Remembering Silk Smitha on her 24th death anniversary

Smitha was born as 'Vijayalakshmi Vadlapatla', for a Telugu- speaking couple in Eluru (Andra Pradesh). She was a school drop-out and was forced into early marriage while she was still in her teens, due to her family's financial constraints.

Marriage life has never been a bliss to Silk Smitha and she underwent physical abuse and marital harrassment, which eventually made her walk out of the marriage.

Due to her natural inclination towards makeup, she took up a job of touch up artist, landing up in small roles in due course.

Its a much-known fact that she was rechristened as "Smitha" by veteran actor Vinu Chakravarthy, whom she considered as her God Father. Vinu Chakravarthy and his wife groomed Smitha and helped her find meaty roles in Tamil film Industry. Soon, Smitha gained recognition in 'Vandichakram' movie. She took over the name of the character she played in the movie and became 'Silk Smitha' from then on.

Silk Smitha is an introvert and was said that she yearned to live a normal life, unlike any other star heroines of her period. She had only a few handful of close friends, including yesteryear actress Anuradha. In fact, Anuradha was the one whom Smitha had contacted before her suicide. There was one speculated 'bearded' man, who entered her life in the later period, while the actress was basking in the limelight. Smitha never revealed the personal details of that mystery man, who surprisingly vanished after her untimely death. Speculations arose that the bearded mystery man must have forced Silk Smitha to find her end.

There was a period in the industry when a few unworthy movies had a hit run, just because it had a song of 'Silk' Smitha in it. Smitha was considered as an uncrowned queen, due to her naturally beautiful physique, dusky complexion and her seductive doe-like eyes added to it.

Even though Smitha proved her acting prowess in movies like 'Alaigal Oyvathilai', she was still considered as a soft-porn actress, by most directors and she badly wanted to get rid of the typecasting.

Just like Silk Smitha, who always lived a mysterious life, her death too came up mysteriously. The most sought after actress of the Indian Cinema who is known to take bold steps in her life, right from choosing the career, ending the marital life, she chose to end her life drastically.

Still considered as a southern siren, Silk Smitha will always be remembered, leave alone her dance numbers, but for her child-like face, which beholds a beautiful soul which always wanted to break all the forced barriers upon her and lead a normal life just like anyone else.