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.
Also recorded as Arathi
Aarathi
- Name
- Aarathi
- Birth Name
- Bharathi
- Born
- 1954
- Birthplace
- Aregallu, (near Kushalanagar), Arakalagudu, Karnataka, India
- Occupation
- Actress, film director
- Spouse
- * Chandrashekar Desaigoudar
- Nationality
- India.
- Honours
- Filmfare Awards South.
- Languages
- Hindi and English.
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Documentary summary
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.
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Note VALÉORINE
Aarathi (born 1954) is an Indian actor, actress and film director. The actor was born in Mysore.
Languages used include English and Hindi. Aarathi received Filmfare Awards South.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 29 September 2026
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wikidata · Q4661683 · wikipedia · Aarathi
In this article
Biography
Biography
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 the second actress after B. 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.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Aarathi • Birth Name — Bharathi • Born — 1954 • Birthplace — Aregallu, (near Kushalanagar), Arakalagudu, Karnataka, India • Other Names — Ranganayaki • Occupation — Actress, film director • Years Active — 1969–1986; 2005 • Spouse — * Chandrashekar Desaigoudar • Children — 2
Beginnings and breakthrough
Beginnings and breakthrough
Aarathi made her film debut with the film Gejje Pooje (1969) directed by Puttanna Kanagal playing the sister of hero Gangadhar. Her first lead role was in the Samiulla directed comedy film, Takka Bitre Sikka (1970), where she played the love interest of Srinath. She featured in supporting roles in several Rajkumar starrers Kasturi Nivasa (1971), Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama (1971), Nyayave Devaru (1971) and Bangarada Manushya (1972) and went on to play his heroine in Sipayi Ramu (1972), Bhale Huchcha (1972), Bangaarada Panjara (1974), Bahaddur Gandu (1976), Premada Kanike (1976) and Raja Nanna Raja (1976). Another major breakthrough was in 1972 when Puttanna Kanagal cast her as Alamelu in Naagarahaavu (1972). She gained widespread recognition and accolades for playing a soft spoken girl whos life ends up in tragic circumstances post marriage and also won her first Karnataka State Film Award. Vishnuvardhan made his debut with this film and gained instant popularity and the pair went on to star in several successful films together over the next decade. Naagarahaavu ran for over 25 weeks across Karnataka and was remade in several other languages and firmly established her as one of the top heroines.
Collaboration with Puttanna Kanagal
Collaboration with Puttanna Kanagal
Kanagal offered her to star in his films back to back right from Gejje Pooje in 1970 up until their final association in Ranganayaki in 1981. During the making of Bili Hendthi (1975), the duo secretly married even though Kanagal was already married. Kanagal wrote several author-backed character roles for Aarathi and cast her in female-centric films. Their combination produced successful films such as Naagarahaavu (1972), Edakallu Guddada Mele (1973), Upasane (1974), Bili Hendthi (1975), Shubhamangala (1975), Paduvaaralli Pandavaru (1978), Dharmasere (1979) and Ranganayaki (1981). They did not collaborate in films after Ranganayaki, due to their separation. Aarathi won all her eight awards (four Karnataka State awards and four Filmfare South awards) for movies directed by Kanagal.
Widespread success and retirement
Widespread success and retirement
Besides her successful films with Kanagal, Aarathi found success in all her collaborations with top actors Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Srinath, Ashok, Ambareesh, Anant Nag and Tiger Prabhakar. Starting from the supporting role in magnum opus Kasturi Nivasa (1971), she was repeatedly cast opposite Rajkumar in as many as 12 films which were successful at the box-office and critically acclaimed. Her most successful pairing was with Vishnuvardhan with whom she worked in 16-17 films including Hanthakana Sanchu (1980), Bangarada Jinke (1980), Pedda Gedda (1982), Kalluveene Nudiyithu (1983), Khaidi (1984) and Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu (1986). Aarathi featured in several female-centered films by other top directors like Mahathyaga (1974), Hombisilu (1978), Manini (1979), Vasantha Lakshmi (1978), Anurakthe (1980), Nyaya Ellide, Mullina Gulabi, Archana, Kannu Theresida Hennu (1982), Samarpane (1983) and Sati Sakkubai (1985). She retired from acting after her second marriage in 1986 and Tiger was her last film to release.
Director
Director
• Year — Title — Notes • 1986 — Namma Nammalli — Bangalore DD serial • 2005 — Mithayi Mane — Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children Film
Actress-Other languages
Actress-Other languages
• Year — Title — Role — Language • 1970 — Inti Gowravam — Telugu • 1971 — Makane Ninakku Vendi — Sophia — Malayalam • 1972 — Ooriki Upakari — Telugu • 1972 — Kula Gowravam — Radha — Telugu • 1974 — Gumasthavin Magal — Seetha — Tamil
Identity
Identity
Aarathi is recorded as having received Filmfare Awards South.
Actress-Kannada films
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1969 — Gejje Pooje — Lalitha • 1970 — Kallara Kalla — Malli • Takka Bitre Sikka — Jayanthi • 1971 — Kasturi Nivasa — Lakshmi — Special appearance • Anugraha — Gowri • Nyayave Devaru — Lalitha — Special appearance • Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama — Jambavathi • Prathidhawani — Usha • 1972 — Sipayi Ramu — Champa • Bangarada Manushya — Sharavati • Bhale Huchcha — Chandra • Naagarahaavu — Alamelu — Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress • 1973 — Mane Belagida Sose — Leela • Edakallu Guddada Mele — Devaki — Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress • Mooroovare Vajragalu — Rukmini • Mannina Magalu — Sundari • 1974 — Bangaarada Panjara — Mallamma • Upasane — Sharada — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada • Maha Thyaga — Dr. Saroja • Nanu Baalabeku — Prabha • Bhale Bhatta • 1975 — Daari Tappida Maga — Radha Devi • Shubhamangala — Hema — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada • Bili Hendthi — Sharada • Devara Kannu — Sandhya • 1976 — Katha Sangama — Munithayi — Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress • Hosilu Mettida Hennu • Premada Kanike — Seetha • Punardatta — Padmini • Bahaddur Gandu — Radha • Raja Nanna Raja — Ganga/Geetha • Baalu Jenu — Geetha • Phalitamsha — Sheela • Aparadhi — Usha • 1977 — Maagiya Kanasu — Radha • Pavana Ganga — Ganga • Anuroopa — Asha • 1978 — Kudure Mukha — Rekha • Hombisilu — Dr. Roopa • Maathu Tappada Maga — Revathi • Muyyige Muyyi — Uma • Paduvaaralli Pandavaru — Journalist — Special appearance • Anuraga Bandhana • Premayana — Pammi • Vasantha Lakshmi — Vasantha • Balu Aparoopa Nam Jodi — Suji • 1979 — Dharmasere — Tunga — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress • Adalu Badalu — Radha • Naniruvude Ninagagi — Sarasa • Manini — Hema / Prema • Nentaro Gantu Kallaro — Shobha • 1980 — Bhaktha Siriyala — Mangala • Hanthakana Sanchu — Anita • Bangarada Jinke — Asha • Nyaya Neethi Dharma — Revathi • Anurakthe — Sumi • 1981 — Ranganayaki — Ranganayaki/ Mala — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress • Thayiya Madilalli — Ganga • Naari Swargakke Daari — Seetha • Ganesha Mahime — Saraswati • Bhagyavantha — Seeta • Chadurida Chitragalu — Ganga • Bhagyada Belaku — Janaki • Edeyuru Siddalingeshwara — Basamma • Preethisi Nodu — Madhu • Pedda Gedda — Jyothi • 1982 — Archana — Archana • Mullina Gulabi — Mala • Karmika Kallanalla — Lakshmi • Mava Sose Saval — Radha • Parajitha — Dr. Rani • Nyaya Ellide — Inspector Durga • Kannu Terasida Hennu — Arundhati • Suvarna Sethuve — Saroja Teacher • Hasyaratna Ramakrishna — Kamala • Raja Maharaja • 1983 — Tirugu Baana — Saroja • Gedda Maga — Sheela • Jaggu — Roopa/Mother • Nyaya Gedditu — Geetha — Special appearance • Kalluveene Nudiyithu — Prapulla • Thayiya Nudi — Annapoorna • Sididedda Sahodara — Latha • Kranthiyogi Basavanna — Gangambike • Ananda Sagara — Shanthi • Gandharvagiri — Netravati • Mutthaide Bhagya — Seetha • Aakrosha — Shobha • Chalisada Sagara • Samarpane — Sarala • 1984 — Kaliyuga — Parvathi • Khaidi — Dr. Sujata • Pooja Phala • Premave Balina Belaku — Vanaja • Hennina Saubhagya — Dr. Vatsala • Bekkina Kannu • Ramapurada Ravana — Seetha • Pavitra Prema — Shylaja • Ajnathavasa — Saroja • Preethi Vathsalya — Lawyer Saroja • Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu — Uma • Avala Antaranga — Special appearance • Bilee Gulabi — Special appearance • 1985 — Kuridoddi Kurukshetra • Nee Nakkaga • Sati Sakkubai — Sakkubai & Krishna's incarnate • Lakshmi Kataksha — Padmavathi • Haavu Eni Aata — Suma • Kumkuma Thanda Saubhagya — Lakshmi • Shiva Kotta Sowbhagya — Princess Ratna • Thulasi Dala — Sharada • Swabhimana — Nirmala — Special appearance • Vajra Mushti — Bharati — Special appearance • 1986 — Bettada Thayi — Parvathi • Seelu Nakshatra — Sharvari • Tiger — Aruna • Sedina Daaha — Asha — Unreleased film
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Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Heggadde Studio. ನಟಿ 'ಆರತಿ'ಯನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು, ಆಮೇಲೆ ಪುಟ್ಟಣ್ಣ ಅವರನ್ನ ಮದುವೆಯಾದ ಕಥೆ / Actor S Shivaram Life Story P-4. 20 August 2020.
- 2.Karnataka Legislative Council Member Aarathi. kla.kar.nic.in.
- 3.ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಬದುಕಿನಿಂದ ದೂರವಾಗಿದ್ದೇಕೆ ನಟಿ ಆರತಿ? ಈಗ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಅವರು?. 19 February 2020.
- 4.Taylor & Francis. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. 10 July 2014. 978-1-135-94325-7.
- 5.Why Actress Aarathi's Personal Life Was Always Full of Struggles. News18. 2022-07-21.
- 6.A chat with director Aarahti. www.viggy.com.
- 7.Vishnuvardhan classic back in restored avatar. Deccan Herald.com. 15 July 2018.
- 8.Why Actress Aarathi's Personal Life Was Always full of struggles. News18.com. 21 July 2022.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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