Chandrika Ravi is taking on the iconic role of Silk Smitha in the much-awaited Tamil biopic Silk Smitha - Queen of the South. The announcement came on the late actress's birthday, as STRI Cinemas revealed the film’s new title and released a first-look glimpse of the project. Directed by Jayaram Sankaran, the film is set to begin production in early 2025.
The three-minute teaser introduces a scene where former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is seen reading newspapers detailing Silk Smitha's rapid rise in fame after her appearance in Sadma. The narrative shifts to Chandrika Ravi’s grand entrance as Silk Smitha, with people mesmerized by her allure. The Prime Minister’s assistant aptly describes her as the ‘Magnetic Lady,’ a reference to Smitha’s captivating screen presence.
While the full cast and crew details are yet to be revealed, the film is produced by Vijay Amirtharaj, the popular sports commentator, actor, and retired tennis player. Silk Smitha, born Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati, became a major name in the Indian film industry, particularly in the 1980s and early 1990s, known for her dance sequences and captivating performances in over 500 films.
Silk Smitha - Queen of the South will explore the legendary actress’s rise to fame and enduring impact on Indian cinema. The biopic comes after the 2011 Hindi film The Dirty Picture, which was loosely inspired by Silk Smitha’s life. More recently, Mark Antony featured a lookalike of Smitha in a recreation of her famous look.
