Jalaja is a Malayalam actor who primarily worked in movies during 1970's and 80's. The actor was seen at the Cannes red carpet on May 21, 2022 for the premier of her 1978 film Thampu's restoration titled Thamp. The director of Cannes Film festival Thierry Fremaux welcomed the team of the film on the red carpet.
India will be celebrated as the first 'Country Of Honour' at the Cannes 2022 film festival and many Indian actors and stars will be gracing the event with their presence including Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Hina Khan, Tamannah Bhatia, Pooja Hegde and veteran Malayalam actor Jalaja.
She attended the premiere of her 1978 film Thamp which was restored by the Film Heritage Foundation and will be presented at the Cannes Classic Section.
Malayalam Actor Jalaja at Cannes 2022
Jalaja was born in Malaysia on December 13, 1961 to Thakazhiyil Vasudevan Pillai, a professor and Saraswathiyamma.
The actor's family moved from Malaysia to South India during the Civil War in Malaysia and settled in Kerala. She was in fourth grade during their migration and completed her further studies from Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School and St. Joseph Colleges in Alapuzzha, Kerala.
She is a Master in English Literature and an alumni of Thiruvananthapuram's Women's College.
She debuted in the film industry in 1977 with the Malayalam film Ivanente Priyaputhran directed by Hariharan.
She went on to play the lead role in many films like Ee Ganam Marakkumo (1978), Ulkadal (1979), Shalini Ente Koottukari (1980), Vayal (1981), Chillu (1982), Onnu Chirikku (1983), Athirathram (1984), Naayakan (1985), Kariyilakkattu Pole (1986) and Charithram (1989).
She was last seen in the documentary on Malayalam director K.G George titled 8½ Intercuts: Life and Films of K.G. George and in Malayalam political thriller Malik both of which released in 2021.
She will be walking the red carpet of Cannes film festival being held in La Croisette on May 21, Saturday for the premiere of Thampa along with Thamp producer K. Raveendranathan Nair's son R. Nair and Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, the director of the film who restored the film.
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