Popular South actress Silk Smitha, who worked with superstar Rajinikanth during 80s, was considered as a glamour doll for Kollywood. Born Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati, Silk Smitha was one of the most sought-after actresses in the film industry during the 1980s and early 1990s, with leading filmmakers eager to cast her in movies.
But, behind glamour lied a painful reality which only Smitha knew. The actress was battling depression amid financial struggles and failed relationships. She died by suicide in 1996 at the age of 35.
'No One Loved Me': Silk Smitha
According to a report in ETimes, Silk Smitha's handwritten final (suicide) letter, revealing her emotional pain, resurfaced online years back and here is what she wrote in it:
Only I know how hard I worked to become an actress. No one loved me. Only Babu (Dr. Radhakrishnan) treated me with a little love. Everyone would exploit my work. I have so many desires in life. There is also a desire to fulfill them all. But I have no peace wherever I go. Everyone’s actions were disturbing to me. Maybe so, death fascinates me. I have done well for everyone. And yet my life is like this? God, what is this justification? I have to give half of the property I earned to Babu. I loved it so much, loved it, and sincerely. I just believed that he would not cheat on me. But he cheated on me.
Silk Smitha
Smitha expressed deep emotional pain, alleging betrayal, abuse and exploitation by people she had trusted. She pointed out how people had taken advantage of both her work and her body while her dreams of a better life remained unfulfilled.
If there is a God, He will surely be punished. I could not bear the abuse he did to me. It hurt me every day. They think that what they are doing is fair. Babu is also in the group. He did not return the jewelry he bought from me. It doesn’t matter if I’ve lived anymore. Why did God create me? Ramu and Radhakrishnan tempted me a lot. I have done so many good things for them. But they were pushing me to my death.Lots of people used my body. Many have taken advantage of my work. I do not thank anyone except Babu. For the past five years someone has been saying that he would give me a life. Do you know how much I longed for that life? But when I realized that it was all just words, I was exhausted. I can not stand it anymore. I found it very difficult to write this letter. I’m not even buying the jewelry I love. Who’s going to get it now? I do not know.
Silk Smitha
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Silk Smitha's First Movie With Rajinikanth
Silk Smitha's first movie alongside Rajinikanth is the Tamil action film Moondru Mugam, released in 1982. She featured prominently in the popular song sequence "Yethanaiyo", which helped cement her status as a major icon in South Indian cinema.
More about her: Silk Smitha became one of Indian cinema's most iconic actresses during the 1980s. Known for her bold screen presence and popular dance numbers, she appeared in over 450 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi cinema.