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Namitha

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Namitha
Namitha in 2007
Born
Namitha Mukesh Vankawala

(1981-05-10) 10 May 1981 (age 43)
Surat, Gujarat, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • politician
Years active2001 – 2021
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse
Veerendra Chowdary
​
(m. 2017)​
Children2

Namitha Vankawala (born 10 May 1981[1]) is an Indian former actress, model and politician who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu cinema along with a few films in Kannada and Malayalam.[2] She serves as a state executive member of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu.[3]

Career

2001−2008

Starting her career as a beauty pageant contestant, Namitha was crowned Miss Surat during the year of 1998 at the age of 17. She went on to participate in the 2001 Miss India pageant and ended up as the third runner-up, while Celina Jaitley was crowned Miss India.[4] The publicity she garnered during the competition prompted her to move to Mumbai and subsequently she did a number of TV commercials such as Himani cream and hand soap, Arun Ice Creams, Manikchand Gutka, and Nile Herbal Shampoo early in her career. Unable to make a breakthrough into the Hindi film industry, she enrolled in an English Literature course and then considered returning to Surat but chose to later accept an invitation to audition for a Telugu film. After being selected, she consequently made her acting debut in Sreenu Vaitla's coming-of-age romantic film, Sontham (2002). Her next film, Saran's big budget action film Gemeni (2002) opposite Venkatesh, garnered her further attention and her portrayal of a Marwardi girl won critical acclaim. She had also briefly given herself the stagename of "Bhairavi" for the film, but later reverted to her original name.[5][6]

In the mid-2000s, she quickly became popular in Tamil language films with her mature look and tall frame prompting film makers to cast her opposite ageing actors such as Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Arjun, Parthiban, Sundar C and Sarathkumar.[7] She appeared in a series of commercial action films opposite such actors, including roles in Aai (2005), Chanakya (2005) and Aanai (2005). Likewise, she was regularly cast in comedy films with senior actors too, making appearances in Siddique's Engal Anna (2004) and six of Sakthi Chidambaram's comedy dramas. During the period, she appeared in her first Hindi film Love Ke Chakkar Mein, worked on a Kannda film titled Namitha I Love You and shot for an English film, Maya, which was later released in 2008 as Kamasutra Nights.[8] In 2007, she had the opportunity to work with two leading actors from Tamil cinema, respectively appearing with Vijay in the A. R. Rahman-musical Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007) and Ajith Kumar in Vishnuvardhan's gangster film Billa (2007). By the end of the period, Namitha had developed a "cult following" in Tamil Nadu as a result of her glamorous appearances in films, with the media regularly looking to feature her in reports and Behindwoods.com labelled her "omnipotent and omnipresent".[9][10][11]

2009−2021

However, by the turn of the decade, Namitha's popularity began to decline after several of her films failed to perform well and the South Indian film industry moved away from casting women in outright glamorous roles, a character that Namitha had become famed for performing. Film makers were also reluctant to cast Namitha opposite young male actors, as the older generation began to stop appearing in leading roles.[12] She was relegated to increasingly smaller roles and guest appearances, while the big-budget horror film, Jaganmohini (2009), where she played the title role performed poorly at the box office.[13] Likewise, she became engaged in disputes with her filmmakers, with the director of Azhagana Ponnuthan (2010), criticising the actress's lack of cooperation for the film's failure.[14][15] She briefly prioritized her work in Kannada films in the early 2010s, while several of her films endured production delays including Ilamai Oonjal (2016). After several years without any film releases, she announced plans of making a comeback in 2016.[16]

In 2017, Namitha appeared on the Tamil reality television show, Bigg Boss hosted by Kamal Haasan. During her stint in the show, she was widely criticised for her harsh treatment of actress Oviya.[17] She also seen in the Horror movies such as Pottu (2019) and Miya (2020).[18] In 2021, she make a appearance in Tv serial Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal and then on the comedy show Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0 entertain the audience as a special guest.[19]

In the media

At the height of her success in 2008, Namitha's devotee built her a temple near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. She became the second actress after Khushbu in the state to be immortalised in such a fashion by her fan following.[20][21] In October 2010, there was an attempt to kidnap her by a fan at Trichy in Tamil Nadu.[22] In 2012, the actress was chosen by Tokyo TV, a Japanese media station, as the "most beautiful person" in India.[23] She has been an advocate of safe driving and in June 2012, she and Tamil actor Bharat promoted awareness of safe driving.[24]

Politics

Namitha joined AIADMK on 24 April 2016 in the presence of party general secretary and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in Trichy.[25] In 2019, Namitha along with actor Radha Ravi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party's national president J. P. Nadda in Chennai.[26] In July 2020, after 8 months of joining the BJP, Namitha was appointed as one of the state executive member of the BJP in Tamil Nadu.[3]

Personal life

Namitha married businessman Veerendra Chowdary in Tirupathi in November 2017.[27] The couple announced their pregnancy via Namitha's Instagram on her 41st birthday.[28] She delivered twin sons in August 2022.[29]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role(s) Language(s) Notes Ref.
2002 Sontham Nandu Telugu Debut film [30]
Gemeni Manisha Natwarlal credited as Bhairavi [31]
2003 Oka Raju Oka Rani Preethi [32]
Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli Sasirekha [33]
2004 Engal Anna Gowri Tamil Tamil Debut [34]
Aithe Enti Anjali Sharma Telugu [35]
Maha Nadigan Aishwarya Tamil [36]
Aai Anjali [citation needed]
2005 Englishkaran Maheshwari [37]
Nayakudu Uma Telugu [38]
Chanakya Deivanayaki Tamil [citation needed]
Bambara Kannaley Mynaa [citation needed]
Aanai Ramya [citation needed]
2006 Kovai Brothers Sania [39]
Love Ke Chakkar Mein Neha V. Batra Hindi Hindi Debut [40]
Pachchak Kuthira Poovu Tamil [citation needed]
Thagapansamy Swapna [41]
Nee Venunda Chellam Anjali [42]
Neelakanta Ganga Kannada Kannada Debut [43]
2007 Viyabari Namitha Tamil [44]
Naan Avanillai Monika Prasad [45]
Azhagiya Tamil Magan Dhanalakshmi [46]
Billa C. J. Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil [47]
2008 Sandai Seemakal Chinnakilli [48]
Kamasutra Nights Aunt Maya English English Debut [49]
Pandi Salangai Tamil [50]
Indra Janaki Kannada [citation needed]
2009 Perumal Saroja Tamil [51]
Thee Ruchi Devi [52]
1977 Chandini [53]
Billa Lisa Telugu Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu [54]
Indira Vizha Kamini Tamil [55]
Jaganmohini Jaganmohini [56]
2010 Black Stallion Laura Fernandez Malayalam Malayalam Debut [citation needed]
Azhagaana Ponnuthan Jennifer Tamil [citation needed]
Guru Sishyan Anitha Cameo [57]
Simha Mahima Telugu [58]
Hoo Anju Kannada [59]
2011 Ilaignan Sena Tamil [60]
Namitha I Love You Sunanda Kannada [61]
2013 Benki Birugali Mona [citation needed]
2016 Ilamai Oonjal Durga Tamil [62]
Pulimurugan Julie Malayalam [63]
2019 Pottu Bhrameshwari Tamil [citation needed]
2020 Miya Miya [citation needed]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2007-2015 Maanada Mayilada Main Judge Dance Reality Show
2017 Bigg Boss Tamil (season 1) Contestant Evicted Day 28[64]
2020 Dance Jodi Dance 3.0 Judge Dance Show
2021 Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Herself Guest Appearance
2021 Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0 Herself Guest Appearance

References

  1. ^ "Happy Birthday Namitha: 10 Times South Actress Namitha Stole Our Hearts". Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Namita Vankawala: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b J, Shanmughasundaram (4 July 2020). "Tamil Nadu: Actor Namitha appointed as BJP state executive member". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Namitha was crowned Miss Surat in 1998". The Times of India. 29 August 2013. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  5. ^ Telugu Cinema Etc Archived 24 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Idlebrain.com (16 September 2002). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Telugu cinema article – Namita photo – stolen from Namitha's desktop". idlebrain.com. 20 March 2000. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  7. ^ Namitha interview – Telugu Cinema interview – Telugu film and Tamil film actress Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Idlebrain.com (30 July 2008). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Namitha stars in English movie". The Hindu. 14 August 2006. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Tamil movies : Namitha the omnipotent and the omnipresent". behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Namitha goes to 'Subway' for meal". The Hindu. 21 October 2005. Archived from the original on 26 May 2006.
  11. ^ I Will Do It For A Lesser Payment, Says Namitha – Namitha – Dirty Picture – Tamil Movie News Archived 10 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Behindwoods.com (30 June 2012). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  12. ^ Why Namitha won't act in Tamil films? | Movie News Archived 13 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Times of India (20 May 2011). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  13. ^ Review: Jaganmohini is a half-baked remake Archived 13 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com (19 October 2009). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  14. ^ Namitha's behavior – Tamil Movie News – Namitha | Thiru | Azhagana Ponnuthan | Raja Karthik | Nizhalgal Ravi | Mayilsaamy Archived 16 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Behindwoods.com (17 March 2010). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  15. ^ Namitha angry with Sona? Archived 17 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine indiaglitz.com (22 July 2011).
  16. ^ "Actress Namitha To Make Her Comeback Soon". silverscreen.in. 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  17. ^ Ex- Bigg Boss contestant Namitha hits back at Oviya | Tamil Movie News Archived 23 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Times of India (6 August 2017). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  18. ^ "Namitha plays a witch in Pottu".
  19. ^ "Namitha announces pregnancy; pens a note on motherhood".
  20. ^ "I'll stick to my sexy image: Namitha". Deccan Herald. 28 December 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  21. ^ I’m thrilled I have a temple:Namitha | Hindi Movie News Archived 23 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Times of India (7 July 2008). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  22. ^ Bharathan, Bijoy (27 October 2010). "Namitha's die-hard fan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 October 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  23. ^ Namitha – The Indian Beauty ... – Namitha – Tamil Movie News Archived 10 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Behindwoods.com (1 November 2012). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  24. ^ Namitha, Bharath want you to be safe on the road!. Sify.com. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  25. ^ "Tamil Nadu election:Actress Namitha joins Jayalalithaa's AIADMK". R Gokul. Times of India. 24 April 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  26. ^ J, Shanmughasundarm (30 November 2019). "Actor Radha Ravi, Namitha join BJP in JP Nadda's presence". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Namitha gets married to her boyfriend Veerandra in Tirupati". The Times of India. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  28. ^ "Namitha is pregnant, feels elated - Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 10 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Actress Namitha announces birth of twin boys, shares video". OnManorama. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Movie review – Sontham". Idlebrain. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Show with a difference". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018.
  32. ^ "Movie review - Oka Raju Oka Rani".
  33. ^ "Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli".
  34. ^ "Engal Anna Review".
  35. ^ "Aithe Enti Review".
  36. ^ "Maha Nadigan Review".
  37. ^ "Englishkaran Review".
  38. ^ "Nayakudu Review".
  39. ^ "Kovai Brothers Review".
  40. ^ "Love: Ke Chakkar Mein (2006)".
  41. ^ "Thagapansamy".
  42. ^ "Nee Venunda Chellam Review".
  43. ^ "Neelakanta Review".
  44. ^ "Vyapari Review".
  45. ^ "Naan Avanillai Movie Review".
  46. ^ "Azhagiya Tamil Magan".
  47. ^ "Billa Movie Review".
  48. ^ "Sandai Movie Review".
  49. ^ "Kamasutra Nights (2008)".
  50. ^ "Pandi - Movie Review".
  51. ^ "Perumal Review".
  52. ^ "THEE MOVIE REVIEW".
  53. ^ "1977 Movie Review".
  54. ^ "Billa".
  55. ^ "INDIRA VIZHA MOVIE REVIEW".
  56. ^ "Jaganmohini is a half-baked remake".
  57. ^ "Stay away from Guru Sishyan".
  58. ^ "Simha".
  59. ^ "Simha".
  60. ^ "ILAIGNAN MOVIE REVIEW".
  61. ^ "Namitha I Love You Review".
  62. ^ "Namitha & Kiran in thriller movie 'Ilamai Oonjal'". Kollywood Today. 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  63. ^ "'Pulimurugan' movie review: hide, crouch and roar goes Mohanlal".
  64. ^ "Bigg Boss Tamil: How Oviya Helen became the premiere season's most sensational contestant". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
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