Quick Info→
Death Cause: Suicide
Age: 36 Years (at The Time Of Death)
Death Date: 23/09/1996
Some Lesser Known Facts About Silk Smitha
- Silk Smitha was born into a poor family.
- Due to her family’s poor financial condition, she left her studies after class 4.
- Since childhood, she was inclined towards films and wanted to become an actor.
- She also loved to do makeup and act like heroines.
- At a very young age, her parents fixed her marriage. However, she was not treated well at her in-laws house. At the age of 14, she left her in-laws’ house.
Silk Smitha in her younger days
- She then moved to Madras (Chennai) and started working as a makeup artist.
- After a few months of her job there, she got an offer to work as a touch-up artist of South Indian actresses.
- A filmmaker then offered her a small role in a film. She had a dream of becoming an actress, so she instantly agreed to it.
- She then got small roles in various Malayalam films such as ‘Pushyaraagam’ (1979), ‘Saraswatheeyaamam’ (1980), ‘Ivar’ (1980), and ‘Angadi’ (1980).
Silk Smitha in a still from Angadi
- Anthony Eastman, director of the 1981 Malayalam film ‘Inaye Thedi’ gave her the name ‘Smitha.’
- She was then offered the role of a cabaret dancer in various films. She also played a few negative roles in the films.
- Apart from Malayalam films, she worked in films of various other languages like Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi.
- Gradually, she became popular with her bold scenes in the films.
- She is known for appearing in various films like ‘Vandichakkaram’ (1979; Tamil), ‘Adutha Varisu’ (1983; Tamil), ‘Paayum Puli’ (1983; Tamil), and ‘Miss Pameela’ (1989; Malayalam).
Miss Pameela
- Some of her Hindi films are ‘Jaani Dost’ (1983), ‘Jeet Hamaari’ (1983), ‘Sadma’ (1983), and ‘Gulabi Raaten’ (1990).
Silk Smitha in a still from Sadma
- She learnt basic English from the wife of the Indian actor-writer Vinu Chakravarthy. With the help of his wife, she did acting, dancing, and etiquette classes.
- She used to be an introvert and had a few friends.
- She was also punctual and straightforward.
- In 2011, based on her life, the Hindi film ‘The Dirty Picture’ was released in which Vidya Balan potrayed Silk Smitha. However, Smitha’s brother V. Naga Vara Prasad said that the film was made without their consent.
The Dirty Picture
- In 2013, another film titled ‘Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Hot’ was released in the Kannada language. The Pakistani actress Veena Malik potrayed Silk in the film.
Dirty Picture- Silk Sakkath Hot
- In the same year, the Malayalam biographical film ‘Climax’ was released.
Climax
- Various media sources compared her to the American actress and model Marilyn Monroe.
- She used to be a chain smoker.
- She was once featured on the cover of Vogue magazine.
Silk Smitha featured on Vogue magazine
- On 23 September 1996, she was found dead at her home. It was reported that she had consumed a high amount of alcohol and had committed suicide. She had contacted her childhood friend Anuradha before committing suicide.
- It was also said that she was in severe depression after which she decided to quit her life.
- Later, the Indian actor Ravichandran shared that Smitha had called him as well before ending her life, but he could not pick up her call.
