumar, Vijayakumar | |
1973 | Pennai Nambungal | Sivakumar, A.V.M Rajan, Jayanthi | |
1973 | Ponvandu | Jai Shankar, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Ushanandini | |
1973 | Sollathaan Ninaikkiren | Sivakumar, Kamal Haasan, Jayasudha, Sri Vidya, Shubha | |
1973 | Pookkari | M. K. Muthu, Manjula Vijayakumar, Vennira Aadai Nirmala | |
1974 | Engamma Sapatham | Muthuraman, Sivakumar | |
1974 | Panathukkaga | Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar | |
1974 | Akkarai Pachai | Jaishankar, Ravichandran | |
1974 | Ungal Viruppam | Jaishankar, Manorama | |
1974 | Idhayam Parkirathu | Jaishankar, Sreekanth, Shubha | |
1974 | Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu | Sivakumar, Cho | |
1974 | Patha Poojai | Jaishankar, Pandaribai | |
1974 | Unnaithan Thambi | Jaishankar, Sreekanth | |
1974 | Kadavul Mama | Muthuraman | |
1974 | Thaai Paasam | Sivakumar | |
1974 | Vellikizhamai Viratham | Sivakumar, Jayasudha | |
1974 | Kalyanamam Kalyanam | Jaishankar | |
1974 | Dheerga Sumangali | Muthuraman, Sivakumar | Special appearance |
1974 | Engal Kula Deivam | Muthuraman, K.R Vijaya | |
1974 | Kaliyuga Kannan | Gemini Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki | |
1975 | Pattikkaattu Raja | Sivakumar, Kamal Haasan | |
1975 | Pattampoochi | Kamal Haasan | |
1975 | Cinema Paithiyam | Kamal Haasan | |
1975 | Yarukku Maappillai Yaro | Jaishankar, Sreekanth | |
1975 | Sonthangal Vazhga | Jaishankar | |
1975 | Pinju Manam | Jaishankar, Lakshmi | |
1975 | Then Sindhudhe Vaanam | Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar, Rani Chandra | |
1976 | Inspector Manaivi | Jaishankar | |
1976 | Panakkara Penn | Jaishankar | |
1976 | Dasavatharam | Ravikumar | |
1976 | Thottathellam Pon Aagum | Jaishankar | |
1976 | Asai 60 Naal | Vijayakumar | |
1976 | Payanam | Vijayakumar | |
1976 | Thayilla Kuzhandai | Muthuraman | |
1976 | Satyam | Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan | |
1976 | Kumaara Vijayam | Kamal Haasan | |
1976 | Varaprasadham | Ravichandran, Vijayakumar, M. N. Rajam | |
1976 | Nee Indri Naan Illai | Vijayakumar | |
1977 | Aalukkoru Aasai | Jaishankar | |
1977 | Navarathinam | M.G.R | |
1978 | Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu | Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan | |
1978 | Sadhurangam | Rajinikanth | |
1978 | Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye | Rajinikanth, Vijayakumar | |
1978 | Sakka Podu Podu Raja | Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan | |
1978 | Vandikkaran Magan | Jaishankar | |
1978 | Pilot Premnath | Sivaji Ganesan, Vijayakumar, Jaiganesh, Sridevi, Sathyapriya | |
1978 | Varuvan Vadivelan | Jaiganesh, Vijayakumar, Latha, Chandrakala | |
1979 | Mayandi | Jaishankar | |
1979 | Gnana Kuzhandhai | Gemini Ganesan, Venirradai Nirmala | |
1980 | Pennukku Yaaru Kaaval | Vijayakumar, Pandari Bhai | |
1980 | Ratha Paasam | Sivaji Ganesan, Sripriya | |
1981 | Sorgathin Thirappu Vizha | Jaiganesh | |
1981 | Srinivasa Kalyanam | Ravikumar, Sripriya, Sumithra | |
1982 | Nandri, Meendum Varuga | Prathap K Pothan, Suhasini | Cameo appearance |
1982 | Mamiyara Marumagala | Suresh, Manju Bhargavi | |
1982 | Nayakarin Magal | Sathyaraj | 100th film |
1983 | Kaman Pandigai | K.R.Vijaya | |
1985 | Thandanai | Vijayakumar | |
1985 | Engal Kural | Arjun, Suresh, Nalini, Jeevitha | |
1985 | Yaar? | Arjun, Nalini, Jaishankar | |
1986 | Lakshmi Vanthachu | Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini | |
1987 | Paruva Ragam | Ravichandran, Juhi Chawla, Manorama | |
1987 | Ivargal Varungala Thoongal | Prabhu, Ambika | |
1988 | Agni Nakshatram | Karthik, Prabhu, Nirosha, Amala | |
1989 | Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal | Rahman, Sithara | |
1991 | Pudhiya Raagam | Rahman | Also director, producer and writer |
1995 | Maaman Magal | Sathyaraj, Meena | |
1996 | Selva | Vijay, Swathi | |
1997 | Raasi | Ajith Kumar, Rambha | |
1997 | Kaadhali | Vignesh, Devayani | |
1997 | Vasuki | Rajendra Prasad, Urvashi | |
2010 | Rettaisuzhi | K. Balachander, P. Bharathiraja | |
2010 | Naane Ennul Illai | Amresh, Nassar, Saranya Ponvannan | |
2013 | Vana Yuddham | Arjun, Kishore, Lakshmi Rai, Vijayalakshmi | |
2019 | 100% Kadhal | G. V. Prakash Kumar, Shalini Pandey | |
2022 | Ponniyin Selvan | Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan |
Telugu films[]
- Soggadu (1975)
- Bharatamlo Oka Ammayi (1975)
- Yavvanam Katesindi (1976)
- Maa Daivam (1976)
- Chillarakottu Chittemma (1977)
- Savasagaallu (1977)
- Tholireyi Gadichindi (1977)
- Aatmiyudu (1977)
- Kalpana (1977)
- Manchi Babayi (1978)
- Nindu Manishi (1978)
- Cheppindi Chestha (1978)
- Love Marriage (1978)
- Katakataala Rudraiah (1978)
- Mugguru Muggure (1978)
- Vayasu Pilichindi (1978)
- Annadammula Savaal (1978)
- Rickshaw Raji (1978)
- Muttaiduva (1979)
- Allari Vayasu (1979)
- Tirupati Shri Venkateswara Kalyanam (1979)
- Allari Pillalu (1979)
- Ravanude Ramudayithe? (1979)
- Kaksha (1980)
- Naa Mogudu Brhmachari (1981)
- Bobbili Puli (1982)
- Ee Prasnaku Baduledi (1986)
- Kashmora (1986)
- Muvva Gopaludu (1987)
- Mama Alludu (1990)
- Abbaigaru (1993)
- Rajeswari Kalyanam (1993)
- Hello Alludu (1994) as Sumithra Devi
- Gharana Bullodu (1995)
- Attaa ... Nee Koduku Jaagratta (1997)
- Hello Alludu (2000)
- Samarasimha Reddy (2001)
- Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
- Adrustam (2002)
- Narasimhudu (2005)
- Prema Lokam (2005)
- Kashmora (2005)
Malayalam films[]
- Nee Ente Lahari (1976)
- Pappu (1980)
Kannada films[]
- Mannina Maga (1968)
- Huliya Haalina Mevu (1979) as Thanga
- Kulla Kulli (1980) as Kulli / Chitra
- Mane Mane Kathe (1981) as Jaya
- Aparanji (1984)
- Sathva Pareekshe (1987)
- Premaloka (1987)
- Ranadheera (1988)
- Lockup Death (1994)
- Vijayadashami (2003) as Mahalakshmi
- Attahasa (2013) as Jayalalithaa
Television[]
- Alaigal (Sun TV) as Savithri
- Sivaranjani
- Ranga Vilas (Jaya TV)
- (Udaya TV)
Awards[]
- She won Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress - Rajeswari Kalyanam (1992)[12]
References[]
- ^ "CineSouth.com Now and Then Jayachitra". Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2006.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "The Hindu : As charming as ever". Archived from the original on 22 March 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2007.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Metro Plus Tiruchirapalli / Cinema : Small screen, big role". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 26 October 2006.
- ^ "Tamil Cinema News | Tamil Movie Reviews | Tamil Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Tamil". Archived from the original on 22 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ^ "Metro Plus Tiruchirapalli / Cinema : Another son rises". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
- ^ "Two more from Amresh - Tamil News". 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ Raghavan, Nikhil (29 October 2011). "Itsy bitsy". The Hindu.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Thaaru Maaru Movie Launch Photos | New Movie Posters". 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ https://irashnews.com/veteran-actress-jayachitras-husband-ganesh-passes-away/
- ^ "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)
External links[]
- Jayachitra's profile at IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0419655/)
- Actresses from Chennai
- 1957 births
- Living people
- Indian film actresses
- Actresses in Tamil cinema
- Actresses in Telugu cinema
- Actresses in Kannada cinema
- Actresses in Malayalam cinema
- Indian women film directors
- Tamil film directors
- Tamil television actresses
- Indian television actresses
- 20th-century Indian actresses
- 21st-century Indian actresses
- 20th-century Indian film directors
- Film directors from Chennai
- Film producers from Chennai
- Indian women film producers
- Tamil film producers
- 21st-century Indian film directors
- Actresses in Tamil television
- Businesswomen from Tamil Nadu