Chaya Singh is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil and Kannada films and television shows. She started her acting career in Kannada films and has worked in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali and Bhojpuri films.[1] She has a reputation of being very selective in her roles.[2]
Early life
Singh belongs to a Rajput family.[3] She grew up in Bangalore. She did her schooling at Lourdes School, Bangalore and studied for until twelfth there.[4]
Career
Her first film role was in Munnudi.[4] She went to do more films in Kannada including Haseena which was directed by Girish Kasaravalli, Thuntata, which was a success,[4] Dinesh Babu's Chitte and Sai Prakash's Rowdy Aliya.[5]
After having few chances in the Kannada industry she migrated to Tamil movies. Chaya Singh's most famous movie is Thiruda Thirudi in Tamil which has the popular song "Manmadha Raasa".[6] She also acted in its Kannada remake Sakha Sakhi,[7] which unlike the original was not successful.[8] Chaya later acted in little known films Kavithai and Jaisurya[4] and did item numbers in Arul and Thirupaachi,[8] though she stated that she dislikes doing them.[9] She returned to Tamil with Vallamai Tharayo[1] and then starred in the supernatural thriller Anandhapurathu Veedu.[10]
She has performed in Akasha Gange in Kannada which released in 2008. About her performance in the film, Rediff wrote, "The highlight of the film is Chaya Singh who has come out with an outstanding performance as a music teacher who comes to her lover's house to win over his family".[11] Sify wrote, "This is Chaya Singh's yet another best performance. She speaks from her lovely eyes".[12] She acted in the Kannada short film Simply kailawesome.[13] The film made on playwright T. P. Kailasam revolves around conversations between Kailasam and female protagonists from four of his plays. Chaya Singh played all the four characters: Paatu from Tollugatti, Eeke from Gandaskathri, Venkamma from Home Rule and Sule from the play Sule.[14]
She has acted in two Malayalam films, too, Mullavalliyum Thenmavum and Police, both directed by V. K. Prakash.[15] In 2008 she was acting in two Bhojpuri films.[16] Her first Bhojpuri release was Mahamaayi.[17] She has directed a Bengali film, too.[18]
She has done supporting roles in Kannada TV shows such as E-TV's Sarojini and Prema Kathegalu.[19] She has acted in Tamil serial Nagamma, airing on Sun TV.[20] She was a judge in the show Kuniyonu Bara on a Kannada television channel.[21] Since 2012, she acts in Telugu serial "Kanchna Ganga", airing on Maa TV.[22] She has been doing a few Tamil films in the last few years.[23]
Personal life
Chaya Singh's parents are Gopal Singh and Chamanlata. She married Tamil actor Krishna of Deivamagal fame, in June 2012.[24]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Munnudi | Unnisa | Kannada | |
| 2001 | Chitte | Shanthi | ||
| 2001 | Rashtrageethe | (Special cameo appearance as a chandini) | ||
| 2002 | Guttu | Shreya | ||
| 2002 | Thuntata | Priya | ||
| 2002 | Balagalittu Olage Baa | Gowri | ||
| 2003 | Preetisalebeku | Template:Unknown | ||
| 2003 | Thiruda Thirudi | Vijayalakshmi (Viji) | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Mullavalliyum Thenmavum | Rajasree | Malayalam | |
| 2004 | Kavithai | Subulakshmi | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Rowdy Aliya | Template:N/A | Kannada | |
| 2004 | Arul | Ponni | Tamil | Special Appearance in "Marudha Malai Adivaaram" Song |
| 2004 | Amma Appa Chellam | Nandhitha | ||
| 2004 | Jaisurya | Charupriya | ||
| 2005 | Thirupaachi | Herself | Special Appearance in "Kumbudu Pona Deivam" Song | |
| 2005 | Sakha Sakhi | Viji | Kannada | |
| 2005 | Police | Keerthi | Malayalam | |
| 2005 | No | Priya | Telugu | |
| 2008 | Vallamai Tharayo | Nanditha | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Akasha Gange | Beena/Lakshmi | Kannada | |
| 2010 | Anandhapurathu Veedu | Revathy Bala | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Ki Kore Bojhabo ...Tomake | Sapna | Bengali | Also director |
| 2014 | Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal | Vineethra | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Uyire Uyire | Divya | ||
| 2017 | Power Paandi | Premalatha | ||
| 2017 | Mufti | Vedavathi | Kannada | |
| 2017 | Ulkuthu | Raja's sister | Tamil | |
| 2018 | Iravukku Aayiram Kangal | Roopala | ||
| 2018 | Pattinapakkam | Sheeba | ||
| 2019 | Action | Kayalvizhi | ||
| 2020 | Khaki | Inspector Chaya | Kannada | |
| Template:TBA | Thamezharasan | Tamil | Delayed |
Short Films
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Simply kailawesome | Paatu/Eeke/Venkamma/Sule | Kannada |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarojini | Sarojini | Zee Kannada | Kannada | |
| Prema Kathegalu | Colors Kannada | |||
| 2011–2012 | Nagamma | Nagamma | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2012 | Kuniyonu Baara | Judge | Zee Kannada | Kannada |
| Haalu Jenu Naanu Neenu | Host | |||
| 2012–2014 | Kanchana Ganga | Maa TV | Telugu | |
| 2019–2020 | Run | Divya | Sun TV | Tamil |
| Nandini | Nandini / Janani | Udaya TV | Kannada | |
| 2021–2022 | Poove Unakkaga | Ranjana | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2021 | Poova Thalaya | Guest | ||
| Vanakkam Tamizha | Herself | |||
| 2022 | Namma Madurai Sisters | Indhrani | Colors Tamil | |
| Vanakkam Tamizha | Herself | Sun TV |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chaya back in films!(25 October 2008). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Feline, fast and favourite. The Hindu(20 September 2004). Retrieved 10 October 2008.
- ↑ A new year by any other name. Dnaindia.com(23 March 2012). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Metro Plus Kochi / Cinema : Staple diet: comics. The Hindu(18 April 2005). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Chaya Singh's holy matrimony, Media, Sampurn. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Chaya Singh in Malayalam. IndiaGlitz(12 May 2005). Retrieved 10 October 2008.
- ↑ Saka Sakhi review – Rediff.com Movies(19 December 2005). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 'I'm not bothered about my image'. The Times of India(31 October 2006). Retrieved 10 October 2008.
- ↑ Chaya Singh: Nobody can replace me. IndiaGlitz(6 November 2004). Retrieved 10 October 2008.
- ↑ I don't watch Tamil serials: Chaya(9 July 2010).
- ↑ Akasha Gange: A whiff of fresh air(19 June 2008). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Movie Review : Akasha Gange. Sify.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Karnataka / Bangalore News : Awesome act by 'Simply Kailawesome'(24 May 2011). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Looking at Simply Kailawesome – Rediff.com Movies. Movies.rediff.com(6 October 2010). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Metro Plus Kochi / Cinema : 'The Police' all over the city. The Hindu(21 May 2005). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Friday Review Bangalore / Cinema : Gandhinagar Gossip. The Hindu(20 June 2008). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Chaya Singh to direct a film?. Sify.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Wielding the megaphone. The Hindu(1 May 2011). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Chaya Singh. Geocities.ws. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Chaya Singh on small screen(22 March 2011). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Chaya wants to wield the megaphone(6 June 2008). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Engrossing fare on Telugu telly. The Hindu(4 July 2012). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Chaya Singh returns to big screen(26 February 2013). Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Actress Chaya Singh marries TV actor Krishna(15 June 2012). Retrieved 11 September 2013.