Namitha
{{Short description|Indian actress (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Namitha
| image = Namitha 3.jpg
| caption = Namitha in 2007
| alt =
| birth_name = Namitha Mukesh Vankawala
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|05|10|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Surat, Gujarat, India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = {{Hlist | Actress | model | politician}}
| yearsactive = 2001{{dash}}2021
| party = Bharatiya Janata Party
| spouse = {{marriage| Veerendra Chowdary|2017}}
| children = 2
| website =
| height =
}}
Namitha Vankawala (born 10 May 1981{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/south-cinema/happy-birthday-namitha-10-times-south-actress-namitha-stole-our-hearts-2135829.html |title=Happy Birthday Namitha: 10 Times South Actress Namitha Stole Our Hearts |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=12 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512175413/https://www.news18.com/photogallery/south-cinema/happy-birthday-namitha-10-times-south-actress-namitha-stole-our-hearts-2135829.html |url-status=live }}) is a state executive member of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu.{{Cite web |title=Namita Vankawala: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Namita-Vankawala |access-date=2 August 2020 |website=The Times of India |archive-date=18 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218062204/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Namita-Vankawala |url-status=live }} She started her career initially as an actress and model who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu cinema along with a few films in Kannada and Malayalam.{{Cite web |last=J |first=Shanmughasundaram |date=4 July 2020 |title=Tamil Nadu: Actor Namitha appointed as BJP state executive member |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-actor-namitha-appointed-as-bjp-state-executive-member/articleshow/76783157.cms |access-date=1 August 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=4 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704163520/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-actor-namitha-appointed-as-bjp-state-executive-member/articleshow/76783157.cms |url-status=live }}
Career
Starting her career as a beauty pageant contestant, Namitha was crowned Miss Surat during the year of 1998 at the age of 17. She went on to participate in the 2001 Miss India pageant and ended up as the third runner-up, while Celina Jaitley was crowned Miss India.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know/Namitha-was-crowned-Miss-Surat-in-1998/articleshow/22137575.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902052626/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-29/did-you-know-/41580353_1_namitha-miss-india-gujarat |url-status=live |archive-date=2 September 2013 |title=Namitha was crowned Miss Surat in 1998 |date=29 August 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=24 May 2014}} The publicity she garnered during the competition prompted her to move to Mumbai and subsequently she did a number of TV commercials such as Himani cream and hand soap, Arun Ice Creams, Manikchand Gutka, and Nile Herbal Shampoo early in her career. Unable to make a breakthrough into the Hindi film industry, she enrolled in an English Literature course and then considered returning to Surat but chose to later accept an invitation to audition for a Telugu film. After being selected, she consequently made her acting debut in Sreenu Vaitla's coming-of-age romantic film, Sontham (2002). Her next film, Saran's big budget action film Gemeni (2002) opposite Venkatesh, garnered her further attention and her portrayal of a Marwardi girl won critical acclaim. She had also briefly given herself the stagename of "Bhairavi" for the film, but later reverted to her original name.[http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_bhairavi.html Telugu Cinema Etc] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024184021/http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/inter_bhairavi.html |date=24 October 2017 }}. Idlebrain.com (16 September 2002). Retrieved 1 January 2019.{{cite web |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/namithasexypic.html |title=Telugu cinema article – Namita photo – stolen from Namitha's desktop |website=idlebrain.com |date=20 March 2000 |access-date=13 September 2017 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925132345/http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/namithasexypic.html |url-status=live }}
In the mid-2000s, she quickly became popular in Tamil language films with her mature look and tall frame prompting film makers to cast her opposite ageing actors such as Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Arjun, Parthiban, Sundar C and Sarathkumar.[http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/namitha2008.html Namitha interview – Telugu Cinema interview – Telugu film and Tamil film actress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001192456/http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/namitha2008.html |date=1 October 2017 }}. Idlebrain.com (30 July 2008). Retrieved 1 January 2019. She appeared in a series of commercial action films opposite such actors, including roles in Aai (2005), Chanakya (2005) and Aanai (2005). Likewise, she was regularly cast in comedy films with senior actors too, making appearances in Siddique's Engal Anna (2004) and six of Sakthi Chidambaram's comedy dramas. During the period, she appeared in her first Hindi film Love Ke Chakkar Mein, worked on a Kannda film titled Namitha I Love You and shot for an English film, Maya, which was later released in 2008 as Kamasutra Nights.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/namitha-stars-in-english-movie/article18460394.ece |title=Namitha stars in English movie |date=14 August 2006 |work=The Hindu |access-date=16 July 2018 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201145756/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/namitha-stars-in-english-movie/article18460394.ece |url-status=live }} In 2007, she had the opportunity to work with two leading actors from Tamil cinema, respectively appearing with Vijay in the A. R. Rahman-musical Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007) and Ajith Kumar in Vishnuvardhan's gangster film Billa (2007). By the end of the period, Namitha had developed a "cult following" in Tamil Nadu as a result of her glamorous appearances in films, with the media regularly looking to feature her in reports and Behindwoods.com labelled her "omnipotent and omnipresent".{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/29-09-06-namitha.html |title=Tamil movies : Namitha the omnipotent and the omnipresent |website=behindwoods.com |access-date=13 September 2017 |archive-date=13 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183414/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-04/29-09-06-namitha.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/21/stories/2005102116730200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526143646/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/21/stories/2005102116730200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2006 |work=The Hindu |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Namitha goes to 'Subway' for meal |date=21 October 2005}}[http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-12-05/namitha-dirty-picture-30-06-12.html I Will Do It For A Lesser Payment, Says Namitha – Namitha – Dirty Picture – Tamil Movie News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910032257/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jun-12-05/namitha-dirty-picture-30-06-12.html |date=10 September 2017 }}. Behindwoods.com (30 June 2012). Retrieved 1 January 2019.
However, by the turn of the decade, Namitha's popularity began to decline after several of her films failed to perform well and the South Indian film industry moved away from casting women in outright glamorous roles, a character that Namitha had become famed for performing. Film makers were also reluctant to cast Namitha opposite young male actors, as the older generation began to stop appearing in leading roles.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Why-Namitha-wont-act-in-Tamil-films/articleshow/8461690.cms Why Namitha won't act in Tamil films? | Movie News ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113085244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Why-Namitha-wont-act-in-Tamil-films/articleshow/8461690.cms |date=13 November 2017 }}. Times of India (20 May 2011). Retrieved 1 January 2019. She was relegated to increasingly smaller roles and guest appearances, while the big-budget horror film, Jaganmohini (2009), where she played the title role performed poorly at the box office.[http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-movie-review/20091019.htm Review: Jaganmohini is a half-baked remake] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183241/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-tamil-movie-review/20091019.htm |date=13 September 2017 }}. Rediff.com (19 October 2009). Retrieved 1 January 2019. She briefly prioritized her work in Kannada films in the early 2010s, while several of her films endured production delays including Ilamai Oonjal (2016). After several years without any film releases, she announced plans of making a comeback in 2016.{{cite web |url=https://silverscreen.in/Tamil/news/Namitha-keen-about-her-comeback-and-entering-politics/ |title=Actress Namitha To Make Her Comeback Soon |date=3 September 2015 |publisher=silverscreen.in |access-date=2 December 2019 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906005734/http://silverscreen.in/tamil/news/namitha-keen-about-her-comeback-and-entering-politics/ |url-status=dead }}
In 2017, Namitha appeared on the Tamil reality television show, Bigg Boss hosted by Kamal Haasan. During her stint in the show, she was widely criticised for her harsh treatment of actress Oviya.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ex-bigg-boss-contestant-namitha-hits-back-at-oviya/articleshow/59941386.cms Ex- Bigg Boss contestant Namitha hits back at Oviya | Tamil Movie News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923083031/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ex-bigg-boss-contestant-namitha-hits-back-at-oviya/articleshow/59941386.cms |date=23 September 2017 }}. Times of India (6 August 2017). Retrieved 1 January 2019. She also seen in the Horror movies such as Pottu (2019) and Miya (2020).{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/Sep/14/namitha-plays-a-witch-in-pottu-1656819.html|title = Namitha plays a witch in Pottu| date=14 September 2017 }} In 2021, she make a appearance in TV serial Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal and then on the comedy show Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0 entertain the audience as a special guest.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/namitha-announces-pregnancy-pens-a-note-on-motherhood/6183b5f757242|title = Namitha announces pregnancy; pens a note on motherhood}}
In the media
At the height of her success in 2008, Namitha's devotee built her a temple near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. She became the second actress after Khushbu in the state to be immortalised in such a fashion by her fan following.{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/43660/ill-stick-my-sexy-image.html |title=I'll stick to my sexy image: Namitha |date=28 December 2009 |work=Deccan Herald |access-date=13 September 2017 |archive-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717012912/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/43660/ill-stick-my-sexy-image.html |url-status=live }}[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Im-thrilled-I-have-a-templeNamitha/articleshow/3202389.cms I'm thrilled I have a temple:Namitha | Hindi Movie News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923074503/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Im-thrilled-I-have-a-templeNamitha/articleshow/3202389.cms |date=23 September 2017 }}. Times of India (7 July 2008). Retrieved 1 January 2019. In October 2010, there was an attempt to kidnap her by a fan at Trichy in Tamil Nadu.{{cite news |first=Bijoy |last=Bharathan |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Namithas-die-hard-fan/articleshow/6815205.cms |title=Namitha's die-hard fan |work=The Times of India |date=27 October 2010 |access-date=5 December 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005032241/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Namithas-die-hard-fan/articleshow/6815205.cms |url-status=live }} She has been an advocate of safe driving and in June 2012, she and Tamil actor Bharat promoted awareness of safe driving.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120611191830/http://www.sify.com/movies/Namitha-Bharath-want-you-to-be-safe-on-the-road-imagegallery-kollywood-mghnm9ejfig.html?html=5 Namitha, Bharath want you to be safe on the road!]. Sify.com. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
Politics
Namitha joined AIADMK on 24 April 2016 in the presence of party general secretary and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in Trichy.{{cite web| url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-election-actor-namitha-joins-jayalalithaas-aiadmk/articleshow/51958082.cms| title= Tamil Nadu election:Actress Namitha joins Jayalalithaa's AIADMK| publisher= Times of India| work= R Gokul| date= 24 April 2016| access-date= 27 November 2022| archive-date= 28 August 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160828151720/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-election-Actor-Namitha-joins-Jayalalithaas-AIADMK/articleshow/51958082.cms| url-status= live}} In 2019, Namitha along with actor Radha Ravi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of party's national president J. P. Nadda in Chennai.{{cite news |last1=J |first1=Shanmughasundarm |title=Actor Radha Ravi, Namitha join BJP in JP Nadda's presence |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/actor-radha-ravi-namitha-join-bjp-in-jp-naddas-presence/articleshow/72311137.cms |access-date=16 March 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=30 November 2019 |language=en |archive-date=12 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212230540/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/actor-radha-ravi-namitha-join-bjp-in-jp-naddas-presence/articleshow/72311137.cms |url-status=live }} In July 2020, after 8 months of joining the BJP, Namitha was appointed as one of the state executive member of the BJP in Tamil Nadu.
Personal life
Namitha married businessman Veerendra Chowdary in Tirupathi in November 2017.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/namitha-gets-married-to-her-boyfriend-veerandra-in-tirupati/articleshow/61779275.cms |title=Namitha gets married to her boyfriend Veerandra in Tirupati |work=The Times of India |date=24 November 2017 |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-date=25 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125162210/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/namitha-gets-married-to-her-boyfriend-veerandra-in-tirupati/articleshow/61779275.cms |url-status=live }} The couple announced their pregnancy via Namitha's Instagram on her 41st birthday.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-10 |title=Namitha is pregnant, feels elated - Telugu News |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/namitha-is-pregnant-feels-elated-telugu-news-314556 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=IndiaGlitz.com |archive-date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511122334/https://www.indiaglitz.com/namitha-is-pregnant-feels-elated-telugu-news-314556 |url-status=live }} She delivered twin sons in August 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-22 |title=Actress Namitha announces birth of twin boys, shares video |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/08/20/actress-tamil-telugu-namitha-twin-boys-birth-announcement.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=OnManorama |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116050440/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/08/20/actress-tamil-telugu-namitha-twin-boys-birth-announcement.html |url-status=live }}
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#ffc;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}} | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role(s) ! scope="col" | Language(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| rowspan="2"|2002
! scope="row" | Sontham | Nandu | rowspan="4"|Telugu | Debut film |
| scope="row" | Gemeni
| Manisha Natwarlal |credited as Bhairavi | {{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/09/17/stories/2002091701360200.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180314072539/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/09/17/stories/2002091701360200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 March 2018 |website=The Hindu |title=Show with a difference}} |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|2003
! scope="row" | Oka Raju Oka Rani | Preethi | |
| scope="row" | Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli
| Sasirekha | |
| rowspan="4"|2004
! scope="row" | Engal Anna | Gowri | Tamil | Tamil Debut |
| scope="row" | Aithe Enti
| Anjali Sharma | Telugu | |
| scope="row" | Maha Nadigan
| Aishwarya | rowspan="3"|Tamil || |
| scope="row" | Aai
| Anjali | | |
| rowspan="5"|2005
! scope="row" | Englishkaran | Maheshwari | Extended Cameo |
| scope="row" | Nayakudu
| Uma | Telugu | |
| scope="row" | Chanakya
| Deivanayaki | rowspan="4"|Tamil | | |
| scope="row" | Bambara Kannaley
| Mynaa | | |
| scope="row" | Aanai
| Ramya | | |
| rowspan="6"|2006
! scope="row" | Kovai Brothers | Sania | |
| scope="row" | Love Ke Chakkar Mein
| Neha V. Batra | Hindi | Hindi Debut |
| scope="row" | Pachchak Kuthira
| Poovu | rowspan="3"|Tamil | | |
| scope="row" | Thagapansamy
| Swapna | | {{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/thagapansamy-tamil-movie-7713|title=Thagapansamy}} |
| scope="row" | Nee Venunda Chellam
| Anjali | |
| scope="row" | Neelakanta
| Ganga | Kannada | Kannada Debut |
| rowspan="4"|2007
! scope="row" | Viyabari | Namitha | rowspan="5"|Tamil | | {{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/vyapari-tamil-movie-review-8604|title=Vyapari Review}} |
| scope="row" | Naan Avanillai
| Monika Prasad | |
| scope="row" | Azhagiya Tamil Magan
| Dhanalakshmi | |
| scope="row" | Billa
| C. J. | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil |
| rowspan="4"|2008
! scope="row" | Sandai | Seemakal Chinnakilli | |
| scope="row" | Kamasutra Nights
| Aunt Maya | English | English Debut | {{Cite web|url=https://whatismymovie.com/item?item=0846033|title=Kamasutra Nights (2008)}} |
| scope="row" | Pandi
| Salangai | Tamil | |
| scope="row" | Indra
| Janaki | Kannada | | |
| rowspan="6"|2009
! scope="row" | Perumal | Saroja |rowspan="3"|Tamil | |
| scope="row" | Thee
| Ruchi Devi | |
| scope="row" | 1977
| Chandini | |
| scope="row" | Billa
| Lisa | Telugu | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu |
| scope="row" | Indira Vizha
| Kamini | rowspan="2"|Tamil | |
| scope="row" | Jaganmohini
| Jaganmohini | |
| rowspan="5"|2010
! scope="row" | Black Stallion | Laura Fernandez | Malayalam Debut | |
| scope="row" | Azhagaana Ponnuthan
| Jennifer | rowspan="2"|Tamil | | |
| scope="row" | Guru Sishyan
| Anitha | Cameo |
| scope="row" | Simha
| Mahima | Telugu | | {{Cite web|url=https://www.123telugu.com/reviews/S/Simha/Simha_Review2.html|title=Simha}} |
| scope="row" | Hoo
| Anju | Kannada | |
| rowspan="2"|2011
! scope="row" | Ilaignan | Sena | Tamil | |
| scope="row" | Namitha I Love You
| Sunanda | rowspan="2"|Kannada | |
| 2013
! scope="row" | Benki Birugali | Mona | | |
| rowspan="2"|2016
! scope="row" | Ilamai Oonjal | Durga | Tamil | |
| scope="row" | Pulimurugan
| Julie | |
| rowspan=1| 2019
! scope="row" | Pottu | Bhrameshwari | rowspan=2|Tamil | | |
| 2020
! scope="row" | Miya | Miya | | |
Television
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 2007-2015
|Maanada Mayilada |Main Judge |Dance Reality Show |
| 2017
|Contestant |
| 2020
|Dance Jodi Dance 3.0 |Judge |Dance Show |
| 2021
|Herself |Guest Appearance |
| 2021
|Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0 |Herself |Guest Appearance |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Namitha}}
- {{IMDb name|id=1532511|name=Namitha}}
- {{Instagram | id= namita.official| name= Namitha}}
- {{Facebook | id= NamithaOffl| name= Namitha}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Actresses from Gujarat
Category:Indian film actresses
Category:Female models from Gujarat
Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema
Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema
Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema
Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Category:Actresses in Gujarati cinema