Aarathi

Aarathi (born as Bharathi in 1954) is a former Indian actress and director who prominently worked in Kannada films during the 1970s and 1980s. Her accolades include four Karnataka State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. Besides Kannada, Aarathi has appeared in few Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films.

Aarathi made her acting debut with the Kannada film Gejje Pooje (1969), playing a supporting role. She rose to prominence by her collaborations with Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal in the novel adaptation dramas Upasane (1974), Shubhamangala (1975), Bili Hendthi (1975), Dharmasere (1979) and Ranganayaki (1981). She received widespread critical acclaim for the action drama Naagarahaavu (1972), for which she won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. Her other notable roles in films include Bangaarada Panjara (1974), Daari Tappida Maga (1975), Katha Sangama (1976), Premada Kanike (1976) and Hombisilu (1978).

After her retirement from films in 1986, she made a comeback in 2005 as a director with Mithayi Mane which was met with critical appreciation and also won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children's Film. She was nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Vidhana parishad, making her the second actress after B. Jayamma to be nominated.