Television audiences get to see different shades of Sita Ratnam in Kalyanam Kamaneeyam. The serial, which recently completed 50 episodes on Zee Telugu (Monday to Saturday, 7.30 pm) has Haritha Jackie in the role of Sita, a strong woman heading an orphanage, Thodu Needa. The sensitive side of Sita comes to the fore when she is pining for her estranged husband and daughters who left her due to some misunderstandings.
A still from ‘Kalyanam Kamaneeyam’ | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
“Sita has a courageous personality and is very protective too. She takes on the zamindar’s daughter who wants to grab the orphanage land. She is also an emotional person and hopes to reunite with her family. It is exciting to play a character with many shades,” says Haritha, who also plays Jayanti Devi in Star Maa’s Kumkuma Puvvu.
Television journey
Haritha Jackie | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Haritha’s film career started as a 15-year- old and she also did character roles in President Gari Pellam, Chinna Rayadu, Seetayya and Andhrudu. But it was on the small screen that she could create a niche with strong solo roles. “I am racing towards my silver jubilee on television,” laughs Hairtha whose TV stint started with Tamil serial Nandhavanam in 1998 and continued with Telugu serials Sangharshana and Chadarangam (ETV) and Manasu (Doordarshan).
Interestingly, she made a mark playing older woman characters on the small screen and her jewellery and sari collection created a separate fan base among women. She played a powerful mother-in-law Jagadeeswari in Kalavaari Kodallu on Zee Telugu in 2011.
She recalls, “The promo had legendary actresses known for their memorable mother-in-law roles like the (late) Suryakantham, Vanisri and Jayachitra; followed by my character. I could never imagine being in a group of such illustrious women.”
While her role as Akhilandeswari in Mudda Mandaram was regal, she transformed into a mother-in-law who supports her daughter-in-law instead of the son in Naa Kodalu Bangaram. “We worked hard to create a distinct look for every character. I looked at them as strong roles instead of a mother or mother-in-law. Actors wait for powerful characters like the ones played by Savitri garu, Revathi and Suhasini. I feel blessed to have got an opportunity,” she says.
Haritha Jackie | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Married to actor Jackie and with two children Mrudul Sri Sai and Sri Sai Samskruthi, Haritha balances different roles. Describing her weight loss journey from 95 kilograms to her present 75 kilograms, she says, “I had put on a lot of weight after my daughter’s birth during the Kalavaari Kodallu time. I did a lot of crash dieting to reducet.”
Being busy rejuvenates the actor. “I am a workaholic and stay calm even while working continuously, sometimes even upto 20 hours. If someone appreciates my work, I want to do more.”
Revealing the secret of her energy, she says, “Among the thousands of wannabe actors waiting for an opportunity, I feel lucky to get a chance to act. But I do not take luck for granted and am dedicated to my work,” she says.
