Aarathi

Aarathi (born 1954) is an Indian actress who predominantly acted in Kannada language films during the 1970s and 1980s. She has won the Filmfare awards South and the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress four times each. After her retirement from films in the mid 1980s, she staged a comeback in 2005 as a director with "Mithayi Mane" which met with critical appreciation and also won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Children's Film.
She was also nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Vidhana parishad, making her only the second actress after B. Jayamma to be so nominated.
Career.
After a short role in "Gejje Pooje" (1969), Aarathi starred as a leading actress in over 120 films including "Naagarahaavu", "Edakallu Guddada Mele", "Bili Hendthi", "Dharmasere", "Paduvaaralli Pandavaru", "Ranganayaki", "Hombisilu", "Upasane" and "Shubhamangala". Her collaboration with director Puttanna Kanagal included twelve films. In 1986 she directed the TV series, "Namma Nammalli".