Aarathi facts for kids

Aarathi (born as Bharathi in 1954) is a famous Indian actress and director. She was very active in Kannada films during the 1970s and 1980s. Aarathi has won many awards for her acting, including four Karnataka State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. Besides Kannada films, she also acted in a few Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam movies.

Aarathi started her acting journey with a small role in the Kannada film Gejje Pooje (1969). She became very well-known through her work with the Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal. They made many popular films together, like Upasane (1974), Shubhamangala (1975), Bili Hendthi (1975), Dharmasere (1979), and Ranganayaki (1981). She was highly praised for her role in the action drama Naagarahaavu (1972). For this film, she won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. Some of her other famous roles were in films such as Bangaarada Panjara (1974), Daari Tappida Maga (1975), Katha Sangama (1976), Premada Kanike (1976), and Hombisilu (1978).

After taking a break from films in 1986, Aarathi returned in 2005 as a director. Her film Mithayi Mane was well-received and won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children's Film. She was also chosen as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Vidhana parishad. This made her the second actress to be nominated for such a position, after B. Jayamma.

Aarathi's Film Journey

Starting Out and Becoming Famous

Aarathi's first film was Gejje Pooje (1969), directed by Puttanna Kanagal. She played a small part as the sister of the main actor, Gangadhar. Her first main role was in the comedy film Takka Bitre Sikka (1970), where she acted opposite Srinath. After this, she appeared in supporting roles in several films with Rajkumar, including Kasturi Nivasa (1971) and Bangarada Manushya (1972). Later, she played lead roles with him in films like Bhale Huchcha (1972) and Premada Kanike (1976).

Aarathi became very famous when Puttanna Kanagal cast her as Alamelu in the action drama Naagarahaavu (1972). She was widely recognized for playing a gentle girl who faces a sad life after marriage. Vishnuvardhan also started his career with this film, and he and Aarathi became a popular on-screen pair. Aarathi won her first Karnataka State Film Award for her role in this movie. The film was a big hit and was remade in other languages.

Working with Puttanna Kanagal

Puttanna Kanagal played a huge role in Aarathi's career. He gave her many roles, starting from Gejje Pooje in 1970 until their last film together, Ranganayaki in 1981. Kanagal often created strong, female-focused roles for Aarathi throughout the 1970s. Their partnership led to many successful films. These include Naagarahaavu (1972), Edakallu Guddada Mele (1973), Upasane (1974), Bili Hendthi (1975), Shubhamangala (1975), Dharmasere (1979), and Ranganayaki (1981). Aarathi won all eight of her major awards (four Karnataka State awards and four Filmfare South awards) for films directed by Kanagal.

Big Success and Retirement

Besides her successful films with Kanagal, Aarathi also found success working with other popular actors. These included Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Srinath, Ambareesh, Anant Nag, and Tiger Prabhakar. She acted with Rajkumar in 12 successful films, starting with a supporting role in Kasturi Nivasa (1971). Her pairing with Vishnuvardhan was also very popular. They starred together in films like Hanthakana Sanchu (1980), Bangarada Jinke (1980), and Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu (1986).

Aarathi also starred in many critically acclaimed films that focused on female characters. Some of these were Manini (1979), Vasantha Lakshmi (1978), Shubhamangala (1975), and Sati Sakkubai (1985). She stopped acting after her second marriage in 1986. Her last film released was Tiger.

Films Aarathi Directed

Films Aarathi Acted In