Jayalalithaa made her Telugu debut as the leading lady in the film ‘Manushulu Mamatalu’ opposite Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The film was released in 1965 and Jayalalithaa created a sensation with the popular song ‘Siggestondha Siggestondha..’. for which she wore a bikini.
She went on to act in nearly 25 Telugu films. Most of them were successful musical hits. She acted with all the top actors of her time – N T Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna, Jaggiah, and Krishnam Raju – and with legendary actresses such as Jamuna, Vanisri and Savitri.
She also acted in many folk films opposite N T Rama Rao, such as ‘Chikkadu Dorakaudu’, ‘Gopaludu Bhoopaludu’, ‘Kadaladu Vadaladu’, ‘Gandikota Rahasyam’, ‘Bagdad Gajadonga’ and ‘Ali Baba 40 Dongalu’.
She played the female lead in a couple of mythological films - ‘Sri Krishna Satya’ and ‘Sri Krishna Vijayam’ - in which NTR played the character of Lord Krishna.
Jayalalithaa acted in nearly 140 films in all languages and across genres: mythological, folk, social drama, women-centric films and even an action film, ‘Gudachari 116’, which is a James Bond kind of film.
Most of her films were very successful and some of the songs are still popular. Apart from acting with legendary actors like N.T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jayalalithaa shared screen space with some of the legendary actresses like Jamuna, Vanisri and Savitri. During her time, she was the queen of South India.
Controversy
She was romantically linked with Telugu actor Sobhan Babu, even though they never acted together after she became popular. They acted together in the film ‘Doctor Babu’, which was one of her last films in Telugu.
Rumour has it that Jayalalithaa wanted to marry Sobhan Babu though he was already married and had children. “Once after she proposed marriage, Sobhan Babu decided to part ways with her,” says a source.
Jayalalithaa does not seem to have held this against Sobhan Babu. “Most of Sobhan Babu’s business and real estate is in Chennai and Jayalalithaa never tried to go against the actor and his business,” added the source.
The other person in her life was M G Ramachandran, the superstar and semi-god for Tamilians. Jayalalithaa not only acted with him, she also joined his political party. She later quit films and went into politics full time, emerging as MGR’s political heir after his death.
In Remembrance
A big loss to the nation: Balakrishna, actor
Jayalalithaa. She created her own mark not only in films, but also in politics. She had acted in many films with my father in Telugu cinema. It’s not easy to get into politics, but she became the chief minister six times. She has seen many ups and downs, but always stood stubborn and led from the front. Her demise is a big loss to the nation.
Exemplified woman power: Mohan Babu, actor
Jayalalithaa was a very popular leader and above all, a good human being. At the beginning of my career, I met her a few times and I was fortunate for that. She is a fine actress and politician and her demise is a great loss to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Some of her films in Telugu:
Manushulu Mamathalu
Astiparulu
Ame Evaru
Gudachari 116
Chikkadu Dorakadu
Gopaludu Bhoopaludu
Brahmachari
Sukha Dukhalu
Niluvu Dopidi
Baghad Gajadonga
Thikka Sankaraiah
Sri Rama Katha
Adarsa Kutumbam
Adrushtavathulu
Kathanayakudu
Kadaladu Vadaladu
Gandikota Rahasyam
Ali Baba 40 Dongalu
Sri Krishna Vijayam
Dharma Dhaata
Bharya Biddalu
Sri Krishna Satya
Akka Thammudu
Devudu Chesina Manushulu
Doctor Babu
Premalu Pellillu
Songs from her films that are popular:
Siggestondha Siggestondha (Film: Manushulu Mamathalu, actor ANR)
Nuvvu Naa Mundunte Ninnala Choostune (Film: Gudachari 116, actor Krishna)
Kotaloni Monagada vetaku vachava...(Film: Gopaludu Bhoopaludu, actor NTR)
Maradala Pilla Egiri Padaku Gadasari pilla..(Film: Gandikota Rahastyam, actor NTR)
Alla nerede pallu (Film: Doctor Babu, actor Sobhanu Babu)
