| V. J. Chitra | |
| Birth Name: | Chitra Kamaraj |
| Birth Date: | 2 May 1992 |
| Birth Place: | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Death Place: | Nazarethpettai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education: | Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for women (2012–2014) |
| Years Active: | 2013–2020 |
| Death Cause: | Suicide by hanging |
Chitra Kamaraj (2 May 1992 – 9 December 2020), better known as V. J. Chitra, was an Indian television actress and anchor.[1] She rose to fame with her role in the Tamil soap opera Pandian Stores, and made her film acting debut in Calls (2021). She is known well for her appearance in shows such as Vilayadu Vaagai Soodu (2012), Sattam Solvathu Enna? (2013), Saravanan Meenatchi (season 2) (2013–16), Nodiku Nodi Athiradi (2014), Oor Suthalaam Vaanga (2014), Mannan Magal (2014), En Samayal Araiyil (2014), Ossthi Comedy Kusthi (2014), Ring O Ring (2014), Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2014–18), Darling Darling (2016–17), Dance Jodi Dance Season 1 (2016–17), Saravanan Meenatchi (season 3) (2017), Velunachi (2018) and Pandian Stores (2018–20).
On 9 December 2020, Chitra was found dead in a hotel room in Nazarethpettai in an apparent Suicide by hanging. On 15 December 2020, her husband Hemanth Ravi was arrested and charged with helping her commit suicide. Police are still currently investigating the case.
Chitra Kamaraj was born on 2 May 1992 in Chennai. Before becoming a full-time actor, she was a television host.[2] After seeing Chitra host a television show, Radhika reached out with an offer for her to act in Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2016) alongside actresses Nirosha and Nalini. The success of the series prompted her to sign up for other shows including Saravanan Meenatchi, Velunachi. In Pandian Stores, Chitra portrayed the character Mullai, the role was replaced by Kaavya Arivumani after her death, and later by Laavanya[3]
Chitra signed on to appear in her first film role in mid-2019 through Calls (2021). The film would feature her as a business process outsourcing professional and was shot in late 2019. It also marked her only film appearance.[4]
Chitra got engaged to Hemanth Ravi, a businessman, in August 2020 and got register married in October 2020. Her wedding was scheduled to be in February 2021 before her death.[5]
| Title ! | Role(s) | Channel(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Vilayadu Vaagai Soodu | Anchor | Makkal TV |
| 2013 | Sattam Solvathu Enna? | ||
| 2013–16 | Saravanan Meenatchi (season 2) | Kalaiyarasi (Vettaiyan's Friend) | |
| 2014 | Nodiku Nodi Athiradi | Anchor | Makkal TV |
| Oor Suthalaam Vaanga | |||
| Mannan Magal | Vishali | Jaya TV | |
| En Samayal Araiyil | Anchor | Makkal TV | |
| Ossthi Comedy Kusthi | Raadan | ||
| Ring O Ring | Contestant | ||
| 2014–18 | Chinna Papa Periya Papa Season 1 & 2 | Periya Papa | |
| 2015 | Saa Boo Thri Season 2 | Anchor | Vendhar TV |
| Jill Jung Juk | |||
| 2016–17 | Anitha (Honey) | Zee Tamil | |
| 2016–17 | Dance Jodi Dance Season 1 | contestant | |
| 2016–17 | Participant | ||
| 2016–18 | Aaha Maamiyar Oho Marumagal | Anchor | |
| 2017 | Saravanan Meenatchi (season 3) | Ghost (Special Appearance) | Star Vijay |
| Zee Dance League | Contestant | Zee Tamil | |
| 2017–18 | Anjarai Petty | Host | |
| 2018 | Velunachi[6] [7] | Velunachi | |
| 2018–19 | Jodi Fun Unlimited | Contestant | Star Vijay |
| 2018–20 | Pandian Stores[8] | Mullai | |
| 2019 | Raja Rani (Season1) | Mullai (special appearance) | |
| Vasool Vettai | Anchor |
| Title ! | Role | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Calls | Nandhini | Posthumous Release | |
| 2023 | Parivarthanai | Naveen's mother | Posthumous Release (Photo presence) |
| Artist/Work | Award | Category | Result | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Chithra | Behindwoods Gold Icons | Most Celebrated Actress On Television | |||
| Femina Awards | Super Daughter | |||||
| Pandiyan Stores | Vijay Television Awards | Makkalin Naayagi | ||||
| Best Actress | ||||||
| Best Marumagal | ||||||
| Best Daughter | ||||||
| Best On Screen Pair | ||||||
| 2021 | Life Time Achievement | Vijay Television Awards | Makkalin Nayagi (People's Actress) |
On 9 December 2020, Chitra was found dead in a hotel room in Nazarethpettai at 9:32 am. Reports and autopsy results suggest that Chitra died from suicide by hanging.[9] [10] On 15 December 2020, her husband Hemanth Ravi was suspected was later arrested and charged with criminal offenses. However police officers are still currently investigating the whole case.[11]