Jayachitra
Encyclopedia
Jayachitra was an acting star in South Indian films of the 1970s and 1980s, consisting mostly of Tamil
and Telugu
films.
, Andhra Pradesh
, India. Her father Mahendra was a veterinary doctor, who had earlier worked as a lawyer. Her mother Ammaji (aka Jayasree) was an actress, who had acted in films such as the Tamil film "Mahaveeran" (1955). They moved to Chennai
for work, which was where Jayachitra was born and raised as Lakshmi. 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 10 in the Telugu film "Bhakta Potana".
's daughter in "BharataVilas" 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).
's film "Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal" (1989). 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). 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. She has won numerous awards, including Tamil Nadu
's Kalaimamani Award.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
films.
Childhood
Jayachitra was born in 1957. Her family was originally from KakinadaKakinada
Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad. It is also the headquarters of East Godavari district. It is nicknamed "Fertilizer City" , "Pensioner's Paradise" and "Second Madras"...
, Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India. Her father Mahendra was a veterinary doctor, who had earlier worked as a lawyer. Her mother Ammaji (aka Jayasree) was an actress, who had acted in films such as the Tamil film "Mahaveeran" (1955). They moved to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
for work, which was where Jayachitra was born and raised as Lakshmi. 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 10 in the Telugu film "Bhakta Potana".
Career as heroine
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 SivajiSivaji
The name Sivaji can be referred to:* Sivaji , an Indian film directed by S. Shankar* Sivaji , an Indian soundtrack album by A. R...
's daughter in "BharataVilas" and was one of the 9 heroines in MGR's "Navaratnam." She worked for big-name directors, such as K. Balachander
K. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
in "Sollathaan Ninaikiren" and Arangetram
Arangetram (film)
Arangetram is a 1973 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by K. Balachander, starring Prameela, Sivakumar, Jayachitra, Jayasudha and Kamal Haasan.-Plot:...
. She was Kamal Hassan's heroine in the Tamil film Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu
Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu
Ilamai Oonjal Adukirathu is a Tamil film directed by C.V.Sridhar. It became a big hit, due to it's music...
(1978) and its Telugu remake Vayasu Pilichindi
Vayasu Pilichindi
Vayasu Pilichindi is a 1978 Telugu film directed by C. V. Sridhar. It is a remake of the director's Tamil film Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu with the same cast: Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Sripriya, and Jayachitra. The film became a big hit, due to the music...
(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
Cinema Paithiyam
Cinema Paithiyam is a 1975 Tamil language film starring Jayachitra and Kamal Haasan in the lead roles. It is a remake of the Hindi hit film Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Guddi , which made Jaya Bhaduri a star....
(remake of the Hindi hit film Guddi
Guddi
Guddi is a 1971 film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and written by Gulzar. It starred Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Utpal Dutt. It is Jaya Bachchan 's career making film in which she plays a school girl obsessed with the actor Dharmendra, who plays himself. She earned a Filmfare nomination as...
(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
Anamika (film)
For 2008 film, please see Anamika Anamika is a 1973 Hindi film made in India and directed by Raghunath Jalani. It is a romantic, suspense film with memorable songs by composer R.D...
(1973).
Personal life
After more than a decade as a heroine, Jayachitra decided to concentrate on her personal life by getting married to 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.Career as Matured actress
Later, she became a character actress in K. BalachanderK. Balachander
K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
's film "Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal" (1989). 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). 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. She has won numerous awards, including Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
's Kalaimamani Award.
Career as Director
She cast herself as the heroine in the Tamil film "Puthiya Ragam" (1991), which marked her debut as a director and producer. Unfortunately, the film flopped. In 2010, she cast her son Amresh as the hero in the Tamil film "Naane Ennul Illai" (2010), which she wrote, produced, and directed.Tamil films
- 1972 Kurathi MaganKurathi MaganKurathi Magan is a Tamil language film starring Gemini Ganesan, K.R. Vijaya, V.S. Raghavan, Suruli Rajan and Kamal Haasan in a brief role. Muthuraman plays a cameo....
- Gemini Ganesan, Kamal Haasan - 1973 ArangetramArangetram (film)Arangetram is a 1973 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by K. Balachander, starring Prameela, Sivakumar, Jayachitra, Jayasudha and Kamal Haasan.-Plot:...
- Sivakumar, Kamal Haasan - 1973 Bharath Vilas - Sivaji Ganesan
- 1973 Sollathan Ninaikkiren - Sivakumar, Kamal Haasan
- 1974 Ponnuku Thanga Manasu - Sivakumar
- 1974 Engamma Sapatham - Muthuraman, Sivakumar
- 1974 PanathukkagaPanathukkagaPanathukkaga is a Tamil language film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role of the protagonist....
- Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar - 1974 Vellikizhamai Viratham - Sivakumar, Jayasudha
- 1975 Pattikkaattu RajaPattikkaattu RajaPattikkaattu Raja is a Tamil language film starring Sivakumar in the title role. Kamal Haasan, Jayachitra and Jayasudha also portray important roles....
- Sivakumar, Kamal Haasan - 1975 Pattampoochi - Kamal Haasan
- 1975 Cinema PaithiyamCinema PaithiyamCinema Paithiyam is a 1975 Tamil language film starring Jayachitra and Kamal Haasan in the lead roles. It is a remake of the Hindi hit film Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Guddi , which made Jaya Bhaduri a star....
- Kamal Haasan - 1975 Then Sindhudhe VaanamThen Sindhudhe VaanamThen Sindhudhe Vaanam is a Tamil language film starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role of the protagonist. It was released in 1975. Two beautiful melodious songs were also the special reasons for the film's fame....
- Kamal Haasan, Sivakumar - 1976 Inspector Manaivi - Jaishankar
- 1976 Panakkara Penn - Jaishankar
- 1976 Payanam
- 1976 Thayilla Kuzhandai - Muthuraman
- 1976 Sathiyam - Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan
- 1976 Kumara Vijayam - Kamal Haasan
- 1977 Aalukkoru Aasai - Jaishankar
- 1977 Navarathna - M.G.R
- 1978 Ilamai Oonjal AadukirathuIlamai Oonjal AadukirathuIlamai Oonjal Adukirathu is a Tamil film directed by C.V.Sridhar. It became a big hit, due to it's music...
- Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan - 1978 Sadurangam - Rajinikanth
- 1978 Sakkaipodu Podu Raja - Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan
- 1978 Vandikkaran Magal - Jaishankar
- 1979 Mayandi
- 1980 Pennukku Yaaru Kaaval
- 1982 Nayakarin Magal - 100th film - Sathyaraj
- 1985 Thandanai - Vijayakumar
- 1986 Lakshmi VanthachuLakshmi VanthachuLakshmi Vanthachu is a comedy and sentimental movie with a large cast. Actress Meena acted as a child in this movie.-Cast:...
- Sivaji Ganesan - 1988 Agni Nakshatram (dubbed into Telugu as Gharshana)
- 1989 Pudhu Pudhu ArthangalPudhu Pudhu ArthangalPudhu Pudhu Arthangal is a 1989 Indian Tamil language Drama film directed by K. Balachander starring Rahman, Sithara, Geetha, Janagaraj, Jayachitra, Poornam Vishwanathan, Sowcar Janaki, Vivek and Ilaiyaraaja.- Plot :...
- 1991 Pudhiya Raagam (Director and producer)
- 1993 Ponnukku Thanga Manasu
- 2000 Shanmuga Paandian
- 2010 RettaisuzhiRettaisuzhiRettaichuzhi is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by newcomer Thamira. It stars ace filmmakers K. Balachander and Bharathiraja in lead roles along with Anjali, debutant Aari, Manobala, Ilavarasu, Karunas and Jayachitra in supporting roles. The film released on 23 April...
Telugu films
- 1975 SoggaduSoggadu (1975 film)Soggadu is a 1975 blockbuster Telugu drama film directed by K. Bapaiah. It was remade as Dildaar in Hindi in 1977, starring Jeetendra and Rekha.-The plot:...
- Sobhan Babu, Jayasudha - 1975 Bharatamlo Oka Ammaayi - Muralimohan
- 1976 Yavvanam Kaatesindi - Muralimohan
- 1976 Maa Daivam - NTR
- 1977 Chillara Kottu Chittemma - Muralimohan
- 1977 Saavaasagaallu - Krishna
- 1977 Tholireyi Gadichindi - Muralimohan, Rajinikant
- 1977 Kalpana - Muralimohan
- 1978 Manchi Babai - Sobhan Babu
- 1978 Nindu Manishi - Sobhan Babu
- 1978 Cheppindi Chesta...! - Krishna
- 1978 Katakatala Rudrayya - Ramakrishna
- 1978 Mugguru Muggure - Krishna
- 1978 Vayasu PilichindiVayasu PilichindiVayasu Pilichindi is a 1978 Telugu film directed by C. V. Sridhar. It is a remake of the director's Tamil film Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu with the same cast: Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Sripriya, and Jayachitra. The film became a big hit, due to the music...
- Rajinikant, Kamal Hasan, Sripriya - 1978 Annadammula Saval - Rajinikant
- 1979 Muttaiduva - Krishna
- 1979 Tirupathi Sree Venkateswara Kalyanam - NTR, Jayasudha
- 1979 Raavanude Ramudaithe... - ANR, Muralimohan
- 1980 Kaksha
- 1982 Bobbili PuliBobbili PuliBobbili Puli is a 1982 Telugu film starring N.T. Rama Rao, Sridevi in lead roles. Kongara Jaggaiah, Kaikala Satyanarayana and Rao Gopal Rao played supporting roles....
- NTR - 1987 muvva gopaludu
- 1990 Mama-Alludu - Dasari Narayana Rao, Rajendra Prasad, Vani Viswanath
- 1993 Rajeswari Kalyanam - ANR, Vanisree, Suresh, Meena
- 1995 Gharana BulloduGharana BulloduGharana Bullodu is a 1995 Telugu film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Ramya Krishna, Aamani, Jayachitra, Murali Mohan, and Kota Srinivasa Rao in important roles....
- Akkineni NagarjunaAkkineni NagarjunaAkkineni Nagarjuna is an Indian film actor in Tollywood and Bollywood. He is a producer and one of the lead actors in Telugu cinema.- Early life :...
, Aamani, Rambha - 1997 Atthaa... Nee Koduku Jaagrattha!
- 2001 samara simha reddy
- 2002 Kondaveeti Simhasanam
- 2002 Adrustam - Tarun
- 2005 Narasimhudu- NTR Jr.
- 2005 Abbaayigaaru - Venkatesh
- 2005 Prema Lokam
- 2005 Kashmora
- 2005 Rickshaw Raaji
Kannada films
- 1979 Huliya Haalina Mevu- Dr.Rajkumar, Jayaprada
- 1981 Mane Mane Kathe - Dr.Vishnuvardhan
- 1999 - Kannada serial 'Mr.& Mrs.Gundanna' with Dwarkeesh.
External links
- Jayachitra's profile at IMDB (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0419655/)