Jayabharathi is an Indian actor and dancer who works primarily in the Malayalam film industry. As of 2023, she has appeared in more than 350 multilingual films. Some of her famous films include Madhavikutty (1973), Rathinirvedam (1978) and Marupakkam (1990).
Wiki/Biography
Lakshmi Bharathi, popularly known as Jayabharathi, was born on Monday, June 28, 1954 in Erode, Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), India (age 69 in 2023). Jayabharathi studied at St. Rita Girls’ High School, Erode, Tamil Nadu. At the age of five, she began learning Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form. At the age of 11, she won first prize in a national dance competition. The then Minister of State Shri. Sundara Vadivelu presented the award to Jayabharathi. His congratulations were that she would be the next big thing in the film industry. Although her grandfather initially opposed her becoming an actress, the minister’s words turned into a blessing.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′2″
Weight (approximately): 80kg
Hair color: black
Eye color: dark brown
Jayabharathi and Munna Simon
family and caste
Jayabharathi comes from a Hindu Nair family in Kerala. Her family is from Kollam, Kerala. During her childhood, the family settled in Erode, Tamil Nadu.
Parents and siblings
Jayabharathi’s parents are Shivasankaran Pillai and Sarada. She is the eldest of five children. According to her, she was like a strict mother to her siblings.
husband and children
Jayabharathi was briefly married to film producer Hari Pothan. They divorced in 1974.
Jayabharathi’s ex-husband Hari Pothan
After many years of divorce, Jayabharathi married actor Sathaar in 1979. Their marriage made headlines as Sathaar was a relatively new face in the film industry at that time. Also, inter-caste marriages were not common in the film industry at that time. Although they separated in 1987, it was not until Sathaar’s death in 2019 that their marriage legally ended. They have a son, Krish J. Sathaar (Unnikrishnan), an actor and entrepreneur. His films include Ladies and Gentleman (2013), Malini 22 Palayamkottai (2014) and To Noora With Love (2014).
Jayabarati and family
Jayabharathi with husband Sathaar and son Krish
Jayabharathi at son’s wedding
other relatives
Late actor Jayan was the son of Jayabharathi’s uncle. They worked together in several films such as “Kannappanunni” (1977), “Kanyaka” (1978), “Sayoojyam” (1979) and “Agnisaram” (1981).
Jayabharathi and actor Jayan in the movie Kannappanunni
Jayabharathi’s nephew, actor Munna Simon, is an actor and film producer. Some of his films include Gaurisankaram (2003), Silandhi (2008) and Raavanan (2010).
Jayabharathi’s nephew, actor Munna
Relationships/Affairs
It is understood that Jayabarati was in a relationship with film producer Hari Pothan. They divorced in 1974 after less than a year of marriage. Even after the divorce, she continued to act in films produced by his production company, Supriya Films. Some of the films of their association include Nakhangal (1973), Itha Ivide Vare (1977), Rathinirvedam (1978) and Alauddinum Albutha Vilakkum (1979).
Jayabharathi and Hari Pothan on the set of the movie Rathinirvedam
Religion/Religious Views
She is known to be a staunch believer in Hinduism and visits temples regularly. She performs dance routines as pujas at major temples in Kerala.
Profession
Movie
Jayabharathi started working as a child artist in the film Penmakkal (1966) directed by Sasikumar. She plays the fifth daughter of Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in this film. Her first starring film role was as singer Ambili in the film Kattukurangu (1969). In this film, she shared screen space with actors Sathyan, Sharada, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Adoor Bhasi.
Poster of Jayabharathi’s movie Kattukurangu
She has worked with Prem Nazir, Madhu, Jayan, MG Soman, Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth. In 1972, she won the first Kerala State Award for Best Actress for several films. Some of Jayabharathi’s films in 1972 include Aradimanninte Janmi, Azhimukham, Iniyoru Janmam Tharu, Mayiladumkunnu, Oru Sundariyude Katha and Manushyabandhangal.
Jayabharathi in the movie “Oru Sundariyude Katha”
In 1973, she won the Kerala State Award for Best Actress for the film “Madhavikutty”. She plays the lead role of Madhavikutty in the film.
Jayabharathi on the poster of the movie Madhavikutty
Jayabharathi played the role of Rathi in director Bharathan’s film Rathinirvedam (1978), which earned a place in the history of Indian cinema for its themes and themes. The film sparked a debate over whether Malayalam cinema is more about carnality than subject matter. Despite this, the film became one of the blockbusters of the year. It was later remade in 2011 with the same name.
Jayabharathi in the movie Rathinirvedam
New and old actors of the movie Rathinirvedam
Jayabharathi’s portrayal of Janaki in the Tamil film Marupakkam (1990) won her a National Award – Special Jury Prize.
She was last seen in the Malayalam industry in the film Onnaman (2002). She played the protagonist’s mother in her first Telugu film Janaki (2006).
television
She acted in TV serials such as Peythozhiyathe on Surya TV, Kottaipurathe Veedu on DD Pothigai and Nimmathi Ungal Choice on Vasanth TV.
dance
Although dance performances took a back seat to her busy acting schedule, it has always been a part of Jayabharathi’s career. In 2003, she announced her return to performing in Bharatanatyam. She founded a dance school called Aswati Academy of Arts in Chennai.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 1972, Jayabarati won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for several films.
- In 1973, she won the Kerala State Award for Best Actress for the film “Madhavikutty”.
- In 1990, she won the National Award – Special Jury/Special Mention Award, known as the Rajat Kamal or Anemone Award, for the film Marupakkam.
- In 2014, she received the 61st Filmfare Awards – South Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the film industry.
Jayabharathi receives Filmfare Award from actor Rekha
Facts/Trivia
- Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s only song in Malayalam was for the film Nellu (1974). Jayabharathi is the actor of this song in the movie.
- Jayabharathi appeared in a song sung by Lataji’s sister Asha Bhonsle for the 1977 Malayalam film Sujatha.
- The 1979 film Allauddinum Albutha Vilakkum, released in multiple languages, starred Jayabharathi in the lead role, Kamal Haasan as the hero and Rajnikanth as the villain.
Jayabharathi on the poster of the movie Allauddinum Albutha Vilakkum
- Jayabharathi made a request to the Kerala government at the AMMA plenary session in June 2023 to ensure that the Padma Award is given to veteran actress Sheila. She recalled actor Sheela’s contribution to the film industry.
Jayabharathi and actress Sheela
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education