Meet actor who debuted at 14, worked with Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi and quit acting at the peak of her career

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Meet actor who debuted at 14, worked with Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi and quit acting at the peak of her career

Oh my, what a journey! Maadhavi, a name that once sparkled brighter than the stars of Tollywood and beyond. Born into a family with artistic roots, it was only destiny that led this Bharatnatyam prodigy to the silver screen. From her debut at the tender age of 14 in Thoorupu Padamara, she captivated millions with her exceptional performances, sharing the screen with legends like Chiranjeevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, and Mohanlal among others.

In the 1980s and 1990s, this once-prominent actress dominated Indian cinema. She starred in approximately 300 movies and was widely recognized as one of the top actresses in South Indian Cinema. Her versatility is evident from her work in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam films. However, she retired from acting after marrying a businessman and relocating to the United States. The focus here will be on some lesser-known aspects of her life, career, personal journey, and more – we’re discussing Maadhavi.

Who is Maadhavi?

Maadhavi, famously known as Kanaka Vijayalakshmi, was born on September 14, 1962, in Eluru. She is the daughter of Sasirekha and Govindaswamy. Growing up, she lived with her siblings, her sister Keerthi Kumari and brother Dhananjay.

Meet actor who debuted at 14, worked with Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi and quit acting at the peak of her career

It’s not widely known that the now-former actress received training in Bharatnatyam dance. Trained under Uma Maheswari, she began learning this traditional Indian dance form at the age of 8 and has since given over a thousand performances. In addition to her dancing career, she also made appearances as a child actress in various films.

Meet actor who debuted at 14, worked with Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi and quit acting at the peak of her career

Maadhavi’s filmography

When Maadhavi was just 14 years old, she first entered the world of cinema with the Telugu film “Thoorupu Padamara” in 1976. This romantic-drama film immediately captured the hearts of audiences and earned her widespread acclaim for her outstanding acting ability. During the same year, she also starred in the movie “Amara Deepam,” which was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao.

Over time, Madhavi made an appearance in numerous films, and it’s noteworthy that she collaborated with esteemed actors such as Chiranjeevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, and Mohanlal, along with others.

The actress collaborated with Chiranjeevi on several movies. Her initial project together was Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya, released in 1982. They teamed up again for the film Khaidi, which proved to be a significant box office success.

Meet actor who debuted at 14, worked with Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi and quit acting at the peak of her career

As a diehard admirer, I can’t contain my excitement as the dynamic duo joins forces once more, this time for the Telugu blockbuster titled Big Boss! She’s made quite an impact in the Malayalam film industry and has shared the screen with some of the biggest names, including the legendary Mohanlal and Mammootty.

Meet actor who debuted at 14, worked with Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi and quit acting at the peak of her career

Maadhavi was also part of the National Award-winning movie Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha. She played the role of a mother who suffers from Leukemia in Akashadoothu. Her performance made her bag the top acting honor at the Kerala State Film Award.

Apart from these roles, Maadhavi has shared the screen with both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Some of their collaborative works include Raja Paarvai, Tik Tik Tik, Kaakki Sattai, Sattam, Ellam Inba Mayyam, Mangamma Sabadham, Garjanai, Thillu Mullu, and Thambikku Entha Ooru.

Why did Maadhavi leave acting and shift abroad at the peak of her career?

Having captivated countless hearts through her outstanding performances in numerous movies, Maadhavi chose to step away from acting. Quite unexpectedly, this decision was made during the zenith of her successful career.

Meet actor who debuted at 14, worked with Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi and quit acting at the peak of her career

Maadhavi had an exhilarating change in her personal life when she wed businessman Ralph Sharma on Valentine’s Day, 1996. Their marriage was orchestrated by their spiritual guide, Swami Rama, according to a DNA report.

Following her wedding, she along with her spouse relocated to the United States, consequently marking a departure from her career in the film industry. Her final screen appearance was in the Malayalam movie titled “Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan.”

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2024-08-21 17:23