Girija (born 18 September 1985),[1] known by her screen name Shruti, is an Indian actress, television personality and politician. She is Winner of Biggboss Kannada Season 3, as an actress, she predominantly appears in Kannada film industry. She is currently serving as chief secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing in its Karnataka cadre.

Shruti
Shruti in 2011
Chairperson, Karnataka Women’s Development Corporation
In office
2008 – June 2009
Succeeded byD. S. Aswath
Chairperson, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation
In office
January 2020 – July 2021
Personal details
Born
Girija

(1975-09-18) 18 September 1975 (age 48)
Hassan, Karnataka, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
(2008–13, 2014–present)
Other political
affiliations
Karnataka Janata Paksha
(2013–14)
Spouses
(m. 1998; div. 2009)
(m. 2013; div. 2014)
RelativesSharan (brother)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • politician

In addition to Kannada, Shruti has appeared in a handful of Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam films. She was among the leading actresses in Kannada cinema during the 1990s and has won three Karnataka State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards South in her career spanning over 25 years. She is known for performance in films such as Gauri Ganesha (1991), Aagatha (1995), Kalki (1996), Gowdru (2004), Akka Thangi (2008) and Puttakkana Highway (2011). She is sister of actor Sharan. In 2016, she won the third season of the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada.[2]

Shruti joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2008. She was made the chairperson of the Karnataka Women and Child Development Corporation before being removed in 2009. In 2013, she joined the Karnataka Janata Paksha which eventually merged in 2014 with BJP. Shruti, over the years has been considered one of the prolific actresses of Kannada cinema and a household name with her regular appearances as a judge for reality shows and films.

Early life edit

Born in a Kannada speaking family in Karnataka, Shruti's birth name is Girija. She was credited as Priyadarshini in her first Kannada movie Aasegobba Meesegobba. She was named Shruti by the actor-director Dwarakish who introduced her in a leading role for his film Shruthi in 1990.

Career edit

Shruthi was in Puttur in her early ages of life. Shruti started her cinema career in Malayalam film Swantham ennu karuthi. Kannada movie Aasegobba Meesegobba as Shivarajkumar's sister role. Later in the year 1990, she acted as heroine in the movie Shruthi directed and produced by Dwarakish. This movie was successful completing 25 weeks. Some of her popular and successful Kannada movies include Shruti, Taayi Illada Tavaru, Veerappa Nayaka, Gauri Ganesha, Bombat Hendthi, Muddina Maava, Mr. Mahesh Kumar and Midida Hrudayagalu. At the peak of her career Shruti was stereotyped for tear jerking roles.

She won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for Aagatha (1995) directed by Suresh Heblikar. In a career spanning three decades, she has acted with all the leading Kannada heroes of her time - Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Tiger Prabhakar, Shiva Rajkumar, Shashikumar, Ramesh Aravind, Jaggesh, Devaraj, Sunil, Abhijeeth and Ram Kumar. Navashakthi Vaibhava (2008) was Shruti's 100th film (filmed in 2003).[3][4] Gowdru turned out to be her 100th release in which she played the sister of the character played by Ambareesh.[5]

She made her debut in Telugu with Parugo Parugu opposite Rajendra Prasad and went on to act with him in a few more. Her Tamil film Kalki (1996) directed by the ace director K. Balachander won her the Filmfare Award and also the Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Actress.

Shruti made her small screen debut in the Malayalam serial Sthreethvam aired on Surya TV during 2005. Also, her Tamil daily serial, Karthigai Pengal aired on Sun TV from July 2012. Shruti was a contestant in the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada 3, winning the season, in January 2016.[6] In 2017, she appeared as a judge in the comedy television series Majaa Bharatha.[7]

In Vidhi (Article) 370, set in the backdrop of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, her first release of 2023, Shruti played Preethi, the wife of an army officer who needs a heart transplant.[8] In Veeram, she played Saraswathi, the protective sister of the protagonist played by Prajwal Devaraj. The reviewer for Cinema Express wrote: "Shruti's role brings that emotional connection among siblings and all the sentiment is brought through her."[9]

Personal life edit

Shruti was married to film director S. Mahendar for 11 years and they divorced in 2009.[10] Post her divorce she was linked with Chakravarthy Chandrachud, a journalist-turned-director. They got married in June 2013 and divorced a year later.[11]

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Language Notes
1989 Swantham Ennu Karuthi Malayalam
1990 Nambidre Nambi Bitre Bidi Kannada Credited as Priyadarshini
Aasegobba Meesegobba Radha Kannada
Shruthi Shruthi Kannada
1991 Gauri Ganesha Gowri Kannada
Nagu Nagutha Nali Kannada
Punda Prachanda Kannada
C. B. I. Shiva Shruthi Kannada
1992 Sindhoora Thilaka Kannada
Bombat Hendthi Kannada
Chitralekha Kannada
Edurmaneli Ganda Pakkadmaneli Hendthi Jayakumari Kannada
Shambhavi Kannada
Thevar Veettu Ponnu Saroja Tamil
Pellaniki Premalekha Priyuraliki Subhalekha Keerthi Telugu
Ksheera Sagara Chandra Kannada
1993 Abhijith Kannada
Kaadambari Kannada
Alimayya Lakshmi Kannada
Dakshayini Kannada
Sri Durga Pooje Kannada
Mouna Sangrama Kannada
Ranjitha Kannada
Kempaiah IPS Kannada
Rupaayi Raja Kannada
Midida Hrudayagalu Kaveri Kannada
Muddina Maava Lakshmi Kannada
Amruta Sindhu Kannada
1994 Rashmi Rashmi Kannada
Parugo Parugu Saroja Telugu
Rasika Rukmini Kannada
Jaana Lakshmi Kannada
Vijaya Kankana Vijaya Kannada
Sammilana Kannada
Bhuvaneshwari Kannada
Mr. Mahesh Kumar Kannada
Hettha Karulu Kannada Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
Time Bomb Maala Kannada
1995 Thumbida Mane Kaveri Kannada
Maangalya Sakshi Kannada
Kalyanotsava Kannada
Mojugara Sogasugara Shantha Kannada
Shubha Lagna Kannada
Urvashi Kannada
Satya Jwale Kannada
Taayi Illada Tavaru Kannada
Aagatha Usha Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
1996 Karpoorada Gombe Seetha Kannada
Thavarina Thottilu Kannada
Geluvina Saradara Kannada
Sthree Heera Kannada
Sowbhagya Devathe Kannada
Minugu Thare Kannada
Thayi Kotta Seere Kannada
Kalki Kalki Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
1997 Oral Mathram Devika Menon Malayalam
Taaliya Sowbhagya Kannada
Shruthi Hakida Hejje Kannada
Baalina Daari Kannada
Kodagina Kaveri Kaveri Kannada
Thavarina Theru Kannada
1998 Bhama Satyabhama Bhama Kannada
Marthanda Kannada
Nammura Huduga Kannada
Kottaram Veettile Apputtan Ambili Malayalam
Goonda Mattu Police Kannada
Jagadeeshwari Kannada
Tavarina Kanike Kannada
1999 Annan Thangachi Sarasu Tamil
Veerappa Nayaka Kannada
Durga Shakthi Kannada
2000 Soorappa Lakshmi Kannada
Kadlimatti Station Master Kashibai Kannada
Mahathma Kannada
Swalpa Adjust Madkolli Kannada
2001 Amma Ninna Tholinalli Kannada
Gattimela Girija Kannada Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
Jenu Goodu Kannada
Mahalakshmi Kannada [citation needed]
Ellara Mane Dosenu Kannada
2002 Annayya Thammayya Kannada
Mutthu Gowri Kannada [12]
Manase O Manase Kannada [citation needed]
2004 C. I. Mahadevan 5 Adi 4 Inchu Dr. Lakshmi Malayalam
Hendthi Andre Hendthi Kannada
Gowdru Gowri Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada
2005 Rama Shama Bhama Shanti Kannada Vatika Chalana Chitra Award for Best Comedian
Nominated—Udaya film Award for Best Comedian
Nominated—Udaya Film Award Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada
Pandu Ranga Vittala Kannada
2006 Sirivantha Lakshmi Kannada
Hendathi Kattida Thali Kannada Delayed release
2008 Navashakti Vaibhava Saubhagya Kannada
Avva Aane Baddi Rangavva Kannada
Nandadeepa Kannada
Akka Thangi Nagi Kannada
2011 Sri Naga Shakthi Kannada
Take It Easy Kannada
Puttakkana Highway Puttakka Kannada Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada
Nominated—TV9 Film Award for Best Supporting Actress - Kannada
Nominated—Innovative Award for Best Supporting Actress - Kannada
Nominated—Sandalwood Star Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Udaya Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Suvarna Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress
Aidondla Aidu Kannada
2012 Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri Kannada
Rambo Vijayalakshmi Kannada
Kalpana Janaki Kannada Nominated—Sandalwood Star Award for Best Comedian
Nominated—Udaya Film Award for Best Comedian
Nominated—Suvarna Film Award for Best Comedian
Nominated—Udaya Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Suvarna Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
2013 Gombegala Love Kannada Karnataka Vanijya Mandali Award for Best Supporting Actress
Bachchan Lakshmi Kannada
2015 Ond Chance Kodi Tavare Kannada
2016 Shivayogi Sri Puttayyajja Kannada
1944 Girija Kannada
Home Stay Kannada
2017 Marali Manege Kannada
Dandupalya 2 Abhivyakthi Kannada
College Kumar Girija Kannada
2018 Dandupalya 3 Abhivyakthi Kannada
2020 ACT 1978 Kanika Mehta Kannada
2021 Mohandas Putlibai Kannada
Rathnan Prapancha Yellavva Kannada
Bhajarangi 2 Alamelamma Kannada
2023 Vidhi (Article) 370 Preethi Kannada
Veeram Saraswathi Kannada
Tatsama Tadbhava Suman Kannada
13 Part-1 Saira Kannada
2023 Kaatera[13] kumari kananda

Television edit

  • All shows are in Kannada, unless otherwise noted.
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2005 Sthreetvam Malayalam series
2012–2013 Karthigai Pengal Charu Tamil series [14]
2015 Super Minute Contestant
2015–2016 Bigg Boss Kannada (season 3) Contestant Winner
2017 Majaa Bharatha Judge [15]
2017 Weekend with Ramesh Herself [16]
2017 Sathya Kathe Herself [17]
2020 Majaa Talkies Guest [18]
Mareyalare
Hejje Guruthu
2022–2023 Gicchi GiliGili Judge [19]
2023 Bigg Boss Kannada (season 10) Guest

References edit

  1. ^ "Bangalore: Shruti Prefers 'Chandra' over 'Indra' - Marries Childhood Friend". daijiworld.com. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Actress Shruthi wins Bigg Boss Kannada season 3". Daily News and Analysis. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Shruthi's 100th film". Deccan Herald. 16 November 2003. Archived from the original on 3 March 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Navashakthi Vaibhava". Sify. Archived from the original on 6 December 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. ^ Deepak, S. N. (18 July 2004). "Gowdru". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 25 August 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Shruthi wins Bigg Boss!". The Times of India. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Shruthi, Narayan turns judge for Majaa Bharatha". The Times of India. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  8. ^ Reddy, Y. Maheswara (27 February 2023). "Vidhi (Article) 370 Movie Review: Too happening, but nothing happens". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  9. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (10 April 2023). "Veeram Movie Review: This run-of-the-mill actioner brings back Prajwal Devaraj in a mass avatar". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Actress Shruthi applies for divorce". indiaglitz. 6 May 2009. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  11. ^ "Kannada star Shruthi marries at Kollur Temple". Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  12. ^ Moviebiz. "Review: Muthu". Sify. Archived from the original on 11 January 2005. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  13. ^ Sharadhaa, A (29 December 2023). "'Kaatera' movie review: Darshan wields his finest weapon yet". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Shruthi moves to TamilTV". supergoodmovies.com. 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Shruthi, Narayan turns judge for Majaa Bharatha". The Times of India. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  16. ^ "ಸಾಧಕರ ಸೀಟ್ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೂತ ನಟಿ ಶ್ರುತಿ: ಮತ್ತೆ ಭುಗಿಲೆದ್ದ ವೀಕ್ಷಕರ ಆಕ್ರೋಶ.!". Filmibeat (in Kannada). 16 June 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Shruti to host new show Sathya Kathe". The Times of India. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Yesteryears stars Sudha Rani and Shruthi to feature in Majaa Talkies". The Times of India. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Gicchi Gili Gili: Contestants gear up for the grand finale". The Times of India. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.

External links edit

Preceded by Bigg Boss Kannada Winner
(Series 3) 2015
Succeeded by
Pratham (2016)