From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jayanthi (actress)
Jayanthi (actress)
Jayanthi Jayanthi was ridiculed most of the times as she was
plump and could never dance well. During her teens she
had the chance to act in a few Tamil and Telugu movies
in bit parts. On one such occasion (as Jayanthi remem-
bered in one of her interviews) the great Telugu actress
Savitri was upset with newcomer Jayanthi who could not
convincingly narrate a few Tamil dialogues. She stormed
out of the sets saying that the director had brought in
people who hardly knew acting or the language. Jayanthi
was shattered after the episode but promised herself that
one day she would prove her worth. She enjoyed a good
run in the Kannada Film industry and formed very good
pair with the famous actor and doyen of Kannada Cinema
Dr.Rajkumar, with whom she acted in more than 30
movies.
Born Kamala Kumari
Bellary, Karnataka, India Jayanthi’s life changed completely when noted Kan-
nada director Y R Swamy spotted her during one of her
Occupation Film actor, dance rehearsals. He brought her to Kannada films such
producer,
as Jenu Goodu. He also changed her name to Jayanthi.[1]
playback singer
Years active 1961–present
Rise to fame
Jayanthi (Kannada: ಜಯಂತಿ) is an Indian actress. She has Jeenu Goodu was Jayanthi’s first Kannada film. She was
appeared in over 500 films, including films in the Kan- married to Film Director Peketi Sivaram. He backed her
nada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi lan- all the way and very soon she became a famous actress in
guages. In Kannada movies, she was honored with the ti- Kanada. She acted alongside veterans like Ashwath and
tle Abhinaya Sharade. Pandari Bai. Incidentally this was actress Chandrakala’s
first film as well. Jenu Goodu was a commercial success.
Early life Her next major film was T V Singh Thakur’s Chandavalliya
Thota. The film starred veteran actors Uday Kumar, Dr
Jayanthi was born in Bellary. Her maiden name before Rajkumar and Jayashree. This was the first film that
she came to films was Kamala Kumari. Her father Bala- paired Raj and Jayanthi. Based on Ta Ra Su’s novel by
subramanyam worked as English professor at the St the same name, Chandavalliya Thota was a huge success
Joseph’s College in Bangalore. Her mother was San- and even won the President’s Medal for best film. Jayan-
thanalakshmi. Jayanthi was the eldest of three siblings thi in one of her interviews fondly remembered an inci-
and had two younger brothers. Jayanthi’s childhood was dent during the shooting of this film. During a particu-
never smooth. Her parents separated early in life and her lar scene Jayanthi’s character dies and Uday Kumar has
mother took the children and moved to Madras. Jayan- to fall on her to cry. Uday Kumar was so engrossed in his
thi’s mother was keen on making her daughter a classical acting that he had forgotten that he had put his whole
dancer and hence she joined a dance school run by Chan- body weight on the young girl Jayanthi, who was yelling
drakala. Her friend in dance school was the famous Tamil in pain and asking him to get up.
actress Manorama. The next major film that Jayanthi starred in was Miss
As a child on one occasion when Jayanthi went to Leelavathi. This film was released in the mid-60’s and di-
the studios to see her idol N T Rama Rao, he called her rected by M R Vittal. Miss Leelavathi was a very bold film
and made her sit on his lap. Affectionately he had asked for its time and Jayanthi played the title role. The story
her whether she would agree to become his heroine and is about the influence of bad parenting on young
the little girl had merely blushed. The pair would go on Leelavathi’s mind. She is the darling of her father (Ash-
later in life to produce successful films such as Jagadeka wath) who supports her in all her endeavours. Leelavathi
Veeruni Katha, Kula Gowravam, Kondaveeti Simham and Jus- grows up to be rebel in the house and stands up against
tice Chowdhury. the conventional values of life. She refuses marriage,
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jayanthi (actress)
wishes to be a career-oriented women and has a care-free 12. Punarjanma
attitude towards premarital sex. Unfortunately she pays 13. Kula Gowrava
for the consequences. 14. Chikkamma
Miss Leelavathi had a very bold theme considering the 15. Mantralaya Mahatme
fact that it was made at a time when the film industry 16. Devara Makkalu
was very conservative. Jayanthi was launched as the 17. Devara Gedda Manava
glamour-diva through the film and she was at her best. 18. Kiladi Ranga
This was probably the first Kannada film to show-case 19. Kranti Veera
a heroine’s glamour. The film was a huge success and 20. Jedara Bale
catapulted Jayanthi to fame. Jayanthi for the first time 21. Simha Swapna
in Kannada film history wore skirts, T-shirts and even a 22. Nandagokula
nightie on screen. She is credited for introducing most of 23. Deavru Kotta Thangi
the modern day outfits onto the Kannada screen for the 24. Sri Krishnadevaraya
first time. She also wore a swimsuit for the film, which 25. Bettada Huli
the producers’ first choice for the role had refused to 26. Immadi Pulikeshi
do.[1] Miss Leelavathi had some of the lovely songs like 27. Bahaddur Gandu
"Nodu ba nodu ba nammoora" and Kuvempu’s classic 28. Prema Mayi
"Doni Saagali". Miss Leelavathi got Jayanthi the Presi- 29. Manasiddare Marga
dent’s award. Jayanthi fondly remembered the occasion 30. Nanna Thamma
in one of her interviews when she received the award 31. Kasturi Nivasa
from Smt Indira Gandhi (then IB Minister). Mrs Gandhi 32. Paropakari
after giving away the award called back Jayanthi and 33. Raktha Kaneeru
gave her a sweet kiss and wished her good luck. She
has also acted in numerous films with Kalyan kumar. In
Tamil She acted with all major stars. She was director K.
References
Balachander’s most sought after actress and they went [1] ^ Fernandes, Ronald Anil (23 December 2003).
on to work in numerous films. "Straight from the Heart:As this month’s guest at
In 2009, she gave her voice to an HIV/AIDS education Maneyangaladalli Mathukathe, cine actress
animated software tutorial created by the nonprofit or- Jayanthi held her audience spellbound with her
ganization TeachAIDS.[2] usual charm". Deccan Herald.
http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/dec23/
spt3.asp. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
Filmography [2] "Celebrated Actress Jayanthi Donates Voice to
1. Soubhagya Devathe TeachAIDS Kannada animations". TeachAIDS. 30
2. Shiva Kotta Sowbhagya (1985) September 2009. http://teachaids.org/blog/
3. Thayi Karulu (1988) (Co-Actors: Tara, Vajramuni, celebrated-actress-jayanthi-join-teachaids/.
Srinivasa Murthy, Jai Jagadish) Retrieved 17 December 2010.
4. Usha (1991) (Kannada) (Co-Actors: Suhasini,
Ramakrishna; Directed By Raaghava; Music By
Raajan - Nagendra)
External links
• Article about Jayanthi in The Hindu
• Jayanthi at the Internet Movie Database
Films with Raj Persondata
• Raj-Jayanthi pair has acted in the large number of
Name Jayanthi
movies. Their movies are:
1. Chandavalliya Thota Alternative names
2. Pratigne Short description
3. Muriyada Mane Date of birth
4. Thumbida Koda
Place of birth Bellary, Karnataka, India
5. Vatsalya
6. Bangalore Mail Date of death
7. Choori Chikkanna Place of death
8. Rowdy Ranganna
9. Bhale Raja
10. Chakratheertha
11. Bala Bandhana
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jayanthi (actress)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jayanthi_(actress)&oldid=467008892"
Categories:
• Kannada film actors
• Living people
• Indian film actors
• People from Bellary
• Tamil film actors
• Telugu film actors
• Filmfare Awards South winners
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