Vedhika
Vedhika | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Vedhika in 2019 | |
| Born | Vedhika Kumar Maharashtra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
Vedhika Kumar, known mononymously as Vedhika is an Indian actress and model who has established a career in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films.[1]
She started her acting career with the Tamil film Madrasi. She made her breakthrough portraying Angamma in Bala's period film Paradesi (2013), winning critical acclaim and awards for her portrayal. A year later she starred in Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014). In 2016, her Kannada film Shivalinga went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters in Kannada industry.[2] In 2019, she appeared in the Tamil film Kanchana 3 which became one of the highest grossing Tamil films of the year.[3] She made her Bollywood debut in 2019, with the film The Body.[citation needed]
Early life
[edit]Vedhika was brought up in Mumbai but their family hails from the border areas of Maharashtra–Karnataka states. Her mother tongue is Kannada.[4]
Career
[edit]2006–2012: Early work
[edit]Early in her career, she was involved in modelling assignments and did a notable advert for biscuits alongside prominent actor Suriya. She was subsequently approached by Arjun to essay the lead role in his production Madrasi and Vedhika accepted the role.[5] After the release of Madrasi, Vedhika went on to sign a big budget Hindi language film, Jai Santoshi Maa, a remake of the 1975 film of the same name, but the film failed to subsequently materialize and Vedhika continued acting in South Indian films.[6] She went on to feature in Raghava Lawrence's comedy horror Muni, but her role was minimal once again and the film went to become an average grosser commercially.[7] Her maiden Telugu venture was in Vijayadasami, a remake of the Tamil film Sivakasi, where her performance was described as "okay" and "average" by critics.[8]
Her first release in 2008, the Silambarasan-starrer Kaalai, received negative reviews and became a commercial failure.[9][10] However, the film became notable for the dance number, "Kutti Pisase" with Vedhika's dancing being critically appreciated. She went on to appear in a second successive film which was panned by critics and which became a financial failure with a role in Sakkarakatti. The long-delayed film featured Shanthnoo Bhagyaraj making his debut in the lead role and A. R. Rahman providing the soundtrack, however Vedhika's role was described as one of the sole positives from the project.[11] Later that year, she starred in a Kannada film, Sangama opposite Ganesh. In 2009, she appeared as the radio jockey Anjali in A. Venkatesh's Malai Malai with the film consequently going on to become a success commercially.[12] The film had little scope for Vedhika and reviews cited her role as "pure eye candy" whilst claiming she was "apt" for the role.[13] She made a comeback to Telugu films in the same year, with a role in the critically acclaimed Baanam.[citation needed] Her role won her plaudits, whilst her on screen presence with Nara Rohit was praised with a critic citing she gives "good company as the naïve girl" and it is "refreshing to see them together". After the release of Baanam, Kumar went on a sabbatical and did not sign any other films until, despite making an appearance in a notable advert with Karthi for mobile company Airtel. She signed and next featured in the Telugu film Daggaraga Dooranga opposite Sumanth, which opened to average reviews in August 2011.[14]
2013–present: Breakthrough and success
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The actress was signed up by director Bala for Paradesi (2013), an adaptation of the 1969 tragic novel Red Tea, set in the 1930s. She had been recommended by actress Sangeetha, signing the film in December 2011 and did not accept to appear in any other project till the release, sporting a significantly de-glamourised appearance and portraying a village character for the first time.[citation needed] The film, which also starred Adharvaa and Dhansika opened to unanimously positive reviews in March 2013 and performed well at the box office. Critics raved about her performance as Angamma, with the critic from The Times of India noting that "after doing roles that only required her to look pretty, Vedhika gets a chance to show off her acting skills" with Indiaglitz.com citing that she "produced a memorable performance".[15][16] The critic from Rediff.com noted that "Vedhika plays the role of a young village belle to perfection", while Sify.com labelled that she delivered a "spellbinding performance".[17][18] Her second release in 2013, the Malayalam film Sringaravelan, became one of the industry's biggest commercial successes of the year.[19]
Shen then worked on Vasanthabalan's historical fiction film Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014), which was set in the backdrop of Madras theatre scene of the 1920s, and featured her alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran and Siddharth.[20][21] Portraying a character inspired by stage artist K. B. Sundarambal, Kumar noted it was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" and signed the film straight after being offered it.[22] She prepared for her role by watching early Tamil films and drama videos, but all the actors were asked to "add their personal touch to their respective characters to make everything look authentic". Moreover, for her part of her role, she also perfected her classical dancing skills and worked with choreographer Raghuram for an extended dance sequence in the film.[23] The film opened in November 2014 to positive reviews, with Kumar's performance being unanimously lauded by film critics. A reviewer from Sify.com noted "it is so good to see Vedhicka in a role where she not only looks beautiful but delivers a brilliant performance as Vadivambal", while Behindwoods.com added it is a "role of substance and the big eyed actress has utilized her opportunity completely".[24][25]
Filmography
[edit]| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Language(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Madrasi | Anjali | Tamil | Debut film |
| 2007 | Muni | Priya | ||
| Vijayadasami | Devi | Telugu | ||
| Sakkarakatti | Reema | Tamil | ||
| 2008 | Kaalai | Brinda | ||
| Sangama | Lakshmi | Kannada | ||
| 2009 | Malai Malai | Anjali | Tamil | |
| Baanam | Subbalakshmi | Telugu | ||
| 2011 | Daggaraga Dooramga | Meenakshi | ||
| 2013 | Paradesi | Angamma | Tamil | |
| Sringaravelan | Radha | Malayalam | ||
| 2014 | Kaaviya Thalaivan | Ganakokilam Vadivambal | Tamil | |
| Cousins | Arathi | Malayalam | ||
| 2016 | Shivalinga | Satyabhaama alias Satya | Kannada | |
| James & Alice | Alice | Malayalam | ||
| Welcome to Central Jail | Radhika | |||
| 2017 | Gowdru Hotel | Rishi's girlfriend | Kannada | |
| 2019 | Kanchana 3 | Priya | Tamil | |
| The Body | Ritu | Hindi | ||
| Ruler | Sandhya | Telugu | ||
| 2022 | Bangarraju | Menaka | Telugu | Cameo Appearance |
| Home Minister | Surekha | Kannada | ||
| 2024 | Razakar – Silent Genocide of Hyderabad | Shanthavva | Telugu | |
| Petta Rap | Janaki | Tamil | ||
| Gana† | TBA | Kannada | Completed[26][27] | |
| Fear[citation needed] † | TBA | Telugu | Post-Production | |
| Vinodhan† | TBA | Tamil | Post-Production | |
| Chethi Mandharam Thulasi† | TBA | Malayalam | Filming | |
| Jungle† | TBA | Tamil Telugu |
Filming | |
| Naalaam Thoonu† | TBA | Malayalam | Announced |
Web series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role(s) | Language(s) | Network(s) | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Yakshini | Maya | Telugu | Disney+Hotstar | Web Debut | [citation needed] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Film | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Paradesi | Edison Awards | Best Extreme Performance – Female | Won | [28] |
| Techofes | Best Actress | Won | [29] | ||
| Screen Moon Awards | Best Actress | Won | [citation needed] | ||
| Vijay Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | [citation needed] | ||
| 61st Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Tamil | Nominated | [citation needed] | ||
| 2015 | Kaaviya Thalaivan | 62nd Filmfare Awards South | Nominated | [30] | |
| Edison Awards | Best Extreme Performance - Female | Won | [31] | ||
| 3rd SIIMA Awards | Best Actress - Tamil | Nominated | [citation needed] | ||
| Vijay Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | [citation needed] | ||
| Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards | Best Actress | Won | [citation needed] | ||
| 2016 | James & Alice | Asiavision Awards | Performer of the Year | Won | [32] |
| 6th SIIMA Awards | Best Actress – Malayalam | Nominated | [33] | ||
| 2017 | Shivalinga | Best Actress – Kannada | Nominated | [citation needed] | |
| 2024 | Fear | Long Key Awards | Best Actress | Won | [34] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Top 10 glamorous looks".
- ^ Kohli, Sonali (21 February 2016). "Kannada Shivalinga 2nd Week 10th Day Box Office Collection Worldwide Earning". Dekh News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- ^ "Tamil film 'Kanchana 3' hits the jackpot, mints Rs 100-crore in a week". The Economic Times. 27 April 2019. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- ^ SM, Shashiprasad (27 January 2016). "Shivarajkumar comes from a prestigious family but is so down-to-earth: Vedhika". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
I was brought up in Mumbai, but my grandparents hail from the border areas of Karnataka, and hence my mother tongue is Kannada. I speak the North Kannada dialect.
- ^ Cinema Plus / Columns : My first break – Vedika. The Hindu (30 January 2009). Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ Metro Plus Visakhapatnam / Cinema : Bollywood bound. The Hindu (15 April 2006). Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ Movie Review:Muni. Sify.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ "Reviews : Movie Reviews : Vijaya Dasami – Movie Review". Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ Movie Review:Kaalai. Sify.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ Kaalai: A wasted effort. Rediff.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ Review: Sakkarakkatti. Rediff.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ Vedhika is married to work. The Times of India. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ Movie Review:Malai Malai. Sify.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ Vedika in Sumanth starrer. Sify.com (27 April 2011). Retrieved 18 October 2011.
- ^ "Paradesi movie review: Wallpaper, Story, Trailer at Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ^ "Paradesi Tamil Movie Review – cinema preview stills gallery trailer video clips showtimes". IndiaGlitz.com. 15 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ^ "Review: Paradesi is exceptional". Rediff.com. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ^ "Movie Review : Paradesi". Sify. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ^ "Vedhika to romance Dileep". The Times of India. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ^ "Vedhika not afraid of being typecast". The New Indian Express.
- ^ "Vedhika Interview: The Fairy Tale Princess". 24 November 2014.
- ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (5 December 2014). "The taste of success". The Hindu.
- ^ "'Kaaviya Thalaivan' was a Rewarding Experience: Vedhika". The New Indian Express.
- ^ "Kaaviyathalaivan (aka) Kaaviya Thalaivan review". behindwoods.com.
- ^ "Movie Review : Kaaviya Thalaivan". Sify. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "ಪ್ರಜ್ವಲ್ ದೇವರಾಜ್ ಹೊಸ ಸಿನಿಮಾಕ್ಕೆ ನಾಯಕಿ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್; 'ಶಿವಲಿಂಗ' ಬೆಡಗಿ ಜೊತೆ 'ಡೈನಾಮಿಕ್ ಪ್ರಿನ್ಸ್' ಡ್ಯುಯೆಟ್". Vijaya Karnataka (in Kannada). Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Vedhika to play lead female role in Prajwal Devaraj-starrer Gana". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Edison Awards 2014".
- ^ "PARADESI (2012)".
- ^ "Nominations for the 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South)".
- ^ "Happy birthday Vedhika: Check out some gorgeous photos of the diva".
- ^ "Asiavision Movie Awards 2016 announced: and the winners are".
- ^ "SIIMA Nominations: Theri, Janatha Garage, Maheshinte Prathikaram and Kirik Party lead".
- ^ "Movies / 2024 / Long Key". longkeyawards.com. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
External links
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