Pramila Joshai – South Indian film actress best known for Tamil film ‘Vaidehi Kathirunthal’

Pramila Joshai is a south Indian film actress, best known for her works in Kannada movies. She acted in around 120 movies, mostly playing supporting roles. She is a film producer too. Her husband Sundar Raj, daughter Meghana Raj and son-in-law Chiranjeevi Sarja are all south Indian actors, predominantly associated with Kannada cinema. ‘Vaidehi Kathirunthal’ is her most memorable role where she played Vaidehi, who commits suicide due to misunderstanding.

Pramila Joshai – Vaidehi of Tamil cinema

She joined film industry in the late 1970s, and Kannada movie, Thayigintha Devarilla (1977) is one of her early credited works. Thappu Thalangal (1979) was her debut Tamil flick. For her early films she used the screen name, Parimalam. In 1981 her memorable performance in Sangeetha bagged her Best Supporting Actress at Karnataka State Film Awards. Her titular role of Vaidehi in the cult classic Vaidehi Kathirunthal left an impression in viewers’ hearts.

A few more noted films include – Saheba, Apthamitra, Haddina Kannu, Mutthaide Bhagya, Prathama Ushakirana, Shubha Milana, Annavra Makkalu, Chamkayisi Chindi Udayisi, Hagalu Vesha etc.

Pramila Joshai – Some interesting and less-known facts

Pramila Joshai with her daughter Meghana Raj, popular South Indian Actress

1. She was initially credited as Parimalam in film industry. She entered film industry choosing this name, before reverting to original one.

2. A veteran artist of Kannada entertainment industry, her husband serves as the Secretary of the Kannada Film Artist Association.

3. Her daughter Meghana Raj was married to actor Chiranjeevi Sarja, who died of heart attack in 2020 in his late 30s.

4. Her son-in-law Chiranjeevi Sarja was the nephew of famous south Indian film actor Arjun Sarja, and grandson of Kannada villain of yesterdays, Shakti Prasad. Chiranjeevi’s brother Dhruva Sarja and cousin Aishwarya Arjun are also film actors.

5. In 2005 she produced Thaayi which won National film award for best movie in Kannada. The movie also bagged Karnataka State Film Awards in Special Film of Social Concern category.

6. Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984) is her first credited Tamil film. Her brief appearance in Thappu Thalangal (1979) was uncredited.