Jaishankar

Jaishankar

Jaishankar in one of his early films
Born Subramaniam Shankar
July 12, 1938[1]
Chennai, India
Died June 3, 2000 (aged 61)
Chennai, India
Years active 1965-1998
Website
http://www.jaishankar.in

Jaishankar (12 July 1938—3 June 2000)[1] was an actor in Tamil cinema. He was credited onscreen with title of Makkal Kalingnar Jaishankar in most of the film starring him and is sometimes referred to as the Thennagathu James Bond (South Indian James Bond) because of his roles in films such as Vallavan Oruvan and CID Shankar.

Biography

Jaishankar was called Subramaniam Shankar at birth, on 12 July 1938.[1] His father was a magistrate, and Jaishankar was educated at PS High School and The New College, Chennai, where he was awarded an honours degree. He studied law but gave it up after a year because of his interests in the theater and other art forms.

He joined Cho's Viveka Fine Arts, which consisted mostly of Mylaporeans where he did insignificantly small roles. Obviously not happy he moved out and the break came with Koothabiran's Kalki Fine Arts where he made a mark playing a lead role in Kalki's 'Amara Thaara'.

Career

In an era dominated by Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran and Gemini Ganesan, he created his own niche with portrayals of interesting characters. He was popularly known as South Indian James Bond because of his roles as the investigative detective in Vallavan Oruvan and CID Shankar,[2][3] and "Friday star" because he invariably had a release every week, He was also adept at comedy and contemporary portrayals as seen in Pattanathil Bhootham, Noottrukku Nooru and Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum. With the emergence of Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan, he began to play villain and father roles in many films, among them Murattu Kaalai, Apoorva Sagodharargal and Thalapathi.

He is also remembered for his philanthropy as he helped the needy without any publicity.[4]

Among his more memorable roles was the teacher's role in the K Balachander film, Noothukku Nooru. He was last seen on screen in Iravum Pagalum, which had also been the title of his debut film.[5][6]

Death

Jaishankar died of heart attack on 3 June 2000, at the age of 61 in Chennai. He is survived by his wife and sons.

Medical Trust

Each year his son, Dr.Vijay Shankar, conducts 15 free eye surgeries on his father’s birthday.[7] He planned to create a trust in his father’s memory and conduct these camps on a larger scale and later include some more specialities like cardiac surgeries also.[8]

Selected filmography

Year Film Notes
1965Iravum pagalum1st Film
1965Vallavanuku Vallavan
1965Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum
1965Panchavarna Kili
1966Vallavan Oruvan
1966Yaar Nee Remake of woh kaun thi 1964 Hindi movie
1966Iru Vallavargal
1966Naam moovar
1967Pattanathil Bhootham
1967Bhavani
1967Muhurtha Naal
1968Neelagiri Express
1968Jeevanaamsam
1968Bommalaattam
1968Uyira Manama
1968Muthuchippi
1968Ner Vazhi
1969Poova Thalaiya
1969Mannippu
1969Akka Thangai
1969Aayiram poi one of the best comedy movies.
1969Anbalippu
1969Nangu killadigal
1970C.I.D. Shankar
1970Veettukku Veedu Remade later on as vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
1970Kannan Varuvan
1970Maanavan
1971Kulama Gunama
1971Thanga Gopuram Precursor of Moondru Mudichu
1971Soodhattam
1972Unakkum Enakkum
1972Ganga
1972Jakamma
1972Delhi To Madras
1973Ponvandu
1973Rani yaar kuzhandai
1973Amman Arul
1973Vayaadi
1974Karunthel kannayiram
1974Vairam
1974Idhayam Paarkiradhu100th film
1974Pandhattam
1974Kaliyuga Kannan
1974Akkarai pachai
1974Athaya Maamiya
1975Enga Pattan Sothu
1976Thunivey Thunai
1978Vandikkaran Magan
1979Kizakkum Merkkum Santhikkindrana
1979Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi
1980Jambu
1980Murattu Kaalai
1980Ore Thayin Sapatham
1981Ellam Inba Mayam
1981Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum
1982Vazhvey Maayam
1983Paayum Puli
1983Thudikkum Karangal
1984Vaazhkai
1984Vidhi
198424 Mani Neram
1985Bandham
1985Padikkadavan
1985Pillai Nila
1986Marumagal
1987Kadhal Parisu
1989Mappillai
1989Apoorva Sagodharargal
1991Thalapathi
1995Vishnu
1997Arunachalam
1997Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen
1998Ini Ellam Sugamae

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Friday Review Chennai / Cinema : Bond of Tamil screen". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  2. "Metro Plus Coimbatore / Cinema : Simbu's a fan!". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  3. "Find Tamil Actor Jaishankar Filmography, Movies, Pictures and Videos". Jointscene.com. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  4. "Tamil movies : Jaishankar’s son to set up medical trust for poor!!". Behindwoods.com. 2006-03-31. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  5. "Tribute". Screenindia.com. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  6. "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Charitable trust launched". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2006-04-26. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  7. "Retail Plus Chennai : First Take". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2011-05-13.

External links