Not Kapoors or Khans: This film family has a huge legacy, 7 actresses, 1 director,1 cameraman, vanished from cinema now, they are...
Not Kapoors or Khans: This film family has a huge legacy, 7 actresses, 1 director,1 cameraman, vanished from cinema now, they are...
In the glittering world of Indian cinema, it is often seen that last names hold paramount importance. Whether it's opening a new door of opportunities for the upcoming generation or just bearing the fruits of the ongoing legacy. From the Kapoors, Khans to the Deols of Bollywood, it is often witnessed that film families are widely celebrated and hailed not just for their talent but their ongoing heritage. In this industry, Surname is not merely the last name, it's a brand, a symbol of royalty, a generation carries.
But besides the famous and mainstream film dynasties, there is another family that might not be in the spotlight as much but is equally powerful. This family once ruled the Tamil industry and has not just one or two but nine family members who are part of the Indian cinema, each of them being equally talented and remarkable on the silver screen. The family we are talking about is that of the actress TR Rajkumari, who is called the first dream girl of Tamil cinema
The legacy of this cinematic family began centuries ago but has vanished gracefully from the limelight over the years. The family consists of seven actresses, one director, and one cameraman.
Speaking of the roots of the family, it started with her grandmother, Kuzhalambal, who was a celebrated singer from Karnataka. She had seven children who went on to overpower the Tamil silver screen. SPL
Dhanalakshmi is the first one to venture into acting and make a remarkable name for herself. She was an impeccable classical dance performer who caught the attention of film producer Manickam and was cast as the lead actress in National Movie Tone in 1935.
Following in her footsteps, Dhanlakshmi's sister Tamyanati and then TR Rajkumari also stepped into the film industry. Rajkumari soon became a household name with her great work and was marked as the first dream girl of Tamil cinema. Taking the legacy forward, Rajkumari's daughter-in-law, Kusalakumari, also ventured into acting and stole the hearts of millions in the 1970s.
Later, Dhanalakshmi's daughters, Jayamalini and Jyothi Lakshmi, also entered Tamil cinema and did over 800 films, making an unforgettable contribution to Tamil cinema. Jayamalini's father was a renowned cameraman.
TR Ramanna of this family was a filmmaker from the same lineage, who cast both superstars MGR and Shivaji together in a film.
Lastly, the black sheep of the family was Jothi Meena, who was the daughter of Jyothi Lakshmi, who left the cinema world after marrying a doctor and led a private life.
While none of the family members are active in the cinema world, at one point, all of them dominated the silver screen. Their contribution to cinema remains unmatched, and their legacy will forever be remembered.
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