V. J. Chitra
Born
Chitra Kamaraj

(1992-05-02)2 May 1992
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Died9 December 2020(2020-12-09) (aged 28)
Nazarethpettai, Tamil Nadu, India
Cause of deathSuicide by hanging
EducationJustice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for women (2012–2014)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Video jockey
  • Television anchor
Years active2013–2020

Chitra Kamaraj (2 May 1992 – 9 December 2020), better known as V. J. Chitra, was an Indian former actress and anchor.[1] She rose to fame with her role in the Tamil soap opera Pandian Stores, and made her film acting debut in Calls (2021). She is known well for her appearance in shows such as Vilayadu Vaagai Soodu (2012), Sattam Solvathu Enna? (2013), Saravanan Meenatchi (season 2) (2013–16), Nodiku Nodi Athiradi (2014), Oor Suthalaam Vaanga (2014), Mannan Magal (2014), En Samayal Araiyil (2014), Ossthi Comedy Kusthi (2014), Ring O Ring (2014), Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2014–18), Darling Darling (2016–17), Dance Jodi Dance Season 1 (2016–17), Saravanan Meenatchi (season 3) (2017), Velunachi (2018) and Pandian Stores (2018–20).

On 9 December 2020, Chitra was found dead in a hotel room in Nazarethpettai in an apparent Suicide by hanging. On 15 December 2020, her husband Hemanth Ravi was arrested and charged with helping her commit suicide. Police are still currently investigating the case.

Career

Chitra Kamaraj was born on 2 May 1992 in Chennai. Before becoming a full-time actor, she was a television host.[2] After seeing Chitra host a television show, Radhika reached out with an offer for her to act in Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2016) alongside actresses Nirosha and Nalini. The success of the series prompted her to sign up for other shows including Saravanan Meenatchi, Velunachi. In Pandian Stores, Chitra portrayed the character Mullai, the role was replaced by Kaavya Arivumani after her death, and later by Laavanya[3]

Chitra signed on to appear in her first film role in mid-2019 through Calls (2021). The film would feature her as a business process outsourcing professional and was shot in late 2019.[3] It also marked her only film appearance.[4]

Personal life

Chitra got engaged to Hemanth Ravi, a businessman, in August 2020 and got register married in October 2020. Her wedding was scheduled to be in February 2021 before her death.[5]

Filmography

Television performances

List of performances on television
Year Title Role(s) Channel(s)
2012 Vilayadu Vaagai Soodu Anchor Makkal TV
2013 Sattam Solvathu Enna?
2013–16 Saravanan Meenatchi (season 2) Kalaiyarasi (Vettaiyan's Friend) Star Vijay
2014 Nodiku Nodi Athiradi Anchor Makkal TV
Oor Suthalaam Vaanga
Mannan Magal Vishali Jaya TV
En Samayal Araiyil Anchor Makkal TV
Ossthi Comedy Kusthi Raadan
Ring O Ring Contestant Vendhar TV
2014–18 Chinna Papa Periya Papa Season 1 & 2 Periya Papa Sun TV
2015 Saa Boo Thri Season 2 Anchor Vendhar TV
Jill Jung Juk
2016–17 Darling Darling Anitha (Honey) Zee Tamil
2016–17 Dance Jodi Dance Season 1 contestant
2016–17 Nanbenda Participant
2016–18 Aaha Maamiyar Oho Marumagal Anchor
2017 Saravanan Meenatchi (season 3) Ghost (Special Appearance) Star Vijay
Zee Dance League Contestant Zee Tamil
2017–18 Anjarai Petty Host
2018 Velunachi[6][7] Velunachi Colors Tamil
2018–19 Jodi Fun Unlimited Contestant Star Vijay
2018–20 Pandian Stores[8] Mullai
2019 Raja Rani (Season1) Mullai (special appearance)
Vasool Vettai Anchor

Film appearance

List of performances in film
Year Title Role Notes
2021 Calls Nandhini Posthumous Release
2023 Parivarthanai Naveen's mother Posthumous Release (Photo presence)

Awards

These awards were awarded posthumously.
Year Artist/Work Award Category Result Ref.
2021 Chithra Behindwoods Gold Icons Most Celebrated Actress On Television Won [9]
Femina Awards Super Daughter Won [10]
Pandiyan Stores Vijay Television Awards Makkalin Naayagi Won
Best Actress Nominated
Best Marumagal Nominated
Best Daughter Nominated
Best On Screen Pair Nominated
2021 Life Time Achievement Vijay Television Awards Makkalin Nayagi (People's Actress) Won

Death

On 9 December 2020, Chitra was found dead in a hotel room in Nazarethpettai at 9:32 am. Reports and autopsy results suggest that Chitra died from suicide by hanging.[11][12] On 15 December 2020, her husband Hemanth Ravi was suspected was later arrested and charged with criminal offenses. However police officers are still currently investigating the whole case.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Velunachi to go off-air soon". The Times of India. 24 July 2018. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Who is VJ Chitra? All you need to know about Tamil TV actress who committed suicide". The Free Press Journal. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b CR, Sharanya (18 September 2019). "Chithu to make her film debut". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  4. ^ "VJ Chithu's debut film to release in Jan". The Times of India. 14 December 2020. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  5. ^ "TV actress Chithu is engaged to a businessman". The Times of India. 26 August 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Velunachi fame Chithra has a hidden talent; Watch the video". The Times of India. 4 September 2018. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Velunachi actress Chithra learns to climb trees". The Times of India. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Pandian Stores crosses 200 episodes milestone". The Times of India. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  9. ^ VJ Chitra Wins Most Celebrated Actress On Television Award 🔥 - Behindwoods Gold Icons 2021 | Chithu, retrieved 23 June 2021
  10. ^ சற்றுமுன் 2021க்கான சிறந்த மகள் விருது பெற்ற VJ சித்ரா Chithu won award 2021 best daughter, retrieved 23 June 2021
  11. ^ "Popular TV actor and host VJ Chitra found dead in Chennai hotel room". The News Minute. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  12. ^ Chellappan, Kumar (13 December 2020). "Suicide by actresses raises safety concerns in South Indian film industry". The Pioneer. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Chitra's husband Hemanth arrested". The Indian Express. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
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