Pavitra Lokesh is an Indian film and television actress.[1] She appears primarily in Kannada and Telugu films playing supporting roles. The daughter of stage and film actor Mysore Lokesh, she made her film debut at the age of 16 and has since appeared in over 150 Kannada films. At 5 feet 10 inches she was the tallest actress at that time, but managing to do several noteworthy roles even acting alongside shorter leading men.[2] For her performance in the Kannada film Naayi Neralu (2006), she was awarded the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress.[3] Her husband Naresh is also an actor.[4]
Pavitra Lokesh | |
---|---|
Born | Mysore, Karnataka, India |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1994–present |
Spouse | |
Partner | Suchendra Prasad (2007–2018) |
Father | Mysore Lokesh |
Relatives | Adi Lokesh (brother) |
Personal life
editPavitra was born in Mysore. Her father, Mysore Lokesh, was an actor and her mother, a teacher. She has a younger brother, Adi Lokesh. Her father died when Pavitra was in Class nine. Upon securing 80 per cent in her matriculation examination, she aspired to become a civil servant. However, following her father's death, she decided to help her mother who she said was "overburdened with family responsibilities".[5] Initially reluctant to follow her father's footsteps towards a career in acting, she completed her bachelor's degree in commerce from SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Mysore, and appeared for the Civil Services Examination. After failing to clear the examination in her first attempt, she took to acting before moving to Bangalore.[6]
Pavitra got divorced from her first husband who was a software engineer. She was later in a live-in-relationship with actor Suchendra Prasad[7] before they separated in 2018. It was reported that she had started dating Telugu actor Naresh. They both worked in the film Malli Pelli.[8] The two married in 2023.[9]
Career
editFilms
editPavitra took to acting in 1994 on the advice of actor Ambareesh. She made her debut in Mister Abhishek (1995) that saw the latter play the lead role. In the same year, she appeared in Bangarada Kalasha. Having not gained recognition from these films, Pavitra completed her graduation and began working for a human resource consulting company. During the time, T. S. Nagabharana offered her a role in his film Janumada Jodi that released in 1996. Speaking about this phase in a 2006 interview with The Hindu, she said, "I never felt comfortable. I felt lonely. But when Nagabharana insisted, I had to take a decision. I resolved to make films my career - no preparation. The only reason to take a plunge was my circumstances. It has been tough to keep it going without a godfather or a guide. So I just accepted every film that came my way." Not being offered lead roles due to her height, she continued playing supporting roles. In the comedy Ulta Palta (1997), she played a vamp.[5]
Pavitra received critical acclaim for her performance in Girish Kasaravalli's period drama Naayi Neralu (2006), a film based on S. L. Bhyrappa's novel of the same name. Impressed by her performance in the television soap Guptagamini, Kasaravalli cast her as a widowed Venkatalakshmi, daughter-in-law and mother of two other characters; the film revolving around these three characters living under one roof, and projecting their own perspectives exposing generation gap in a conflict-ridden society.[10] Her portrayal of a woman caught between tradition and desire won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress.
Television
editIn Nagabharana's television soap Jeevanmukhi, she was cast as a middle-aged widow, a role that was received well. She received recognition for her role in the soap Guptagamini that was aired in the early 2000s. "She played a wife, a mother and a sister caught in the web of human emotions".[11] During the time, she also appeared in other soaps such as Gelathi, Neethi Chakra, Dharitri, Punarjanma and Eshwari.[6][12]
Partial filmography
editKannada
edit- Mister Abhishek (1995)...Gayatri
- Bangarada Kalasha (1995)
- Janumada Jodi (1996)
- Ulta Palta (1997)
- Tavarina Theru (1997)
- Mavana Magalu (1997)
- Kurubana Rani (1998)
- Jagath Kiladi (1998)
- Yajamana (2000)
- Amma (2001)
- Huchcha (2001)
- Mussanje (2001)
- Namma Samsara Ananda Sagara (2001)
- Shivappa Nayaka (2001)
- Naanu Naane (2002)
- Makeup (2002)
- Border (2003)
- Raja Narasimha (2003)
- Ondagona Baa (2003)
- Bala Shiva (2003)
- Ree Swalpa Bartheera (2003)
- Namma Preethiya Ramu (2003)
- Excuse Me (2003)
- Vijayasimha (2003)
- Swathi Muthu (2003)
- Malla (2004)
- Monda (2004)
- Nija (2004)
- Love (2004)
- Rakshasa (2005)
- Aakash (2005)
- Gowramma (2005)
- Shubham (2006)
- Pandavaru (2006)
- Student (2006)
- Naayi Neralu (2006)...Venkatalakshmi
- Ee Rajeev Gandhi Alla (2007)
- Ee Preethi Onthara (2007)
- Masti (2007)
- Manasugula Mathu Madhura (2008)
- Satya in Love (2008)
- Mr. Garagasa (2008)
- Moggina Jade (2008)
- Mandakini (2008)
- Savaari (2009)
- Hatrick Hodi Maga (2009)...Durgi
- Anishchitha (2010)
- Hoo (2010)...Doctor Pavithra
- Holi (2010)
- Kanasemba Kudureyaneri (2010)
- Kalgejje (2011)
- Hori (2011)
- Dudde Doddappa (2011)
- Aata (2011)
- Bete (2011)
- Prarthane (2012)...Shanti
- Gandhi Smiles (2012)
- Barfi (2013)
- Sneha Yathre (2013)
- Gharshane (2014)
- Rose (2014)
- Bahaddur (2014)
- Neenade Naa (2014)
- Chirayu (2014)
- Endendigu (2015)
- Lodde (2015)
- Dove (2015)
- Ganga (2015)...Ganga's sister
- Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi (2016)
- Kurukshetra (2019)...Subhadra
- Apoorva (2016)
- Dia (2020)...Dr. Lakshmi, Adi's mother
- Pogaru (2021)...Shiva's mother
- Mr. Bachelor (2023)
- Siren (2023)
- Sapta Saagaradaache Ello – Side A (2023)...Priya's mother
Telugu
edit- Dongodu (2003)
- Aalayam (2008)
- Fitting Master (2009) Meghana's mother
- Prasthanam (2010) as Mitra's mother
- Baava (2010) as Veerababu's mother
- Orange (2010) as Jaanu's mother
- Shakti (2011) as Aishwarya's mother
- Gouravam (2013)
- Race Gurram (2014) as Ram and Lucky's mother
- Rough (2014) as Chandu's Mother
- Current Theega (2014) as Parvati
- Lakshmi Raave Maa Intiki (2014)
- Pataas (2015) as Kalyan's mother
- Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015) as Parvati
- Temper (2015) as Lakshmi's mother
- Tungabhadra (2015) as Gowri's mother
- Yevade Subramanyam (2015) as Rishi's mother
- S/O Satyamurthy (2015) as Sharadha Satyamurthy
- Bengal Tiger (2015)
- Pandaga Chesko (2015) as Karthik's mother
- Bruce Lee - The Fighter (2015) as Karthik's mother
- Loafer (2015) as Mouni's mother
- Krishnashtami (2016)
- Dictator (2016) as Rajashekar's wife
- Speedunnodu (2016) as Lakshmi
- Katamarayudu (2017) as Pavitra
- Duvvada Jagannadham (2017) as DJ's mother
- Jai Lava Kusa (2017) as Jai, Lava, Kusa's mother
- Raja The Great (2017) as Gayatri
- MCA (Middle Class Abbayi) (2017) as Warangal Siva's mother
- Agnyaathavaasi (2018) as Kumari
- Jai Simha (2018) as Vasantha
- Sammohanam (2018) as Vijay's mother
- Pantham (2018) as Durgadevi Surana
- Tej I Love You (2018) as Tej's aunt
- Saakshyam (2018) as Viswa's adopted mother
- Happy Wedding (2018) as Anand's mother
- Mr. Majnu (2019) as Vicky's aunt
- Chitralahari (2019) as Swetcha's mother
- Evaru (2019) as Adarsh Varma's mother
- Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019) as Neelamma
- Choosi Choodangaane (2020) as Siddu's mother
- Entha Manchivaadavuraa (2020) as Gayatri
- Ashwathama (2020) as Gana and Priya's mother
- Red (2021) as Journalist
- Ardha Shathabdham (2021) as Lakshmi
- Dear Megha (2021) as Aadi's mother
- Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022) as Mahi's mother
- Ante Sundaraniki (2022) as Doctor
- Ramarao on Duty (2022) as Mahalakshmi
- Dhamaka (2022) as Devaki Chakravarthy
- Kalyanam Kamaneeyam (2023) as Shruti’s mother
- Malli Pelli (2023) as Parvathy
- The Great Indian Suicide (2023)
Tamil
editYear | Film | Role |
---|---|---|
2013 | Gouravam | Pasupathy's wife |
2019 | Ayogya | Sandhya and Bhavani's mother |
2022 | Koogle Kuttappa | Pavithra |
Veetla Vishesham | Sowmya's mother |
Television
editAwards and nominations
editFilm | Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Naayi Neralu | 2005–06 | Karnataka State Film Awards | Best Actress | Won | [citation needed] |
Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju | 2015 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actress – Telugu | Nominated | [14] |
2015 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Supporting Actress - Telugu | Nominated | [14] |
References
edit- ^ Rao, Geetha (25 February 2007). "If I go back to zero, I can start all over again". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (17 June 2012). "An eventful career". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "'Naayi Neralu' best film; Shivrajkumar best actor". The Hindu. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "Telugu actor Naresh gets married to Pavithra Lokesh". The Indian Express. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ a b Ganesh, K. R. (29 September 2006). "Into the light". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ a b Srinivasa, Srikanth (25 July 2004). "Donning a new garb". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "True To Their Roles". Bangalore Mirror. 30 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ "Mahesh Babu's brother Naresh gets assaulted by his estranged wife Ramya at his apartment". TimesNow. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ ""We Can, But…": Naresh Opens Up About Having A Kid With Wife Pavitra Lokesh". News18. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ Warrier, Shobha (27 March 2006). "The fascination with Bollywood is momentary". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ Srinivasa, Srikanth (14 January 2007). "Pavithra says..." Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- ^ Srinnivasa, Srikanth (4 July 2004). "Eshwari scales popularity charts". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- ^ "'Punnaga's lead characters Anirudh and Punnaga all set to tie the knot in tonight's episode". The Times of India. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Nominations for the 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South)". Filmfare. 7 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2017.