Bigg Boss Tamil Season 1 Contestant Namitha Vankawala Biography

The Journey of Namitha Vankawala: Actress, Model, and Politician

Namitha Vankawala is a renowned Indian actress, model, and politician known for her work in Tamil and Telugu cinema. She has also made notable appearances in Kannada and Malayalam films. Beyond her acting career, Namitha is a state executive member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu.

Early Life and Career Beginnings (2001−2008)

Namitha’s journey into the entertainment industry started with a splash in the world of beauty pageants. At the age of 17, she was crowned Miss Surat in 1998, marking the beginning of her path to fame. Her notable stint came in 2001 when she participated in the Miss India pageant, securing the third runner-up position. This garnered significant attention, leading her to Mumbai, where she ventured into TV commercials for brands such as Himani, Arun Ice Creams, Manikchand Gutka, and Nile Herbal Shampoo.

In 2002, Namitha made her acting debut in the Telugu film “Sontham,” directed by Sreenu Vaitla. She then gained further recognition with her role in Saran’s action-packed film “Gemini” (2002) opposite Venkatesh. Her portrayal as a Marwardi girl received critical acclaim, setting the stage for her entry into Tamil cinema.

Rise to Stardom (Mid-2000s)

Namitha Vankawala quickly rose to fame in Tamil cinema during the mid-2000s. With her mature appearance and tall frame, she became a sought-after actress, often paired with senior actors like Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Arjun, and Sarathkumar. She appeared in a series of action films such as “Aai” (2005), “Chanakya” (2005), and “Aanai” (2005), establishing herself as a prominent figure in the industry.

During this period, Namitha also ventured into other film industries. She appeared in her first Hindi film “Love Ke Chakkar Mein” and a Kannada film titled “Namitha I Love You.” Her versatility and glamorous on-screen presence garnered her a dedicated fan following, earning her the title of a cult figure in Tamil Nadu.

Challenges and Comeback Attempts (2009−present)

However, as the decade turned, Namitha faced challenges in her career. The industry’s shift away from outright glamorous roles and reluctance to pair her with younger actors led to a decline in her popularity. Films like “Jaganmohini” (2009) did not perform well at the box office, and disputes with filmmakers further complicated her journey.

Undeterred, Namitha made attempts to revive her career. She focused on Kannada films in the early 2010s and announced a comeback in 2016 after a hiatus. Her appearance on the Tamil reality TV show “Bigg Boss” in 2017 brought her back into the limelight, albeit with controversy surrounding her interactions with fellow contestant Oviya.

Personal Life and Recognition

Namitha’s popularity reached such heights that a temple was built in her honor near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in 2008. However, fame also brought challenges, including an attempted kidnapping in 2010 and a fan incident in Trichy.

In the political arena, Namitha joined AIADMK in 2016 and later the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019. Her political involvement led to her appointment as a state executive member of the BJP in Tamil Nadu in 2020.

Filmography:

• 2002:
  • Sontham as Nandu – Telugu (Debut film)
  • Gemeni as Manisha Natwarlal (credited as Bhairavi)
• 2003:
  • Oka Raju Oka Rani as Preethi
  • Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli as Sasirekha
• 2004:
  • Engal Anna as Gowri – Tamil (Tamil Debut)
  • Aithe Enti as Anjali Sharma – Telugu
  • Maha Nadigan as Aishwarya – Tamil
• 2005:
  • Aai as Anjali – Tamil
  • Englishkaran as Maheshwari
  • Nayakudu as Uma – Telugu
  • Chanakya as Deivanayaki – Tamil
  • Bambara Kannaley as Mynaa
  • Aanai as Ramya
• 2006:
  • Kovai Brothers as Sania
  • Love Ke Chakkar Mein as Neha V. Batra – Hindi (Hindi Debut)
  • Pachchak Kuthira as Poovu – Tamil
  • Thagapansamy as Swapna
  • Nee Venunda Chellam as Anjali
  • Neelakanta as Ganga – Kannada (Kannada Debut)
• 2007:
  • Viyabari as Namitha – Tamil
  • Naan Avanillai as Monika Prasad
  • Azhagiya Tamil Magan as Dhanalakshmi
  • Billa as C. J. (Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil)
• 2008:
  • Sandai as Seemakal Chinnakilli
  • Kamasutra Nights as Aunt Maya – English (English Debut)
  • Pandi as Salangai – Tamil
  • Indra as Janaki – Kannada
• 2009:
  • Perumal as Saroja – Tamil
  • Thee as Ruchi Devi
  • 1977 as Chandini
  • Billa as Lisa – Telugu (Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu)
  • Indira Vizha as Kamini – Tamil
  • Jaganmohini as Jaganmohini
• 2010:
  • Black Stallion as Laura Fernandez – Malayalam (Malayalam Debut)
  • Azhagaana Ponnuthan as Jennifer – Tamil
  • Guru Sishyan as Anitha (Cameo)
  • Simha as Mahima – Telugu
  • Hoo as Anju – Kannada
• 2011:
  • Ilaignan as Sena – Tamil
  • Namitha I Love You as Sunanda – Kannada
• 2013:
  • Benki Birugali as Mona
• 2016:
  • Ilamai Oonjal as Durga – Tamil
  • Pulimurugan as Julie – Malayalam
• 2019:
  • Pottu as Bhrameshwari – Tamil
• 2020:
  • Miya as Miya

Television:

• “Maanada Mayilada” (2007-2015) – Main Judge
• “Bigg Boss Tamil (season 1)” (2017) – Contestant (Evicted Day 28)
• “Dance Jodi Dance 3.0” (2020) – Judge
• “Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal” (2021) – Herself (Guest Appearance)
• “Kanni Theevu Ullasa Ulagam 2.0” (2021) – Herself (Guest Appearance)

Conclusion

Namitha Vankawala’s journey is a testament to her versatility and resilience. From her early successes in beauty pageants to her impactful roles in Tamil and Telugu cinema, she has left a lasting impression. Her recent venture into politics further showcases her multifaceted persona, making her a revered figure in the industry and politics alike.

Name: Namitha Vankawala

Other Name: Namitha, Namitha Mukesh Vankawala

Evicted: Bigg Boss Tamil Season 1 – Evicted on Day 28

Season Host: Kamal Haasan

Network: Star Vijay

Number of Days: 100

Number of Contestants: 19

Premier Date: 25 June 2017

Prize Money:

Other Prizes (if any):

Date of Birth (DOB): May 10, 1981

Birth Place: Surat, Gujarat, India

Settled Place: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Profession/Occupation: Actress, Model, Politician

Education: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Literature

Parents: Mukesh Vankawala (Father) 

Siblings: Nevil Vankawala (Brother)

Spouse: Veerendra Chowdary

Children: Krishna Adhithya, and Kian Raaj (Son) 

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