Jayanthi (actress)


Kamala Kumari, known by her stage name Jayanthi, was an Indian actress known for her work in Kannada cinema and Telugu cinema. She was noted for her contributions to different genres of films from the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. She had appeared in over 500 films in various languages, including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi.
Jayanthi has been recipient of seven Karnataka State Film Awards, four times as Best Actress and twice as Best Supporting Actress, the President's Medal for Best Actress and two [Filmfare Award for Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress - Kannada|Filmfare Awards for Best Actress]. She has been cited as Kannada cinema's "most bold and beautiful" actress by various media outlets, a title for which she has received substantial publicity. The Kannada film industry honored her with the title "Abhinaya Sharadhe",.

Early life

Jayanthi was born in Bellary, in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of British India on 6 January 1945. Her father Balasubramanyam worked as English professor at the St Joseph's College in Bangalore. Her mother was Santhanalakshmi. Jayanthi was the eldest of three siblings and had two younger brothers. Her parents separated when she was young and her mother took the children and moved to Madras. Jayanthi's mother was keen on making her daughter a classical dancer and hence she joined a dance school. Her friend in dance school was the popular Tamil actress Manorama.

Career

Initial struggle

As a child, Jayanthi went to the studios to see her idol N. T. Rama Rao. He called her and made her sit on his lap. Affectionately, he had asked her whether she would agree to become his heroine and the little girl had merely blushed. The pair would go on later in life to produce successful films such as Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Kula Gowravam, Kondaveeti Simham and Justice Chowdhury. During her teens, she had the chance to act in a few Tamil and Telugu movies in bit parts. Jayanthi was ridiculed most of the time as she was plump and could never dance well. Jayanthi promised herself that one day she would prove her worth.
Jayanthi's life changed when noted film director Y. R. Swamy spotted her during one of her dance rehearsals and cast her in his film Jenu Goodu after persuading her mother. He also gave her the stage name. Jayanthi enjoyed a good run in the Kannada Film industry. She has costarred in more than 40 movies with Rajkumar, the doyen of Kannada cinema.

Rise to fame

Jenu Goodu, Jayanthi's first Kannada film was commercial success. Her next Kannada film as heroine was T. V. Singh Thakur's Chandavalliya Thota, the first film that paired her with Rajkumar. Based on T. R. Subba Rao's novel the film was a huge success and even won the President's Medal for Best Film in Kannada. The next major film that Jayanthi starred in was the 1965 Miss Leelavathi directed by M. R. Vittal in which she played the title role. Considered a film with a bold theme at the time, Jayanthi was launched as the glamour-diva wearing skirts, T-shirts and nighties which was a first for a Kannada film. The film was a huge success and catapulted Jayanthi to fame. She is credited with being the first Kannada actress to wear swimsuit on screen. The film won Jayanthi the President's award. Jayanthi recalled the occasion in one of her interviews that Indira Gandhi, after giving the award, gave her a kiss and wished her good luck. She went on to act in over 30 films with Rajkumar.
Jayanthi featured in Tamil films from 1962 to 1979 and acted with all major stars as the leading lady. She costarred with M. G. Ramachandran in Padagotti and Mugaraasi, with Gemini Ganesan in Kanna Nalama, Velli Vizha, Punnagai, Ganga Gowri and Iru Kodugal, with Jaishankar in Nil Gavani Kadhali and Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu and Ethir Neechal with Nagesh. She was director K. Balachander's regular actress and they went on to work in films such as Iru Kodugal, Bama Vijayam, Ethir Neechal, Punnagai, Velli Vizha and Kanna Nalama. She acted with Jayalalithaa and Manorama in Mugaraasi. The song Aadhi Naadan Ketkindraan picturised on her sung by TMS-Janaki was very popular.
During the late 1970s and the 1980s Jayanthi starred in many Kannada movies that required a slightly mature actress, often paired with Srinivasa Murthy and Prabhakar.

Personal life

Jayanthi was married to film director and actor Peketi Sivaram for a few years and then the couple separated. On 27 March 2018, it was falsely reported by several media houses that actress Jayanthi had died. While her fans took to social media to offer their condolences, her family members refuted the rumors as false. The then 73-year-old actress complained of breathing difficulties and was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru and was recuperating and responding well to the treatment.

Other works

In 2009, she gave her voice to an HIV/AIDS education animated software tutorial created by the nonprofit organization TeachAids.

Death

Jayanthi died on 26 July 2021 at the age of 76, due to age related ailments at her residence in Bengaluru.

Awards

;Padmabhushan Dr. B. Sarojadevi National Award, 2017
;Karnataka State Film Awards
;Filmfare Awards South

Partial filmography

Kannada films

Jenu Goodu Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha Chandavalliya Thota Kalaavati Tumbida Koda Muriyada Mane Prathigne Pathiye Daiva Kavaleradu Kula Ondu Beratha Jeeva Vaatsalya Bettada Huli Miss Leelavathi

Telugu films

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chintamani as SundaravalliBharya Bhartalu Jagadeka Veeruni Katha Swarna Manjari Madana Kamaraju Katha as MandharavalliGaali Medalu Vishnu Maya Doctor Chakravarty Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani as RaagavathiBobbili Yuddham Aggi Pidugu Dorikithe Dongalu Sumangali Paduka Pattabhishekam as UrmilaRahasyam Bhakta Prahlada Bandipotu Dongalu Devudichchina Bharta Veeranjaneya as SatyabhamaBhale Kodallu Badi Panthulu Collector Janaki Kula Gowravam Mayadari Malligadu as PankajamSarada Samsaram Sagaram Gandhi Puttina Desam Bangaru Babu Devadasu Amma Manasu Devudu Chesina Pelli Mangalya bhagyam as VasanthiChallani Thalli Bhagasthulu as LakshmiRamayya Thandri Chinninati Kalalu Andaroo Manchivare Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham Aadavalu Apanindhalu Bommarillu Kumara Raja Bottu Kaatuka Kamalamma Kamatam Anthuleni Vintha Katha as SavithriTalli Badhyatha Kondaveeti Simham Parvati Parameshwarulu Agni Poolu Justice Chowdary Rakta Sambandham Santhi Nivasam Kutra as VyjayanthiDhairyavanthudu Kaliyuga Pandavulu Donga Mogudu Dongodochadu as Lakshmi DeviAllari Krishnaiah Maavoori Magaadu Aakhari Poratam Kodama Simham Muddula Menalludu Raja Vikramarka Talli Tandrulu Vidhata as SaradaSwati Kiranam Gharana Bullodu Mayabazaar Pedarayudu Vamshanikokkadu Nalla Pussalu Ramudochadu Rowdy Durbar Priyamaina Srivaru Kante Koothurne Kanu Raghavayya Gari Abbayi Girl Friend Neeke Manasichaanu as Janaki

Tamil films

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.Yanai Paagan Mangaiyar Ullam Mangatha Selvam Ninaipadharku Neramillai Iruvar Ullam Manthiri Kumaran Annai Illam Padagotti Vazhi Piranthadu Karnan Kalai Kovil Veeraadhi Veeran Neerkumizhi Mugaraasi as MalligaKarthigai Deepam Kathal Paduthum Padu as MayaBama Vijayam Bhakta Prahlada Ethir Neechal Iru Kodugal Nil Gavani Kadhali Punnagai Nootrukku Nooru Pudhiya Vazhkai Kanna Nalama Velli Vizha Ganga Gowri Pennai Nambungal Manipayal Nalla Mudivu Shanmugapriya Ellorum Nallavare Kula Gauravam Devadhai Komberi Mookan Mappillai Sir Naanum Indha Ooruthan Palaivana Paravaigal Sir I Love You Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan Veettaippaaru Nattaippaaru Maindhan Gopala Gopala Sengottai Pudhalvan House Full

Malayalam films

Palattu Koman Kattupookkal Kaliyodam Lakshaprabhu Karutha Pournami Vilakkappetta Kani
  • . Oridathoru Phayalvaan

Hindi films

Lal Bangla Teen Bahuraniyan Tumse Achha Kaun Hai Goonda

English shows

TV serials

  • Vasantham as Mangalam
  • Amrutha Varshini as Janaki Devi
  • Onde Goodina Halligalu