Bharathi Vishnuvardhan
Bharathi Vishnuvardhan | |
---|---|
Born | Bharathidevi Rao 15 August 1950 Bhadravati, Karnataka, India |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1966–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Awards | Padma Shri (2017) |
Bharathi Vishnuvardhan (born 15 August 1950),[1] also known mononymously as Bharathi, is an Indian actress known primarily for her work in Kannada cinema and television serials.[2] She began her career in 1966, as a lead actress, with the Kannada movie Love in Bangalore. In a career spanning over 50 years, Bharathi has appeared in 150 films. Apart from 100 films in Kannada, she has also acted in a handful of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. In the course of her career, she became known for portrayal of the roles mythological and historical characters, and also that of a student, a romantic and a rural belle.[1] Her role in Sri Krishnadevaraya (1970) as Chennambike won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. In 2017, she was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.[3]
Personal life
Bharathi was born in Bhadravathi on 15 August 1950 in the erstwhile Indian state of Mysore (now Karnataka).[1] Her father V. M. Ramachandra Rao was a tailor and mother Bhadravathi Bai was a homemaker. Bharathi studied at Malleswaram Ladies Association (M.L.A) High School and then joined Maharani's Women's Science College in Bengaluru.[4] While she was active in both sports and dance, her ambition at the time was to become a badminton player or an athlete. She even represented Karnataka State Level Throw-ball team during her college days. Destiny willed otherwise. In 1964, photos of her dance performance caught the eye of Kannada actor Kalyan Kumar, who cast her in Love in Bangalore.
Bharathi married actor Dr. Vishnuvardhan on 27 February 1975 in Bengaluru. They have two adopted daughters Keerthi and Chandana.[5] Dr. Vishnuvardhan died on 30 December 2009, aged 59 from cardiac arrest.[6]
Career
Her first Kannada release was Dudde Doddappa followed by Love in Bangalore. Her sensitive portrayal of a singer in Sandhya Raga won her critical acclaim and she went on to form a successful romantic pair with Rajkumar. The iconic pair went on to give hit after hit until 1972, very significant among them are Sri Krishnadevaraya, Bangaaradha Manushya and Mayor Muthanna. She formed a popular pair with Vishnuvardhan (who then became her husband) and they starred in blockbusters like Bhagya Jyothi, Makkala Bhagya, Devara Gudi, Nagara Hole and Bangarada Jinke.
Bharathi was introduced to Hindi cinema by director A. Bhimsingh with Mehrban (1967) and Saadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968). She acted in several Hindi films like Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani opposite Rakesh Roshan, Manoj Kumar's Purab Aur Paschim and Hum Tum Aur Woh with Vinod Khanna, Mastana and Mehmood's Kunwaara Baap (1974).
Bharathi played supporting roles in two of M. G. Ramachandran's 1966 movies Nadodi and Chandhrodhayam which elevated her profile in Tamil arena. Later, she graduated to lead heroine roles with Deiva Cheyal, Avalukendru Or Manam and Thanga Surangam opposite stars like Muthuraman, Gemini Ganeshan, and Shivaji Ganeshan.
After a brief hiatus from the movies she returned to the Kannada screen in 1984 with Puttanna Kanagal's much acclaimed Runamukthalu and started her second innings as a lead heroine in slightly more mature roles, going on to star in several movies each with lead actors of the time - Anant Nag (Maneye Manthralaya, Shanthi Nivasa) Prabhakar (Bandha Mukta), (Thaliya Aane), Ambareesh (Matsara) and Rajesh (Tavaru Mane). She also starred in several Hindi films in her second innings - Prabhat Khanna's Uttar Dakshin (1987), Izzatdaar (1990 with Dilip Kumar), Khel and Aao Pyaar Karen.
She acted in the Kannada Doordarshan serial Janani in the late 90s. In 2012, she appeared as a strict, no-nonsense sessions court judge in T.N. Seetharam's Kannada daily serial Mukta-Mukta.
Bharathi has acted in Telugu movies like Jai Jawan (1970), Govula Gopanna (1968) and Sipayi Chinnayya with Akkineni Nageswara Rao and various Malayalam films with many leading actors, mainly in character roles.
Apart from acting, Bharathi has also been a singer and associate director in the film industry, singing a duet with T.M. Soundarrajan, a Tamil song "Thanga Nilave Nee Illamal" picturised on her and Gemini Ganesan. She sang a Kannada song "Ee Notake Mai Matake" with her husband Vishnuvardhan for the movie Nagara Hole. She worked as associate director with K. S. L. Swamy for the movies Karune Illada Kanoonu, Huli Hejje and the classic Malaya Marutha.
Filmography
Below is a partial list of her films.
Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | Geet Gaya Patharon Ne | Chanchal | Hindi | |
1966 | Love in Bangalore | Kannada | ||
1966 | Dudde Doddappa | Kalpana | Kannada | |
1966 | Emme Thammanna | Meena | Kannada | |
1966 | Sandhya Raga | Kannada | ||
1966 | Madhu Malathi | Madhumalathi | Kannada | |
1966 | Nadodi | Meena Dharmalingam | Tamil | Debut in Tamil |
1966 | Chandhrodhayam | Kamala | Tamil | |
1966 | Enga Paappa | Tamil | ||
1966 | Namma Veettu Lakshmi | Saradamma's daughter | Tamil | |
1967 | Beedi Basavanna | Vijaya | Kannada | |
1967 | Rajashekara | Mangala | Kannada | |
1967 | Thanga Thambi | Parvathi | Tamil | |
1967 | Rajadurgada Rahasya | Mangala | Kannada | |
1967 | Mehrban | Geeta Shanti Swarup | Hindi | |
1967 | Deiva Cheyal | Tamil | ||
1967 | Valiba Virundhu | Radha | Tamil | |
1967 | Naan Yaar Theriyuma | Tamil | ||
1967 | Aggi Dora | Telugu | ||
1967 | Gange Gowri | Gange | Kannada | |
1967 | Pattukunte Padivelu | Telugu | ||
1968 | Uyarndha Manithan | Gowri | Tamil | |
1968 | Sadhu Aur Shaitaan | Vidya Shastri/Chuniya | Hindi | |
1968 | Amma | Mala | Kannada | |
1968 | Mana Samsaram | Telugu | ||
1968 | Ninne Pelladuta | Uma | Telugu | |
1968 | Nimirindhu Nil | Tamil | ||
1968 | Kalisina Manasulu | Telugu | ||
1968 | Manassakshi | Gowri | Kannada | |
1968 | Bangaru Gaajulu | Sarada | Telugu | |
1968 | Govula Gopanna | Radha | Telugu | |
1968 | Poovum Pottum | Amudha | Tamil | |
1968 | Nane Bhagyavathi | Kannada | ||
1968 | Lakshmi Nivasam | Kalpana | Telugu | |
1969 | Nangu Killadigal | Tamil | ||
1969 | Mayor Muthanna | Geetha | Kannada | |
1969 | Ardha Rathri | Telugu | ||
1969 | Gandondu Hennaru | Veena | Kannada | |
1969 | Thanga Surangam | Amutha | Tamil | |
1969 | Shiva Bhaktha | Kannada | ||
1969 | Padichakallan | Malayalam | ||
1969 | Sipayi Chinnayya | Shobha | Telugu | |
1969 | Chaduranga | Kannada | ||
1969 | Nil Gavani Kadhali | Malathy | Tamil | |
1969 | Gruhalakshmi | Kannada | ||
1970 | Jai Jawan | Susheela / Sujatha | Telugu | |
1970 | Aliya Geleya | Kannada | ||
1970 | Akhandudu | Jayaprada | Telugu | |
1970 | Baalu Belagithu | Lakshmi | Kannada | |
1970 | Sri Krishnadevaraya | Chinna | Kannada | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
1970 | Purab Aur Paschim | Gopi | Hindi | |
1970 | Hasiru Thorana | Meena | Kannada | |
1970 | Snehithi | Tamil | ||
1970 | Bhale Jodi | Sunitha | Kannada | |
1970 | Mastana | Sharada | Hindi | |
1970 | Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani | Seema | Hindi | |
1970 | Rangamahal Rahasya | Kamala | Kannada | |
1970 | Andariki Monagadu | Telugu | ||
1971 | Avalukendru Or Manam | Lalitha | Tamil | |
1971 | Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama | Sathyabhama | Kannada | |
1971 | Duniya Kya Jaane | Hindi | ||
1971 | Kula Gourava | Radha | Kannada | |
1971 | Thayi Devaru | Girija | Kannada | |
1971 | Seema | Hindi | ||
1971 | Hum Tum Aur Woh | Aarti | Hindi | |
1971 | Andam Kosam Pandem | Telugu | ||
1971 | Namma Samsara | Bhama | Kannada | |
1971 | Meendum Vazhven | Shanthi | Tamil | |
1971 | Naa Thammudu | Telugu | ||
1972 | Janma Rahasya | Kannada | ||
1972 | Jeevana Jokali | Kannada | ||
1972 | Jaga Mecchida Maga | Yamini | Kannada | |
1972 | Hrudaya Sangama | Belli / Chandra | Kannada | |
1972 | Annamitta Kai | Dr. Kalpana | Tamil | |
1972 | Bangaaradha Manushya | Lakshmi | Kannada | |
1972 | Aankh Micholi | Geeta | Hindi | |
1972 | Unakkum Enakkum | Tamil | ||
1972 | Sub Ka Saathi | Chitra | Hindi | |
1972 | Chitti Thalli | Telugu | ||
1973 | Bidugade | Shobha | Kannada | |
1973 | Swayamvara | Kannada | ||
1973 | Doorada Betta | Gowri | Kannada | |
1973 | Mane Belagida Sose | Kannada | ||
1973 | Ponvandu | Tamil | ||
1973 | Neramu Siksha | Sujatha | Telugu | |
1974 | Mugguru Ammayilu | Telugu | ||
1974 | Anna Attige | Hema | Kannada | |
1974 | Kunwara Baap | Radha | Hindi | |
1974 | Thulasi | Telugu | ||
1974 | Amma Manasu | Telugu | ||
1974 | Anaganaga Oka Thandri | Telugu | ||
1974 | Adapillala Thandri | Telugu | ||
1974 | Harathi | Telugu | ||
1975 | Onde Roopa Eradu Guna | Kannada | Guest appearance | |
1975 | Devara Gudi | Suchitra | Kannada | |
1975 | Kaveri | Kannada | ||
1975 | Kotha Kapuram | Telugu | ||
1975 | Bhagya Jyothi | Kannada | ||
1975 | Saubhagyavathi | Telugu | ||
1975 | Puttinti Gowravam | Telugu | ||
1975 | Pandanti Samsaram | Telugu | ||
1975 | Kathanayakuni Katha | Telugu | ||
1975 | Pellade Bomma | Telugu | ||
1976 | Makkala Bhagya | Kannada | ||
1976 | Vadhu Varulu | Telugu | ||
1977 | Devare Dikku | Kannada | ||
1977 | Manassakshi | Indira | Telugu | |
1977 | Nee Vazha Vendum | Tamil | ||
1977 | Nagara Hole | Madhu | Kannada | |
1978 | Madhura Sangama | Lalithambe | Kannada | Cameo |
1978 | Prathima | Kannada | ||
1978 | Sandharbha | Kannada | ||
1979 | Manini | Kannada | ||
1980 | Chitrakoota | Kannada | ||
1980 | Rahasya Rathri | Kannada | ||
1980 | Bangarada Jinke | Bhagya | Kannada | |
1982 | Pedda Gedda | Kannada | Cameo | |
1983 | Kranthiyogi Basavanna | Akka Mahadevi | Kannada | Cameo |
1984 | Runamukthalu | Goda | Kannada | |
1986 | Tavaru Mane | Thai | Kannada | |
1986 | Maneye Manthralaya | Kannada | ||
1986 | Namma Oora Devathe | Kannada | ||
1986 | Ella Hengasarinda | Kannada | ||
1986 | Uppu | Khadeeja | Malayalam | |
1986 | Padikkatha Padam | Tamil | ||
1987 | Uttar Dakshin | Bharathi | Hindi | |
1987 | Bandha Mukta | Kannada | ||
1987 | Thaliya Aane | Kannada | ||
1987 | Prema Kadambari | Kannada | ||
1988 | Shanthi Nivasa | Kannada | ||
1988 | Chinni Krishnudu | Telugu | ||
1988 | Mutthinantha Manushya | Kannada | ||
1989 | Yuddha Kaanda | Sharada Devi | Kannada | |
1990 | Matsara | Bhavana | Kannada | |
1990 | Izzatdaar | Sujatha | Hindi | |
1990 | Bannada Gejje | Vyjayanthi | Kannada | |
1990 | Prema Yuddham | Vyjayanthi | Telugu | |
1990 | Urudhi Mozhi | Abhirami | Tamil | |
1991 | Santhwanam | Subhadra | Malayalam | |
1992 | Khel | Kamini / Sharda | Hindi | |
1993 | Devaasuram | Neelakandan's mother | Malayalam | |
1994 | Aao Pyaar Karen | Anjali | Hindi | |
1994 | Sarigamalu | Telugu | ||
1995 | Dore | Kannada | ||
1995 | Achan Kombathu Amma Varampathu | Parvathi | Malayalam | |
1996 | Katta Panchayathu | Karthik's Mother | Tamil | |
1996 | Kaadhale Nimmadhi | Kavitha's Mother | Tamil | |
1997 | Varnapakittu | Sunny's mother | Malayalam | |
1997 | Oru Yathramozhi | Govindankutty's mother | Malayalam | |
1998 | Nakshatratharattu | Sreedevi | Malayalam | |
1998 | Sundara Pandian | Pandian's mother | Tamil | |
2000 | Narasimham | Induchoodan's mother | Malayalam | |
2001 | Karumadikkuttan | Bharathi | Malayalam | |
2002 | Mazhathullikilukkam | Alice John | Malayalam | |
2003 | Preethi Prema Pranaya | Sharadha Devi | Kannada | |
2005 | Maharaja | Annapoorna | Kannada | |
2006 | Kallarali Hoovagi | Neelamma | Kannada | |
2006 | Photographer | Dijo's & Joy's mother | Malayalam | |
2006 | Tananam Tananam | Murthy's wife | Kannada | |
2009 | Raaj - The Showman | Herself | Kannada | |
2012 | Crazy Loka | Kannada | ||
2012 | Kanneerinum Madhuram | Vijayakumari | Malayalam | |
2016 | Doddmane Hudga | Doddmane Rajeeva's sister | Kannada | |
2017 | Ambar Caterers[7] | Tulu | ||
2018 | Raja Simha | Kannada | ||
2018 | Edakallu Guddada Mele | Kannada | ||
2019 | Kurukshetra | Kunti | Kannada |
Television
- Bhagyavantaru as Annapoorneshwari Devi - serial aired in Star Suvarna
- Sevanthi as Pramoda Devi - serial aired in Udaya TV
- Janani -serial aired in Doordarshan
- Samarppan - Doordarshan Hindi
Awards
- 2017 - Padmashri - the 4th highest civilian award of India.[8]
- 2010 - Honorary Doctorate from Karnataka State Open University.[9]
- 1969-70 - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress - Sri Krishnadevaraya[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c "Bharathi Vishnuvardhan: Shining on the silver screen for five decades". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ "Jayanthi was like a sister: Bharathi Vishnuvardhan - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Padma Awards 2017" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ "Bharathi: Parents made me understand ways of the world". Deccan Herald. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ "The accidental star". Bangalore Mirror. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Karnataka mourns Vishnuvardhan's death". 31 December 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ "Bharathi Vishnuvardhan". 23 September 2016.
- ^ "Padma Awards 2017 announced". Archived from the original on 25 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "List of Kannada Film Artists with Honorary Doctorate Degree". 21 April 2020.
External links
- Actresses in Kannada cinema
- Actresses from Bangalore
- Marathi people
- Living people
- 1950 births
- Indian film actresses
- Actresses in Hindi cinema
- Actresses in Tamil cinema
- Actresses in Telugu cinema
- Actresses in Malayalam cinema
- Actresses in Tulu cinema
- Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts
- 20th-century Indian actresses
- 21st-century Indian actresses
- Actresses in Kannada television