Jaishankar

Jaishankar
Jaishankar in one of his early films
Born	Subramaniam Shankar July 12, 1938(1938-07-12) Chennai, India
Died	June 3, 2000(2000-06-03) (aged 61) Chennai, India
Years active	1965-1998
Website
http://www.jaishankar.in

Jaishankar (Tamil: ஜெய்சங்கர்; 12 July 1938—3 June 2000) is a yester-year actor of the Tamil Film Industry. He is fondly referred to as Thennagathu James Bond (South Indian James Bond). His penchant for dashing roles earned him the sobriquet of James Bond of South India, thanks to his roles in films like Vallavan Oruvan, CID Shankar and so on. He is considered as one of the leading actors of Tamil cinema in the 1970s.

Biography

Subramaniam Shankar, to give his original name, was born on 12 July 1938. His father being a judicial magistrate, he was a typical Brahmin of the bygone decades going to the famous PS High School and then The New College Chennai, where he did his Honours degree. Following the footsteps of his father he studied Law but gave it up after a year because of his interests in fine arts like theater.

Bitten by the drama bug, he joined Cho's Viveka Fine Arts, which consisted mostly of Brahmins where he did insignificantly small roles. Obviously not happy he moved out and the break came with Koothabiran's Kalki Fine Arts where he made a mark playing a lead role in Kalki's 'Amara Thaara'.

Career

Jaishankar is an unforgettable hero of the yesteryears. In the era dominated by Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran and Gemini Ganesan, he created his own niche by excellent portrayals of interesting characters. Popularly known as South Indian James Bond because of his roles as the investigative detective in Vallavan Oruvan and CID Shankar and Friday star because he invariably had a release every week, Jai as he was popularly called in the industry was a Bankable star. He was also adept at comedy and contemporary portrayals as seen in Pattanathil Bhootham, Noottrukku Nooru and Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum. With emergence of Rajinikanth as the hero, he continued to play villain and father roles in many films, notable being Murattu Kaalai and Thalapathi. Years ago, Rajini was the villain in Gaayathri which had Jaishankar as the hero.

In an era dominated by Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran, Jaishankar had his own loyal following. He had too much of competition from his peers. Very prolific during his heyday, he was at one point known as the Friday Hero, because a new film of his would debut almost every Friday. He is also remembered as a good Samaritan as he helped the needy without any publicity.

He stormed the celluloid citadel with action thrillers like CID Shankar (that gave him a James Bond image), Karunthel Kannairam, Nilgiri Express, Nil Gavani Kathali and melodramatic family films like Teacheramma, Kulama Gunama, Uyira Manama and Soodhattam; suspense thrillers like Mannipu, Akka Thangai, Yaar Nee; family dramas like Jeevanamsam, Sondhangal Vazhka, Bhavani and Paalaabhishekam; and comedy films like Aayiram Poi, Ponn Vandu, Bommalattum and Aathaiya Mamiya.

Among his more memorable roles was the teacher's role in the K Balachander film, Noothukku Nooru. He was last seen on screen in Iravum Pagalum -- which was the title of his debut film as well.

Family

Unlike his contemporaries Sivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, Ravichandran, Sivakumar and Vijayakumar, Jaishankar has no children following him onto the marquee. His son Dr.Vijay shankar is a well known eye surgeon who also manages the Jai Shankar medical and charitable trust in Nungambakkam, Chennai.

Medical Trust

Every year his son Dr.Vijay shankar conducts 15 free eye surgeries on his father’s birthday. He planned to create a trust in his father’s memory and conduct these camps on a larger scale and later include some more specialities like cardiac surgeries also.

Death

Jaishankar died of heart attack on 3 June 2000, at the age of 62 in Chennai. He is survived by his wife and sons.

Trivia

• On the Tamil TV show Koffee with Anu, Cho Ramaswamy described Jaishankar as a Paropakari for his generosity and helpful nature. Cho also admired Jaishankar for creating a star identity for himself during a time when Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran were popular stars in Tamil cinema. "He was a hero in his own right!", Cho remarked.
• On the same show, Director T. S. B. K. Mouli mentioned that Jaishankar created a lot of new producers by helping lesser-known people in making films.
• Unlike his rivals, he never played negative characters. He voluntarily enacted negative roles, and continued to act in such roles stating that he enjoys such roles.
• When he acted as villain in Murattu Kalai, it was reported that Rajinikanth, bowed and touched his feet, respecting his seniority.
• He was the only actor after M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan to have a huge fan base in Tamil Nadu till the late 70s.

Selected filmography

• Iravum pagalum
• Vallavan Oruvan
• C.I.D. Shankar
• Vallavanuku Vallavan
• Yaar Nee
• Thunivey Thunai
• Kizakkum Merkkum Santhikkindrana
• Unakkum Enakkum
• Neelagiri Express
• Vandikkaran Magan
• Jambu
• Jeevanaamsam
• Ponvandu
• Veettukku Veedu
• Vairam
• Paayum Puli
• Murattu Kaalai
• Thalapathi
• Apoorva Sagodharargal
• Kuzanthaiyum Deivamum
• Poova Thalaiya
• Iru Vallavargal
• Pattanathil Bhootham
• Idhayam Paarkiradhu (100th film)
• Kulama Gunama
• Mannippu
• Amman Arul
• Akka Thangai
• Naam moovar
• Kannan Varuvan
• Marumagal
• Vaazhkai
• Vaazhvey Maayam
• Bhavani
• Bommalaattam
• Aayiram poi
• Pandhattam
• Padikkadhavan
• Uyira manama
• Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi
• Ore Thayin Sapatham
• Maanavan
• Thudikkum Karangal
• Kaliyuga Kannan
• Ini Ellam Sugamae
• Anbalippu
• Panchavarna kili
• Muthuchippi
• Athaya Maamiya
• Jakkamma
• Arunachalam
• Kalamellam Kaathiruppen
• Vayaadi
• Soodhattam
• Nangu killadigal
• Akarai pattachai
• Kanga
• Ner vazhi

External links

• Jaishankar at the Internet Movie Database