I was a movie buff and an avid fan of Jayalalithaa and as a child my mother would take me to the theaters where her films played from early 1970s.
There was yet another reason for our special attachment to Ammu (as she was called at home and by her close relatives). The ravishing actress used to visit my neighbour's house, as she was their first cousin.
I got the opportunity to see her at close quarters whenever she attended function at their residence. The day she patted my cheek and asked my name was the most memorable one.
In fact, she came straight from her film Raja's shoot with a saffron clad saintly looks replete with makeup to attend my next-door aunt's son's first birthday.
We were all looking at the beautiful Jaya ma'am and she gave an expensive gift to the child and even did a patting gesture to me before departure. I went speechless for a while.
When the news of Amma's death came, I was shattered and could not believe and wished and prayed if any miracle could bring her back to life. Jayalalithaa, the uncrowned queen, who ruled the roost in south film industry during mid-60s and 70s, was considered as one of the most prolific and versatile actress and a style icon during her period.
She was keen neither on acting nor on entering politics but she was pushed towards these two high profile professions by her mother Sandhya and mentor MGR respectively. “I don't enjoy politics, I am doing my duty to the party, to the people of TN. I was pushed into two high profile professions which I never enjoyed”, she had reportedly confessed. Despite her reluctance, having made a career out of films and politics later, she took them in her own stride and carved a niche for herself. Her body of work includes 160 films in all south Indian languages: Tamil with the likes of the iconic MGR, Sivaji, Jai Shankar, Muthuraman, Gemini Ganesan; Telugu with the legendary NTR and Nageswara Rao; Malayalam and Kannada with Kalayan Kumar, and even in Hindi with the film Izaat featuring Dharmendra. Her debut in tinsel town was with an English movie Epistle in 1961. She made her debut as the lead actress in a Kannada film Chinnada Gombe (1964) while still in school at the age of 15. Although a heroine's career is short-lived, out of these 160 films, Jaya completed 100 flicks in 10 years, which was a big achievement. Her spectacular motion picture career was fuelled by her penchant for perfectionism.
Milestone films of her film career
Debut in Tamil with Vennira Aadai: Jayalalithaa was introduced in Tamil by famed filmmaker Sridhar in Vennira Aadai. The movie was made in color at a time black and white films were in vogue. Young Jayalalithaa, who was all of 16, made a lasting impression with her captivating charm and promising performance.
K. Balachander roped her for Major Chandrakanth: During the same year in 1965, yet another ace filmmaker KB cast her in Major Chandrakanth. The solo number Oru Naal Yaaro filmed on her was a chartbuster one.
Aayirathil Oruvan won her the title Fearless Nadhiya: When MGR was at his peak having completed 80 movies, famous director Panthulu (whose first directorial venture with MGR) brought Jaya on board opposite the former. Casting a newcomer to share screen space with iconic MGR created a huge buzz in the industry then. But Jaya disproved all misgivings with her youth appeal and fabulous performance alongside of MGR and people started calling Fearless Nadhiya. In no time she became the lucky charm of MGR, who later cast her in 28 films and the pair was considered as a evergreen Jodi. Kaavalkaran, Kannan En Kaadhalan, Arasa Kattali , Oli Vilakku to name a few blockbusters.
Motor Sundaram Pillai with Sivaji Ganesan: Even as she was romancing MGR on screen, the pretty actress was roped in for a movie with yet another superstar Sivaji Ganesan for Motor Sundaram Pillai where she essayed the latter's daughter.
Later she was paired opposite Sivaji in many movies, which turned out to be huge success. The pair came together in Deiva Magan, Enga Oor Raja, Savaale Samaali, Sumathi En Sundari, Pattikaada Pattanama, Engirundho Vandhal and Raja among others.
Woman centric movie Yaar Nee: Even JJ as a heroine was a huge draw at the box office, the actress was offered a heroine centric horror thriller Yaar Nee by Sathyam. The hero being a relatively newcomer called Jai Shankar (who later became a hero to reckon with). The film was a sleeper hit. In the same year 1966, she joined hands with yet another newbie Ravichandran in Kumari Penn.
'Thotta Idam…' song from Muthu Chippi became a welcome song for AIADMK cadres: The film made during the year 1967 had a song Thotta Idam Thulanga Varum Thaai Kulame Varuga (welcome to the woman with Midas Touch) sung by Sirgazhi Govindharajan. The party cadres later used this as the 'Welcome Song' when she assumed power as CM of Tamil Nadu. She broke the record of other actors by acting in 17 films in the year 1967 alone.
Mythological stint with Kandhan Karunai: Directed by AP Nagarajan, known for his mythological movies, Jaya portrayed Valli, wife of Lord Muruga essayed by Sivakumar.
Tryst with Bollywood with Izzat: This 1968 Hindi film was Jayalalithaa's debut in B'town. She played a spunky Adivasi belle, Jhumki, in love with Dharmendra, who is far above her socially. Her lively and bubbly performance in the film earned her much appreciation and also showcased her dancing talent as well.
Once again in 1968, she continued her success streak by acting in 17 movies including few Tollywood flicks.
Acting free of cost for her dance master guru in Annai Velankanni: Jaya did this devotional film on Annai Velankanni's miracles free of cost which was directed by her guru choreographer Thangappan.
Proving her gritty nature during Ganga Gowri shoot: Known for her boldness, when Jayalalithaa who always calls herself as a 'Tamil Girl' refused to say that she belonged to Mysore and was a Kannadiga when Kannada activist named Vattal Nagaraj compelled to tell when he barged into the sets of Ganga Gowri at Chamundeswari Studio at Mysore. She stood by what she said earlier.
