Jaishankar
Born	Subramaniam Shankar July 12, 1938(1938-07-12) Chennai, India
Died	June 3, 2000 (aged 61) Chennai, India
Other name(s)	Thennagathu James Bond

Jaishankar is a yesteryear star of Kollywood. He is fondly referred to as Thennagathu James Bond or South Indian James Bond. His penchant for dashing roles earned him the sobriquet of James Bond of South India, thanks to his roles in films like Vallavan Oruvan, CID Shankar and such.

[edit] Biography

Subramaniam Shankar, to give his original name, was born on 12 July 1938 with his father being a judicial magistrate. He was a typical Mylaporean of the bygone decades going to the famous PS High School and then Vivekananda College, where he did his Honours degree. Following the footsteps of his father he studied Law but gave it up after a year because of his interests in fine arts like theater.

Bitten by the drama bug, he joined Cho's Viveka Fine Arts, which consisted mostly of Mylaporeans where he did insignificantly small roles. Obviously not happy he moved out and the break came with Koothabiran's Kalki Fine Arts where he made a mark playing a lead role in Kalki's 'Amara Thaara'.

In an era dominated by M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar had his own loyal following. He had too much of competition from his peers. Very prolific during his heyday, he was at one point known as the Friday Hero, because a new film of his would debut almost every Friday. He is also remembered as a good Samaritan as he helped the needy without any publicity.

Among his more memorable roles was the teacher's role in the K Balachander film, Noothukku Nooru. Interestingly, Jaishankar was the hero in Gayatri, which saw Rajinikanth play baddie. Years later, the roles were reversed with Rajinikanth playing hero to Jaishankar's villain in Murattu Kaalai. He was last seen on screen in Iravum Pagalum -- which was the title of his debut film as well.

Unlike his contemporaries Sivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, Sivakumar and Vijayakumar, Jaishankar has no children following him onto the marquee. His son dr.Vijay shanker is a well known eye surgeon who also manages the Jai Shankar medical and charitable trust. He died of heart attack on 3 June 2000.

[edit] Selected filmography

• Vallavan Oruvan
• C.I.D. Shankar
• Yaar Nee
• Thunivey Thunai
• Noothukku Nooru
• Unakkum Enakkum
• Neelagiri Express
• Vandikkaran Magan
• Jambu
• Jeevanaamsam
• Ponvandu
• Veettukku Veedu
• Vairam
• Gayathri
• Murattu Kaalai
• Dalapathi
• Apoorva Sagotharargal
• Singaaravelan
• Oomai Vizhigal
• Nootrukku Nooru
• Kuzanthaiyum Deivamum
• Poova Thalaiya
• Iru vallavargal
• Pattanathil Bhootham
• Keezhvaanam sivakkum
• Idhayam paarkiradhu (100th film)
• Kulama gunama
• Mannippu
• Cinema paithiam
• Amman arul
• Akka thangai
• Naam moovar
• Kannan Varuvan
• Marumagal
• Iravum pagalum
• Vaazhkai
• Vaazhve mayam
• Bhavani
• Bommalaattam
• Aayiram poi
• Pandhattam
• Padikkadhavan
• Uyira manama
• Oru kodiyil iru malargal
• Ore vanam ore bhoomi
• Maanavan
• Thudikkum karangal
• Kaliyuga kannan
• Ini ellam sugame
• Anbalippu
• Panchavarna kili
• Muthuchippi
• Arunachalam
• Chinnaraja
• Nee
• Athaya maamiya
• Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen

[edit] External links

• Jaishankar at the Internet Movie Database

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