Updated: April 28, 2026
Name: Jaya Bharathi
Birth Name: Lekshmi Bharathi
Date of Birth: June 28, 1954 (age 71 years)
Origin: Kollam, Kerala, India
Gender: Female
Nationality: Indian
Husband: Hari Pothan (divorced), Sathaar (married 1979, separated 1987)
Children: Krish J. Sathaar (son)
Parents: Shivasankaran Pillai (father), Sharada (mother)
Occupation: Actress, Dancer
Genres: Drama, Romance
Biography & Career:
Jaya Bharathi is one of the most iconic and enduring actresses in Indian cinema, best known for her work in Malayalam films. Born Lekshmi Bharathi on June 28, 1954, she began training in classical Bharatanatyam dance from the age of five and won a state-level dance competition at just eleven — an achievement that opened the doors to the film industry.
As an actress, Jaya Bharathi made her first leading appearance in the Malayalam film Kattukurangu in 1969 and quickly rose to become one of the biggest stars of her generation. Over a career spanning more than five decades, she has acted in over 350 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi — sharing the screen with legends such as Prem Nazir, Madhu, Jayan, Kamal Haasan, and Rajinikanth. She is a two-time winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and has also received a National Film Award Special Jury mention. One of her most celebrated films remains Rathinirvedam, which became one of the biggest box office hits in Kerala's history.
The family of Jaya Bharathi has been closely tied to the world of cinema. She was first married to film producer Hari Pothan, and later to actor Sathaar in 1979. Their son, Krish J. Sathaar, born Unnikrishnan Sathaar on January 1, 1984, followed in his parents' footsteps and pursued an acting career in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films, with his debut in the Mohanlal-starrer Ladies and Gentleman. Today he is settled in London, where he runs a restaurant.
Beyond acting, Jaya Bharathi continues to be active in the arts through her dance school, Aswathi Arts Academy, where she passes on her lifelong passion for classical dance to new generations.
Jaya Bharathi Best Films:
Kattukurangu
Rathinirvedam
Madhavikutty
Utharayanam
Moodal Manju
Nellu
Avalude Ravukal
Ragam