Jayalalithaa's 69th birth anniversary: A look at the life of the late CM

Let's take a look at the life of the actor-turned-politician J Jayalalithaa.
Former CM late J Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence. (File Photo)
Former CM late J Jayalalithaa at her Poes Garden residence. (File Photo)

As Tamil Nadu starts celebrating the 69th birth anniversary of late CM Jayalalithaa, let's take a look at the life of the actor-turned-politician.

Her career as an actor was rather short — the active years were just  about 12 years. But at the end of those dozen-odd years, J  Jayalalithaa emerged as arguably the top female star in Tamil film  industry, one who was an integral part in some of the biggest box  office hits that Kollywood ever recorded in those decades.

Simi: You’ve been through trials, triumphs, crises. How is it that you’ve never shown fear or anger or any other emotion? I know you must have them.

Jayalalithaa: Yes, of course, I’m human like everyone else. I do experience emotions and I wouldn’t be normal if I didn’t experience feelings of anger and other emotions but when you are a leader, you learn to control your emotions. You learn not to show them openly, you have to.

Did you know? The first-ever Tamil film to be submitted to the Academy Awards (Oscars) was ‘Deiva Magan’, in which Jayalalithaa acted alongside late ‘Nadigar Thilagam’ Sivaji Ganesan.

Before becoming the Iron Lady of politics, J Jayalalithaa was a famed actor and her films are loved even today. City Express rewinds to the 60s and 70s when she acted alongside stalwarts and ruled the screen with her smile.

J Jayalalithaa was the most sought-out name not only in Tamil, but also in Kannada & Telugu industries. But acting was just the beginning of what turned into a phenomenon.

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