# 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. Besides Kannada, Aarathi has appeared in few Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films.
Aarathi made her acting debut with the Kannada film Gejje Pooje (1969), playing a supporting role. She rose to prominence by her collaborations with Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal in the novel adaptation dramas Upasane (1974), Shubhamangala (1975), Bili Hendthi (1975), Dharmasere (1979) and Ranganayaki (1981). She received widespread critical acclaim for the action drama Naagarahaavu (1971), for which she won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. Her other notable roles in films include Bangaarada Panjara (1974), Daari Tappida Maga (1975), Katha Sangama (1976), Premada Kanike (1976) and Hombisilu (1978).
After her retirement from films in 1986, she made a comeback in 2005 as a director with Mithayi Mane which was met with critical appreciation and also won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children's Film. She was nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Vidhana parishad, making her the second actress after B. Jayamma to be nominated.

## Career
### Beginnings and breakthrough

Aarathi made her film debut with the film Gejje Pooje (1969) directed by Puttanna Kanagal. She played a short role as the sister of lead actor Gangadhar. Her first lead role came with the Sameulla directed comedy film, Takka Bitre Sikka (1970), where she played the love interest of actor Srinath. Following this, she featured in supporting roles in several films including the Rajkumar starrers Kasturi Nivasa (1971), Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama (1971), Sipayi Ramu (1972), Bangarada Manushya (1972) and later played lead roles opposite him in Bhale Huchcha (1972), Bahaddur Gandu (1976), Premada Kanike (1976) and Raja Nanna Raja (1976) .
Her first breakthrough came when Puttanna Kanagal cast her as Alamelu in the action drama Naagarahaavu (1972). She gained widespread recognition and accolades for playing a soft spoken girl who ends up living a tragic life post her marriage. Actor Vishnuvardhan made his debut with this film and gained instant popularity and the pair went on to star in several films together in future. Aarathi won her first Karnataka State Film Award for her portrayal of the character. The film ran for over 20 weeks across theaters in Karnataka and was remade in several other languages.

### Collaborations with Puttanna Kanagal

Kanagal introduced and brought Aarathi to the limelight by offering 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 throughout the 1970s. Their combination produced successful films such as Edakallu Guddada Mele (1973), Upasane (1974), Bili Hendthi (1975), Shubhamangala (1975), Paduvaaralli Pandavaru (1978), Dharmasere (1979) and Ranganayaki (1981). After Ranganayaki, they both fell apart and their divorce ended any more future collaborations. She won all her eight awards (four Karnataka State awards and four Filmfare South awards) for her projects collaborated with Kanagal.

### Widespread success and retirement

Besides her successful films with Kanagal, Aarathi found success in her other collaborations with actors Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Srinath, 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 also critically acclaimed. Her second successful pairing was with Vishnuvardhan with whom she worked in multiple 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 critically acclaimed films such as Manini (1979), Vasantha Lakshmi (1978), Shubhamangala (1975), Anurakthe (1980), Archana (1982), Kannu Theresida Hennu (1982) and Sati Sakkubai (1985). She retired from acting after her second marriage in 1986 and Tiger was her last film to release.

## Filmography
### As director

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1986 | Namma Nammalli | Bangalore DD serial |
| 2005 | Mithayi Mane | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children Film |

### As actress

| Year | Title | Roles | Language | Notes |
| 1969 | Gejje Pooje | Lalitha | Kannada | |
| 1970 | Inti Gowravam | | Telugu | |
| 1970 | Kallara Kalla | Malli | Kannada | |
| 1970 | Takka! Bitre Sikka!! | Jayanthi | Kannada | |
| 1971 | Kasturi Nivasa | Lakshmi | Kannada | Special appearance |
| 1971 | Makane Ninakku Vendi | Sophia | Malayalam | |
| 1971 | Anugraha | Gowri | Kannada | |
| 1971 | Nyayave Devaru | Lalitha | Kannada | Guest appearance |
| 1971 | Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama | Jambavathi | Kannada | |
| 1971 | Prathidhawani | Usha | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Sipayi Ramu | Champa | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Bangarada Manushya | Sharavati | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Bhale Huchcha | Chandra | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Ooriki Upakari | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Naagarahaavu | Alamelu | Kannada | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1973 | Mane Belagida Sose | | Kannada | |
| 1973 | Edakallu Guddada Mele | Devaki | Kannada | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1973 | Mooroovare Vajragalu | Rukmini | Kannada | |
| 1973 | Mannina Magalu | Sundari | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Bangaarada Panjara | Mallamma | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Upasane | Sharada | Kannada | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada |
| 1974 | Maha Thyaga | Dr. Saroja | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Gumasthavin Magal | Seetha | Tamil | |
| 1974 | Nanu Baalabeku | Prabha | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Bhale Bhatta | | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Daari Tappida Maga | Radha Devi | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Shubhamangala | Hema | Kannada | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada |
| 1975 | Bili Hendthi | Sharada | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Devara Kannu | Sandhya | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Katha Sangama | Munithayi | Kannada | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1976 | Hosilu Mettida Hennu | | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Premada Kanike | Seetha | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Punaradatta | Padmini | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Bahaddur Gandu | Radha | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Raja Nanna Raja | Ganga/Geetha | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Baalu Jenu | Geetha | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Phalitamsha | Sheela | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Aparadhi | Usha | Kannada | |
| 1977 | Maagiya Kanasu | Radha | Kannada | |
| 1977 | Pavana Ganga | Ganga | Kannada | |
| 1977 | Anuroopa | Asha | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Kudure Mukha | Rekha | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Hombisilu | Dr. Roopa | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Maathu Tappada Maga | Revathi | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Muyyige Muyyi | Uma | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Paduvaaralli Pandavaru | Journalist | Kannada | Special appearance |
| 1978 | Anuraga Bandhana | | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Premayana | Pammi | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Vasantha Lakshmi | Vasantha | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Balu Aparoopa Nam Jodi | Suji | Kannada | |
| 1979 | Dharmasere | Tunga | Kannada | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada; Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1979 | Adalu Badalu | Radha | Kannada | |
| 1979 | Naniruvude Ninagagi | Sarasa | Kannada | |
| 1979 | Manini | Hema/Prema | Kannada | |
| 1979 | Nentaro Gantu Kallaro | Shobha | Kannada | |
| 1980 | Bhaktha Siriyala | Mangala | Kannada | |
| 1980 | Hanthakana Sanchu | Anita | Kannada | |
| 1980 | Bangarada Jinke | Asha | Kannada | |
| 1980 | Nyaya Neethi Dharma | Revathi | Kannada | |
| 1980 | Anurakthe | Sumi | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Ranganayaki | Ranganayaki/ Mala | Kannada | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada; Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1981 | Thayiya Madilalli | Ganga | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Naari Swargakke Daari | Seetha | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Ganesha Mahime | Saraswati | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Bhagyavantha | Seeta | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Chadurida Chitragalu | Ganga | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Bhagyada Belaku | Janaki | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Edeyuru Siddalingeshwara | | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Preetisi Nodu | Madhu | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Pedda Gedda | Jyothi | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Archana | Archana | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Mullina Gulabi | Mala | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Karmika Kallanalla | Lakshmi | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Mava Sose Saval | | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Parajitha | Dr. Rani | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Nyaya Yellide | Inspector Durga | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Kannu Terasida Hennu | Arundhati | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Suvarna Sethuve | Saroja Teacher | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Hasyaratna Ramakrishna | Kamala | Kannada | |
| 1982 | Raja Maharaja | | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Tirugu Baana | Saroja | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Gedda Maga | Sheela | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Jaggu | Roopa/ Mother | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Nyaya Gedditu | Geetha | Kannada | Special appearance |
| 1983 | Kalluveene Nudiyithu | Prapulla | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Thayiya Nudi | Annapoorna | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Sididedda Sahodara | Latha | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Kranthiyogi Basavanna | Gangambike | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Ananda Sagara | Shanthi | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Gandharvagiri | Netravati | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Mutthaide Bhagya | Seetha | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Aakrosha | Shobha | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Chalisada Sagara | | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Samarpane | Sarala | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Kaliyuga | Parvathi | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Khaidi | Dr. Sujata | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Pooja Phala | | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Premave Balina Belaku | Vanaja | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Hennina Saubhagya | Dr. Vatsala | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Bekkina Kannu | | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Ramapurada Ravana | Seetha | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Pavitra Prema | Shylaja | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Ajnathavasa | Saroja | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Preethi Vathsalya | Lawyer Saroja | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Avala Antaranga | | Kannada | Special appearance |
| 1984 | Bilee Gulabi | | Kannada | Special appearance |
| 1984 | Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu | Uma | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Kuridoddi Kurukshetra | | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Nee Nakkaga | | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Sati Sakkubai | Sakkubai & Incarnate of Krishna | Kannada | Dubbed as Shantha Sakkubai-Marathi) and Shri Pandurangaleela-Telugu) |
| 1985 | Lakshmi Kataksha | Padmavathi | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Haavu Eni Aata | Suma | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Kumkuma Thanda Saubhagya | Lawyer Lakshmi | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Swabhimana | Nirmala | Kannada | Special appearance |
| 1985 | Vajra Mushti | Bharati | Kannada | Special appearance |
| 1985 | Shiva Kotta Sowbhagya | Princess Ratna | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Thulasi Dala | | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Bettada Thayi | | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Seelu Nakshatra | Sharvari | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Tiger | Aruna | Kannada | |
| 1987 | Sedina Daaha | Asha | Kannada | Unreleased |