Jayalakshmi, whose popular screen name was Fatafat Jayalakshmi (also Phataphat Jayalaxmi) (November 1, 1958 – November 21, 1980), was an Indian actress active mainly in Tamil and Telugu films. In Malayalam movies she was known as Supriya. She acted about 66 movies in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada within a decade of her career.
Career
She made her debut in 1972 in Telugu movie Iddaru Ammayilu which has Akkineni Nageswara Rao in lead role. Same year she appeared in A. Vincent's Malayalam movie Theerthayathra with screen name Supriya, followed by Ithu Manushyano? in 1973. In 1974 she made her Tamil debut in K Balachander's film Aval Oru Thodar Kathai credited as Jayalakshmi. She became a household name with her popular dialogue ‘Fatafat’ (meaning quickly) which became her prefix. Her notable films include Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Anthuleni Katha, Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai and Mullum Malarum. She had co-starred with top actors like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Krishna, NTR and Chiranjeevi.
In 2018, during an interview with Rajinikanth, when he was asked to pick his favorite actress he choose Fatafat Jayalakshmi and told the audience that she was a good actress though they paired in very few movies together.
Personal life
She was married to the nephew of M. G. Ramachandran. She committed suicide by hanging in 1980 when she was at the peak of her career over an alleged failed romance.
Partial filmography
Telugu
Iddaru Ammayilu (1972) - Debut film in Telugu
Abhimaanavanthulu (1973) Swargam Narakam (1975) Jyothi (1976) - Sashirekha Anthuleni Katha (1976) Bhale Alludu (1977) Eenati Bandham Yenatido (1977) Rama chiluka (1978) Chilipi Krishnudu (1978) - Aasa Yuga Purushudu (1978) - Rosy Korikale Gurralaite (1979) Muttaiduva (1979) Jathara (1980) Ram Robert Rahim (1980) Potharillu (1980) Nyayam Kavali (1981) - Jayalaxmi (Suresh's wife) Tirugu Leni Manishi (1981) - Padma
Tamil
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974) - Debut film in Tamil as Chandra
Ezhaikkum Kaalam Varum (1975) Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu (1975) Yarukku Maappillai Yaro (1975) Pattikkaattu Raja (1975) Mogam Muppadhu Varusham (1976) Payanam (1976) as Jaya Annakili (1976) as Sumathi Naam Pirandha Mann (1977) Nandha En Nila (1977) Pennai Solli Kutramillai (1977) Perumaikkuriyaval (1977) as Bhama Punniyam Seithaval (1977) Sorgam Naragam (1977) as Jayalakshmi Avar Enakke Sontham (1977) Kavikuyil (1977) Athaivida Ragasiyam (1978) Iraivan Kodutha Varam (1978) Sakka Podu Podu Raja (1978) Kamatchiyin Karunai (1978) Varuvan Vadivelan (1978) as Vijay's wife Mullum Malarum (1978) as Manga Kumkumam Kadhai Solgiradhu (1978) Thyagam (1978) Uravugal Endrum Vaazhga (1979) Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979) Kizhakkum Merkum Sandhikkindrana (1979) Kaali (1980) Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal (1980) Thiruppangal (1981) Yamirukka Bayamen (1983) - Released posthumously
Malayalam : Credited as Supriya
Theerthayathra (1972) as Parvathy - Debut film in Malayalam
Ithu Manushyano? (1973) Darsanam (1973) Sreedevi (1977) Prathyaksha Daivam (1978)
Kannada
Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu (1980)