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Jeevitha
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Jeevitha, popularly known as Jeevitha Rajasekhar is an Indian actress, director and producer who has primarily worked in Tamil and Telugu films.
Key Information
Career
[edit]Jeevitha made her debut in Tamil with T. Rajendar's Uravai Kaatha Kili in 1984 and within a short span acted with the top heroes of the time such as Sivakumar, Vijayakanth, Karthik, Suresh and Sathyaraj.[1] The actress who started her career in 1984, acted in almost forty movies in six years and left the movie industry in 1991 after marrying actor Rajasekhar who primarily works in Telugu movies. Jeevitha’s last film in Tamil was Valaikappu (1988). She was last seen on screen as an actress in the 1990 Telugu film Magaadu, which starred her husband Rajasekhar.[2]
Jeevitha turned director with the film Seshu.[3] She later directed a handful of films as well, including Evadaithe Nakenti (2007), Satyameva Jayate (2009), Mahankali (2013) and Shekar (2022).[4][5][6][7][8]
She returned to acting after thirty-three years in Lal Salaam.[9]
Partial filmography
[edit]As actress
[edit]Tamil
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Uravai Kaatha Kili | Kuzhandhai | Tamil | |
| 1985 | Paadum Vaanampadi | Radha | Tamil | |
| Selvi | Usha | Tamil | ||
| Ilamai | Bhaama | Tamil | ||
| Idhu Engal Rajyam | Chinna Ponnu | Tamil | ||
| Sugamana Raagangal | Jeeva | Tamil | ||
| Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri | Savithri | Tamil | ||
| Viswanathan Velai Venum | Sujatha | Tamil | ||
| Vetrikani | Priya | Tamil | ||
| Engal Kural | Shanthi | Tamil | ||
| Hello Yaar Pesurathu | Tamil | |||
| Pattuchelai | Sarasu | Tamil | ||
| 1986 | Maruthi | Valli | Tamil | |
| Kanna Thorakkanum Saami | Sumathi | Tamil | ||
| Jothi Malar | Rani | Tamil | ||
| Enakku Nane Needipathi | Devika | Tamil | ||
| Piranthaen Valarnthaen | Meera | Tamil | ||
| Talambralu | Telugu | |||
| Jigujigu Rail | Telugu | |||
| Choru | Shenbagam | Tamil | ||
| Africavil Appu | Tamil | |||
| Mounam Kalaikirathu | Deepa | Tamil | ||
| Aayiram Kannudayaal | Uma | Tamil | ||
| Dharma Pathini | Vidhya | Tamil | ||
| 1987 | Raja Mariyadhai | Vaidehi | Tamil | |
| Ini Oru Sudhanthiram | Thayamma | Tamil | ||
| Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu | Tamil | |||
| Prema Kadambari | Sudha | Kannada | ||
| Damit Katha Adam Thirigindi | Rani | Telugu | ||
| Prajaswamyam | Bharati | Telugu | ||
| Aahuthi | Santhi | Telugu | ||
| 1988 | Station Master | Pushpa | Telugu | |
| Bava Marudula Sawal | Telugu | |||
| Tiragabadda Telugubidda | Jhansi | Telugu | ||
| Valaikappu | Chithra | Tamil | ||
| Mr. Hero | Telugu | |||
| Janaki Ramudu | Abaddala Satyavathi | Telugu | ||
| Nava Bharatham | Telugu | |||
| Kankana Bhagya | Kannada | |||
| 1989 | Manchi Varu Maavaru | Telugu | ||
| Chennapatnam Chinnollu | Radha | Telugu | ||
| Anna Chellalu | Jyothi | Telugu | ||
| Ankusam | Parvati | Telugu | ||
| 1990 | Magaadu | Vikram's wife | Telugu | |
| 2024 | Lal Salaam | Rani | Tamil |
As director and producer
[edit]| Year | Film | Credited as | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Producer | |||
| 2002 | Seshu | Yes | No | Remake of Tamil film Sethu Also dialogue writer |
| 2004 | Aaptudu | No | Yes | Remake of Hindi film Ghatak: Lethal |
| 2007 | Evadaithe Nakenti | Co-director | Yes | Remake of Malayalam film Lion |
| 2009 | Satyameva Jayate | Yes | No | Remake of Hindi film Khakee |
| 2013 | Mahankali | Yes | Yes | Remake of Hindi film Risk |
| 2015 | Gaddam Gang | No | Yes | Remake of Tamil film Soodhu Kavvum |
| 2021 | Deyyam | No | Co-producer | |
| 2022 | Shekar | Yes | Yes | Remake of Malayalam film Joseph[10] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Famous 80s actress teams up with Superstar Rajinikanth for the first time?". 10 November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024 – via indiaglitz.
- ^ "I've never done a film with Rajini sir; I'm glad it's happening at last: Jeevitha Rajasekhar". The Times of India. 3 March 2023 – via timesofindia.
- ^ "Jeevitha Rajsekhar interview". The Times of India. 3 March 2023 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
- ^ "Yevadaithe Naakenti". 2007. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024 – via The Economic Times - The Times of India.
- ^ "Yevadaithe Naakenti". 2007. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024 – via The Times of India.
- ^ "Satyameva Jayate: The burden of truth". 20 March 2009 – via bangaloremirror.indiatimes.
- ^ "Mahankali Review". 9 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024 – via indiaglitz.
- ^ "'Shekar' will touch every heart: Director Jeevitha Rajasekhar". 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024 – via indiaglitz.
- ^ "THIS actress to make her Kollywood comeback after 33 years with 'Lal Salaam'". The Times of India. 2 March 2023 – via indiaglitz.
- ^ Adivi, Sashidhar (29 November 2021). "Jeevitha returns to directing with 'Shekar'". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
External links
[edit]Jeevitha
View on GrokipediaBackground
Early life
Jeevitha was born on 24 May 1966 in Andhra Pradesh, India.[4] She was brought up in Andhra Pradesh to a family belonging to the Kapu community.[4] Her upbringing in the state during the 1960s and 1970s immersed her in Telugu linguistic and cultural traditions, leading to her fluency in speaking, reading, and writing the language.[4]Education and family influences
Details regarding her formal education, including specific schools attended or completion of higher secondary education, are not publicly documented in available sources. Her family background, including parents and siblings, remains largely private, with no verifiable information on relatives involved in creative fields. During her formative years in Andhra Pradesh, Jeevitha was influenced by the flourishing South Indian cinema scene, though specific family encouragement towards arts or early training in dance and drama is not detailed in credible records.[4]Personal life
Marriage and partnership
Jeevitha married Telugu actor Rajasekhar on July 10, 1991, in Chennai, following their meeting on the set of the 1985 Telugu film Talambralu, where they first acted together and their relationship developed over the subsequent years.[5][4] After the marriage, Jeevitha chose to step back from her acting career, which had spanned nearly 40 films since 1984, to prioritize family life and support Rajasekhar's professional endeavors in the industry.[6] This decision allowed her to shift focus toward behind-the-scenes roles, enabling a balanced partnership where she managed key career choices for both.[4] The couple's collaboration extended into production and direction, with Jeevitha helming several projects under their joint banner, including directing Rajasekhar in films such as Seshu (2002), Satyameva Jayate (2009), and Shekar (2022), often drawing from remakes to showcase his action-hero persona.[7] These ventures highlighted their professional synergy, built on mutual respect and complementary strengths—Rajasekhar's impulsiveness balanced by Jeevitha's patience.[4] In public statements, the couple has emphasized their shared commitment to family and career equilibrium, with Rajasekhar crediting Jeevitha for much of their enduring success: "If today people accept us as a good couple, 90 per cent of the credit must go to Jeevitha and only 10 per cent to me."[4] Their partnership, rooted in love that blossomed amid professional rivalry, has served as a model for sustaining personal and collaborative bonds over three decades.Children and family dynamics
Jeevitha and her husband Rajasekhar have two daughters: the elder, Shivani Rajashekar, born on 1 July 1996 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and the younger, Shivathmika Rajashekar, born on 22 April 2000 in Hyderabad, Telangana.[8][9] The family resides in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, as of 2010.[10] Following her marriage in 1991, Jeevitha took a prolonged hiatus from acting, spanning over three decades until her return in 2024 with the film Lal Salaam, prioritizing her role as a mother and family responsibilities during this period.[11] She has described motherhood as a profound blessing, emphasizing guidance while fostering her daughters' independence, and often credits them for helping her navigate generational gaps, such as modern technology and pop culture.[12] This family-centric approach extended to her decision to step away from the spotlight, allowing her to focus on raising Shivani and Shivathmika amid the demands of a film industry family. Both daughters have pursued acting careers; Shivani made her debut in the 2021 Telugu film Adbhutham, while Shivathmika debuted in 2019 with Dorasaani, with Jeevitha providing support and advice on resilience amid industry setbacks.[13][14] The family dynamics reflect a close-knit bond, with Jeevitha serving as both a mentor and best friend to her daughters, who in turn view her as a guardian angel and often seek her counsel on personal and professional matters. Family traditions include Sankranthi celebrations involving kite-flying on the terrace, drawing muggus, preparing traditional dishes like chakkara pongal, and bonding over movie-watching, though these have adapted post the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed significant challenges including Rajasekhar's hospitalization.[15] As a prominent film family, they have also navigated external pressures such as rumors targeting the daughters, which Jeevitha has publicly condemned.[16]Professional career
Acting roles in Tamil and Telugu cinema
Jeevitha made her acting debut in Tamil cinema with the 1984 film Uravai Kaatha Kili, directed by T. Rajendar, where she shared the screen with Saritha and Major Sundarrajan.[17] Over the next six years, she established herself as a leading actress, appearing in lead roles across approximately 40 films in Tamil and Telugu industries by 1990.[18] Her early work in Tamil cinema highlighted her poise in romantic and dramatic narratives, quickly earning her opportunities with top heroes of the era. In the late 1980s, Jeevitha transitioned to Telugu cinema, debuting with roles that capitalized on her growing popularity from Tamil films.[19] She starred in hits like the 1990 action-spy thriller Magaadu, opposite her future husband Rajasekhar, which showcased her in a pivotal supporting role amid high-stakes drama.[20] Her Telugu films often featured her as resilient women navigating conflict, blending elements of action-dramas and family sagas, where she portrayed characters with determination and emotional depth. Jeevitha's acting style received praise for its versatility, allowing seamless adaptation between the expressive demands of Tamil and the nuanced dialogues of Telugu cinema.[21] Critics noted her ability to convey strength and vulnerability, particularly in roles that challenged traditional female portrayals of the 1980s South Indian film landscape. Following her marriage to Rajasekhar in 1991, Jeevitha took a hiatus from acting to prioritize family life.[6] This break lasted 33 years, marking one of the longest absences in regional cinema history, during which she shifted focus to production and direction. In a surprise return, she re-emerged as an actress in the 2024 Tamil sports drama Lal Salaam, directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, playing the sister to Rajinikanth's character.[19] Her performance was lauded for its emotive intensity and commanding presence, reaffirming her enduring appeal across generations.[22] This comeback subtly intersects with her production ventures, blending on-screen and behind-the-scenes contributions.Ventures in production and direction
Jeevitha Rajasekhar entered film production and direction in 2002 with Seshu, a Telugu romantic drama that marked her debut behind the camera as director and producer under the banner Siva Sivani Films. The film, starring her husband Rajasekhar in the lead role alongside Kaveri, is a remake of the Tamil film Sethu (1999) and explores themes of inter-caste love and societal rebellion through the story of a college rowdy who falls for a reclusive girl.[23][24] This venture was motivated by a lack of suitable directorial options for the project, prompting Jeevitha to take the helm herself, highlighting early challenges in securing creative control in the male-dominated Telugu industry of the early 2000s.[24] Building on this, Jeevitha's subsequent directorial works continued to emphasize remakes and family-oriented narratives, often featuring Rajasekhar as the protagonist to underscore themes of justice, resilience, and familial bonds. Her 2007 film Evadaithe Nakenti, co-directed with V. Samudra, is a remake of the Malayalam film Yes Your Honour and follows an army officer's fight against corruption, blending action with moral dilemmas affecting family life.[25] In 2009, she directed Satyameva Jayate, a remake of the Hindi film Khakee (2004), centering on an encounter specialist confronting terrorists. In 2013, she directed Mahankali, an action drama inspired by real-life incidents like the Delhi gang rape, where Rajasekhar plays a vigilante cop addressing violence against women and societal crimes, positioning it as a commentary on gender-based injustices.[26] Her most recent directorial effort, Shekar (2022), another remake of the Malayalam film Joseph (2018), centers on a retired police officer unraveling a family mystery, reinforcing her focus on emotional, family-driven thrillers that resonate with Telugu audiences.[27] These projects frequently involved close collaboration with Rajasekhar, allowing Jeevitha to infuse personal insights into stories that promote ethical and familial values, while navigating industry biases against female filmmakers who often faced skepticism and limited resources in the 2000s Telugu cinema landscape.[28] Jeevitha's contributions extended beyond filmmaking to advocating for women's issues through her productions, as seen in Mahankali's portrayal of systemic failures in protecting women, which drew from contemporary events to urge societal reform.[26] In recent years, she has remained active in industry affairs, serving on the jury for the 2017 Nandi Awards, where she helped announce winners including Baahubali: The Beginning for best feature film, amid discussions on recognizing diverse cinematic achievements.[29] Her involvement in events like the Movie Artistes Association (MAA) leadership, including her tenure as general secretary until 2021, further solidified her role in addressing professional challenges for artists, particularly women, in Telugu cinema.[30]Filmography
Selected films as actress
Jeevitha's selected films as an actress highlight her early career in Tamil cinema from 1984 to 1988, followed by a transition to Telugu films in the late 1980s, and her 2024 comeback. These roles often featured her in supporting or leading female parts alongside prominent actors, contributing to commercially successful ventures.| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Uravai Kaatha Kili | Tamil | Debut film directed by T. Rajendar; portrayed a supporting role opposite Saritha and Major Sundarrajan in this family drama.[31] |
| 1985 | Paadum Vaanampadi | Tamil | Played Radha, the female lead in this dance film remake of Disco Dancer, co-starring Anand Babu and Nagesh.[32] |
| 1985 | Naane Raja Naane Manthiri | Tamil | Acted alongside Vijayakanth and Radhika in this comedy-drama about family and deception.[33] |
| 1986 | Panneer Nadhigal | Tamil | Supporting role in this ensemble drama directed by M. Bhaskar, featuring Sivakumar and Amala.[34] |
| 1987 | Raja Mariyadhai | Tamil | Portrayed a key female character in this remake of the Telugu film Simham Navvindi, opposite Sivaji Ganesan and Karthik.[35] |
| 1987 | Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu | Tamil | Appeared in a supporting capacity in this crime thriller produced by Kamal Haasan, starring Sathyaraj and Geetha.[36] |
| 1988 | Valaikappu | Tamil | Final Tamil film appearance; supporting role in the family drama co-starring Sridevi and Prabhu. |
| 1987 | Thalambralu | Telugu | Marked her entry into Telugu cinema; leading role opposite Rajasekhar in this romantic drama directed by Kodi Ramakrishna.[37] |
| 1988 | Aahuthi | Telugu | Portrayed the female lead in this action drama remake of Rage of Angels, opposite Rajasekhar; a major box-office success noted for its powerful dialogues.[38] |
| 1988 | Janaki Ramudu | Telugu | Supporting role in this romantic drama starring Nagarjuna and Vijayashanti.[39] |
| 1990 | Magaadu | Telugu | Final acting role before her directorial phase; leading lady opposite husband Rajasekhar in this action film.[40] |
| 2024 | Lal Salaam | Tamil | Comeback role as Rani, sister of the character Moideen, in Aishwarya Rajinikanth's sports drama featuring Rajinikanth in an extended cameo; her first film with Rajinikanth after 32 years in the industry.[41] |
