Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 26: Veteran Sandalwood actress ,Jayanthi (76), who had won the hearts of millions of Kannadigas by portraying different roles over the last several decades, breathed her last on Monday July 26.

Jayanthi was one of the leading actresses of Kannada filmdom during the 70s and 80s and her attractive features and acting skills had created a huge fan base for her. She entered Sandalwood with the film, 'Jenugoodu' directed by Y R Swamy which hit the silver screen in 1968. Her actual name was Kamala Kumari. Earlier, she had played a minor role in the film, 'Jagadeka Veerana Kathe'.

Jayanthi acted in films made in six languages including in Telugu and Hindi languages. She acted in 190 movies in total. She also happened to be a producer and director. She had won the national award for her role in the film, 'Miss Leelavathi'. She donned several roles which then were treated as bold. She won state level awards for five of her films, Yeradu Mukha (1969), Manassinanthe Mangalya (1976), Dharma Daari Tappitu (1981), Masanada Hoovu (1985) and Anand (1986). She was seen in a unique role in the film, 'Yedakallu Guddada Mele' in which she was seen as a sex-starved woman driven by the thirst for male companionship.