Jayalalitha Jayaram (b. 1948)

Tamil, Telugu and Kannada star, now better known as a politician. Born in Mysore, the daughter of screen star Sandhya. Learnt the Bharat Natyam. Claims that she wanted to study law, but dropped out of school to follow her aunt Vidyavati (who acted in e.g. En Veedu/Naa? Illu, 1953) into films to support her family. Début in Shankar V. Giri’s English film Epistle. Early career in Kannada where her second film, Chinnada Gombe, was a major hit. Introduced to Tamil by C.V. Sridhar (Vennira Adai). Telugu début in Manasulu Mamathalu, but became a star in that language playing the vampish lead in G. Krishna’s James Bond-type hit Goodachari 116. First film with MGR, the star most closely associated with both her cinematic and political careers, is Panthulu’s Ayirathil Oruvan, followed by M.A. Thirumugham’s Kannithai. She is a crucial element in MGR’s films, esp. 1968-70 when she was at the pinnacle of her career and featured in almost every MGR film, usually to allow the proletarian hero to move across class barriers (e.g. Nam Naadu, Mattukkara Velan). Left films about the same time as MGR, after which she wrote for Cho’s fortnightly Tughlaq until MGR made her an important member of his All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1981). After MGR’s death became embroiled in a bitter rivalry with MGR’s wife V.N. Janaki over the leadership of the party, which she eventually led to victory, becoming Chief Minister (1991-6). She was briefly imprisoned after her electoral defeat in 1996 for possessing ‘wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income’. Made a comeback in films playing ‘herself’ (as a politician/Chief Minister) in Neenga Nalla Erukkanum, delivering a message on prohibition.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1961: Epistle; Shrishaila Mahatme; 1963:Manchi Roju Lostai; 1964: Chinnada Gombe; Mane Aliya; Amarashilpi Jakanachari; 1965: Vennira Adai; Nanna Kartavya; Ayirathil Oruvan; Nee; Manasulu Mamathalu; Kannithai; Mavana Magalu; 1966: Motor Sundaram Pillai; Muharassi; Yar Nee; Kumari Penn; Chandrodyam; Thanipiravi; Major Chandrakant; Gauri Kalyanam; Mani Makudam; Badukuva Daari; Goodachari 116; Ame Evaru; Astiparulu; Navarathri; Kanni Pilla(?); 1967: Thaikku Thalaimagan; Kandan Karunai; Arasa Kattali; Madi Veetu Mappilai; Raja Veetu Pillai; Kavalkaran; Naan; Gopaludu Bhoopaludu; Chikkadu Dorakudu; 1968: Rahasiya Police 115; Andru Kanda Mukham; There Thiruvizha; Kudiruntha Koil; Galatta Kalyanam; Panakara Pillai; Kannan En Kathalan; Moonrezuthu; Bommalattam; Pudhiya Bhoomi; Kanavan; Muthu Chippi; Enga Ooru Raja; Kadhal Vaghanam; Oli Vilakku; Sukha Dukhalu; Niluvu Dopidi; Brahmachari; Tikka Shankaraiah; Baghdad Gajadonga; Izzat; Attagaru Kottakodalu; 1969: Adimai Penn; Gurudakshinai; Daivamagan; Nam Naadu; Shri Rama Katha; Adrushtavanthalu; Katha Nayakudu; Gandikota Rahasyam; Adarsha Kutumbam; Kadaladu Vadaladu; Mattukkara Velan; 1970: Enga Mama; En Annan; Engal Thangam; Engiruthu Vandhal; Thedi Vantha Mappillai; Anadhai Anandan; Pathukappu; Akkachellelu; Alibaba 40 Dongalu; Shri Krishna Vijayam; Dharmadatha; 1971: Kumari Kottam; Sumathi En Sundari; Savale Samali; Thanga Gopuram; Annai Velanganni; Adi Parasakthi; Neerum Neruppum; Oru Thai Makkal; Bharya Biddalu; Shri Krishna Satya; 1972: Raja; Thikkutheriyatha Kattil; Raman Thediya Seethai; Pattikada Pattanama; Dharmam Engay; Annamitta Kai; Shakti Leela; Neethi; Akka Tammudu; Devudamma; 1973: Ganga Gauri; Vandhale Magarasi; Suryakanthi; Pattikatu Ponnaiah; Baghdad Perazhagi; Devudu Chesina Manushulu; Dr Babu; Jesus; 1974: Thirumangalyam; Thayi; Vairam; Anbu Thangai; Anbai Thedi; Premalu Pellilu; 1975: Avalukku Ayiram Kangal; Avanthan Manithan; Pattam Bharathamum; Yarukkum Vetkamillai; 1976: Chitra Pournami; Kanavan Manaivi; 1977: Shri Krishna Leela; Unnai Chutrumugalam; 1980: Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal; 1992: Neenga Nalla Erukkanu.

Actor