Silk Smitha
Silk Smitha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vijayalakshimi December 2, 1960 |
| Died | September 23, 1996 (aged 35) |
Silk Smitha (2 December 1960 - 23 September 1996) was an Indian actress.
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Biography
Born Vijayalakshmi in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, Smitha left school after her fourth standard due to financial constraints. She became a film star by accident when she moved with her aunt to Madras (the then centre of the South Indian film industry).[1] She was discovered by an Indian director Vinuchakravarthy at a flour mill. After that he renamed her Smitha & his wife taught her English. She learned dancing from another teacher.[2] After garnering much notice and acclaim with her first major role in the Tamil movie Vandi Chakkaram, in 1979, Smitha assumed the name "Silk," after her character's name in the movie.[3]
Career
Smitha made her debut in the Malayalam film Inaye Thedi in 1979.[4] Silk Smitha went on to star in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and a few Hindi films. Her dance numbers, semi-nude scenes and bold performances in films like Moondru Mugam made her the ultimate symbol of sensuality in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam cinema. Her item numbers in films like Amaran were also celebrated at the box office. Some film critics, historians and journalists have referred to her as a "soft porn" actress.[5] A vast majority of her movies are softcore and a common theme is her playing a freakishly strong agent in skimpy bikinis beating up huge thugs. Even in the rare non-sexual roles, she impressed critics and audiences, such as her role of a wife hurt by her husband's infidelity in Alaigal Oivathillai (1981). One of her films, Layanam, has earned a cult status in the Indian adult film industry, and was remade as Reshma ki Jawani.[6] Her most respected film is Moondram Pirai, remade as Sadma.[7]
Death
In 1996, Smitha was found dead in her Chennai apartment. The previous year she had tried to become a film producer. Financial problems, disillusionment in love and an alcohol dependency apparently led to depression.[1] It is suspected that Smitha committed suicide.[8]
Selected filmography
- Yamakinkarudu (1982)
- Moondru Mugam (1983)
- Khaidi (1983)
- Challenge (1984)
- Layanam (1989)
- Nadodi (1992)
- Halli Meshtru (1992)
- Sphadikam (1995)
- Moondram Pirai (1982)
- Adharvam (1989)
- Aditya 369 (1991)
- Thambiku Oru Paatu (1991)
- Kishkinda Kanda
- Bava Bavamaridi
- Muta Mestri
- Rakshana
- Palnati Pourusham
- Seethakoka Chiluka
- Maro Quit India
- Raakshasudu
- Gudachari no.1
- Bamma mata bangaru baata
- Chaitanya Nagarjuna's film
References
- ^ a b "Obituary". The Independent cited in BNET. 1996-09-26. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|First Name=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|Last Name=ignored (help) [dead link] - ^ "Chronicle of a death foretold". Rediff India Abroad. 1997-04-04. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|First Name=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|Last Name=ignored (help) - ^ "Some reel-life role models". Deccan Herald. 2006-10-26. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|First Name=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|Last Name=ignored (help) - ^ Chronicle of a death foretold Rediff April 04, 1997
- ^ "Magic workers". The Hindu. 2005-03-06. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|First Name=(help); Unknown parameter|Last Name=ignored (help) - ^ "Sex Sells". Screen Weekly. 2002-11-08. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|First Name=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|Last Name=ignored (help) - ^ "A saga of success". The Hindu. 2006-09-06. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|First Name=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|Last Name=ignored (help) - ^ Vasudev, Shefalee (2002-12-23). "Young Affluent and Depressed". India Today. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
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Further Reading
- Ashish Rajadhyaksha, Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, Oxford University Press, 1994 (ISBN 0-85170-669-X)
- Roopa Swaminathan, Star Dust: Vignettes from the Fringes of the Film Industry, Penguin, 2004 (ISBN 0-14-303243-7)
- Suparna Bhaskaran, Made in India: Decolonizations, Queer Sexualities, Trans/National Projects, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004 (ISBN 1-4039-6726-1)
External links
- Silk Smitha at IMDb