Silk Smitha

{{Infobox person

| name = Silk Smitha

| caption =

| native_name =

| image = Silk Smitha.jpg

| birth_name = Vadlapati Vijayalakshmi

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1960|12|2}}

| birth_place = Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1996|9|23|1960|12|2}}

| death_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

| death_cause = Suicide by hanging

| occupation = Actress

| years_active = 1979–1996

| works = Full list

}}

Vadlapati Vijayalakshmi (2 December 1960 – 23 September 1996), better known by her stage name Silk Smitha, was an Indian actress and dancer who worked mainly in Tamil (over 200 films)and Telugu (over 100 films) cinema, in addition to some Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films.{{cite news |author1=Zainab Mulla |title=Silk Smitha Happy Birthday: Top song videos of the bad girl of Southern cinema! |url=http://www.india.com/stream/silk-smitha-happy-birthday-top-song-videos-of-the-bad-girl-of-southern-cinema-209382/ |access-date=14 June 2016 |work=India.com |date=2 December 2014 |archive-date=3 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003224642/http://www.india.com/stream/silk-smitha-happy-birthday-top-song-videos-of-the-bad-girl-of-southern-cinema-209382/ |url-status=live}} She became one of India's most popular sex symbols of the 1980s and early 1990s, as well as one of the most sought-after erotic actresses in South Indian cinema in the 1980s.{{cite web |url=http://247latestnews.com/mysterious-death-indias-biggest-sex-symbol-silk-smitha/ |title=The mysterious death of India's biggest Cine Queen Smitha |date=23 February 2015 |access-date=15 August 2017 |archive-date=19 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519155452/http://247latestnews.com/mysterious-death-indias-biggest-sex-symbol-silk-smitha/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Remembering India’s evergreen sex symbol Silk Smitha on her 62nd birth anniversary |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/remembering-indias-evergreen-sex-symbol-silk-smitha-on-her-62nd-birth-anniversary-2304535-2022-12-02 |access-date=6 October 2023 |website=India Today |language=en}} Smitha was a key figure in the Malayalam softcore film genre in the late 1980s.{{Cite journal |last=Mini |first=Darshana Sreedhar |date=1 April 2019 |title=The Rise of Soft Porn in Malayalam Cinema and the Precarious Stardom of Shakeela |url=https://online.ucpress.edu/fmh/article/5/2/49/109555/The-Rise-of-Soft-Porn-in-Malayalam-Cinema-and-the |journal=Feminist Media Histories |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=49–82 |doi=10.1525/fmh.2019.5.2.49|url-access=subscription }}

In a career spanning 18 years, she appeared in over 450 films. Smitha was part of several successful dance numbers in the 1980s Indian films.{{Cite web |last=K |first=Janani |date=2 December 2020 |title=Who was Silk Smitha? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/who-was-silk-smitha-1745997-2020-12-02 |access-date=26 July 2021 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726064246/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/who-was-silk-smitha-1745997-2020-12-02 |url-status=live}} She entered the industry as a supporting actress, and was first noticed for her role as "Silk" in the 1979 Tamil film, Vandichakkaram.{{cite web |author=Anupama Chopra |author-link=Anupama Chopra |date=28 September 2011 |title=Why Silk Smitha is Bollywood's favourite bad girl |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20110184987&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=136920 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929234545/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20110184987&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=136920 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |publisher=NDTV Movies}}

Early life

Smitha was born in Kovvali village in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh on 2 December 1960 to Telugu parents, Vadlapati Ramallu and Sarasamma.

Due to family poverty, she had to drop out of school during the fourth standard. Her family pushed her into marriage with an older man at the age of 14, despite being underage, due to their financial situation.

Her husband and in-laws abused her and within to years she walked out of this marriage and ran away, working as a housemaid to support herself. She then moved to Chennai to live with her sympathetic aunt, working as a make-up or "touch-up" artist.{{cite news |last=Jayaraman |first=Gayatri |title=Silk Route |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/tbb41xSiFdBXsY8zcK346M/Silk-Route.html |work=Mint |date=30 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416103742/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/tbb41xSiFdBXsY8zcK346M/Silk-Route.html |archive-date=16 April 2015}}{{cite news |title=Obituary |publisher=The Independent cited in BNET |date=27 September 1996 |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19960926/ai_n14066122 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017094321/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19960926/ai_n14066122 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 October 2007 |access-date=9 November 2006 |last=Kuldip |first=Hussain}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/silk-smitha-ten-year-death-anniversary-did-you-know-she-could-act|title=Silk Smitha Forever: We Should’ve Looked Beyond Her (Silky) Skin|first=Vikram|last=Venkateswaran|date=23 September 2016|website=TheQuint}}

Career

Smitha started as a touch-up artist for the actress Aparna and soon got a break in small character roles. She was given her first movie role as a heroine by Malayalam director Antony Eastman in his film Inaye Thedi, though the movie was released very much later. Eastman gave her the name Smitha.{{cite news |title=First person: The Silk Smitha I knew |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/first-person-the-silk-smitha-i-knew-imagegallery-kollywood-llzmyedcfbisi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615030036/http://www.sify.com/movies/first-person-the-silk-smitha-i-knew-imagegallery-kollywood-llzmyedcfbisi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2015 |work=Sify |date=27 September 1996}}

She got her big break in Tamil cinema after director Vinu Chakravarthy took her under his wing; his wife taught her English and arranged for her to learn dancing,{{cite news |title=Chronicle of a death foretold |publisher=Rediff India Abroad |date=4 April 1997 |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04silk.htm |access-date=2 January 2009 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421153542/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04silk.htm |url-status=live}} though soon, due to her marked sex appeal, she switched to roles of cabaret dancers and vamps and inevitably found herself typecast.

After garnering much notice and acclaim with her first major role in the Tamil film Vandichakkaram,{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/14213439/silk-smitha-cinema-history.html |title=கவர்ச்சி நடனத்தால் ரசிகர்களைக் கவர்ந்த 'சில்க்' சுமிதா தூக்கில் தொங்கினார் |publisher=Cinema.maalaimalar.com |date=14 December 2013 |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217120609/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/14213439/silk-smitha-cinema-history.html |archive-date=17 December 2013 |trans-title=Sexy dance, attracted the fans 'Silk' Sumita hung herself to death}} in 1980, Smitha assumed the screen name "Silk", after her character's name in the movie.{{cite news |title=Some reel-life role models |work=Deccan Herald |date=26 October 2006 |url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Oct262006/update11483520061026.asp |access-date=9 November 2006 |last=Staff Correspondent |first=Pradeep |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722152604/http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Oct262006/update11483520061026.asp |archive-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Ekta slams Silk Smitha's boyfriend |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ekta-slams-Silk-Smithas-boyfriend/articleshow/7538035.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527143621/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-21/news-interviews/28618730_1_silk-smitha-dirty-picture-ekta-kapoor |url-status=live |archive-date=27 May 2012 |date=21 February 2011 |author=Vicky Lalwani}} After it became a big hit, she could not escape typecasting, severely limiting her range throughout her career.

Smitha went on to star in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and a few Hindi films. Her dance numbers and bold performances in films such as Moondru Mugam made her the ultimate symbol of sensuality in South Indian cinema. Her item numbers in films such as Amaran and Halli Meshtru (in Kannada) were also celebrated at the box office. Some film critics, historians and journalists have referred to her as a "soft porn" actress.{{cite news |title=Magic workers |date=6 March 2005 |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lr/2005/03/06/stories/2005030600310500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034434/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/lr/2005/03/06/stories/2005030600310500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=9 November 2006 |work=The Hindu |last=Sebastian}} A vast majority of her movies are considered "softcore" by Indian standards and a common theme is her playing a strong agent beating up huge thugs.

Her acting prowess did not go completely unnoticed, and in her rare non-sexual roles she impressed critics and audiences in Alaigal Oivathillai (1981). One of her Malayalam softcore films, Layanam (1989), has earned cult status in the Indian adult film industry and was dubbed in numerous languages, including Hindi as Reshma Ki Jawani (2002), acquiring cult status.{{cite news |title=Sex Sells |work=Screen Weekly |date=8 November 2002 |url=http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=8 |access-date=9 November 2006 |last=Bhattacharya |first=Roshmila |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181504/http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=8 |archive-date=30 September 2007}} Her most respected film is Moondram Pirai, by Balu Mahendra, remade in Hindi as Sadma, with much of the top-drawer cast, including Sridevi, Kamal Hassan, and Silk Smitha reprising their roles.{{cite news |title=A saga of success |date=6 September 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/09/15/stories/2006091500110200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021034832/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/09/15/stories/2006091500110200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2007 |access-date=9 November 2006 |last=Ashok Kumar |work=The Hindu |first=SR}}

Such was her audience-drawing power that, at the peak of her career, according to Tamil film historian Randor Guy, "Films that had lain in cans for years were sold by the simple addition of a Silk Smitha song."

Personal life

Smitha had a small circle of close friends. Owing to her harsh childhood and traumatic upbringing/early marriage, she was an introvert who was said to not make friends easily.

She was often known for her short temper, determination and straightforwardness, which some mistook for arrogance.

She was punctual (arriving in movie sets well before the shooting commences), responsible, and ambitious (having learned to speak the English language fluently despite her limited education). She was also described as having a "soft" and "child like" personality by her friends and fans. She was skilled with costume design, makeup and made it her profession before entering the industry.{{cite web |title=Remembering Silk Smitha: 30 lesser-known facts about the ethereal beauty |website=Cinema Express |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/sep/24/remembering-silk-smitha-30-lesser-known-facts-about-the-ethereal-beauty-621.html |access-date=23 June 2022 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623202931/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/sep/24/remembering-silk-smitha-30-lesser-known-facts-about-the-ethereal-beauty-621.html |url-status=live}}

Death

On the night of 22 September 1996, after a Kannada film shoot, Smitha contacted her friend, the actress Anuradha, to discuss a serious but unspoken issue that was disturbing her. Later that morning, Smitha was found dead by hanging in her hotel room. She was 35 years old.

A few months after her death it was reported that Smitha may have died by suicide due to excess alcohol found in her body.{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/16224107/cinema-history.html |title='சுமிதாவுக்கு திருமணத்தில் நம்பிக்கை இல்லை': 'சில்க்' சுமிதாவின் காதலர் பேட்டி |publisher=Cinema.maalaimalar.com |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221172406/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/16224107/cinema-history.html |archive-date=21 December 2013 |trans-title=' Sumita does not believe in the marriage ': Silk 'Sumita's Valentine Interview}}{{cite web |url=http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/15203008/Silk-smitha-cinema-history.html |title='எனக்கு வாழ்க்கை தருவதாக |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114224641/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/12/15203008/Silk-smitha-cinema-history.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 |trans-title=Give me life}} The police also recovered a suicide note from her, which could not be deciphered. Her death remains a mystery.{{cite web |url=https://owwlogy.com/silk-smitha-what-led-to-her-untimely-death/ |title=Silk Smitha – What led to her untimely death |date=27 October 2020 |access-date=5 January 2021 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212044426/https://owwlogy.com/silk-smitha-what-led-to-her-untimely-death/ |url-status=live}}

Filmography

In popular culture

In 2011, the film The Dirty Picture directed by Milan Luthria{{cite news |title=Vidya's nothing like Silk |newspaper=Pune Times of India |date=2 September 2011}} starred Vidya Balan as Silk Smitha. Reports suggest that the family of Silk Smitha, on whom the film is based, is not happy with the movie. Smitha's brother, V. Naga Vara Prasad, claimed the film was made without the family's consent.{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/videos/entertainment/20/the-dirty-picture-irks-silks-kin/6504 |title='The Dirty Picture' irks Silk's kin |work=The Indian Express |access-date=23 October 2012 |archive-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329101419/https://indianexpress.com/videos/entertainment/20/the-dirty-picture-irks-silks-kin/6504/ |url-status=live}} After the claim arose, Ekta Kapoor, the producer of the film who had come up with the idea for it, stated that The Dirty Picture is not based on Silk Smitha's life.{{cite web |url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/11/nov/07-the-dirty-picture-is-not-about-silk-smitha-111103.asp |title=THE DIRTY PICTURE is not about Silk Smitha! – Bollywood news |publisher=glamsham.com |date=7 November 2011 |access-date=23 October 2012 |archive-date=31 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231044153/http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/11/nov/07-the-dirty-picture-is-not-about-silk-smitha-111103.asp |url-status=live}}

In 2013, a Kannada film titled Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Hot, starring Pakistani actress Veena Malik was released. The film was based on Silk Smitha, and Veena Malik was praised for her performance in the film. The film was a hit in Karnataka.

A Malayalam film titled Climax, starring Sana Khan as Silk Smitha, was released on 24 May 2013.
Chandrika Ravi was slated to portray Silk in an upcoming biopic film.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/silk-smithas-birth-anniversary-chandrika-ravi-announces-a-biopic-on-her-101701503404654.html |title=On Silk Smitha's birth anniversary, Chandrika Ravi announces a biopic on her; check out first look |work=Hindustan Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2024/12/02/thirteen-years-after-the-dirty-picture-another-silk-smitha-biopic-is-announced.html|title=Thirteen years after 'The Dirty Picture', another Silk Smitha biopic is in the making|publisher=The Week}}
The 2023 Telugu film Dasara has a shop name "Silk Soda Center" also inspired by her.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2022-08-26 |title=Nani, Keerthy Suresh’s Telugu film ‘Dasara’, directed by Srikanth Odela, to release in March 2023 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/nani-keerthy-sureshs-dasara-to-release-in-march-2023/article65813825.ece |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=Saumya |date=2023-03-29 |title=The 'Dasara' and Silk Smitha Connection |url=https://www.m9.news/movienews/the-dasara-and-silk-smitha-connection/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=M9.news |language=en-US}}{{cn|date=June 2024}}
The 2023 Tamil film Mark Antony portrays her, with Vishnu Priya Gandhi, a lookalike of her, playing the role.{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/160923/silk-smithas-cameo-appearance-in-mark-antony-disappointing.html|title=Silk Smitha's Cameo Appearance in Mark Antony Disappointing|publisher=deccanchronicle}}