Bharathi Vishnuvardhan
Bharathi Vishnuvardhan (born 15 August 1948),[1] also known mononymously as Bharathi, is an Indian film actress known primarily for her work in Kannada cinema and television serials. 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.[2]
Bharathi Vishnuvardhan | |
---|---|
Born | Bharathidevi Rao 15 August 1948 Mysore State (now Karnataka), India |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1966–present |
Spouse(s) | Vishnuvardhan (m.1975–2009) (Until his demise) |
Children | Keerthi, Chandana |
Parent(s) | Ramachandra Rao (father) Bhadravathi (mother) |
Awards | Padma Shri (2017) |
Bharathi is one of the most elegant actresses to grace the Kannada film industry.
Personal life
Bharathi was born into a Marathi-speaking family in Bhadravathi on 15 August 1948 in the erstwhile Indian state of Mysore (now Karnataka).[1] Her father Ramachandra Rao was a tailor and mother 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. While she was active in both sports and dance, her ambition at the time was to become a basketball 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 Vishnuvardhan on 27 February 1975 in Bengaluru. They have adopted two daughters - Keerthi and Chandana. Dr. Vishnuvardhan died in December 2009.[3]
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 the mega hits Sri Krishnadevaraya, Bangaaradha Manushya and Mayor Muthanna. She formed a popular pair with Vishnuvardhan (who then became her husband) after that starring in blockbusters like Rahasya Rathri, Bhagya Jyothi, 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).
In Tamil she played supporting roles in the 1966 films Nadodi and Chandhrodhayam and graduated to lead heroine roles with Deiva Cheyal, Avalukendru Oru Manam and Thanga Surangam opposite stars like Muthuraman, Gemini Ganeshan, Shivaji Ganeshan and M. G. Ramachandran.
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) and Aao Pyaar Karen (with Saif Ali Khan and Shilpa Shetty).
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.[4]
Year | Film | Language | Role | Director | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 | Love in Bangalore | Kannada | Kalyan Kumar | ||
1966 | Dudde Doddappa | Kannada | Kalpana | B. R. Panthulu | |
1966 | Emme Thammanna | Kannada | B. R. Panthulu | ||
1966 | Sandhya Raga | Kannada | S. K. Bhagavan A.C. Narasimhamurthy | ||
1966 | Madhu Malathi | Kannada | Madhumalathi | S. K. A. Chari | |
1966 | Nadodi | Tamil | Meena Dharmalingam | B. R. Panthulu | Debut in Tamil |
1966 | Chandhrodhayam | Tamil | Kamala | K. Shankar | |
1966 | Enga Pappa | Tamil | B. R. Panthulu | ||
1966 | Namma Veettu Lakshmi | Tamil | B. R. Panthulu | ||
1967 | Beedhi Basavanna | Kannada | Vijaya | B. R. Panthulu | |
1967 | Rajashekara | Kannada | Mangala | G. V. Iyer | |
1967 | Thanga Thambi | Tamil | Parvathi | Francis Ramanath | |
1967 | Rajadurgada Rahasya | Kannada | Mangala | A.C. Narasimhamurthy | |
1967 | Mehrban | Hindi | Geeta Shanti Swarup | A. Bhimsingh | |
1967 | Deiva Cheyal | Tamil | M. G. Balu | ||
1967 | Valiba Virundhu | Tamil | Murasoli Maran | ||
1967 | Naan Yaar Theriyuma | Tamil | V.N.Ramanan | ||
1967 | Aggi Dora | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | ||
1967 | Gange Gowri | Kannada | Gange | B. R. Panthulu | |
1967 | Pattukunte Padivelu | Telugu | M. Mallikarjuna Rao | ||
1968 | Uyarndha Manithan | Tamil | Gowri | Krishnan-Panju | |
1968 | Sadhu Aur Shaitaan | Hindi | Vidya Shastri/Chuniya | A. Bhimsingh | |
1968 | Amma | Kannada | B. R. Panthulu | ||
1968 | Mana Samsaram | Telugu | C. S. Rao | ||
1968 | Ninne Pelladuta | Telugu | B. V. Srinivas | ||
1968 | Nimirindhu Nil | Tamil | Devan | ||
1968 | Kalisina Manasulu | Telugu | Kamalakar Kameswara Rao | ||
1968 | Manassakshi | Kannada | S. K. A. Chari | ||
1968 | Bangaru Gaajulu | Telugu | C. S. Rao | ||
1968 | Govula Gopanna | Telugu | C. S. Rao | ||
1968 | Poovum Pottum | Tamil | Dada Mirasi | ||
1968 | Nane Bhagyavathi | Kannada | T. V. Singh Thakur | ||
1968 | Lakshmi Nivasam | Telugu | V. Madhusudana Rao | ||
1969 | Nangu Killadigal | Tamil | L. Balu | ||
1969 | Mayor Muthanna | Kannada | Siddalingaiah | ||
1969 | Ardha Rathri | Telugu | P. Sambasiva Rao | ||
1969 | Gandondu Hennaru | Kannada | Meena | B. R. Panthulu | |
1969 | Thanga Surangam | Tamil | Amutha | T. R. Ramanna | |
1969 | Shiva Bhaktha | Kannada | K. V. Srinivas | ||
1969 | Padicha Kallan | Malayalam | M. Krishnan Nair | ||
1969 | Sipayi Chinnayya | Telugu | Shobha | G. V. Sheshagiri Rao | |
1969 | Chaduranga | Kannada | N. C. Rajan | ||
1969 | Nil Gavani Kadhali | Tamil | C. V. Rajendran | ||
1969 | Gruhalakshmi | Kannada | Vijaya Satyam | ||
1970 | Jai Jawan | Telugu | D.Yoganand | ||
1970 | Aliya Geleya | Kannada | B. R. Panthulu | ||
1970 | Akhandudu | Telugu | V. Ramachandra Rao | ||
1970 | Baalu Belagithu | Kannada | Lakshmi | Siddalingaiah | |
1970 | Sri Krishnadevaraya | Kannada | Chinna | B. R. Panthulu | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
1970 | Purab Aur Paschim | Hindi | Gopi | Manoj Kumar | |
1970 | Hasiru Thorana | Kannada | Meena | T. V. Singh Thakur | |
1970 | Snehithi | Tamil | G. Ramakrishnan | ||
1970 | Bhale Jodi | Kannada | Sunitha | Y. R. Swamy | |
1970 | Mastana | Hindi | Sharada | Adurthi Subba Rao | |
1970 | Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani | Hindi | Seema | T. Prakash Rao | Famous for Sama Hai Suhana song |
1970 | Rangamahal Rahasya | Kannada | Vijay | ||
1971 | Avalukendru Oru Manam | Tamil | C. V. Sridhar | ||
1971 | Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama | Kannada | Sathyabhama | K. S. L. Swamy | |
1971 | Duniya Kya Jane | Hindi | C. V. Sridhar | ||
1971 | Kula Gourava | Kannada | Peketi Sivaram | ||
1971 | Thayi Devaru | Kannada | Siddalingaiah | ||
1971 | Seema | Hindi | Surendra Mohan | ||
1971 | Hum Tum Aur Woh | Hindi | Aarti | Shiv Kumar | |
1971 | Andam Kosam Pandem | Telugu | A.Sheshagiri Rao | ||
1971 | Namma Samsara | Kannada | Siddalingaiah | ||
1971 | Meendum Vazhven | Tamil | T. N. Balu | ||
1970 | Andariki Monagadu | Telugu | M. Mallikarjuna Rao | ||
1971 | Naa Thammudu | Telugu | K. S. Prakash Rao | ||
1972 | Janma Rahasya | Kannada | S. P. N. Krishna | ||
1972 | Jeevana Jokali | Kannada | Geetapriya | ||
1972 | Jaga Mecchida Maga | Kannada | Hunsur Krishnamurthy | ||
1972 | Hrudaya Sangama | Kannada | Belli/Chandra | Rashi Brothers | |
1972 | Annamitta Kai | Tamil | Doctor Kalpana | ||
1972 | Bangaaradha Manushya | Kannada | Lakshmi | Siddalingaiah | |
1972 | Aankh Micholi | Hindi | Ramanna | ||
1972 | Unakkum Enakkum | Tamil | N. S. Maniam | ||
1972 | Sub Ka Saathi | Hindi | A. Bhimsingh | ||
1972 | Chitti Thalli | Telugu | |||
1973 | Bidugade | Kannada | Y. R. Swamy | ||
1973 | Swayamvara | Kannada | Y. R. Swamy | ||
1973 | Doorada Betta | Kannada | Siddalingaiah | ||
1973 | Ponvandu | Tamil | N. S. Maniam | ||
1973 | Neramu Siksha | Telugu | K. Viswanath | ||
1974 | Mugguru Ammayilu | Telugu | Kotayya Pratyagatma | ||
1974 | Anna Attige | Kannada | M. R. Vittal | ||
1974 | Onde Roopa Eradu Guna | Kannada | A. M. Sameevulla | In song "O Udala Sarala" | |
1974 | Kunwara Baap | Hindi | Radha | Mehmood | |
1974 | Thulasi | Telugu | K. Babu Rao | ||
1974 | Amma Manasu | Telugu | K. Viswanath | ||
1974 | Anaganaga Oka Thandri | Telugu | C. S. Rao | ||
1974 | Adapillala Thandri | Telugu | K. Vasu | ||
1974 | Harathi | Telugu | P. Lakshmi Deepak | ||
1975 | Devara Gudi | Kannada | R. Ramamurthy | ||
1975 | Kaveri | Kannada | H. N. Reddy | ||
1975 | Kotha Kapuram | Telugu | P. Chandrasekhar Reddy | ||
1975 | Bhagya Jyothi | Kannada | K. S. L. Swamy | ||
1975 | Saubhagyavathi | Telugu | P. Chandrasekhara Reddy | ||
1975 | Puttinti Gowravam | Telugu | P. Chandrasekhar Reddy | ||
1975 | Pandanti Samsaram | Telugu | P. Chandrasekhar Reddy | ||
1975 | Kathanayakuni Katha | Telugu | D. Yoganand | ||
1976 | Makkala Bhagya | Kannada | K. S. L. Swamy | ||
1975 | Pellade Bomma | Telugu | Chakravarthy | ||
1976 | Vadhu Varulu | Telugu | N.D. Vijayababu | ||
1977 | Devare Dikku | Kannada | |||
1977 | Manassakshi | Telugu | P. Sambasiva Rao | ||
1977 | Nee Vazha Vendum | Tamil | A. Bhimsingh | ||
1977 | Nagara Hole | Kannada | Madhu | ||
1978 | Madhura Sangama | Kannada | Lalithambe in play | T. P. Venugopal | Cameo appearance |
1978 | Prathima | Kannada | |||
1978 | Sandharbha | Kannada | |||
1979 | Manini | Kannada | K. S. Sethumadhavan | ||
1980 | Chitrakoota | Kannada | Gowri Sundar | ||
1980 | Rahasya Rathri | Kannada | M. S. Kumar | ||
1980 | Bangarada Jinke | Kannada | T. S. Nagabharana | ||
1982 | Pedda Gedda | Kannada | |||
1984 | Runamukthalu | Kannada | Goda | Puttana Kanagal | |
1986 | Tavaru Mane | Kannada | |||
1986 | Maneye Manthralaya | Kannada | |||
1986 | Namma Oora Devathe | Kannada | |||
1986 | Ella Hengasarinda | Kannada | |||
1986 | Uppu | Malayalam | Khadeeja | ||
1986 | Padikkatha Padam | Tamil | Bharath | ||
1987 | Uttar Dakshin | Hindi | Prabhat Khanna | ||
1987 | Bandha Mukta | Kannada | |||
1987 | Thaliya Aane | Kannada | |||
1988 | Shanthi Nivasa | Kannada | |||
1988 | Mutthinantha Manushya | Kannada | |||
1989 | Yuddha Kaanda | Kannada | K. V. Raju | ||
1990 | Izzatdaar | Hindi | Sujatha | Kovelamudi Bapayya | |
1990 | Bannada Gejje | Kannada | Vyjayanthi | Rajendra Singh Babu | |
1990 | Prema Yuddham | Telugu | Vyjayanthi | Rajendra Singh Babu | |
1990 | Urudhi Mozhi | Tamil | R. V. Udayakumar | ||
1991 | Sandhwanam | Malayalam | |||
1992 | Khel | Hindi | Kamini/Sharda | Rakesh Roshan | |
1993 | Devaasuram | Malayalam | Neelakandan's mother | ||
1994 | Aao Pyaar Karen | Hindi | Anjali | ||
1994 | Sarigamalu | Telugu | |||
1995 | Dore | Kannada | |||
1995 | Achan Kombathu Amma Varampathu | Malayalam | Parvathi | ||
1996 | Katta Panchayathu | Tamil | Karthik's Mother | ||
1996 | Kaadhale Nimmadhi | Tamil | Kavitha's Mother | ||
1997 | Varnapakittu | Malayalam | Sunny's mother | I. V. Sasi | |
1997 | Oru Yathramozhi | Malayalam | Govindankutty's mother | ||
1998 | Nakshatratharattu | Malayalam | Sreedevi | ||
1998 | Sundara Pandian | Tamil | Pandian's mother | ||
2000 | Narasimham | Malayalam | Induchoodan's mother | Shaji Kailas | |
2001 | Karumadikkuttan | Malayalam | Bharathi | ||
2002 | Mazhathullikilukkam | Malayalam | Alice John | ||
2003 | Preethi Prema Pranaya | Kannada | Sharadha Devi | Kavitha Lankesh | |
2005 | Maharaja | Kannada | Annapoorna | Sai Prakash | |
2006 | Photographer | Malayalam | Dijo's & Joy's mother | ||
2006 | Tananam Tananam | Kannada | Shastry's wife | Kavitha Lankesh | |
2009 | Raaj - The Showman | Kannada | Herself | Prem | |
2012 | Crazy Loka | Kannada | Kavitha Lankesh | ||
2012 | Kanneerinum Madhuram | Malayalam | Vijayakumari | ||
2016 | Doddmane Hudga | Kannada | Doddmane Rajeeva's sister | Duniya Soori | |
2017 | Ambar Caterers[5] | Tulu | Jai Prasad | ||
2018 | Raja Simha | Kannada | Ravi Ram | ||
2018 | Edakallu Guddada Mele | Kannada | |||
2019 | Kurukshetra | Kannada | Kunti | Naganna |
Television
- Bhagyavantaru as Annapoorneshwari Devi - serial aired in Star Suvarna
- Sevanthi as Pramoda Devi - serial aired in Udaya TV
- Janani -serial aired in Doordarshan
Awards
- 2010 - Honorary Doctorate from Karnataka State Open University[7].
- 1969-70 - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress - Sri Krishnadevaraya
References
- "Bharathi Vishnuvardhan: Shining on the silver screen for five decades". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- "Padma Awards 2017" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- "Vishnuvardhan Death". Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- Bharathi, IMDb, retrieved 15 January 2008
- http://www.tulucinema.com/kannada-actor-bharathi-vishnuvardhan-act-tulu-film-titled-ambar-caterers/
- http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=157675
- http://lyricsraaga.com/articles/list-kannad-film-artists-honorary-doctorate-degree/