Heera Rajagopal

(Redirected from Heera Rajgopal)

Heera Rajagopal is a former Indian actress who has appeared in a number of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi language films.

Heera Rajagopal
Born
India
Occupation(s)Actress, philanthropist
Years active1991–1999

Career

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As a military brat, Heera shifted to schools across different states in India every few years.[1] She later pursued a degree in psychology at Women's Christian College, Chennai.[2] During her time in college, Heera was approached to model for print magazines and she took on the opportunities for financial independence. She also briefly worked as an encyclopaedia-seller, a hotel worker and a model coordinator in her days as a student. Heera was initially not keen for a career in films and turned down initial approaches for roles by film directors. She first received a film offer on a family holiday at Gulmarg in Kashmir, where a producer had approached her to play the body double for Tina Munim. She also later rejected an offer from filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who had attended one of her modelling assignments.[3]

In 1991, soon after finishing college, Heera accepted to play the lead female role in Kathir's Tamil romantic drama film Idhayam.[3][4] Despite her initial apprehensions, she was convinced by film producer T. G. Thyagarajan to become an actress, and she obliged, crediting the professional approach and continued determination of the film's team to sign her on.[5] She portrayed a medical student, who does not notice her classmate's love for her, throughout the entire film. The film performed well at the box office, and has since been discussed as a "cult film" in Tamil cinema.[6] Heera's second film Nee Pathi Naan Pathi (1991), was directed by Vasanth and produced by Kavithalayaa Productions.[7] She then starred in four films opposite actor Sarathkumar in quick succession, before playing a single mother in Sabash Babu (1993), written by T. Rajender.[8]

Heera was cast by Mani Ratnam in his caper film Thiruda Thiruda (1993), and portrayed a rural belle who becomes a thief on the run, alongside actors Prashanth and Anand. A critic from The New Indian Express wrote there was "a drastic change of image from her hitherto sophisticated roles" and that she enacts it "so successfully".[8] She later debuted in Bollywood through Raj Sippy's Amaanat (1994) co-starring Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar. The film had a delayed release, after being impacted by Dutt's criminal litigation process.[9]

In the mid-1990s, Heera continued to act in high-profile Tamil productions, though often as one of several female lead actresses. She notably appeared in Balu Mahendra's comedy drama Sathi Leelavathi (1995), alongside an ensemble cast including Kamal Haasan, Ramesh Aravind and Raja. She portrayed a corporate manager in Agathiyan's Kadhal Kottai (1996), co-starring Ajith Kumar and Devayani. The film performed well at the box office, and went on to win several National Film Awards. She later featured in a supporting role opposite Kamal Haasan in K. S. Ravikumar's comedy drama Avvai Shanmugi (1996).

Heera opted to quit the film industry in late 1999 citing she did not want to "succumb to the inevitable pressures" to play roles that did not appeal to her intellect sensibilities.[10]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Language Notes
1984 Aparadhi Telugu Debut
1986 Poojaku Panikiraani Puvvu Telugu
1991 Idhayam Geetha Tamil Debut
Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Madhu Tamil
1992 Public Rowdy Telugu
Endrum Anbudan Kamali Tamil
1993 Dasarathan Tamil
Munarivippu Padma Tamil
Band Master Gita Tamil
Sabash Babu Lalitha Tamil
Thiruda Thiruda Rajathi Tamil
Apoorva Jodi Kannada Debut
1994 Namma Annachi Priya Tamil
Thaatboot Thanjavoor Tamil
Dongala Rajyam Telugu
Amaanat Gita Hindi Debut
The Gentleman Hindi
1995 Sathi Leelavathi Priya Tamil
Nirnayam Annie Malayalam Debut
Minnaminuginum Minnukettu Pinky Menon Malayalam
Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary Indu Malayalam
1996 Little Soldiers Anitha Telugu
Sri Karam Telugu
Krishna Tara Tamil
Kadhal Kottai Neha Tamil
Mr. Bechara Asha Varma Hindi
Aur Ek Prem Kahani Kokila Hindi
Avvai Shanmugi Ratna Tamil
1997 Aahvaanam Sireesha Telugu
Kalavida Prema Kannada
Chelikadu Telugu
1998 Aavida Maa Aavide Jhansi Telugu
Sundara Pandian Ramya Tamil
Poothiruvathira Ravil Aswathy Malayalam
Yaare Neenu Cheluve Diana Kannada
Padutha Theeyaga Uma Telugu
Anthahpuram Dancer Telugu Special appearance in a song
Yuvaratna Rana Telugu
Pooveli Shalini Tamil
1999 Thodarum Meera Tamil
Peddamanushulu Bhanumathi Telugu
Alludugaaru Vachcharu Shalini Telugu
Suyamvaram Indiran's girlfriend Tamil

References

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  1. ^ "Biography | HeeraRajagopal.com". 25 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Biography | HeeraRajagopal.com". 25 February 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Films | HeeraRajagopal.com". heerarajagopal.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ Rajitha (16 August 1999). "Pretty piqued". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Actress Heera Rajagopal - Old Interview". 22 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Idhayam | 150 All-Time Best Cult Tamil Films by Behindwoods | Part 01". Behindwoods. 12 April 2018.
  7. ^ Krishnasamy, N. (13 September 1991). "Nee Paadhi Naan Paadhi". The Indian Express. p. 7.
  8. ^ a b Mannath, Malini (19 November 1993). "Project son!". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  9. ^ Kumar, K. Naresh (1995). Indian cinema: ebbs and tides. Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 9788124103449. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Films | HeeraRajagopal.com". heerarajagopal.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.