15 All time great Tamil heroines
- IndiaGlitz, [Friday,February 23 2018]
15 All time great Tamil heroines
2018 marks the 100 the year since the first Tamil movie 'Keechaga Vadham' released in the year 1918. In the century there have been numerous heroines who have entertained the audiences and here we have listed 15 of those who have made a great impact showing individuality. Our choice has been influenced by the parameter of histrionics over glamour. Do post your choices not in our list in the comments section.
Savithri
Known as the Nadigaiyar Thilagam the equivalent of Nadigar Thilagam which points to the great Sivaji Ganesan, Savithri remains an enigma among actresses. Other generation of heroines have quoted her as their inspiration and her body of work proves why she remains the undisputed queen of all times. Just to mention a few of the great's performances include the Goddess Parvathi in 'Thiruvilayadal', dual roles as a modern girl and a villager in 'Kaathiruntha Kangal', taking on nine Sivaji Ganesans in 'Navarathiri' and the most popular on screen sister ever in 'Paasamalar'.
Sowcar Janaki
Though Sowcar Janaki was mostly typecast in tragic roles she emerged as one of the most versatile performers in films like 'Puthiya Paravai' in which she portrayed an arrogant vamp, the district collector in 'Iru Kodugal' and dual roles as mother and daughter in 'Kaaviya Thalaivi'. In later years Sowcar delighted audiences with Rajinikanth in 'Thillu Mullu' and once again moved them as an aged lover in K.Balachander's 'Puthu Puthu Arthangal'.
Lakshmi
If ever there was a multilingual actress it is most definitely Lakshmi who has kept the audiences awe struck in all languages and won major awards in multiple Indian film industries. In Tamil apart from many leading and character roles she has headlined the cast in such gems as 'Sirai', 'Samsaram Adhu Minsaram', 'Paasa Paravaigal' and recently opposite Kamal and Mohanlal in 'Unnai Pol Oruvan'.
Sujatha
When Rajini and Kamal were making their strides in Kollywood in the late seventies there rose an actress who carried her debut movie 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai' on her shoulders. Sujatha came from Malayalam cinema and cemented her place in Tamil acting only in roles that had substance and seldom danced around the trees. In 'Annakili' Ilayaraja's first movie as composer she played the role of a village girl who sacrifices all for her lover and his family. In 'Avargal' again she was pitted against Rajini and Kamal as her lovers and she held her own. She later graduated to character roles and impressed in many films like 'Aalaya Dheepam', 'Vidhi', 'Uzhaipaali' and 'Varalaru'.
Srividya
Srividya made her on screen debut as a child artiste in 'Thrivarutchelvar' and went on to do many films as a youngster but quite late she gained recognition playing the elderly lover of Kamal Haasan in 'Apoorva Ragangal'. Later as a character artiste she made memorable movies such as 'Amman Kovil Kizhakale', 'Oru Thaayin Sabatham', 'Punnagai Mannan', 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', 'Maapillai' and 'En Rasavin Manisile'.
Sri Priya
In the seventies and eighties when a younger brigade of actors ruled the roost in Kollywood, Sri Priya made a significant mark as a leading lady. She paired with Rajinikanth in the most number of movies which record in still intact. Similarly her second most constant costar was Kamal Haasan and she is has been the heroine of the most number of movies that had both Rajini and Kamal in it. Her most memorable character was as a progressive independent woman Manju in 'Aval Appadithaan'. Sri Priya is also one of the few rare woman directors in Tamil.
Sridevi
In the modern era there is no parallel to Sridevi who started as a child actress in Tamil and went on to become the most sought after leading ladies in the South and then conquered Bollywood to become an all time great in Indian cinema. Sridevi has acted in 30 films with Kamal Haasan and her best roles have also been with him including the amnesia patient in 'Moondram Pirai' and the misguided lover in 'Vaazhve Maayam'.
Saritha
Another multilingual, multi award winning actress, Saritha made it big inspite of unconventional looks and legend has it that stars like Rajini, Mohan, Bhagyaraj and Vijayakanth were extra careful when acting with her in fear of her stealing the show. Saritha's best films include 'Nettri Kann', 'Thanneer Thanneer', 'Thunai', 'Mouna Geethangal' and 'Vedham Puthithu' among others.
Shobha
Starting as a child artiste, this rare gem of an actress before attaining the age of 17 won several awards in all languages including the National Award for Best Actress for the film 'Pasi'. Unfortunately she committed suicide and left a huge void in Indian cinema history. Her memorable roles were as the innocent sister of Rajini in 'Mullum Malarum', a reluctant superstar actress in 'Yeni Padigal' and an innocent maid in 'Nizhal Nijamagiradhu' among others.
Suhasini
This female legend from the Kamal Haasan family wanted to become a cinematographer and trained for it but as fate would have it Balu Mahendra introduced her in 'Nejathai Killathey' and she immediately caught the attention of the moviegoers. She too is one of the rare multilingual talents who won many awards in all the South languages. Her National Award came for 'Sindhu Bhairavi' under K.Balachander's direction and her best films in Tamil include 'Gopurangal Saivathillai', 'Manathil Urudhi Vendum', 'En Bommakutti Ammavukku' and 'En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan'. She also impressed with her directorial debut 'Indira'.
Radhika
The London born and educated Radhika was introduced in an out and out villager role in 'Kizhake Pogum Rail' and according to herself she was a reluctant actress. But her later day films and performances make one doubt it as she mostly acted in substantial roles and matched frame for frame the likes of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijaykanth, Sathyaraj, Prabhu and others. Her notable films include 'Kizhakku Cheemaiyile', 'Paasa Paravaigal', 'Meendum Oru Kadhal Kathai', 'Nallavanukku Nallavan' and 'Sippikkul Muthu'.
Urvashi
Few heroines sway the audience like how Urvashi did on debut in 'Munthanai Mudichi' as teenage girl in love with an older man. Later after a string of run on the mill roles she rediscovered herself as comic and rocked in films like 'Michael Madhana Kamarajan', 'Magalir Mattum', 'Maya Bazaar' and 'Thaikulame Thailkulame' and many more.
Ramya Krishnan
The talented performer Ramya Krishnan, sadly did not get her due in the initial stages of her career. However 'Padaiyappa' changed everything when she took on and even over took no less than Superstar Rajinikanth and did the same to his arch rival Kamal in 'Panchathanthiram'. 'Baahubali' and 'Thaana Serndha Koottam' proved that her charisma is capable of holding the younger generation in awe.
Revathi
Her height was a minus but her towering performances made that into a plus and Revathi rocked as a leading lady alongside all the South Superstars. She very rarely chose the conventional heroine roles and thus remains an all time great with her most outstanding roles coming in films like 'Mouna Ragam', 'Punnagai Mannan', 'Anjali', 'Vaidehi Kaathirunthaal', 'Aanpaavam', 'Kizhakku Vaasal' and 'Devar Magan' among others.
Saranya
Saranya is one more late bloomer, though introduced by Mani Ratnam opposite Kamal in the cult classic 'Nayagan'. After many years off the limelight, Saranya suddenly burst on the scene in 'Ram' as Jiiva's mother and the rest as they say is history. Films like 'Thavamai Thavamirunthu', 'Emton Magan', 'Thenmerkku Paruvakaatru', 'Kalavani' and 'Oru Kal Oru Kannadi' won her appreciation as well as awards including the National Award. Today she is the most sought after character actress and still holds her sway.