PERSONAL INFORMATION
Birth Name: Lakshmi Bharathi
Profession(s): Actor, Dancer
Famous For: Being one of the renowned actors in the South Indian film industries
Date of Birth: 28 June 1954 (Monday)
Age (as of 2023): 69 Years
Birthplace: Erode, Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), India
Zodiac sign: Cancer
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Chennai
Religion: Hinduism
Caste: Nair
Age: 69 Years
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EDUCATION
School: St. Rita’s Girls High School, Erode, Tamil Nadu
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 158 cm in meters – 1.58 m in feet & inches – 5’ 2”
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Widow
Husband/Spouse: Hari Pothan (m. 1973- div. 1974) (film producer) Sathaar (m. 1979- died. 2019) (actor)
Children: Son – Krish J. Sathaar (born as Unnikrishnan) (actor, entrepreneur)
Parents: Father – P. G. Shivasankaran Pillai Mother – Saralamma
Siblings: Brother(s) – 2 Names not known Sister(s) – 2 • Shirley Simon
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: Malayalam Film: Penmakkal (1966) as a child artist Tamil Film: Anubavi Raja Anubavi (1967) as Ramamani Hindi Film: Pratishodh (1980) Telugu Film: Lakshmi (2006) as the mother of the protagonist
Awards: • Kerala State Film Award in the Best Actress category for various films in 1972 • Kerala State Film Award in the Best Actress category for the film Madhavikutty in 1973 • National Film Award in the Special Jury/ Special Mention category for the film Marupakkam in 1990 • Filmfare Award in the Lifetime Achievement Category for her contribution to the film industry in 2014
OTHER INFORMATION
Other Relatives: Cousin – Jayan (deceased; actor) Nephew – Munna Simon (actor)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Jayabharathi’s journey into the world of performing arts began at a tender age. Born into a Keralite family from the Kollam district who later settled in Tamil Nadu, she started studying the classical dance form of Bharatanatyam when she was just five years old. Her passion for dance culminated in her first public performance at the Ettumannorappan Temple in Kottayam, Kerala, marking the beginning of her artistic career. By the age of eleven, her talent was recognized when she clinched the first prize in a state-level dance competition, an achievement that caught the attention of the media. The trophy was presented to her by State Minister Sundara Vadivelu, and the subsequent newspaper and magazine coverage served as a gateway into the film industry.
Jayabharathi made her cinematic debut with a lead role in the Malayalam film “Kattukurangu” in 1969, where she portrayed a singer named Ambili. Sharing the screen with veteran actors such as Sathyan, Sarada, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, and Adoor Bhasi, her performance set the stage for a successful career in film. Notably, she became the only actress to feature in a song sung in Malayalam by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, titled “Kadhali Chengadhali,” from the film “Nellu” in 1974. Additionally, she shared a sequence in a song performed by Lata’s sister, Asha Bhosle, which further solidified her standing in the industry. Outside of her film projects, Jayabharathi has expressed her admiration for the bhajans sung by Lata Mangeshkar, highlighting her appreciation for classical music.
Throughout her career, Jayabharathi starred in various significant projects, including the multi-language film “Allauddinum Albutha Vilakkum,” where she worked alongside iconic actors Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Her role as Rathi in Bharathan’s film “Rathinirvedam” in 1978 stirred conversations due to its bold theme, and the film was later remade in 2011 with Shweta Menon assuming her role. Beyond films, she extended her artistry to the small screen, portraying prominent characters in television series such as “Peythozhiyathe,” “Kottaipurathu Veedu,” and “Nimmathi Ungal Choice,” showcasing her versatility as an actress.
After her appearance as Parvathy in the film “Onnaman” in 2002, Jayabharathi transitioned away from the Malayalam film industry. Since 2003, she has dedicated herself to the pursuit of Bharatanatyam, immersing herself in learning, teaching, and performing the dance form. She established the Aswathi Arts Academy in Chennai, where she nurtures the next generation of dancers. In June 2023, during an Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) general body meeting, she voiced her strong support for veteran actress Sheela to be recommended for the prestigious Padma Awards by the Kerala State government. As of February 2024, Jayabharathi’s illustrious career spans over 350 films across various film industries, underscoring her enduring legacy in the realm of Indian cinema.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.