Jaishankar
Encyclopedia
Jaishankar is a yester-year actor of the Tamil Film Industry. He is fondly referred to as Thennagathu James Bond (South Indian James Bond). His penchant for dashing roles earned him the sobriquet of James Bond of South India, thanks to his roles in films like Vallavan Oruvan, CID Shankar and so on. He was considered as one of the most leading actors of Tamil cinema
in the 1970s.
Bitten by the drama bug, he joined Cho's Viveka Fine Arts, which consisted mostly of Brahmins 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'.
, M. G. Ramachandran
and Gemini Ganesan
, he created his own niche by excellent portrayals of interesting characters. Popularly known as South Indian James Bond because of his roles as the investigative detective in Vallavan Oruvan and CID Shankar and Friday star because he invariably had a release every week, Jai as he was popularly called in the industry was a Bankable star. He was also adept at comedy and contemporary portrayals as seen in Pattanathil Bhootham, Noottrukku Nooru and Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum. With emergence of Rajinikanth as the hero, he continued to play villain and father roles in many films, notable being Murattu Kaalai and Thalapathi
. Years ago, Rajini was the villain in Gaayathri
which had Jaishankar as the hero.
In an era dominated by Sivaji Ganesan
and M. G. Ramachandran
, Jaishankar had his own loyal following. He had too much of competition from his peers. Very prolific during his heyday, he was at one point known as the Friday Hero, because a new film of his would debut almost every Friday. He is also remembered as a good Samaritan as he helped the needy without any publicity.
He stormed the celluloid citadel with action thrillers like CID Shankar (that gave him a James Bond image), Karunthel Kannairam, Nilgiri Express, Nil Gavani Kathali and melodramatic family films like Teacheramma, Kulama Gunama, Uyira Manama and Soodhattam; suspense thrillers like Mannipu, Akka Thangai, Yaar Nee; family dramas like Jeevanamsam, Sondhangal Vazhka, Bhavani and Paalaabhishekam; and comedy films like Aayiram Poi, Ponn Vandu, Bommalattum and Aathaiya Mamiya.
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 was the title of his debut film as well.
, Muthuraman
, Ravichandran
, Sivakumar
and Vijayakumar, Jaishankar has no children following him onto the marquee. His son Dr.Vijay shankar is a well known eye surgeon who also manages the Jai Shankar medical and charitable trust in Nungambakkam, Chennai.
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
in the 1970s.
Biography
Subramaniam Shankar, to give his original name, was born on 12 July 1938. His father being a judicial magistrate, he was a typical Brahmin of the bygone decades going to the famous PS High School and then The New College Chennai, where he did his Honours degree. Following the footsteps of his father he studied Law but gave it up after a year because of his interests in fine arts like theater.Bitten by the drama bug, he joined Cho's Viveka Fine Arts, which consisted mostly of Brahmins 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
Jaishankar is an unforgettable hero of the yesteryears. In the era dominated by Sivaji GanesanSivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
, M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
and Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
, he created his own niche by excellent portrayals of interesting characters. Popularly known as South Indian James Bond because of his roles as the investigative detective in Vallavan Oruvan and CID Shankar and Friday star because he invariably had a release every week, Jai as he was popularly called in the industry was a Bankable star. He was also adept at comedy and contemporary portrayals as seen in Pattanathil Bhootham, Noottrukku Nooru and Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum. With emergence of Rajinikanth as the hero, he continued to play villain and father roles in many films, notable being Murattu Kaalai and Thalapathi
Thalapathi
Thalapathi is a 1991 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Mani Ratnam, and produced by G. Venkateswaran under the banner of G. V. Films. The film stars Rajnikanth, Mammootty and Shobana in the lead roles with Arvind Swamy, Srividya, Amrish Puri, Bhanupriya, Nagesh, and Charuhasan essaying...
. Years ago, Rajini was the villain in Gaayathri
Gaayathri
Gaayathri is a Tamil film is directed by R.Pattabhiraman. It has Rajinikanth and Sridevi in the lead roles. Once again Rajini plays a cruel husband of Sridevi. Jaishankar plays a guest role in this movie. Singer Sujatha Mohan made her debut as a singer through this film at the age of 12...
which had Jaishankar as the hero.
In an era dominated by Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
and M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
, Jaishankar had his own loyal following. He had too much of competition from his peers. Very prolific during his heyday, he was at one point known as the Friday Hero, because a new film of his would debut almost every Friday. He is also remembered as a good Samaritan as he helped the needy without any publicity.
He stormed the celluloid citadel with action thrillers like CID Shankar (that gave him a James Bond image), Karunthel Kannairam, Nilgiri Express, Nil Gavani Kathali and melodramatic family films like Teacheramma, Kulama Gunama, Uyira Manama and Soodhattam; suspense thrillers like Mannipu, Akka Thangai, Yaar Nee; family dramas like Jeevanamsam, Sondhangal Vazhka, Bhavani and Paalaabhishekam; and comedy films like Aayiram Poi, Ponn Vandu, Bommalattum and Aathaiya Mamiya.
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 was the title of his debut film as well.
Family
Unlike his contemporaries Sivaji GanesanSivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
, Muthuraman
R. Muthuraman
R. Muthuraman was an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil language films. He was a leading actor during the 60's and 70's and was fondly called Navarasa Thilakam. He has paired with all the leading heroines of his time and acted in over a hundred films. Muthuraman's son Karthik Muthuraman is...
, Ravichandran
Ravichandran (Tamil actor)
Ravichandran was a Tamil film actor who played lead roles in Tamil movies of the 1960s and 1970s. He has also acted in supporting roles in some recent Tamil movies, and had also directed a number of films.- Life :...
, Sivakumar
Sivakumar
Sivakumar is a Tamil cinema actor who has portrayed a wide range of character roles onscreen. Sivakumar was introduced in the Tamil movie Kaakum karangal which was produced by AVM Productions....
and Vijayakumar, Jaishankar has no children following him onto the marquee. His son Dr.Vijay shankar is a well known eye surgeon who also manages the Jai Shankar medical and charitable trust in Nungambakkam, Chennai.
Medical Trust
Every year his son Dr.Vijay shankar conducts 15 free eye surgeries on his father’s birthday. 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.Death
Jaishankar died of heart attack on 3 June 2000, at the age of 62 in Chennai. He is survived by his wife and sons.Trivia
- On the Tamil TV show Koffee with AnuKoffee with AnuKoffee with Anu is a talk show, hosted by Kollywood actress Anu Hasan. It is the Tamil version of Koffee with Karan hosted by Karan Johar. It currently runs on STAR Vijay. This show was initially called Koffee with Suchi...
, Cho Ramaswamy described Jaishankar as a Paropakari for his generosity and helpful nature. Cho also admired Jaishankar for creating a star identity for himself during a time when Sivaji GanesanSivaji GanesanViluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
and M. G. RamachandranM. G. RamachandranMaruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
were popular stars in Tamil cinema. "He was a hero in his own right!", Cho remarked. - On the same show, Director T. S. B. K. Mouli mentioned that Jaishankar created a lot of new producers by helping lesser-known people in making films.
- Unlike his rivals, he never played negative characters. He voluntarily enacted negative roles, and continued to act in such roles stating that he enjoys such roles.
- When he acted as villain in Murattu Kalai, it was reported that Rajinikanth, bowed and touched his feet, respecting his seniority.
- He was the only actor after M. G. RamachandranM. G. RamachandranMaruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
and Sivaji GanesanSivaji GanesanViluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
to have a huge fan base in Tamil NaduTamil NaduTamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
till the late 70s.
Selected filmography
- Iravum pagalum
- Vallavan OruvanVallavan Oruvan-Plot:On an investigation regarding arson crimes, a C.I.D officer is shot dead. C.I.D Shankar is brought into investigation on the death of his colleague. He quickly unravels the mystery behind his colleague's death and the mastermind behind the incendiarism crimes...
- C.I.D. Shankar
- Vallavanuku Vallavan
- Yaar Nee
- Thunivey Thunai
- Kizakkum Merkkum Santhikkindrana
- Unakkum Enakkum
- Neelagiri Express
- Vandikkaran Magan
- Jambu
- Jeevanaamsam
- Ponvandu
- Veettukku Veedu
- Vairam
- Paayum PuliPaayum Puli-Plot:When a smuggler kills his sister, a mentally impaired man vows to deliver justice and joins a martial arts school. He trains hard there to become a master fighter, honing his fighting skills. Taking on a new identity, Paayum Puli , he sets off for revenge, but a beautiful woman soon puts a...
- Murattu KaalaiMurattu KaalaiMurattu Kaalai may refer to:* Murattu Kaalai , a Tamil-language film directed by S.P.Muthuraman* Murattu Kaalai , a Tamil-language film directed by Selvabharathy...
- ThalapathiThalapathiThalapathi is a 1991 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Mani Ratnam, and produced by G. Venkateswaran under the banner of G. V. Films. The film stars Rajnikanth, Mammootty and Shobana in the lead roles with Arvind Swamy, Srividya, Amrish Puri, Bhanupriya, Nagesh, and Charuhasan essaying...
- Apoorva Sagodharargal
- Kuzanthaiyum Deivamum
- Poova Thalaiya
- Iru Vallavargal
- Pattanathil BhoothamPattanathil BhoothamPattanathil Bhootham is a Tamil film directed by M.V. Raman, shot in Eastman Colour released in 1967.-Plot:Pattanathil Bhootham is a straightforward adaptation of The Brass Bottle 1964 with a romantic comedy twist, written by 'Javart' Sitaraman....
- Idhayam Paarkiradhu (100th film)
- Kulama Gunama
- Mannippu
- Amman Arul
- Akka Thangai
- Naam moovar
- Kannan Varuvan
- Marumagal
- Vaazhkai
- Vaazhvey Maayam
- Bhavani
- Bommalaattam
- Aayiram poi
- Pandhattam
- Padikkadhavan
- Uyira manama
- Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi
- Ore Thayin Sapatham
- Maanavan
- Thudikkum Karangal
- Kaliyuga Kannan
- Ini Ellam Sugamae
- Anbalippu
- Panchavarna kili
- Muthuchippi
- Athaya Maamiya
- Jakkamma
- ArunachalamArunachalamArunachalam is a 1997 Tamil language film starring Rajinikanth.-Plot:Rajnikanth finds himself to be an orphan. He travels from his village to Madras. There he meets Janakaraj, who gives him a job. By some magical situation, Rajni discovers himself to be a son of a dead millionaire—through Visu....
- Kalamellam Kaathiruppen
- Vayaadi
- Soodhattam
- Nangu killadigal
- Akarai pattachai
- Kanga
- Ner vazhi