Aarathi (born as Bharathi in 1954)[3][4] is a former Indian actress and director who prominently worked in Kannada films during the 1970s and 1980s. Her accolades include four Karnataka State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. Aarathi has also appeared in a few Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films.
Aarathi made her acting debut with the Kannada film Gejje Pooje (1969), playing a supporting role. She rose to prominence by her collaborations with Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal in the novel adaptation dramas Upasane (1974), Shubhamangala (1975), Bili Hendthi (1975), Dharmasere (1979) and Ranganayaki (1981). She received widespread critical acclaim for the social superhit Naagarahaavu (1972), for which she won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. Her other notable roles include Bangaarada Panjara (1974), Daari Tappida Maga (1975), Katha Sangama (1976), Premada Kanike (1976) and Hombisilu (1978).
After her retirement from films in 1986, she made a comeback in 2005 as a director with Mithayi Mane which was met with critical appreciation and also won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children’s Film.[5] She was nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Vidhana parishad, making her the second actress after B. Jayamma to be nominated.[6]
Career
Beginnings and breakthrough
Aarathi made her film debut with the film Gejje Pooje (1969) directed by Puttanna Kanagal playing a short role as the sister of lead actor Gangadhar. Her first lead role came with the Samiulla directed comedy film, Takka Bitre Sikka (1970), where she played the love interest of actor Srinath. Following this, she featured in supporting roles in several films including Rajkumar starrers Kasturi Nivasa (1971), Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama (1971), Nyayave Devaru (1971) , Bangarada Manushya (1972) and went on to play lead roles opposite him in Sipayi Ramu (1972), Bhale Huchcha (1972), Bahaddur Gandu (1976), Premada Kanike (1976) and Raja Nanna Raja (1976) .
Her first breakthrough came when Puttanna Kanagal cast her as Alamelu in Naagarahaavu (1972). She gained widespread recognition and accolades for playing a soft spoken girl who ends up living a tragic life post her marriage. Actor Vishnuvardhan made his debut with this film and gained instant popularity and the pair went on to star in several films together in future. Aarathi won her first Karnataka State Film Award for her portrayal of the character. The film ran for over 20 weeks across theaters in Karnataka and was remade in several other languages.[7]
Collaboration with Puttanna Kanagal
Kanagal offered her to star in his films back to back right from Gejje Pooje in 1970 up until their final association in Ranganayaki in 1981. During the making of Bili Hendthi (1975), the duo secretly married even though Kanagal was already married.[8] Kanagal wrote several author-backed character roles for Aarathi and cast her in female-centric films. Their combination produced successful films such as Naagarahaavu (1972), Edakallu Guddada Mele (1973), Upasane (1974), Bili Hendthi (1975), Shubhamangala (1975), Paduvaaralli Pandavaru (1978), Dharmasere (1979) and Ranganayaki (1981). They did not collaborate in films after Ranganayaki, due to their separation. Aarathi won all her eight awards (four Karnataka State awards and four Filmfare South awards) for movies directed by Kanagal.
Widespread success and retirement
Besides her successful films with Kanagal, Aarathi found success in all her collaborations with top actors Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Srinath, Ambareesh, Anant Nag and Tiger Prabhakar. Starting from the supporting role in magnum opus Kasturi Nivasa (1971), she was repeatedly cast opposite Rajkumar in as many as 12 films which were successful at the box-office and critically acclaimed. Her most successful pairing was with Vishnuvardhan with whom she worked in 16-17 films including Hanthakana Sanchu (1980), Bangarada Jinke (1980), Pedda Gedda (1982), Kalluveene Nudiyithu (1983), Khaidi (1984) and Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu (1986).
Aarathi featured in several female-centered films by other top directors like Mahathyaga (1974), Hombisilu (1978), Manini (1979), Vasantha Lakshmi (1978), Anurakthe (1980), Nyaya Ellide, Mullina Gulabi, Archana, Kannu Theresida Hennu (1982), Samarpane (1983) and Sati Sakkubai (1985). She retired from acting after her second marriage in 1986 and Tiger was her last film to release.
Filmography
As director
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Namma Nammalli | Bangalore DD serial |
| 2005 | Mithayi Mane | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children Film |
As actress
- All films are in Kannada, unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Gejje Pooje | Lalitha | |
| 1970 | Kallara Kalla | Malli | |
| Takka Bitre Sikka | Jayanthi | ||
| Inti Gowravam | Telugu film | ||
| 1971 | Kasturi Nivasa | Lakshmi | Special appearance |
| Anugraha | Gowri | ||
| Nyayave Devaru | Lalitha | Special appearance | |
| Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama | Jambavathi | ||
| Prathidhawani | Usha | ||
| Makane Ninakku Vendi | Sophia | Malayalam film | |
| 1972 | Ooriki Upakari | Telugu film | |
| Sipayi Ramu | Champa | ||
| Bangarada Manushya | Sharavati | ||
| Bhale Huchcha | Chandra | ||
| Naagarahaavu | Alamelu | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress | |
| 1973 | Mane Belagida Sose | Leela | |
| Edakallu Guddada Mele | Devaki | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| Mooroovare Vajragalu | Rukmini | ||
| Mannina Magalu | Sundari | ||
| 1974 | Bangaarada Panjara | Mallamma | |
| Upasane | Sharada | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada | |
| Maha Thyaga | Dr. Saroja | ||
| Nanu Baalabeku | Prabha | ||
| Bhale Bhatta | |||
| Gumasthavin Magal | Seetha | Tamil film | |
| 1975 | Daari Tappida Maga | Radha Devi | |
| Shubhamangala | Hema | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada | |
| Bili Hendthi | Sharada | ||
| Devara Kannu | Sandhya | ||
| 1976 | Katha Sangama | Munithayi | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| Hosilu Mettida Hennu | |||
| Premada Kanike | Seetha | ||
| Punardatta | Padmini | ||
| Bahaddur Gandu | Radha | ||
| Raja Nanna Raja | Ganga / Geetha | ||
| Baalu Jenu | Geetha | ||
| Phalitamsha | Sheela | ||
| Aparadhi | Usha | ||
| 1977 | Maagiya Kanasu | Radha | |
| Pavana Ganga | Ganga | ||
| Anuroopa | Asha | ||
| 1978 | Kudure Mukha | Rekha | |
| Hombisilu | Dr. Roopa | ||
| Maathu Tappada Maga | Revathi | ||
| Muyyige Muyyi | Uma | ||
| Paduvaaralli Pandavaru | Journalist | Special appearance | |
| Anuraga Bandhana | |||
| Premayana | Pammi | ||
| Vasantha Lakshmi | Vasantha | ||
| Balu Aparoopa Nam Jodi | Suji | ||
| 1979 | Dharmasere | Tunga | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| Adalu Badalu | Radha | ||
| Naniruvude Ninagagi | Sarasa | ||
| Manini | Hema / Prema | ||
| Nentaro Gantu Kallaro | Shobha | ||
| 1980 | Bhaktha Siriyala | Mangala | |
| Hanthakana Sanchu | Anita | ||
| Bangarada Jinke | Asha | ||
| Nyaya Neethi Dharma | Revathi | ||
| Anurakthe | Sumi | ||
| 1981 | Ranganayaki | Ranganayaki / Mala | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| Thayiya Madilalli | Ganga | ||
| Naari Swargakke Daari | Seetha | ||
| Ganesha Mahime | Saraswati | ||
| Bhagyavantha | Seeta | ||
| Chadurida Chitragalu | Ganga | ||
| Bhagyada Belaku | Janaki | ||
| Edeyuru Siddalingeshwara | Basamma | ||
| Preethisi Nodu | Madhu | ||
| Pedda Gedda | Jyothi | ||
| 1982 | Archana | Archana | |
| Mullina Gulabi | Mala | ||
| Karmika Kallanalla | Lakshmi | ||
| Mava Sose Saval | Radha | ||
| Parajitha | Dr. Rani | ||
| Nyaya Ellide | Inspector Durga | ||
| Kannu Terasida Hennu | Arundhati | ||
| Suvarna Sethuve | Saroja Teacher | ||
| Hasyaratna Ramakrishna | Kamala | ||
| Raja Maharaja | |||
| 1983 | Tirugu Baana | Saroja | |
| Gedda Maga | Sheela | ||
| Jaggu | Roopa / Mother | ||
| Nyaya Gedditu | Geetha | Special appearance | |
| Kalluveene Nudiyithu | Prapulla | ||
| Thayiya Nudi | Annapoorna | ||
| Sididedda Sahodara | Latha | ||
| Kranthiyogi Basavanna | Gangambike | ||
| Ananda Sagara | Shanthi | ||
| Gandharvagiri | Netravati | ||
| Mutthaide Bhagya | Seetha | ||
| Aakrosha | Shobha | ||
| Chalisada Sagara | |||
| Samarpane | Sarala | ||
| 1984 | Kaliyuga | Parvathi | |
| Khaidi | Dr. Sujata | ||
| Pooja Phala | |||
| Premave Balina Belaku | Vanaja | ||
| Hennina Saubhagya | Dr. Vatsala | ||
| Bekkina Kannu | |||
| Ramapurada Ravana | Seetha | ||
| Pavitra Prema | Shylaja | ||
| Ajnathavasa | Saroja | ||
| Preethi Vathsalya | Lawyer Saroja | ||
| Avala Antaranga | Special appearance | ||
| Bilee Gulabi | Special appearance | ||
| Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu | Uma | ||
| 1985 | Kuridoddi Kurukshetra | ||
| Nee Nakkaga | |||
| Sati Sakkubai | Sakkubai / Krishna‘s incarnate | ||
| Lakshmi Kataksha | Padmavathi | ||
| Haavu Eni Aata | Suma | ||
| Kumkuma Thanda Saubhagya | Lakshmi | ||
| Swabhimana | Nirmala | Special appearance | |
| Vajra Mushti | Bharati | Special appearance | |
| Shiva Kotta Sowbhagya | Princess Ratna | ||
| Thulasi Dala | Sharada | ||
| 1986 | Bettada Thayi | Parvathi | |
| Seelu Nakshatra | Sharvari | ||
| Tiger | Aruna | ||
| Sedina Daaha | Asha | Unreleased film |
References
- ^ ನಟಿ ‘ಆರತಿ’ಯನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು, ಆಮೇಲೆ ಪುಟ್ಟಣ್ಣ ಅವರನ್ನ ಮದುವೆಯಾದ ಕಥೆ / Actor S Shivaram Life Story P-4 [The Story of Aarathi’s Introduction and Marriage] (in Kannada). Heggadde Studio. 20 August 2020. Event occurs at 6:07. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
- ^ “Karnataka Legislative Council Member Aarathi”. kla.kar.nic.in.
- ^ “ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಬದುಕಿನಿಂದ ದೂರವಾಗಿದ್ದೇಕೆ ನಟಿ ಆರತಿ? ಈಗ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಅವರು?” (in Kannada). 19 February 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (10 July 2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ “A chat with director Aarahti”. www.viggy.com. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ “Why Actress Aarathi’s Personal Life Was Always Full of Struggles”. News18. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ “Vishnuvardhan classic back in restored avatar”. Deccan Herald.com. 15 July 2018.
- ^ “Why Actress Aarathi’s Personal Life Was Always full of struggles”. News18.com. 21 July 2022.