Silk Smitha

Silk Smitha
Native name సిల్క్ స్మిత
Born Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati
(1960-12-02)2 December 1960
Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died 23 September 1996(1996-09-23) (aged 35)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Cause of death Suicide
Nationality Indian
Occupation Film actress
Years active 1979–1996
Parent(s) Ramallu, Sarasamma

Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati (2 December 1960 – 23 September 1996), better known by her stage name Silk Smitha, was an Indian film actress who worked predominantly in South Indian films.[1] She entered the industry as a side[2] actress and was first noticed for her role as "Silk" in the 1979 Tamil film Vandichakkaram. She became a major sex symbol and the most sought-after erotic actress in the 1980s.[3] In a career spanning 17 years, she appeared in over 450 films in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi languages. On 23 September 1996, she was found dead in her apartment in Chennai, having apparently committed suicide.

Early life

Smitha was born in a Telugu family to Ramallu and Sarasamma in Eluru. She left school after her fourth standard (in India, at about 10 years of age) due to the family's financial constraints. Her striking looks burdened her with uninvited attention, and her family married her off at a very young age. Her husband and in-laws treated her poorly, yet she stayed with them even though they were the reason for her suicide[4][5]

Career

Smitha started as a touch-up artist for an actress and soon got a break in small character roles.[4] Later, she was discovered by Vinu Chakravarthy, director at a flour mill near AVM studios. He changed her name to Smitha and took her under his wing; his wife taught her English and arranged for her to learn dancing,[6][7] though soon, due to her marked sex appeal, she switched to roles of cabaret dancers and vamps and inevitably found herself typecast.[4] After garnering much notice and acclaim with her first major role in the Tamil film Vandichakkaram,[8] in 1979, Smitha assumed the screen name "Silk", after her character's name in the movie.[9][10] After it became a big hit, she could not escape typecasting, severely limiting her range throughout her career.[4]

Smitha went on to star in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and a few Hindi films. Her dance numbers and bold performances in films like Moondru Mugam made her the ultimate symbol of sensuality in South Indian cinema. Her item numbers in films like Amaran, Hallimeshtru (in Kannada) were also celebrated at the box office. Some film critics, historians and journalists have referred to her as a "soft porn" actress.[11] A vast majority of her movies are considered "softcore" by Indian standards and a common theme is her playing a freakishly strong agent in skimpy bikinis and beating up huge thugs. Her acting prowess did not go completely unnoticed, and in her rare non-sexual roles she impressed critics and audiences, such as her portrayal of a wife hurt by her role in her husband's rape of their maid (which she passively allowed by not preventing him from entering the maid's bathroom and standing "guard" during the shameful act, to prevent embarrassment to their family) and when she poignantly admitted her mistake in her confrontation of her husband in Alaigal Oivathillai (1981).[4] One of her films, Layanam (1989), has earned cult status in the Indian adult film industry and was dubbed in numerous languages, including Hindi. (Reshma Ki Jawani, 2002), too, acquired cult status.[4][12] Her most respected film is Moondram Pirai, by Balu Mahendra, remade in Hindi as Sadma, with much of the top-drawer cast, including Sridevi, Kamal Hassan, and Silk Smitha reprising their roles.[13]

Such was her audience-drawing power that, at the peak of her career, according to Tamil film historian Randor Guy, "Films that had lain in cans for years were sold by the simple addition of a Silk Smitha song."[4]

Personal life

Silk Smitha had a small circle of close friends. She was an introvert and did not make friends quickly with anyone. She is also known for her short temper and straightforwardness, which some mistakenly took for arrogance. In reality, she was punctual (arriving in movie sets well before the shooting commences), responsible, and ambitious (having learned to speak the English language fluently despite her limited education). She is also described as having a "soft" and "child like" personality by her friends and fans. She was skilled with makeup and made it her profession before entering the industry. She was naturally beautiful and well known for her doe-like eyes, golden complexion and physique.

Death

The morning of September 23, 1996, she had contacted her friend, dancer Anuradha, to discuss a matter that was disturbing her. Anuradha said she visit, after dropping her child at school.

In the morning of September 23, 1996, after a few hours, Smitha was found dead in her Chennai home, much to the shock of her fans. The reason behind her death remains a mystery. Some believe it was suicide, due to depression over her debt accumulated from producing movies, while others call it foul play. A few months later it was declared in the postmortem report that Smitha died of alcoholism and alcohol intoxication.[14][15]

Selected filmography

  • Most of her movies are B-Grade (soft-porn) films
YearFilmRoleLanguage
1979Inaye ThediMalayalam
1979PushyaraagamMalayalam
1979OttapettavarMalayalam
1980VandichakkaramSilk as bar girlTamil
1980KarimbanaMalayalam
1980SaraswatheeyaamamMalayalam
1980IvarMalayalam
1980RajaneegandhiSheelaMalayalam
1981AvatharamThankamaniMalayalam
1981VayalParvathiMalayalam
1981Alaigal OivathillaiTamil
1981Seethakoka ChilukaTelugu
1981Sneham Oru PravaahamMalayalam
1981Pinneyum Pookkunna KaaduMalayalam
1981Needhi PizhaithathuTamil
1982YamakinkaruduTelugu
1982Moondram PiraiHeadmaster's wifeTamil
1982Theeram Thedunna ThiraMalayalam
1982Sagalakala VallavanLalithaTamil
1982Parvaiyin MarupakkamAnithaTamil
1982Pattanathu RajakkalTamil
1982Thanikattu RajaTamil
1982RangaRavi's girlfriendTamil
1982Neram VandhachuRekhaTamil
1982TheerpuTamil
1982Sivantha KankalTamil
1982KaalanMalayalam
1982Moondru MugamTamil
1982Kozhi KoovuthuChittuTamil
1983Paayum PuliTamil
1983Thudikkum KarangalTamil
1983SadmaSoniHindi
1983Thai VeeduTamil
1983Adutha VarisuTamil
1983ThambathigalTamil
1983Justice RajaItem dancerMalayalam
1983Nizhal Moodiya NirangalMalayalam
1983AttakkalasamMalayalam
1983EettappuliRaniMalayalam
1983SnehabandhamMalayalam
1983PrathignaMalayalam
1983RathilayamRathiMalayalam
1983Thanga MaganTamil
1983KhaidiTelugu
1983Jeet HamaariSoniHindi
1983Jaani DostLailaHindi
1983Silk Silk SilkTamil
1983Soorakottai SingakuttiTamil
1983Gudachari No.1Telugu
1983RoshagaduTelugu
1984ChallengePriyamvadaTelugu
1984RustumTelugu
1984Idavelakku SeshamDollyMalayalam
1984AbhimanyuduTelugu
1984HeroTelugu
1984Agni GundamTelugu
1984Neengal KettavaiTamil
1984VaazhkaiTamil
1984KairasikkaranAishaTamil
1984Prachanda KullaKannada
1984NiraparaadhiMalayalam
1984UmanilayamReenaMalayalam
1984BulletShobhaMalayalam
1985Santhosha KanavukalTamil
1985OttayanRaniMalayalam
1985RevengeGeethaMalayalam
1985Chorakku ChoraC.I.D SilkMalayalam
1985Jeevante JeevanMalayalam
1985KirathamDancerMalayalam
1985PrathikarajwaalaMalayalam
1985Chattamtho PoratamTelugu
1985Shri Datta DarshanamTelugu
1985DongaTelugu
1986RakshasuduTelugu
1986KirathakuduHamsaTelugu
1986Annoru RaavilMalayalam
1986Urukku ManushyanMalayalam
1986PensimhamMalayalam
1986KulambadikalMalayalam
1987AalappirandhavanTamil
1987CooliekkaranTamil
1988Khaidi No.786Telugu
1988JeevaTamil
1988Paatti Sollai ThattatheAnushiyaTamil
1989Miss PameelaMalayalam
1989LayanamMalayalam
1989Andru Peytha MazhaiyilCapriTamil
1989AdharvamPonniMalayalam
1989Praayapoorthiyaayavarkku MaathramMalayalam
1989Pick PocketTamil
1989New YearMalayalam
1989SonthakkaranSudhaTamil
1989GeethanjaliGuest appearance in songTelugu
1990Adhisaya ManithanTamil
1990Shesham ScreenilMalayalam
1990Naale EnnundekilJyothiMalayalam
1990Avasara Police 100AmuluTamil
1990Sunday 7 PMSherlyMalayalam
1990Lady TarzanHindi
1990Bamma Maata Bangaru BaataAnasuyaTelugu
1991Aditya 369Rajanarthaki NandiniTelugu
1991Thalattu KetkuthammaDr. MaryTamil
1991ChaitanyaSmithaTelugu
1991Thambikku Oru PaattuTamil
1991Onnum Theriyatha PappaTamil
1991IdhayamTamil
1992AmaranArea GirlTamil
1992Deiva KuzhanthaiKuyiluTamil
1992Kizhakku VeluthachuAlameluTamil
1992NaadodyMalayalam
1992VasudhaMalayalam
1992RishiMalayalam
1992Halli MeshtruKannada
1992Anthambar dancerTelugu
1992PangaliTamil
1993Sabash BabuTamil
1993Nallathe NadakkumRamadeviTamil
1993Bava BavamaridiChintamaniTelugu
1993Saakshaal Sreeman ChaatthunniHerselfMalayalam
1993Kunthi PuthruduTelugu
1993Govindha GovindhaGuest Appearance in songTelugu
1993MafiaItem DanceMalayalam
1993AadhityanMangaTamil
1993Ulle VeliyeTamil
1993AlimayyaKannada
1993RakshanaTelugu
1993Muta MestriTelugu
1994Oru Vasantha GeethamTamil
1994Athiradi PadaiTamil
1994Palnati PourushamBalaTelugu
1994Maro Quit IndiaTelugu
1994CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed.Malayalam
1994ChinnaKannada
1994Lockup DeathItem NumberKannada
1994Gentleman SecurityItem DanceMalayalam
1994May MadhamPalakkattu Machanukku song (Guest Appearance)Tamil
1994HeroTamil
1995Chilakapachcha KaapuramTelugu
1995Lucky ManTamil
1995Villadhi VillainTamil
1995HijackDaliaMalayalam
1995SpadikamLailaMalayalam
1995Mazhavil KoodaramRathi TeacherMalayalam
1995Special SquadMadhumathiMalayalam
1995KarmaItem DancerMalayalam
1995Kaattile Thadi Thevarude AanaMalayalam
1995Thumboli KadappuramClaraMalayalam
1995Three Men ArmyItem DancerMalayalam
1995ArabikadaloramVaishaliMalayalam
1996Coimbatore MappillaiItem NumberTamil
1996Pallivathukkal ThommichanKathreenaMalayalam
1996SugavaasamMalayalam
1996Sulthan HyderaliVolgaMalayalam
1996Kireedamillatha RajakkanmarRajammaMalayalam
1996Dominic PresentationItem numberMalayalam
1996Aavathum Pennale Azhivathum Pennaleitem NumberTamil
1996Pacha ThoranamKanyaKumariTelugu
1996Maa Aavida CollectorTelugu
1996Kishkinda KaandaTelugu
1996Time BombMalayalam, Hindi[16]
1996SubashItem NumberTamil

Legacy

In 2011, a film inspired by Silk Smitha's life, titled The Dirty Picture, was produced in Hindi by Ekta Kapoor. The movie was directed by Milan Luthria[17] and starred Vidya Balan (who later won National Film Award for Best Actress). The movie was released on Smitha's birthday along with its dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu (2 December 2011) and received favourable reviews. Reports suggest that the family of Silk Smitha, on whom the film is based, is not happy with the movie. Smitha's brother V. Naga Vara Prasad claimed the film was made without the family's consent.[18] After the claim, Ekta Kapoor immediately changed her statement by quoting The Dirty Picture is not based on Silk Smitha's life.[19]

However, in 2013, a Kannada film titled Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Hot, starring Pakistani actress Veena Malik was released. The film was based on Silk Smitha and Veena Malik was praised for her performance in the film. The film was a hit in Karnataka.

A Malayalam film titled Climax, starring Sana Khan as Silk Smitha released on 24 May 2013.

References

  1. ↑ Zainab Mulla (2 December 2014). "Silk Smitha Happy Birthday: Top song videos of the bad girl of Southern cinema!". India.com. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  2. ↑ Anupama Chopra (28 September 2011). "Why Silk Smitha is Bollywood's favourite bad girl". NDTV Movies. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011.
  3. ↑ "The mysterious death of India's biggest sex symbol Silk Smitha". 23 February 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Silk Route: Ekta Kapoor's forthcoming film 'The Dirty Picture' revisits a sequins-and-pelvic-thrust era of Tamil cinema". Mint. 30 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Kuldip, Hussain (26 September 1996). "Obituary". The Independent cited in BNET. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2006.
  6. ↑ "Chronicle of a death foretold". Rediff India Abroad. 4 April 1997. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  7. ↑ Chronicle of a death foretold Rediff 4 April 1997
  8. ↑ "கவர்ச்சி நடனத்தால் ரசிகர்களைக் கவர்ந்த 'சில்க்' சுமிதா தூக்கில் தொங்கினார்". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. 22 September 1996. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  9. ↑ Staff Correspondent, Name= Pradeep (26 October 2006). "Some reel-life role models". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 9 November 2006.
  10. ↑ Vicky Lalwani (21 February 2011). "Ekta slams Silk Smitha's boyfriend". The Times of India.
  11. ↑ Sebastian, Name= (6 March 2005). "Magic workers". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 November 2006.
  12. ↑ Bhattacharya, Name= Roshmila (8 November 2002). "Sex Sells". Screen Weekly. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2006.
  13. ↑ Ashok Kumar, Name= SR (6 September 2006). "A saga of success". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 November 2006.
  14. ↑ "'சுமிதாவுக்கு திருமணத்தில் நம்பிக்கை இல்லை': 'சில்க்' சுமிதாவின் காதலர் பேட்டி". Cinema.maalaimalar.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  15. ↑ "'எனக்கு வாழ்க்கை தருவதாக". Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "Time Bomb (1996)". Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  17. ↑ "Vidya's nothing like Silk". Pune Times of India. 2 September 2011.
  18. ↑ "'The Dirty Picture' irks Silk's kin". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  19. ↑ "THE DIRTY PICTURE is not about Silk Smitha! – Bollywood news". glamsham.com. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2012.

Further reading

  • Ashish Rajadhyaksha, Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, Oxford University Press, 1994 ( ISBN 0-85170-669-X)
  • Roopa Swaminathan, Star Dust: Vignettes from the Fringes of the Film Industry, Penguin, 2004 ( ISBN 0-14-303243-7)
  • Suparna Bhaskaran, Made in India: Decolonizations, Queer Sexualities, Trans/National Projects, Palgrave Macmillan, 2004 ( ISBN 1-4039-6726-1)
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