Kishori Ballal, a celebrated Indian actress, left an enduring legacy in the world of cinema. Her contributions spanned various regional languages and her talent garnered significant recognition across India.

Wiki/Biography

Born in 1937 in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, Kishori Ballal’s life was a testament to her dedication to the arts. She celebrated her 82nd birthday before her passing.

Family & Caste

She married N Sripathi Ballal, a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, in 1950. He hailed from Mangalore and belonged to the Hindu Bunt community. Their union was a beautiful blend of artistic talents.

Career

Kishori Ballal and her husband honed their acting skills under the tutelage of Dr. Siva Ram Karanth and Vysarya Ballal. This rigorous training laid the foundation for her successful career.

Her career began with an advertisement for Durga Khote Productions. She made her film debut in 1960 with the Kannada film Ivalentha Hendthi. Throughout the 1970s, she actively participated in theatre, performing in plays that were later adapted into Kannada.

Her versatility shone through as she acted in films across multiple languages including Marathi, Kannada, Hindi, Tulu, and Konkani. Over a 15-year period, she starred in more than 70 films. Some of her notable roles include:

• Ek Alag Mausam (2003)
• Quick Gun Murugun (2003)
• Ambari (2009)
• Kempe Gowda (2011)
• Bombay Mittai (2015)
• Kahi (2016)

Her Bollywood career also saw remarkable performances in films like Swades (2004), Lafangey Parindey (2010), and Aiyyaa (2012).

She achieved widespread popularity for her portrayal of ‘Kaveri Amma’ in the iconic film Swades (2004).

Beyond films, she contributed significantly to television. Her role in the Kannada serial Amruthavarshini (2012) marked her lasting impact on the small screen; the serial enjoyed an extensive run.

Death

Sadly, Kishori Ballal passed away on February 18, 2020, in Bengaluru’s Sevakshetra hospital due to a respiratory infection.

Awards & Honours

Her exceptional talent earned her numerous accolades:

• 1984: Kannada Rajyothsava award
• 1984: Kannada Nataka Academy Prashasthi
• 2005: IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Female) in Swades
• 2014: Smt Lakshmi Bai Award for Acting

Facts/Trivia

She was affectionately known as “Amma.” Following her death, Shah Rukh Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker (director of Swades) both paid heartfelt tributes to her memory.