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Bharathi Vishnuvardhan

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Bharathi Vishnuvardhan
Born
Bharathidevi Rao

(1950-08-15) 15 August 1950 (age 74)
Bhadravati, Karnataka, India
OccupationActress
Years active1966–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1975; died 2009)​
Children2
AwardsPadma 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 though Dudde Doddappa was her first release.[3] 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. Through the course of her career, she became known for her portrayal of roles of 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.[4] She has the distinction of having paired with Dr.Rajkumar as a lead actress in all the 26 movies she acted with him and is also paired with him the most no. of times (6 movies) in those movies where he played multiple roles.[5]

Personal life

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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 her 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.[6] 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.[7] Dr. Vishnuvardhan died on 30 December 2009, aged 59 from a cardiac arrest.[8]

Career

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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 acted together in 26 movies and went on to give hit after hit until 1972, very significant among them are Mayor Muthanna, Sri Krishnadevaraya and Bangaaradha Manushya.

In 1966 Bharathi played supporting roles in two M. G. Ramachandran movies Nadodi and Chandhrodhayam which elevated her profile in the Tamil arena. She then graduated to lead heroine roles with Deiva Cheyal, Avalukendru Or Manam and Thanga Surangam, opposite stars like Muthuraman, Gemini Ganeshan, and Shivaji Ganeshan. Bharathi 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.

In 1967 Bharathi was introduced to Hindi cinema by director A. Bhimsingh with Meherban. She went on to act in several Hindi films like Saadhu Aur Shaitaan with Mehmood, Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani opposite Rakesh Roshan, Manoj Kumar's Purab Aur Paschim and Hum Tum Aur Woh with Vinod Khanna and later Mastana and Kunwaara Baap (1974).

In the 1970s she formed a popular pair with Vishnuvardhan (who then became her husband) and they starred together in blockbusters like Bhagya Jyothi, Makkala Bhagya, Devara Gudi, Nagara Hole and Bangarada Jinke (1980). After a brief hiatus, 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 - Uttar Dakshin (1987), Izzatdaar (1990 with Dilip Kumar), Khel and Aao Pyaar Karen.

In the late 90s she acted in the Kannada Doordarshan serial Janani. In 2012, she appeared as a strict, no-nonsense sessions court judge in T.N. Seetharam's Kannada daily serial Mukta-Mukta.

Apart from acting, Bharathi has sung a few songs, a duet with T.M. Soundarrajan, a Tamil song "Thanga Nilave Nee Illamal" picturised on her and Gemini Ganesan and a Kannada song "Ee Notake Mai Matake" with her husband Vishnuvardhan for Nagara Hole. She has worked as an associate director with K. S. L. Swamy for the movies Karune Illada Kanoonu, Huli Hejje and the classic Malaya Marutha.

Filmography

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Below is a partial list of her films.

Year Film Role Language Notes
1966 Dudde Doddappa Kalpana Kannada First release [3]
1966 Love in Bangalore 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 Pattukunte Padivelu[9] Kalpana Telugu
1967 Thanga Thambi Parvathi Tamil
1967 Rajadurgada Rahasya Mangala Kannada
1967 Mehrban Geeta Hindi
1967 Deiva Cheyal Tamil
1967 Valiba Virundhu Radha Tamil
1967 Naan Yaar Theriyuma Tamil
1967 Aggi Dora Jayanthi 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 Cameo
1975 Devara Gudi Suchitra Kannada
1975 Kaveri Kaveri Kannada
1975 Kotha Kapuram Telugu
1975 Bhagya Jyothi 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 Lawyer 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 Subhadra 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[10] Tulu
2018 Raja Simha Kannada
2018 Edakallu Guddada Mele Kannada
2019 Kurukshetra Kunti Kannada

Television

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Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bharathi Vishnuvardhan: Shining on the silver screen for five decades". The Times of India. 18 August 2014. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Jayanthi was like a sister: Bharathi Vishnuvardhan - Times of India". The Times of India.
  3. ^ a b "ಮೊದಲ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲೇ ಮೂವರು ನಾಯಕರಿಗೆ ನಾಯಕಿಯಾದರು ಭಾರತಿ..!! | Naadu Kanda Rajkumar | Ep 170". YouTube. 2 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Padma Awards 2017" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "ಹಿಂದಿ,ತಮಿಳು, ತೆಲುಗಿಗಿಂತ ಕನ್ನಡದ "ಎಮ್ಮೆ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ" ಏಕೆ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ..? | Naadu Kanda Rajkumar | Ep 171". YouTube. 12 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Bharathi: Parents made me understand ways of the world". Deccan Herald. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  7. ^ "The accidental star". Bangalore Mirror. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Karnataka mourns Vishnuvardhan's death". 31 December 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Pattukunte Padivelu (1967)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Bharathi Vishnuvardhan". 23 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Padma Awards 2017 announced". Archived from the original on 25 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  12. ^ "List of Kannada Film Artists with Honorary Doctorate Degree". 21 April 2020.
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