- [on occasion of her 45th birthday in 1992] One-third of my life was dominated by my mother, Sandhya, who taught me everything about life, the other part a major one was dominated by M.G. Ramachandran as I had 28 hits with him and also followed his ideologies and dreams for Tamil Nadu. Two-third of my life is thus over. One third remains and this part of my life remains for myself but there are some responsibilities and duties to be fulfilled.Aim is to take Tamil Nadu to new heights as a Chief Minister.
- I was born into a Tamil Brahmin family, an Iyenger family, and I was brought up in a typical orthodox way by my maternal grandparents, aunts and my mother.
- [on her aunt Vidyavathi] My mother's younger sister, who was a very bold and adventurous sort. She first became an air hostess. That was considered something very daring and adventurous in those days. And after that, she became an actress.
- [on whether she fell in love with actor and politician M.G.R.] I think everyone who met him fell in love with him. He was a charismatic figure.... He was a very warm and caring kind of person, and after mother died, he replaced her in my life. So he was everything to me. He was mother, father, friend, philosopher, guide, everything to me. He sort of took over my life. Its wrong to say I had any affair with him just because I had 28 hits with him. He was 31 years elder to me and was married person. I respected him. He was in no way a womaniser nor we were involved romantically off screen. He gave me very good films and good roles .Inspired me to work for public and be honest to my profession and not be corrupt.It was opposition and some section of media which published stories claiming we were attracted towards each other. I wish I had filed defemation case against such crooked wicked people back then. M G R was generous, dedicated towards his work and was peace lover. He appreciated art and wanted his public to enjoy their life. He wanted his countrymen to achieve their dreams. He had extremely positive outlook towards life and was highly optimistic.Wish he lived till his age of 100.
- [on marriage] It just never happened. I did like the idea of marriage as any young girl would. Every young girl dreams of meeting the perfect man, meeting her Prince Charming, of marrying him and living happily ever after. I too had those dreams as a teenager, as a young girl. If my mother had got me married me off at the age of say eighteen, even if it was an arranged marriage, I would've settled down happily into domesticity and I would've been perfectly content looking after my home, raising children...but then life taught me that such things don't happen to everyone and it's unrealistic to expect happiness in life.I was the most in demand heroine from 1965-1977 and then started working for public in different ways from 1980. Do you think I would have ever achieved super stardom or would have become an actress if I had got married?No. I would have not got opportunity to serve public had I got married of after retiring as the lead female heroine in 1980 or had I got married instead of becoming actress by 1968.
- [on whether she missed having a complete family] Not at all. I value my freedom, my independence. And looking around me at so many failed marriages, looking at all the unhappiness that people have to endure in bad marriages, and in many families, I've seen the way children are so ungrateful to their parents. Nowadays, young people are so insensitive they just abandon their aged parents, throw them away into old people's homes, and when I see all this, I think it's a good thing I never got married, and I never had any children. From 1980 in public life, I have got immense satisfaction in working for the common man. The people of Tamil Nadu are my children and I have always shown them the right way in which they should lead their life.
- I can't say I liked [acting], but it came naturally to me. I'm a natural actress. I never followed any method. I never went to any school of acting, and I never consciously tried to imitate anyone. I'm a spontaneous, natural actress.
- [Her reaction when her mother Sandhya died in 1971] I was lost. I was like a babe in the woods, blindfolded, because Mother was my whole world, and she never taught me anything practical. You see, she kept me so sheltered. Mother was only 47 when she died, so no one thought she would die so young. She probably thought she would be around a long time to take care of me and she probably thought that I was so overburdened with work that these other things could come later, but then the net result was I was left absolutely helpless when she died. I didn't know anything about running a house. I didn't know how to operate a bank account. I didn't know how to write a check. I didn't know the meaning of income tax. I didn't know how many servants we had. I didn't know what their salaries were. I didn't know what the producers were paying me in the films in which I was acting. So being an innocent babe lost in the woods, everyone could see that I was so naive, and vulnerable, and innocent. Everyone took advantage of me, so I had to learn everything the hard way.I took very few projects after her death.I got to know I was highest paid Indian actress, only after 1971, that too from the honest producers. She had been fixing up my amount per film and didn't allow success to go to my head. I was kept away from anything money related be it investments or my fees per film till 1971.
- [on her father and paternal grandparents]My father was gentleman of leisure. My paternal grandfather was the palace medical surgeon in court at Maharaja of Mysore. He had built up fortune but my father squandered away the family fortune.He died when I was only 2 years old and my mother was 20.I have great admiration for my maternal grandparents who take care of my mother and her sister and gave them good life as well as my paternal grandparents.
- [When asked to compare male chauvinism she experienced in films and in politics] I think both are equally bad. But in films, a woman is an essential commodity. Whether you like it or not, you need the glamour that women can provide in films. You can't do without them. In politics, you can do without them. They try very hard to do without them. But where people like me are concerned, it's not so easy to just wish me away. Many people would love to.I played wide variety of characters from different backgrounds.Infact had titles of some of the films referring to my character rather than that of the male lead. None could exploit me while I was active in films nor thereafter while am in politics. I ensured people behave well around me and I became closer only to those who had good character and were good at heart.
- The favorites of mine from the solo songs from Tamil films picturised on me would be Vandhal Ennodu - Naan (1967), Yaaro Aada Therinthavar - Kumari Penn, Pathinaru Vayathinaley - Annamitta Kai (1972), Oru Naal Yaaro and Maane Pani Nilavu - Major Chandrakanth (1966), Thaneer Yennum - Mugaraasi (1966), Kattazhagu Thangamal - Kaavalkaran(1967), Ponmeni Thazhuvamal, Mulli Roja and En Vedhanaiyil - Yaar Nee(1967), Santhanam Kungumum- Ragasiya Police(1968), Varshathai Paaru - Kumari Penn, Paavai Paavai Thaan - Enge Mama(1970), Paruvam Enathu Paadal - Ayirathil Oruvan (1965), Adi Madhalam Kotti - Kumari Kottam (1970), Annai Endru Aagum Munne - Thaikku Thalaimagan, Katru Pola Angum Engum -Kumari Penn (1970), Yengreindho Oru Koral Vandhadhu - Avanthan Manithan, Paavai Paavai Thaan from Enge Mama (1970) Sorgam Dhaan Sugam - Kanavan Manaivi (1976), Adada Enna Azhagu - Nee, Malaiitta Kanavan Nalai - Muthuchippi, Mayakkathai Thandadhu Yarradi from Bommalattam, Eppothu Nadagathai - Panakara Pillai, Pachchaikilli Pachai Muzhi from Moondrezhuthu, Enna Porutham Mama from Kanavan, Vangadi Vaanga Vandhu Pathutu Ponga from Anbu Thangai(1974) Chittukuruvi Kenna Kattupadu from Savale Samali and Aan Thoda Tha Kannipen - Maharasi (1967).
- My personal favorite songs from films done with MGR include Paaduvor Paadinal Aada Thondrum from Kannan En Kadhalan and Ennai Theriyima from Kudiyirundha Kovil, both of which were solos of TMS where I only danced. Then duets like Sirithaal Thangapadumai from Kannan En Kadhalan, Engerindho Asaigal from Chandhrodhayam, Chandhrodhayam Oru from Chandhrodhayam, Mellapo Mella Po from Kavalkaran, Ninanithen Vandhai from Kavalkaran, Nanamo from Ariyanthil Oruvan, Vizhiye Vizhiye from Pudhiya Bhoomi, Endrum Padinaru and Ammama Thookamaa from Kanni Thai, Neram Nalla Nerum from Thanipiravi, Mayangum Vayadhu from Kanavan, Kanne Kaniye, Paal Tamil Paal all from Ragasiya Police, Kannan En Kadhalan from Oru Thai Makkal ,Vazhavendum from Thaiku Thalaimagan, Thottu Kollava from Matukara Velan, Ennenna Ennenna Ennangal Undagumo from Muharassi,Neeyethan Ennaku Manavati from Kudiyiruntha Kovil, Dont Touch Mr X from Engal Thangam, Maanikkka Theril Maragatha from Thedi Vantha Mapillai, Endrum Padhinarum from Kannithai , Chinnavalai Mugam from Pudiya Bhoomi and Yen Ullam Undhan from Raman Thediya Seethai.
- My personal favorite duet songs picturised on me, other than those from MGR and Sivaji Ganeshan films, would be Ponnana Malar Ondru from Thriumanglyam, Vaanam Ennum Vidhiyile from Annai Vellkani, Malaigalil Megangal from Kanavan Manaivi, Podhumo Indha Idham from Naan, Nenjukku Mugame Kannadi and Kettu Paar from Maadi Veetu Mapillai, Kathirundha Kangale from Motoram Sundrampillai, Netru Nee from Major Chandrakanth, Vazhakondru Thoduppen from Andru Kanda Mugam, Kudithu Mayangi and Nawab-Ukk-Oru Kelvi from Baghdad Perazhagi, Nalla Naal Parkavo and Nee Ada Ada Azhaghu from Bommalattam, Oru Naal Pazhagiya Pazhakkam from Muthuchippi, Iru Mangani Pol from Vairam, Thottadhu Poley Kanavu Kanden and Varanum Varanum Maharani - Gowri Kalyanam, Orukellam Poo Chootum Meena and Andru Ninaithom from Raja Veetu Pillai, Maanikka Magudam from Pannakara Pillai, Pettiyila Pottuadaitha and Kadhalan Vandaan from Moondrezhuthu and Vaazhvil Pudumanam from Maharasi.
- I was lucky to get female oriented scripts right from the start, in fact through out my career in Tamil films. Be it Venniradai, Yaar Nee, Chandrodhyam, Thirumangalyam, Kumari Penn, Nee, Sumathi En Sundari, Engerindho Vandhal, Vandhal Maharasi, Magarasi, Thangagoopuram, Suryagandhi, Avalluku Ayiram Kangal, Yaarukum Vetkam Illai, Kanaivan Maniavi, Anbai Thedi and Unnai Suttrum Ulagam.Even in the commercial films of MGR, Shivaji, Ravichandran, Jaishankar and even in off beat films, had strong characters in Ayirathil Oruvan, Major Chandrakant, Maadi Veetu Pillai, Arasa Katalai, Ganga Gowri, Kannan En Kadhalan, Muthuchippi, Andru Kanda Mugam, Adimai Penn, Raja Veetu Pillai, Annamitta Kai, Oru Thai Makkal, Anbu Thangai. Then similarly in Kannada had lovable roles with Mane Aliya, Chinnada Gombe, Mavana Magalu, Nanna Kartavya, Badakkuva Dariya.Credit to my mother, god for getting me into film industry and to directors, script writers who thought I was fit to play these characters.The audience ensured I was part of 28 Telugu hits and 5 successful films in Kannada, 85 Tamil blockbusters. This made me immortal and memorable in their minds forever.
- I used to frequently interact with my closest friends from film industry like M G Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, Ravichandran, Jaishankar, Nagesh, Sechu, Manorama, M.N.Nambiar, S.A.Asokan , V.K.Ramaswamy, R.Manoharan and Cho Ramaswamy right from 1966 till at least 1985.But after I entered active politics I was busy in developing and nurturing the political party. I have immense respect for my seniors Bhanumati, Padmini, Anjali Devi, Rajasulochana, T.R.Rajakumari, Sowcar Janaki, Saroja Devi, Kanchana, Jamuna, Sukumari, Devika and contemporaries Vanisri, Rajashree and others. Some of them left too early in 1980s. After 2000, I have managed to have had much more opportunity to meet the stalwarts regularly.Later only in film functions and weddings of their children I used to meet these friends. I have always admired M.S.Viswanathan, P.Susheela and L.R.Eashwari for their contribution to my fame.I have not forgotten any person who has contributed to my success in films. Recently in 2012, I invited most of my friends to my house for lunch at my house at Poes Gardens and we interacted a lot.
- From the films I did with Shivaji, I like the duets like Chitirai Mandabathil from Anbai Thedi which was sung by me with T M Soundarrajan, Siripil Undagum from Engerindo Vandhaal, Mella Varum Kaatru from Galata Kalyanam, Veeram Yenum Paavai from Dharmam Yenge, Kadhalikka Katru Kolungal from Dhieva Magan, Ennanga Solunga from Enge Mama, Parameshwari Rajeshwari from Enga Oor Raja, Nee Varavendum Endru from Raja, Oru Tharam Orey Tharam from Sumati En Sundari, Sendhura Netri Pottin from Chaitra Pournami.
- I know Cho Ramaswamy even before I acted with him in Undersecretary in April 1964. The first time I met him I was 7 and he was 21. He was doing rehearsal with my mother, aunt Vedavalli and few others for a play. I was sitting in audience.I used to laugh at his antics. He is like an elder brother and very close advisor.He spoke against me only for some 3 years due to corruption case against me.From the industry, except for Manorama, no one dared to support me when allegations were repeated against me.Other than those 3 yrs Cho had always been well wisher of mine . He may have different opinion on a situation but our personal equation always remains the same.
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