Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema - J. Jayalalitha
My daughter should become a world famous Cinema star- Sandhya

A few years back Ms.Sandhya, the mother of present chief minister of Tamil Nadu, gave an interview to 'Bommai' a famous Tamil cinema magazine about how her daughter J. Jayalalitha, entered into cinema field. She detailed the circumstances , under which her daughter affectionately known as 'Ammu' entered the cinema and explained the self-confidence and the faith she had in her daughter's capabilities. Ms.Sandhya continues...

In fact, I was not in favour of Ammu (Jayalalitha) acting in films. From her very young age, she was having an extraordinary grasping power. She was very good in her studies and was a first rank holder in her class. She wanted to become a graduate and I was also in favour of it.

When Ammu was very young she used to dance to the radio tunes. Understanding her interest to learn dance, I had sent her to learn Bharatha Natiyam from Thirumathi K.J. Sarasa. She fondly learned dancing and became a perfect dancer.

She got an opportunity to act in an English drama, when she was studying in Church Park Convent. Ironically, Ammu , who could speak English very fluently, acted in the role of a French woman who don't know English. Both Cho, who acted as the villain in the drama and the other actor Thiru Gopalakrishnan praised the acting competence of Ammu.

Approximately, during the same period Thiru Shankar Giri (son of ex. President V.V.Giri) was planning to produce a documentary film in English. They were searching for a girl who can speak good English, to act as the heroine in the film.

Thirumathi YGP, who has seen the acting of Ammu, had recommended her to Thiru Shankar Giri and Cho also praised her acting capabilities to Shankar Giri. In turn Thiru Shankar Giri sought my permission to have Ammu as heroine in the film. I flatly refused him saying 'I don't like ammu acting in films'.