Heera Rajagopal
Heera Rajagopal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | India |
| Occupation(s) | Actress,philanthropist |
| Years active | 1991–1999 |
Heera Rajagopalis a former Indian actress who has appeared in a number ofTamil,Telugu,Kannada,MalayalamandHindilanguage films.
Career
[edit]As amilitary brat,Heera shifted to schools across different states in India every few years.[1]She later pursued a degree in psychology atWomen's Christian College, Chennai.[2]During her time in college, Heera was approached to model for print magazines and she took on the opportunities for financial independence. She also briefly worked as an encyclopaedia-seller, a hotel worker and a model coordinator in her days as a student. Heera was initially not keen for a career in films and turned down initial approaches for roles by film directors. She first received a film offer on a family holiday atGulmarginKashmir,where a producer had approached her to play the body double forTina Munim.She also later rejected an offer from filmmakerSubhash Ghai,who had attended one of her modelling assignments.[3]
In 1991, soon after finishing college, Heera accepted to play the lead female role inKathir's Tamil romantic drama filmIdhayam.[3][4]Despite her initial apprehensions, she was convinced by film producerT. G. Thyagarajanto become an actress, and she obliged, crediting the professional approach and continued determination of the film's team to sign her on.[5]She portrayed a medical student, who does not notice her classmate's love for her, throughout the entire film. The film performed well at the box office, and has since been discussed as a "cult film" inTamil cinema.[6]Heera's second filmNee Pathi Naan Pathi(1991), was directed byVasanthand produced byKavithalayaa Productions.[7]She then starred in four films opposite actorSarathkumarin quick succession, before playing a single mother inSabash Babu(1993), written byT. Rajender.[8]
Heera was cast byMani Ratnamin hiscaper filmThiruda Thiruda(1993), and portrayed a rural belle who becomes a thief on the run, alongside actorsPrashanthandAnand.A critic fromThe New Indian Expresswrote there was "a drastic change of image from her hitherto sophisticated roles" and that she enacts it "so successfully".[8]She later debuted inBollywoodthroughRaj Sippy'sAmaanat(1994) co-starringSanjay DuttandAkshay Kumar.The film had a delayed release, after being impacted by Dutt's criminal litigation process.[9]
In the mid-1990s, Heera continued to act in high-profile Tamil productions, though often as one of several female lead actresses. She notably appeared inBalu Mahendra's comedy dramaSathi Leelavathi(1995), alongside an ensemble cast includingKamal Haasan,Ramesh AravindandRaja.She portrayed a corporate manager inAgathiyan'sKadhal Kottai(1996), co-starringAjith KumarandDevayani.The film performed well at the box office, and went on to win severalNational Film Awards.She later featured in a supporting role opposite Kamal Haasan inK. S. Ravikumar's comedy dramaAvvai Shanmugi(1996).
Heera opted to quit the film industry in late 1999 citing she did not want to "succumb to the inevitable pressures" to play roles that did not appeal to her intellect sensibilities.[10]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Aparadhi | Telugu | Debut | |
| 1986 | Poojaku Panikiraani Puvvu | Telugu | ||
| 1991 | Idhayam | Geetha | Tamil | Debut |
| Nee Pathi Naan Pathi | Madhu | Tamil | ||
| 1992 | Public Rowdy | Telugu | ||
| Endrum Anbudan | Kamali | Tamil | ||
| 1993 | Dasarathan | Tamil | ||
| Munarivippu | Padma | Tamil | ||
| Band Master | Gita | Tamil | ||
| Sabash Babu | Lalitha | Tamil | ||
| Thiruda Thiruda | Rajathi | Tamil | ||
| Apoorva Jodi | Kannada | Debut | ||
| 1994 | Namma Annachi | Priya | Tamil | |
| Thaatboot Thanjavoor | Tamil | |||
| Dongala Rajyam | Telugu | |||
| Amaanat | Gita | Hindi | Debut | |
| The Gentleman | Hindi | |||
| 1995 | Sathi Leelavathi | Priya | Tamil | |
| Nirnayam | Annie | Malayalam | Debut | |
| Minnaminuginum Minnukettu | Pinky Menon | Malayalam | ||
| Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary | Indu | Malayalam | ||
| 1996 | Little Soldiers | Anitha | Telugu | |
| Sri Karam | Telugu | |||
| Krishna | Tara | Tamil | ||
| Kadhal Kottai | Neha | Tamil | ||
| Mr. Bechara | Asha Varma | Hindi | ||
| Aur Ek Prem Kahani | Kokila | Hindi | ||
| Avvai Shanmugi | Ratna | Tamil | ||
| 1997 | Aahvaanam | Sireesha | Telugu | |
| Kalavida | Prema | Kannada | ||
| Chelikadu | Telugu | |||
| 1998 | Aavida Maa Aavide | Jhansi | Telugu | |
| Sundara Pandian | Ramya | Tamil | ||
| Poothiruvathira Ravil | Aswathy | Malayalam | ||
| Yaare Neenu Cheluve | Diana | Kannada | ||
| Anthahpuram | Dancer | Telugu | Special appearance in a song | |
| Padutha Thiyaga | Telugu | |||
| Yuvaratna Rana | Telugu | |||
| Pooveli | Shalini | Tamil | ||
| 1999 | Thodarum | Meera | Tamil | |
| Peddamanushulu | Bhanumathi | Telugu | ||
| Alludugaaru Vachcharu | Shalini | Telugu | ||
| Suyamvaram | Indiran's girlfriend | Tamil |
References
[edit]- ^"Biography | HeeraRajagopal.com".25 February 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2012.
- ^"Biography | HeeraRajagopal.com".25 February 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2012.
- ^ab"Films | HeeraRajagopal.com".heerarajagopal.com.Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2012.Retrieved12 January2022.
- ^Rajitha (16 August 1999)."Pretty piqued".Rediff.com.Archivedfrom the original on 3 March 2016.Retrieved20 June2016.
- ^"Actress Heera Rajagopal - Old Interview"– via YouTube.
- ^"Idhayam | 150 All-Time Best Cult Tamil Films by Behindwoods | Part 01".Behindwoods.12 April 2018.
- ^Krishnasamy, N. (13 September 1991)."Nee Paadhi Naan Paadhi".The Indian Express.p. 7.
- ^abMannath, Malini (19 November 1993)."Project son!".The Indian Express.p. 6.Retrieved27 December2022.
- ^Kumar, K. Naresh (1995).Indian cinema: ebbs and tides.Har-Anand Publications.ISBN9788124103449.Archivedfrom the original on 15 June 2013.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Films | HeeraRajagopal.com".heerarajagopal.com.Archived fromthe originalon 8 September 2013.Retrieved12 January2022.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
