Aarathi

Aarathi (born as Bharathi in 1954) is a former Indian actress and director who prominently worked in Kannada films during the 1970s and 1980s. Her accolades include four Karnataka State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. She was one of the most successful and versalite heroines of Kannada films during seventies and eighties. Aarathi has also appeared in a few Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. Aarathi made her acting debut with Kannada film Gejje Pooje (1969), playing a supporting role. She rose to prominence through her collaborations with Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal in the novel adaptation of heroine-oriented dramas like Upasane (1974), Shubhamangala (1975), Bili Hendthi (1975), Dharmasere (1979) and Ranganayaki (1981). She received widespread critical acclaim for the social superhit Naagarahaavu (1972), for which she won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. A few of her other notable roles include Bangaarada Panjara (1974), Daari Tappida Maga (1975), Katha Sangama (1976), Premada Kanike (1976) and Hombisilu (1978). In 1985 she was nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Vidhana parishad, making her only the second actress after B. Jayamma to receive this honor. In 1986 she directed 13 episodes of Bangalore DD serial Namma Nammalli. Following her marriage (1986-87) she retired from the limelight. She made a comeback in 2005 as director with the film Mithayi Mane which was met with critical appreciation and also won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children's Film.