Manochitra Balaiah – South Indian Film Actress of ‘Mazhanilavu’ fame

Manochitra Balaiah, better known as Monochitra is a south Indian film actress who appeared in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films, and has played both lead and supporting roles. She was fully active in the film industry in 1980s, before retiring in films. She mostly played supporting roles on screen. After retiring from acting with 1989 film Annanukku Jai, she returned to screen in 2002, and appeared in a single movie, Vivaramana Aalu. She is the daughter of screen legend T. S. Balaiah and the sibling of Junior Balaiah.

Manochitra was born in Chennai in a family with filmy background. Like other members of the family she too chose cine buzz. Her first film, Thendraley Vaa was not released, and her first release is Maadhulai Muthukkal in 1982. The following year she made Malayalam screen debut with Mazhanilavu where she shared screen space with Prem Nazir. She was fully active in south Indian film industry in the 1980s. Yet she couldn’t succeed, just like her brother.

Manochitra Balaiah – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Most of the artists of her family are best known for playing character roles.

2. Her ancestors originally hail from Sundankottai of Thoothukudi district.

3. She took the screen name Kruthika for 1989 film, Annanukku Jai after which she retired from films.

4. She played female lead opposite Venu Nagavally in Malayalam film, Swantham Sarika. She also appeared in Malayalam films – Umaanilayam, Oru Painkilikkadha, Mazhanilavu, Guruji Oru Vaakku etc.