Chitra Kamaraj (2 May 1992 – 9 December 2020), better known as V. J. Chitra, was an Indian television actress and anchor.[1] She rose to fame with her role in the Tamil soap opera Pandian Stores, and made her film acting debut in Calls (2021). She is known well for her appearance in shows such as Vilayadu Vaagai Soodu (2012), Sattam Solvathu Enna? (2013), Saravanan Meenatchi (season 2) (2013–16), Nodiku Nodi Athiradi (2014), Oor Suthalaam Vaanga (2014), Mannan Magal (2014), En Samayal Araiyil (2014), Ossthi Comedy Kusthi (2014), Ring O Ring (2014), Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2014–18), Darling Darling (2016–17), Dance Jodi Dance Season 1 (2016–17), Saravanan Meenatchi (season 3) (2017), Velunachi (2018) and Pandian Stores (2018–20).
V. J. Chitra | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chitra Kamaraj 2 May 1992 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Died | 9 December 2020 (aged 28) Nazarethpettai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Cause of death | Suicide by hanging |
| Education | Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for women (2012–2014) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2013–2020 |
On 9 December 2020, Chitra was found dead in a hotel room in Nazarethpettai in an apparent Suicide by hanging. On 15 December 2020, her husband Hemanth Ravi was arrested and charged with helping her commit suicide. Police are still currently investigating the case.
Career
editChitra Kamaraj was born on 2 May 1992 in Chennai. Before becoming a full-time actor, she was a television host.[2] After seeing Chitra host a television show, Radhika reached out with an offer for her to act in Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2016) alongside actresses Nirosha and Nalini. The success of the series prompted her to sign up for other shows including Saravanan Meenatchi, Velunachi. In Pandian Stores, Chitra portrayed the character Mullai, the role was replaced by Kaavya Arivumani after her death, and later by Laavanya[3]
Chitra signed on to appear in her first film role in mid-2019 through Calls (2021). The film would feature her as a business process outsourcing professional and was shot in late 2019.[3] It also marked her only film appearance.[4]
Personal life
editChitra got engaged to Hemanth Ravi, a businessman, in August 2020 and got register married in October 2020. Her wedding was scheduled to be in February 2021 before her death.[5]
Filmography
editTelevision performances
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) | Channel(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Vilayadu Vaagai Soodu | Anchor | Makkal TV |
| 2013 | Sattam Solvathu Enna? | ||
| 2013–16 | Saravanan Meenatchi (season 2) | Kalaiyarasi (Vettaiyan's Friend) | Star Vijay |
| 2014 | Nodiku Nodi Athiradi | Anchor | Makkal TV |
| Oor Suthalaam Vaanga | |||
| Mannan Magal | Vishali | Jaya TV | |
| En Samayal Araiyil | Anchor | Makkal TV | |
| Ossthi Comedy Kusthi | Raadan | ||
| Ring O Ring | Contestant | Vendhar TV | |
| 2014–18 | Chinna Papa Periya Papa Season 1 & 2 | Periya Papa | Sun TV |
| 2015 | Saa Boo Thri Season 2 | Anchor | Vendhar TV |
| Jill Jung Juk | |||
| 2016–17 | Darling Darling | Anitha (Honey) | Zee Tamil |
| 2016–17 | Dance Jodi Dance Season 1 | contestant | |
| 2016–17 | Nanbenda | Participant | |
| 2016–18 | Aaha Maamiyar Oho Marumagal | Anchor | |
| 2017 | Saravanan Meenatchi (season 3) | Ghost (Special Appearance) | Star Vijay |
| Zee Dance League | Contestant | Zee Tamil | |
| 2017–18 | Anjarai Petty | Host | |
| 2018 | Velunachi[6][7] | Velunachi | Colors Tamil |
| 2018–19 | Jodi Fun Unlimited | Contestant | Star Vijay |
| 2018–20 | Pandian Stores[8] | Mullai | |
| 2019 | Raja Rani (Season1) | Mullai (special appearance) | |
| Vasool Vettai | Anchor | ||
| 2020 | Bharathi Kannamma | Mullai (special appearance) |
Film appearance
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Calls | Nandhini | Posthumous Release |
| 2023 | Parivarthanai | Naveen's mother | Posthumous Release (Photo presence) |
Awards
edit| Year | Artist/Work | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Chithra | Behindwoods Gold Icons | Most Celebrated Actress On Television | Won | [9] |
| Femina Awards | Super Daughter | Won | [10] | ||
| Pandiyan Stores | Vijay Television Awards | Makkalin Naayagi | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Nominated | ||||
| Best Marumagal | Nominated | ||||
| Best Daughter | Nominated | ||||
| Best On Screen Pair | Nominated | ||||
| 2021 | Life Time Achievement | Vijay Television Awards | Makkalin Nayagi (People's Actress) | Won |
Death
editOn 9 December 2020, Chitra was found dead in a hotel room in Nazarethpettai at 9:32 am. Reports and autopsy results suggest that Chitra died from suicide by hanging.[11][12] On 15 December 2020, her husband Hemanth Ravi was suspected was later arrested and charged with criminal offenses. However police officers are still currently investigating the whole case.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Velunachi to go off-air soon". The Times of India. 24 July 2018. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Who is VJ Chitra? All you need to know about Tamil TV actress who committed suicide". The Free Press Journal. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ a b CR, Sharanya (18 September 2019). "Chithu to make her film debut". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "VJ Chithu's debut film to release in Jan". The Times of India. 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "TV actress Chithu is engaged to a businessman". The Times of India. 26 August 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ "Velunachi fame Chithra has a hidden talent; Watch the video". The Times of India. 4 September 2018. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Velunachi actress Chithra learns to climb trees". The Times of India. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ "Pandian Stores crosses 200 episodes milestone". The Times of India. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ VJ Chitra Wins Most Celebrated Actress On Television Award 🔥 - Behindwoods Gold Icons 2021 | Chithu, 7 March 2021, retrieved 23 June 2021
- ^ சற்றுமுன் 2021க்கான சிறந்த மகள் விருது பெற்ற VJ சித்ரா Chithu won award 2021 best daughter, 22 March 2021, retrieved 23 June 2021
- ^ "Popular TV actor and host VJ Chitra found dead in Chennai hotel room". The News Minute. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
- ^ Chellappan, Kumar (13 December 2020). "Suicide by actresses raises safety concerns in South Indian film industry". The Pioneer. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ "Chitra's husband Hemanth arrested". The Indian Express. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.