Rajnikanth's co-star escaped marital abuse, became a makeup artiste, and later, a celebrated star in South, passed away at just 35

She was the face of unabashed and unapologetic sensuality in the ‘80s and ‘90s in South cinema. Hailing from a small village in Andhra Pradesh, Vijayalakshmi, aka Silk Smitha, escaped from an abusive marriage and began her career as a makeup artiste. She soon transitioned into small character roles before making a name for herself as one of the silver screen’s most desired bombshells.

A Struggling Childhood Marked by Hardship

Born as Vadlapati Vijayalakshmi in Kovvali village, she grew up in a household crippled by poverty. Her family’s dire financial state forced her to drop out of school when she was barely ten, ending her education in Class 4. As a child, she supported her mother with domestic chores while her parents arranged her marriage to a man significantly older than her when she was just fourteen. Unaware of the arrangement beforehand, she entered a household where she reportedly endured mistreatment from both her husband and his family. After spending two distressing years in that environment, she gathered the courage to leave the marriage and start afresh.

From Makeup Assistant to Aspiring Actress

Her entry into cinema began modestly when she assisted actress Aparna with touch-ups. Not long after, she started receiving tiny acting parts. As per several accounts, her real discovery happened in Chennai, near a flour mill close to AVM Studio, where Tamil director Vinu Chakravarthy spotted her. He happened to be present with his wife, Karna Poo, and instantly recognised something striking in her appearance and screen potential. Taking her under his guidance, he arranged for her to undergo grooming in acting, dance, posture, and social behavior—training that would transform her life.

Her Early Work and a Delayed Debut

Once she completed her training, she secured her first major opportunity with Malayalam filmmaker Antony Eastman’s project Inaye Thedi. Although this movie was shot first, it reached theatres only after several of her other Malayalam films had already been released. Early appearances in films like Pushyaraagam, Saraswatheeyaamam, and Karimbana earned her visibility, but she continued to be overshadowed by popular stars of the time.

The Film That Created a Phenomenon

Everything changed with the Tamil movie Vandichakkaram in 1980. This film not only made her presence impossible to ignore but also gave rise to the name that became her identity—Silk Smitha. She portrayed a glamorous antagonist named Silk with such striking impact that the character’s name permanently fused with her public persona. While the lead roles featured Sivakumar and Saritha, her powerful screen presence ensured she emerged unforgettable.

Dominating the Southern Film Industry

Over time, she acted in a vast array of Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and even Hindi films. Her sensuous screen persona, bold dance performances, and memorable appearances—especially in movies like Moondru Mugam—elevated her to the status of South cinema’s ultimate glamour symbol. Her dance sequences in films such as Amaran and the Kannada hit Halli Meshtru also became major commercial attractions.

Her performance opposite Rajinikanth in Moondru Mugam further cemented her widespread fame. Although her career centred mainly on sensual portrayals, she occasionally displayed her dramatic abilities in roles such as in Alaigal Oivathillai. Her most artistically respected appearance remains in Moondram Pirai, directed by Balu Mahendra — a film later recreated in Hindi as Sadma with the core cast reprising their parts.

An Icon Who Could Revive Films

According to a Rediff feature, numerous productions struggled to secure a release until she agreed to perform a song. Her presence had the power to rescue stalled projects, many of which went on to complete extended theatre runs after her scenes were added. At her peak, she reportedly charged around fifty thousand rupees for each dance number—a substantial figure during that period.

Decline, Betrayal, and Final Days

By the 1990s, her career faced setbacks, and personal challenges began to multiply. As reported by The Economic Times, she lost her entire savings — estimated at over four crore rupees—after being persuaded by her partner to invest in three films, all of which flopped disastrously, leaving her financially devastated.

On September 23, 1996, she was discovered lifeless in her home. She was just 35. Though her passing was officially termed a suicide, the circumstances continue to be shrouded in uncertainty.

A Legacy Immortalised in Cinema

Her extraordinary journey, marked by exhilarating success and painful collapse, later inspired the 2011 film The Dirty Picture, directed by Milan Luthria. Vidya Balan played the central role, and the movie became a massive box-office triumph, collecting over one hundred and seventeen crore rupees.