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{{Short description|Indian actress}}
{{Short description|Indian actress (1962–1980)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
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| name              = Shobha
| name              = Shobha
| image              = Shoba actress.jpg
| image              = Shoba actress.jpg
| caption            = Shobha from the film ''[[Moodu Pani]]'' (1980)<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/balu-mahendra-19392014/article5684322.ece/photo/3/</ref>
| caption            = Shobha from the film ''[[Moodu Pani]]'' (1980)<ref>{{Cite news |title=Balu Mahendra (1939-2014) |date=2021-11-22 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema//article60649382.ece/photo/3/ |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412212159/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema//article60649382.ece/photo/3/ |archive-date=2022-04-12 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_name        = Mahalakshmi Menon
| birth_name        = Mahalakshmi Menon
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|df=yes|1962|09|23}}
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|df=yes|1962|09|23}}
| birth_place        =  
| birth_place        =  
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1980|05|01|1962|09|23}}<ref name="birth">{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JYkxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z6QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1250,542528&dq=shobha+balu+mahendra&hl=en |title=Top Indian actress found hanged |date=2 May 1980 |work=[[The Gazette (Montreal)]] |agency=[[United Press International]] |page=10}}</ref>
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1980|05|01|1962|09|23}}<ref name="birth">{{Cite news |title=Top Indian actress found hanged |newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]  |date=2 May 1980 |page=10 |agency=[[United Press International]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JYkxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z6QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1250,542528&dq=shobha+balu+mahendra&hl=en |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref>
| death_place        = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]],India
| death_place        = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_cause        = [[Suicide]]
| death_cause        = [[Suicide by hanging]]
| resting_place      =  
| resting_place      =  
| resting_place_coordinates =  
| resting_place_coordinates =  
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| occupation        = Actress
| occupation        = Actress
| years_active      = 1965–1980
| years_active      = 1965–1980
| spouse            = {{marriage|[[Balu Mahendra]]|1978|May 1, 1980|end=d.}}
| spouse            = {{marriage|[[Balu Mahendra]]|1978}}
| parents            = K. P. Menon (Father)<br />[[Prema (Malayalam actress)|Prema]] (Mother)
| mother            = [[Prema (Malayalam actress)|Prema]]
}}
}}


'''Mahalakshmi Menon''', best known by her stagename '''Shobha''' (23 September 1962 – 1 May 1980), was an [[India]]n actress best known for her work in [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]] and [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] films. At the age of 17, she won the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for her role in the 1979 Tamil film ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]''. She also received three [[Kerala State Film Awards]]: for Best Actress (1978), Best Supporting Actress (1977) and Best Child Artist (1971); and two [[Filmfare Awards South]] for Best Actress in [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]] (1978) and Tamil (1979) films. Considered one of the finest talents to have emerged in the Indian film world, her promising career was unexpectedly cut short as she committed suicide in 1980, due to unknown reasons. Her popularity resulted in considerable public scrutiny of the events that led to her death and also various conspiracy theories. The 1983 Malayalam film ''[[Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback]]'' is supposedly based on her life and death.
'''Mahalakshmi Menon''', best known by her stagename '''Shobha''' (23 September 1962 – 1 May 1980), was an Indian actress best known for her work in [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]] and [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] films. At the age of 17, she won the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for her role in the 1979 Tamil film ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]''. She also received three [[Kerala State Film Awards]]: for Best Actress (1978), Best Supporting Actress (1977) and Best Child Artist (1971); and two [[Filmfare Awards South]] for Best Actress in [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]] (1978) and Tamil (1979) films. Considered one of the finest talents to have emerged in the Indian film world, her promising career was unexpectedly cut short as she committed suicide in 1980, due to unknown reasons. Her popularity resulted in considerable public scrutiny of the events that led to her death and also various conspiracy theories.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Remembering Shoba, the brilliant actor who left us too soon |first=CV |last=Aravind |date=9 May 2020 |work=[[The News Minute]] |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/remembering-shoba-brilliant-actor-who-left-us-too-soon-124228 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008114700/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/remembering-shoba-brilliant-actor-who-left-us-too-soon-124228 |archive-date=2021-10-08 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 1983 Malayalam film ''[[Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback]]'' is supposedly based on her life and death.


Born to [[Malayali]] parents in [[Madras]], she started her career in the Tamil film industry, making her debut as a child artist in ''[[Thattungal Thirakkappadum]]'' (1966). Her first film as the main lead actress was in the 1978 Malayalam film ''[[Uthrada Rathri]]''.
Born to [[Malayali]] parents in [[Madras]], she started her career in the Tamil film industry, making her debut as a child artist in ''[[Thattungal Thirakkappadum]]'' (1966). Her first film as the main lead actress was in the 1978 Malayalam film ''[[Uthrada Rathri]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Shoba was born on 23 September 1962 to K. P. Menon and [[Prema Menon]].<ref>https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/05/09/actress-shobha-filmy-life-story-still-remain-endearing.html</ref> Her mother was an actress in the Malayalam film industry during the 1950s.{{citation needed|date = September 2015}}
Shoba was born on 23 September 1962, to K. P. Menon and [[Prema (Malayalam actress)|Prema Menon]]{{snd}}an actress credited by the mononym Prema, in the Malayalam film industry, from 1954 to 1981.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actress Shobha and her intriguingly filmy life story still remain endearing |first=Subash |last=Babu |date=2020-05-10 |newspaper=[[Malayala Manorama]] |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/05/09/actress-shobha-filmy-life-story-still-remain-endearing.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529134452/https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/05/09/actress-shobha-filmy-life-story-still-remain-endearing.html |archive-date=2020-05-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In 1966, Shoba made her screen debut in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] [[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]] film ''Thattungal Thirakkappadum'' directed by actor [[J. P. Chandrababu]]. In the film she was credited as Baby Mahalakshmi where she played the role of Lakshmi opposite actress [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]], [[K. R. Vijaya]], [[R. S. Manohar]] and Chandrababu himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southside.in/24/The-ageony-and-ecstasy-of-being-Chandrababu/ |title=The agony and ecstasy of being – Chandrababu |publisher=Southside |year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619234218/http://www.southside.in/24/The-ageony-and-ecstasy-of-being-Chandrababu/ |archive-date=19 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/10/02/stories/2009100250670400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106120522/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/10/02/stories/2009100250670400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2009 |title=A voice that mesmerised  |work= [[The Hindu]] | date=2 October 2009 |author=Randor Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |access-date=5 March 2012 }}</ref> The following year she made her debut in [[Malayalam cinema]] through ''[[Udhyogastha]]'' by [[P. Venu]] where she was named as Baby Shoba. Touted as the first "multi-starrer", with five top actors, in Malayalam cinema, the film had [[Sathyan (actor)|Sathyan]], [[Prem Nazir]], [[K. P. Ummer]], [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]], [[Sharada (actress)|Sharada]], [[Sheela]] and [[Rajasree]] in the lead along with Shobha.<ref>{{cite news |author=Special Correspondent |title=Film director P. Venu dead |url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/26/stories/2011052661790400.htm | date=26 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808081738/http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/26/stories/2011052661790400.htm |archive-date=8 August 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead |access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> The film was a big hit and gained Shoba recognition as a child actor in [[Cinema of South India|South Indian cinema]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/news/2011/p-venu-died-heart-attack-260511-aid0062.html |title=P Venu dies of heart attack in Chennai |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] | date=26 May 2011 |access-date=5 March 2012 }}</ref>
In 1966, Shoba made her screen debut in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] film ''Thattungal Thirakkappadum'' directed by actor [[J. P. Chandrababu]]. In the film she was credited as Baby Mahalakshmi where she played the role of Lakshmi opposite actress [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]], [[K. R. Vijaya]], [[R. S. Manohar]] and Chandrababu himself.<ref>{{cite web |title=The agony and ecstasy of being – Chandrababu |website=Southside.in |year=2007 |url=http://www.southside.in/24/The-ageony-and-ecstasy-of-being-Chandrababu/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/uX0P |archive-date=2012-07-16 |url-status=dead}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A voice that mesmerised |first=Randor |last=Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2 October 2009 |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/10/02/stories/2009100250670400.htm |access-date=5 March 2012 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106120522/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/10/02/stories/2009100250670400.htm |archive-date=6 November 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The following year she made her debut in [[Malayalam cinema]] in [[P. Venu]]'s ''[[Udhyogastha]]'', where she was credited as Baby Shoba. The film has been touted as the first "multi-starrer" of [[Malayalam cinema]], with such top actors as [[Sathyan (actor)|Sathyan]], [[Prem Nazir]], [[K. P. Ummer]], [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]], [[Sharada (actress)|Sharada]], [[Sheela]] and [[Rajasree]];<ref>{{cite news |title=Film director P. Venu dead |date=26 May 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/26/stories/2011052661790400.htm |access-date=20 September 2015 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808081738/http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/26/stories/2011052661790400.htm |archive-date=8 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the huge hit, in a film targeted to all ages, brought Shoba wide attention as a child actor.<ref>{{cite news |title=P Venu dies of heart attack in Chennai |first=Shekhar |last=Hooli |date=26 May 2011 |work=[[Oneindia]] |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/news/2011/p-venu-died-heart-attack-260511-aid0062.html |access-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813163405/http://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2011/p-venu-died-heart-attack-260511-aid0062.html |archive-date=2016-08-13 |url-status=live}}</ref>


In 1978 she was cast as a heroine in ''[[Uthrada Rathri]]'', a film directed by [[Balachandra Menon]]. She received the Kerala government's Best Actress award for the 1978 films ''[[Bandhanam]]'' and ''[[Ente Neelakaasham]]''. The same year she earned the Best Actress award by Filmfare for the Kannada-language film ''Aparichita''. In 1979 she was recipient of the National Award for Best Actress for the Tamil film ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]'', which was produced by Lalitha, the eldest of the [[Travancore sisters]]. She also received the Filmfare Best Actress award for ''Pasi'' and received the Second Best Actress award from the Kerala government in 1977 for the film ''[[Ormakal Marikkumo]]''.
In 1978 she was cast as a heroine in ''[[Uthrada Rathri]]'', a film directed by [[Balachandra Menon]]. She received the Kerala government's Best Actress award for the 1978 films ''[[Bandhanam]]'' and ''[[Ente Neelakaasham]]''. The same year she earned the Best Actress award by Filmfare for the [[Kannada cinema]] film ''Aparichita''. In 1979 she received the National Award for Best Actress for the Tamil film ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]'', which was produced by Lalitha, the eldest of the [[Travancore sisters]]. She also received the Filmfare Best Actress award for ''Pasi'' and received the Second Best Actress award from the Kerala government in 1977 for the film ''[[Ormakal Marikkumo]]''.


==Death==
==Death==
Shobha committed suicide at the age of 17.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704154904/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2003 |title=It's a heavy price to pay |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 May 2002 |author=S. R. Ashok Kumar  |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/jan-07-01/04-01-07-actress.html |title=A story on suicides and actresses |publisher=Behindwoods.com | date=4 January 2007 |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2002/apr/23474.htm |title=Why South Indian heroines are embracing death |publisher= [[Mid-Day]] | date=20 April 2002 |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref> She was married to [[Balu Mahendra]]. In an interview to [[Anu Haasan]] in [[Koffee with Anu]], [[Balu Mahendra]] has said that the tragedy of how Shoba was suddenly snatched away from his life by destiny, as quickly as she came, formed the plot for his next movie ''[[Moondram Pirai]]''. The 1983 Malayalam film ''[[Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback]]'' directed by [[K. G. George]] is loosely based on her life and death.<ref name=TOILekhayudeBased>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Balu-Mahendra-passes-away/articleshow/30334092.cms</ref>
Shobha committed [[suicide by hanging]] at the age of 17.<ref name=HeavyPrice>{{cite news |title=It's a heavy price to pay |first=S. R. Ashok |last= Kumar |date=3 May 2002 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm |access-date=11 January 2012 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704154904/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/jan-07-01/04-01-07-actress.html |title=A story on suicides and actresses |publisher=Behindwoods.com | date=4 January 2007 |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2002/apr/23474.htm |title=Why South Indian heroines are embracing death |publisher= [[Mid-Day]] | date=20 April 2002 |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref> She was married to [[Balu Mahendra]]. In an interview with [[Anu Haasan]] on ''[[Koffee with Anu]]'', Mahendra has said that the tragedy of how Shoba was suddenly snatched away from him, as quickly as she came, formed the plot for his next movie ''[[Moondram Pirai]]''. The 1983 Malayalam film ''[[Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback]]'' directed by [[K. G. George]] is loosely based on her life and death.<ref name=TOILekhayudeBased>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Balu-Mahendra-passes-away/articleshow/30334092.cms|title = Veteran director Balu Mahendra no more - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 76: Line 76:
* ''[[Ekakini]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Ekakini]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Bandhanam]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Bandhanam]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Lillyppookkal]]'' (1979)
* ''Lillyppookkal'' (1979)
* ''Ishta Praneshwari'' (1979)
* ''Ishta Praneshwari'' (1979)
* ''[[Ente Neelakasham]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Ente Neelakasham]]'' (1979)
Line 124: Line 124:


==Awards==
==Awards==
;[[National Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=S. R.|first1=Ashok Kumar|title=It's a heavy price to pay|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030210201146/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 February 2003|access-date=23 August 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 May 2002}}</ref>
;[[National Film Awards]]<ref name=HeavyPrice/>
* [[27th National Film Awards|1979]] – [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]''
* [[27th National Film Awards|1979]] – [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]''


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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist||refs=http://imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in/2011/08/sobha.html}}
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/sindooracheppu-1971/article5848402.ece Sindooracheppu (1971)]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/naturalism-was-his-signature/article5687161.ece Naturalism was his signature]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/kokila-was-balus-first-as-director/article5687412.ece Kokila was Balu’s first as director]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/balu-mahendra-19392014/article5684322.ece#im-image-7 Balu Mahendra (1939–2014)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140302203734/http://malayalamcinemahistory.com/pr/Shobha/ShobhaPhotos.htm Shobha]
* [http://imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in/2011/08/sobha.html Sobha]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030704154904/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm It's a heavy price to pay]


==External links==
==Further reading==
* {{IMDb name|1685564|Shobha}}
* {{cite news |title=Sindooracheppu 1971 |first=B. |last=Vijayakumar |date=2014-03-30 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/sindooracheppu-1971/article5848402.ece |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410214926/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/sindooracheppu-1971/article5848402.ece |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100116092009/http://simplymalayalees.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=887 Urvashi Sobha]
* {{cite web |title=Shobha [''sic''] |website=malayalamcinemahistory.com |url=http://malayalamcinemahistory.com/pr/Shobha/ShobhaPhotos.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302203734/http://malayalamcinemahistory.com/pr/Shobha/ShobhaPhotos.htm |archive-date=2014-03-02 |url-status=dead}}
 
* {{cite news |title=Sobha |first=Sathish |last=Babu |date=2011-08-29 |website=imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot |url=http://imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in/2011/08/sobha.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620122629/http://imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in/2011/08/sobha.html |archive-date=2017-06-20 |url-status=dead}}
{{National Film Award for Best Actress}}
* {{Cite web |title=Urvashi Sobha |author=agnisharman |date=2009-11-27 |website=simplymalayalees.com |url=http://simplymalayalees.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=887 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116092009/http://simplymalayalees.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=887 |archive-date=2010-01-16}}
{{FilmfareTamilBestActress}}
{{FilmfareKannadaBestActress}}
{{KeralaStateAwardForBestActress}}
 
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:1980 deaths]]
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Actress National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Actresses from Kerala]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Indian child actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Suicides by hanging in India]]
[[Category:1980 suicides]]
[[Category:Child actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
{{Short description|Indian actress}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name              = Shobha
| image              = Shoba actress.jpg
| caption            = Shobha from the film ''[[Moodu Pani]]'' (1980)<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/balu-mahendra-19392014/article5684322.ece/photo/3/</ref>
| birth_name        = Mahalakshmi Menon
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|df=yes|1962|09|23}}
| birth_place        =
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1980|05|01|1962|09|23}}<ref name="birth">{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JYkxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z6QFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1250,542528&dq=shobha+balu+mahendra&hl=en |title=Top Indian actress found hanged |date=2 May 1980 |work=[[The Gazette (Montreal)]] |agency=[[United Press International]] |page=10}}</ref>
| death_place        = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]],India
| death_cause        = [[Suicide]]
| resting_place      =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| other_names        = Shoba Mahendra, Urvashi Shoba,<ref name="birth" /> Baby Mahalakshmi, Baby Shoba
| occupation        = Actress
| years_active      = 1965–1980
| spouse            = {{marriage|[[Balu Mahendra]]|1978|May 1, 1980|end=d.}}
| parents            = K. P. Menon (Father)<br />[[Prema (Malayalam actress)|Prema]] (Mother)
}}
 
'''Mahalakshmi Menon''', best known by her stagename '''Shobha''' (23 September 1962 – 1 May 1980), was an [[India]]n actress best known for her work in [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]] and [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] films. At the age of 17, she won the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for her role in the 1979 Tamil film ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]''. She also received three [[Kerala State Film Awards]]: for Best Actress (1978), Best Supporting Actress (1977) and Best Child Artist (1971); and two [[Filmfare Awards South]] for Best Actress in [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]] (1978) and Tamil (1979) films. Considered one of the finest talents to have emerged in the Indian film world, her promising career was unexpectedly cut short as she committed suicide in 1980, due to unknown reasons. Her popularity resulted in considerable public scrutiny of the events that led to her death and also various conspiracy theories. The 1983 Malayalam film ''[[Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback]]'' is supposedly based on her life and death.
 
Born to [[Malayali]] parents in [[Madras]], she started her career in the Tamil film industry, making her debut as a child artist in ''[[Thattungal Thirakkappadum]]'' (1966). Her first film as the main lead actress was in the 1978 Malayalam film ''[[Uthrada Rathri]]''.
 
==Early life==
Shoba was born on 23 September 1962  to K. P. Menon and [[Prema Menon]].<ref>https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/05/09/actress-shobha-filmy-life-story-still-remain-endearing.html</ref> Her mother was an actress in the Malayalam film industry during the 1950s.{{citation needed|date = September 2015}}
 
==Career==
In 1966, Shoba made her screen debut in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] [[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]] film ''Thattungal Thirakkappadum'' directed by actor [[J. P. Chandrababu]]. In the film she was credited as Baby Mahalakshmi where she played the role of Lakshmi opposite actress [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]], [[K. R. Vijaya]], [[R. S. Manohar]] and Chandrababu himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southside.in/24/The-ageony-and-ecstasy-of-being-Chandrababu/ |title=The agony and ecstasy of being – Chandrababu |publisher=Southside |year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619234218/http://www.southside.in/24/The-ageony-and-ecstasy-of-being-Chandrababu/ |archive-date=19 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/10/02/stories/2009100250670400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106120522/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/10/02/stories/2009100250670400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2009 |title=A voice that mesmerised  |work= [[The Hindu]] | date=2 October 2009 |author=Randor Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |access-date=5 March 2012 }}</ref> The following year she made her debut in [[Malayalam cinema]] through ''[[Udhyogastha]]'' by [[P. Venu]] where she was named as Baby Shoba. Touted as the first "multi-starrer", with five top actors, in Malayalam cinema, the film had [[Sathyan (actor)|Sathyan]], [[Prem Nazir]], [[K. P. Ummer]], [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]], [[Sharada (actress)|Sharada]], [[Sheela]] and [[Rajasree]] in the lead along with Shobha.<ref>{{cite news |author=Special Correspondent |title=Film director P. Venu dead |url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/26/stories/2011052661790400.htm | date=26 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808081738/http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/26/stories/2011052661790400.htm |archive-date=8 August 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead |access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> The film was a big hit and gained Shoba recognition as a child actor in [[Cinema of South India|South Indian cinema]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/news/2011/p-venu-died-heart-attack-260511-aid0062.html |title=P Venu dies of heart attack in Chennai |publisher=[[Oneindia.in]] | date=26 May 2011 |access-date=5 March 2012 }}</ref>
 
In 1978 she was cast as a heroine in ''[[Uthrada Rathri]]'', a film directed by [[Balachandra Menon]]. She received the Kerala government's Best Actress award for the 1978 films ''[[Bandhanam]]'' and ''[[Ente Neelakaasham]]''. The same year she earned the Best Actress award by Filmfare for the Kannada-language film ''Aparichita''. In 1979 she was recipient of the National Award for Best Actress for the Tamil film ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]'', which was produced by Lalitha, the eldest of the [[Travancore sisters]]. She also received the Filmfare Best Actress award for ''Pasi'' and received the Second Best Actress award from the Kerala government in 1977 for the film ''[[Ormakal Marikkumo]]''.
 
==Death==
Shobha committed suicide at the age of 17.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704154904/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2003 |title=It's a heavy price to pay |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 May 2002 |author=S. R. Ashok Kumar  |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/jan-07-01/04-01-07-actress.html |title=A story on suicides and actresses |publisher=Behindwoods.com | date=4 January 2007 |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2002/apr/23474.htm |title=Why South Indian heroines are embracing death |publisher= [[Mid-Day]] | date=20 April 2002 |access-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref> She was married to [[Balu Mahendra]]. In an interview to [[Anu Haasan]] in [[Koffee with Anu]], [[Balu Mahendra]] has said that the tragedy of how Shoba was suddenly snatched away from his life by destiny, as quickly as she came, formed the plot for his next movie ''[[Moondram Pirai]]''. The 1983 Malayalam film ''[[Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback]]'' directed by [[K. G. George]] is loosely based on her life and death.<ref name=TOILekhayudeBased>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Balu-Mahendra-passes-away/articleshow/30334092.cms</ref>
 
==Filmography==
 
===Malayalam films===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ''[[Jeevithayaathra]]'' (1965)
* ''[[Karuna (film)|Karuna]]'' (1966)
* ''Penmakkal '' (1966)
* ''[[Ollathu Mathi]] '' (1967)
* ''[[Pareeksha (1967 film)|Pareeksha]] '' (1967)
* ''[[Kadal (1968 film)|Kadal]] '' (1968)
* ''[[Adyapika]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Aparadhini]]'' (1968)
* ''[[Kuruthikkalam]]'' (1969)
* ''Vettamrigam'' (1969)
* ''[[Udhyogastha]]'' (1967) – child artist
* ''Aval Alpam Vaikipoyi '' (1971)
* ''[[Yogammullaval]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Sindooracheppu]]'' (1971) – Ammalu
* ''[[Makane Ninakku Vendi]]'' (1971) – Young Sophia
* ''[[Taxi Car]]'' (1972)
* ''Gandharavakshetram'' (1972) – Young Lakshmi
* ''[[Aradimanninte Janmi]]'' (1972) – Minikutty
* ''[[Udayam (1973 film)|Udayam]]'' (1973) – Young Geetha
* ''Badradeepam'' (1973) – Lekha
* ''[[Ayalathe Sundari]]'' (1974) – Shobha
* ''[[Night Duty]]'' (1974) – Ammini
* ''[[Ayodhya]]'' (1975) – Shanthi
* ''[[Chottanikkara Amma]]'' (1976)
* ''Amruthavahini'' (1976) – Rani
* ''[[Dweep]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Ormakal Marikkumo]]'' (1977) – Ammini/Parvathi
* ''[[Nurayum Pathayum]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Rajaparambara]] '' (1977)
* ''Pad–aram '' (1978) – Shoba
* ''[[Randu Penkuttikal]]'' (1978)
* ''Wayanadan Thampan'' (1978)
* ''Utradaraatri'' (1978)
* ''[[Ulkkadal]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Ekakini]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Bandhanam]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Lillyppookkal]]'' (1979)
* ''Ishta Praneshwari'' (1979)
* ''[[Ente Neelakasham]]'' (1979)
* ''Shalini Ente Koottukaari'' (1980)
* ''Daliapookkal'' (1980)
* ''[[Aniyatha Valakal]]'' (1980)
* ''Soorya Daham'' (1980)
* ''Yovvanam Daham'' (1980)
* ''Manju Moodal Manju'' (1980)
{{div col end}}
 
===Tamil films===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ''[[Naanal (film)|Naanal]]'' (1965) – child artist
* ''[[Thattungal Thirakkappadum]]'' (1966) – child artist
* ''[[Iru Kodugal]]'' (1969) – child artist
* ''[[Punnagai]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Vairam]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Achchani]]'' (1978)
* ''[[Nizhal Nijamagiradhu]]'' (1978)
* ''Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam'' (1978)
* ''[[Mullum Malarum]]'' (1978)
* ''Veetuku Veedu Vasappadi'' (1979)
* ''[[Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Enippadigal]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Chakkalathi]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Agal Vilakku]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Azhiyatha Kolangal]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]'' (1979)
* ''Veli Thandiya Velladu'' (1980)
* ''[[Moodu Pani]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Ponnagaram]]'' (1980)
* ''Saamanthippoo'' (1980)
* ''Mayil'' (1981) – Released posthumously
* ''Vaadagai Veedu'' (1981) – Released posthumously
* ''Anbulla Athan'' (1981) – Released posthumously
{{div col end}}
 
===Telugu films===
* ''Tharam Marindi'' (1977)
* ''[[Manavoori Pandavulu]]'' (1978)
 
===Kannada films===
* ''[[Kokila (1977 film)|Kokila]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Aparichita]]'' (1978)
* ''Amara Madhura Prema'' (1982 – Released posthumously)
 
==Awards==
;[[National Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=S. R.|first1=Ashok Kumar|title=It's a heavy price to pay|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030210201146/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 February 2003|access-date=23 August 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 May 2002}}</ref>
* [[27th National Film Awards|1979]] – [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] for ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]''
 
;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
* 1978 – [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Kannada)|Filmfare Best Kannada Actress Award]] for ''[[Aparichita]]''
* 1979 – [[Filmfare Best Actress Award (Tamil)|Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award]] for ''[[Pasi (film)|Pasi]]''
 
;[[Kerala State Film Award]]<ref>{{cite web |title=State Film Awards |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawares.htm |publisher=[[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]] |access-date=26 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232254/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawares.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>
* 1971 – [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist|Best Female Child Artist]] for ''[[Yogammullaval]]'' and ''[[Aval Alpam Vaikippoyi]]''
* 1977 – [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress|Second Best Actress]] for ''[[Ormakal Marikkumo]]''
* 1978 – [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for ''[[Ente Neelakasham]]''
 
==References==
{{Reflist||refs=http://imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in/2011/08/sobha.html}}
* [http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/sindooracheppu-1971/article5848402.ece Sindooracheppu (1971)]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/naturalism-was-his-signature/article5687161.ece Naturalism was his signature]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/kokila-was-balus-first-as-director/article5687412.ece Kokila was Balu’s first as director]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/balu-mahendra-19392014/article5684322.ece#im-image-7 Balu Mahendra (1939–2014)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140302203734/http://malayalamcinemahistory.com/pr/Shobha/ShobhaPhotos.htm Shobha]
* [http://imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in/2011/08/sobha.html Sobha]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030704154904/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/03/stories/2002050300330300.htm It's a heavy price to pay]


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|1685564|Shobha}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100116092009/http://simplymalayalees.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=887 Urvashi Sobha]


{{National Film Award for Best Actress}}
{{National Film Award for Best Actress}}

Latest revision as of 02:57, 14 May 2022


Shobha
File:Shoba actress.jpg
Shobha from the film Moodu Pani (1980)[1]
Born
Mahalakshmi Menon

(1962-09-23)23 September 1962
Died1 May 1980(1980-05-01) (aged 17)[2]
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Cause of deathSuicide by hanging
Other namesShoba Mahendra, Urvashi Shoba,[2] Baby Mahalakshmi, Baby Shoba
OccupationActress
Years active1965–1980
Spouse(s)
(
m. 1978)
Parent(s)

Mahalakshmi Menon, best known by her stagename Shobha (23 September 1962 – 1 May 1980), was an Indian actress best known for her work in Malayalam and Tamil films. At the age of 17, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1979 Tamil film Pasi. She also received three Kerala State Film Awards: for Best Actress (1978), Best Supporting Actress (1977) and Best Child Artist (1971); and two Filmfare Awards South for Best Actress in Kannada (1978) and Tamil (1979) films. Considered one of the finest talents to have emerged in the Indian film world, her promising career was unexpectedly cut short as she committed suicide in 1980, due to unknown reasons. Her popularity resulted in considerable public scrutiny of the events that led to her death and also various conspiracy theories.[3] The 1983 Malayalam film Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback is supposedly based on her life and death.

Born to Malayali parents in Madras, she started her career in the Tamil film industry, making her debut as a child artist in Thattungal Thirakkappadum (1966). Her first film as the main lead actress was in the 1978 Malayalam film Uthrada Rathri.

Early life[edit]

Shoba was born on 23 September 1962, to K. P. Menon and Prema Menon – an actress credited by the mononym Prema, in the Malayalam film industry, from 1954 to 1981.[4]

Career[edit]

In 1966, Shoba made her screen debut in Tamil thriller film Thattungal Thirakkappadum directed by actor J. P. Chandrababu. In the film she was credited as Baby Mahalakshmi where she played the role of Lakshmi opposite actress Savitri, K. R. Vijaya, R. S. Manohar and Chandrababu himself.[5][6] The following year she made her debut in Malayalam cinema in P. Venu's Udhyogastha, where she was credited as Baby Shoba. The film has been touted as the first "multi-starrer" of Malayalam cinema, with such top actors as Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. P. Ummer, Padmini, Sharada, Sheela and Rajasree;[7] the huge hit, in a film targeted to all ages, brought Shoba wide attention as a child actor.[8]

In 1978 she was cast as a heroine in Uthrada Rathri, a film directed by Balachandra Menon. She received the Kerala government's Best Actress award for the 1978 films Bandhanam and Ente Neelakaasham. The same year she earned the Best Actress award by Filmfare for the Kannada cinema film Aparichita. In 1979 she received the National Award for Best Actress for the Tamil film Pasi, which was produced by Lalitha, the eldest of the Travancore sisters. She also received the Filmfare Best Actress award for Pasi and received the Second Best Actress award from the Kerala government in 1977 for the film Ormakal Marikkumo.

Death[edit]

Shobha committed suicide by hanging at the age of 17.[9][10][11] She was married to Balu Mahendra. In an interview with Anu Haasan on Koffee with Anu, Mahendra has said that the tragedy of how Shoba was suddenly snatched away from him, as quickly as she came, formed the plot for his next movie Moondram Pirai. The 1983 Malayalam film Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback directed by K. G. George is loosely based on her life and death.[12]

Filmography[edit]

Malayalam films[edit]

Tamil films[edit]

Telugu films[edit]

Kannada films[edit]

  • Kokila (1977)
  • Aparichita (1978)
  • Amara Madhura Prema (1982 – Released posthumously)

Awards[edit]

National Film Awards[9]
Filmfare Awards South
Kerala State Film Award[13]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Balu Mahendra (1939-2014)". The Hindu. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Top Indian actress found hanged". Montreal Gazette. United Press International. 2 May 1980. p. 10 – via Google News Archive.
  3. ↑ Aravind, CV (9 May 2020). "Remembering Shoba, the brilliant actor who left us too soon". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Babu, Subash (10 May 2020). "Actress Shobha and her intriguingly filmy life story still remain endearing". Malayala Manorama. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "The agony and ecstasy of being – Chandrababu". Southside.in. 2007. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.[failed verification]
  6. ↑ Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "A voice that mesmerised". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "Film director P. Venu dead". The Hindu. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  8. ↑ Hooli, Shekhar (26 May 2011). "P Venu dies of heart attack in Chennai". Oneindia. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kumar, S. R. Ashok (3 May 2002). "It's a heavy price to pay". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  10. ↑ "A story on suicides and actresses". Behindwoods.com. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  11. ↑ "Why South Indian heroines are embracing death". Mid-Day. 20 April 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "Veteran director Balu Mahendra no more - Times of India". The Times of India.
  13. ↑ "State Film Awards". Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2015.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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