Namitha Explained
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.
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
style="background:#ffc;" | Denotes films that have not yet been released | |
Television
!Year!Title!Role!Notes2007-2015 | 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 | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Happy Birthday Namitha: 10 Times South Actress Namitha Stole Our Hearts . 14 August 2020 . 12 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190512175413/https://www.news18.com/photogallery/south-cinema/happy-birthday-namitha-10-times-south-actress-namitha-stole-our-hearts-2135829.html . live .
- Web site: Namita Vankawala: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday . 2 August 2020 . The Times of India . 18 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201218062204/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Namita-Vankawala . live .
- Web site: J . Shanmughasundaram . 4 July 2020 . Tamil Nadu: Actor Namitha appointed as BJP state executive member . 1 August 2020 . The Times of India . en . 4 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200704163520/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-actor-namitha-appointed-as-bjp-state-executive-member/articleshow/76783157.cms . live .
- Web site: Namitha was crowned Miss Surat in 1998 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130902052626/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-29/did-you-know-/41580353_1_namitha-miss-india-gujarat . dead . 2 September 2013 . 29 August 2013 . . 24 May 2014.
- http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_bhairavi.html Telugu Cinema Etc
- Web site: Telugu cinema article – Namita photo – stolen from Namitha's desktop . idlebrain.com . 20 March 2000 . 13 September 2017 . 25 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925132345/http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/namithasexypic.html . live .
- http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/namitha2008.html Namitha interview – Telugu Cinema interview – Telugu film and Tamil film actress
- News: Namitha stars in English movie . 14 August 2006 . The Hindu . 16 July 2018 . 1 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211201145756/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/namitha-stars-in-english-movie/article18460394.ece . live .
- Web site: Tamil movies : Namitha the omnipotent and the omnipresent . behindwoods.com . 13 September 2017 . 13 September 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183414/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/29-09-06-namitha.html . live .
- Web site: Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Namitha goes to 'Subway' for meal . https://web.archive.org/web/20060526143646/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/21/stories/2005102116730200.htm . dead . 26 May 2006 . . 21 October 2005.
- http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-12-05/namitha-dirty-picture-30-06-12.html I Will Do It For A Lesser Payment, Says Namitha – Namitha – Dirty Picture – Tamil Movie News
- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Why-Namitha-wont-act-in-Tamil-films/articleshow/8461690.cms Why Namitha won't act in Tamil films? | Movie News
- http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-movie-review/20091019.htm Review: Jaganmohini is a half-baked remake
- http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/mar-10-03/namitha-azhagana-ponnuthan-17-03-10.html Namitha's behavior – Tamil Movie News – Namitha | Thiru | Azhagana Ponnuthan | Raja Karthik | Nizhalgal Ravi | Mayilsaamy
- https://www.indiaglitz.com/namitha-angry-with-sona--kannada-news-68924.html Namitha angry with Sona?
- Web site: Actress Namitha To Make Her Comeback Soon . 3 September 2015 . silverscreen.in . 2 December 2019 . 6 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906005734/http://silverscreen.in/tamil/news/namitha-keen-about-her-comeback-and-entering-politics/ . live .
- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ex-bigg-boss-contestant-namitha-hits-back-at-oviya/articleshow/59941386.cms Ex- Bigg Boss contestant Namitha hits back at Oviya | Tamil Movie News
- Web site: Namitha plays a witch in Pottu.
- Web site: Namitha announces pregnancy; pens a note on motherhood.
- Web site: I'll stick to my sexy image: Namitha . 28 December 2009 . Deccan Herald . 13 September 2017 . 17 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180717012912/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/43660/ill-stick-my-sexy-image.html . live .
- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Im-thrilled-I-have-a-templeNamitha/articleshow/3202389.cms I’m thrilled I have a temple:Namitha | Hindi Movie News
- News: Bijoy . Bharathan . Namitha's die-hard fan . . 27 October 2010 . 5 December 2015 . 5 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141005032241/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Namithas-die-hard-fan/articleshow/6815205.cms . live .
- http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/nov-12-01/namitha-01-11-12.html Namitha – The Indian Beauty ... – Namitha – Tamil Movie News
- https://web.archive.org/web/20120611191830/http://www.sify.com/movies/Namitha-Bharath-want-you-to-be-safe-on-the-road-imagegallery-kollywood-mghnm9ejfig.html?html=5 Namitha, Bharath want you to be safe on the road!
- Web site: Tamil Nadu election:Actress Namitha joins Jayalalithaa's AIADMK. Times of India. R Gokul. 24 April 2016. 27 November 2022. 28 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828151720/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-election-Actor-Namitha-joins-Jayalalithaas-AIADMK/articleshow/51958082.cms. live.
- News: J . Shanmughasundarm . Actor Radha Ravi, Namitha join BJP in JP Nadda's presence . 16 March 2020 . The Times of India . 30 November 2019 . en . 12 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191212230540/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/actor-radha-ravi-namitha-join-bjp-in-jp-naddas-presence/articleshow/72311137.cms . live .
- Web site: Namitha gets married to her boyfriend Veerandra in Tirupati . . 24 November 2017 . 24 November 2017 . 25 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171125162210/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/namitha-gets-married-to-her-boyfriend-veerandra-in-tirupati/articleshow/61779275.cms . live .
- Web site: 2022-05-10 . Namitha is pregnant, feels elated - Telugu News . 2022-05-11 . IndiaGlitz.com . 11 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220511122334/https://www.indiaglitz.com/namitha-is-pregnant-feels-elated-telugu-news-314556 . live .
- Web site: 2022-08-22 . Actress Namitha announces birth of twin boys, shares video . 2022-11-16 . OnManorama . 16 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116050440/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/08/20/actress-tamil-telugu-namitha-twin-boys-birth-announcement.html . live .
- Web site: Movie review – Sontham . Idlebrain. . 4 January 2019 . 6 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181006041122/http://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-sontham.html . live .
- Web site: Show with a difference. https://archive.today/20180314072539/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/09/17/stories/2002091701360200.htm . dead . 14 March 2018 . .
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- Web site: Pandi - Movie Review.
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- Web site: THEE MOVIE REVIEW.
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- Web site: INDIRA VIZHA MOVIE REVIEW.
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- Web site: Namitha I Love You Review.
- Web site: 2012-09-15 . Namitha & Kiran in thriller movie 'Ilamai Oonjal' . Kollywood Today . 21 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180721221753/http://www.kollywoodtoday.net/news/namitha-kiran-in-thriller-movie-ilamai-oonjal/ . usurped .
- Web site: 'Pulimurugan' movie review: hide, crouch and roar goes Mohanlal.
- News: Bigg Boss Tamil: How Oviya Helen became the premiere season's most sensational contestant . Firstpost . 21 February 2018 . en-US . 21 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180221100221/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bigg-boss-tamil-how-oviya-helen-became-the-premiere-seasons-most-sensational-contestant-3884305.html . live .