The acclaimed actress Jayanthi, who appeared in over 500 films and starred opposite Prithviraj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, NT Rama Rao, MG Ramachandran and Shivaji Ganesan, died on Monday at her residence in Bengaluru. She was 76.
As per news reports, she had been suffering from age-related ailments.
Hailed by Kannada audiences and critics as Abhinaya Sharade [Goddess Sharade of acting], Jayanthi started off as a classical dancer before entering the world of cinema in 1963 with the Kannada film Jenu Goodu.
She went on to star in Kannada hits such as Miss Leelavathi (1965), Thulasi (1976), Banashankari (1977) and Anand (1978), sharing the screen with the late Rajkumar in over 30 projects. Her early collaborations with the artiste, Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha (1963) and Chandavalliya Thota (1964), were major blockbusters. The actress is also the first of her ilk in the Kannada film industry to have donned a swimsuit onscreen.
Jayanthi had also worked in numerous Tamil and Telugu films. Some of her best-regarded Tamil films are Karnan (1964), Neer Kumizhi (1965), Ethir Neechal (1968), Iru Kodukal (1969) and Devathai (1979).
She appeared alongside the legendary NT Rama Rao in most of her Telugu films, which include Bhakta Prahlada (1967), Badi Panthulu (1972), Sarada (1973), Kondaveeti Simham (1981) and Donga Mogudu (1987).
The artiste also appeared in six Malayalam and four Hindi films — Lal Bangla (1966), Teen Bahuraniyan (1968), Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969) and Gunda (1970).
Jayanthi won six state awards. In 2005, she was presented the Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.