Silk smitha biography
Silk Smitha’s birth anniversary: Looking back at when she wanted to be a character actor like Savitri
Dec 02, 2023 06:24 AM IST
On Silk Smitha’s birth anniversary, we look back to the time the actor spoke about her ambition and dreams for her career.
Silk Smitha might be a name synonymous with glamorous roles, jaw-dropping looks and a tragic personal life today but there was a time when Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati (her birth name) wanted nothing more than to be taken seriously as an actor. Born on December 2, 1960, in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, she was one of the most sought-after actors till her mysterious death in 1996 shocked the nation. (Also Read: Vidya Balan recalls her reaction when people told her starring in The Dirty Picture will ‘ruin your career’)
‘I want to be like Savitri’
When asked by Filmfare in 1984 why she was specialising in glamorous roles, Silk told the publication, “I want to be a character actor like Savitri, Sujata and Sarita. However, I played a character called Silk Smitha in my second film Vandichakkaram and that’s the kind of role that followed. People liked my performance and my ambition remains the same, but I keep getting offered glam roles and I can’t let down filmmakers. I want to make a name for myself as a character actor but I will never demand for these roles. Producers and directors depend on my talent to sell their films. I shall do whatever roles come my way.”
A vast filmography
Like she stated, there were times when people would throng to the theatre just to see her dance or play what was considered to be a vampy role on-screen. She made a name for herself not just in Telugu and Tamil, but also Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi film industries. In a career spanning almost two decades, she acted in over 450 films. For most of her career, Silk found herself typecast in the roles of cabaret dancers or women that were anything but coy. Later in her career, she would portray a freakishly strong agent beating
Silk Smitha Age, Death, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Biography
Film (Tamil): Vandichakkaram (1980) as 'Silk'
Film (Telugu): Gharana Gangulu (1981) in a small role
Film (Kannada): Gedda Maga (1983) in a small role
Film (Hindi): Paap Ko Jala Dunga (1982) as Asha
• Vinu Chakravarthy (film director; rumoured)
Mother- Sarasamma
Silk Smitha
Indian movie actress (1960 - 1996)
Silk Smitha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati (1960-12-02)2 December 1960 Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Died | 23 September 1996(1996-09-23) (aged 35) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Cause of death | Suicide by hanging |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1979–1996 |
| Works | Full list |
Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati (2 December 1960 – 23 September 1996), better known by her stage name Silk Smitha, was an Indian actress and dancer who worked mainly in Tamil and Telugu cinema, in addition to some Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films. She became one of India's most popular sex symbols of the 1980s and early 1990s, as well as one of the most sought-after erotic actresses in South Indian cinema in the 1980s. Smitha was a key figure in the Malayalam softcore film genre in the late 1980s.
In a career spanning 18 years, she appeared in over 450 films. Smitha was part of several successful dance numbers in the 1980s Indian films. She entered the industry as a supporting actress, and was first noticed for her role as "Silk" in the 1979 Tamil film, Vandichakkaram.
Early life
Smitha was born in Kovvali village in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh on 2 December 1960 to a Telugu couple, Vadlapati Ramallu and Sarasamma. She was a school dropout due to her family situation. Her family married her off at a very young age. Her husband and in-laws treated her poorly and she soon ran away.
Career
Smitha started as a touch-up artist for the actress Aparna and soon got a break in small character roles. She was given her first movie role as a heroine by Malayalam director Antony Eastman in his film "Inaye Thedi", though the movie was released very much later. Eastman gave her the name Smitha.
She got her big break in Tamil cinema after director Vinu Chakravar
.