Jump to content

Punnagai Poo Gheetha: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m harmonize whitespace in citation templates by script, script-assisted date audit and style fixes per MOS:NUM, Script-assisted fixes: per CS1 and MOS:ITALICS
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Malaysian radio personality, film producer and actress}}
{{Short description|Malaysian radio personality, film producer and actress}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = "Punnagai Poo" Gheetha
| name = "Punnagai Poo" Gheetha
Line 12: Line 12:
| parents =
| parents =
}}
}}
'''Gheetha Ammasee''', best known by her stage name '''"Punnagai Poo" Gheetha''', is a Malaysian [[radio personality]], [[film producer]] and [[actress]], who works in Malaysia and the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil film industry]] in India. Gheetha gained popularity as a radio jockey at the Malaysian radio station [[THR.fm|THR Raaga]], before launching her own film production studio and venturing into Tamil cinema, becoming recognized as the first female producer from Malaysia. She has also worked as a host at various events and acted in several kollywood films as well as a Malaysian film.
'''Gheetha Ammasee''', best known by her stage name '''"Punnagai Poo" Gheetha''', is a Malaysian [[radio personality]], [[film producer]] and [[actress]], who works in Malaysia and the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil film industry]] in India. Gheetha gained popularity as a radio jockey at the Malaysian radio station [[THR.fm|THR Raaga]], before launching her own film production studio and venturing into Tamil cinema, becoming recognized as the first female producer from Malaysia. She has also worked as a host for various events and acted in several kollywood films as well as a Malaysian film.


==Career==
==Career==
Gheetha Ammasee was born in an [[Malaysian Tamil|Indian Malaysian Tamil]] family in [[Taiping, Perak]], Malaysia as the daughter of a plantation owner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-127877383.html|title=Tea with Gheetha|work=highbeam.com|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172838/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-127877383.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> She started off as a host on the Malaysian television channel [[NTV7]] on a show called ''Rhythm And Raaga'',<ref name="nesan4u.com.my">{{cite web|url=http://nesan4u.com.my/?p=51|title=Nesan4u – The Geethas who rule the airwaves|work=nesan4u.com.my|access-date=9 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416221537/http://nesan4u.com.my/?p=51|archive-date=16 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="thestar.com.my">{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=/2012/2/24/movies/10760089&sec=movies|title=Archives|work=thestar.com.my|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630171754/http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=%2F2012%2F2%2F24%2Fmovies%2F10760089&sec=movies|archive-date=30 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> before starting her career as a radio jockey at the Malaysian Tamil radio station, [[THR.fm|THR Raaga]].<ref>{{cite news |title=THR Raaga DJ Gheetha Enters Malaysian Book Of Records |url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=188708 |work=[[Bernama]] |date=29 March 2006 |access-date=10 May 2011 }}</ref> She has been working at THR Raaga since its inception.<ref name="s.r.ashokkumar">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/grill-mill-punnagai-poo-gheetha/article960964.ece|title=Grill Mill: 'Punnagai Poo' Gheetha|author=S. R. Ashok Kumar|work=The Hindu|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Besides her work in radio, she did hosting jobs, produced [[telefilm]]s and opened her own advertising company called SG.<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> During her time at THR Raaga, she acquired the [[sobriquet]] ''"Punnagai Poo"'', which is Tamil for "smiling flower".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172838/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-127877383.html Tea with Gheetha – New Straits Times | HighBeam Research<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Gheetha Ammasee was born in an [[Malaysian Tamil|Indian Malaysian Tamil]] family in [[Taiping, Perak]], Malaysia as the daughter of a plantation owner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-127877383.html |title=Tea with Gheetha |via=HighBeam Research |access-date=9 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172838/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-127877383.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She started off as a host on the Malaysian television channel [[NTV7]] on a show called ''Rhythm And Raaga'',<ref name="nesan4u.com.my">{{cite web |url=http://nesan4u.com.my/?p=51 |title=Nesan4u – The Geethas who rule the airwaves |work=nesan4u.com.my |access-date=9 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416221537/http://nesan4u.com.my/?p=51 |archive-date=16 April 2015 }}</ref><ref name="thestar.com.my">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=/2012/2/24/movies/10760089&sec=movies |title=Archives |work=The Star|location=Malaysia |access-date=9 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630171754/http://www.thestar.com.my/Story/?file=%2F2012%2F2%2F24%2Fmovies%2F10760089&sec=movies |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> before starting her career as a radio jockey at the Malaysian Tamil radio station, [[THR.fm|THR Raaga]].<ref>{{cite news |title=THR Raaga DJ Gheetha Enters Malaysian Book Of Records |url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=188708 |agency=[[Bernama]] |date=29 March 2006 |access-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> She has been working at THR Raaga since its inception.<ref name="s.r.ashokkumar">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/grill-mill-punnagai-poo-gheetha/article960964.ece |title=Grill Mill: 'Punnagai Poo' Gheetha |author=S. R. Ashok Kumar |work=The Hindu |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Besides her work in radio, she did hosting jobs, produced [[telefilm]]s and opened her own advertising company called SG.<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> During her time at THR Raaga, she acquired the [[sobriquet]] ''"Punnagai Poo"'', which is Tamil for "smiling flower".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172838/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-127877383.html Tea with Gheetha – New Straits Times | HighBeam Research]</ref>


Gheetha came to India and established a film production studio named SG Films to produce the film ''[[Arinthum Ariyamalum]]'', directed by [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]], a family friend of hers.<ref name="nesan4u.com.my"/> She had to release the film on her own since distributors did not have faith in a foreign investor and woman producer.<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> The film became a commercial success, having collected twice its cost at the box office,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123001140100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004052839/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123001140100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2014|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Entertainment Chennai : Tamil cinema's new high|date=2005-12-30|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> and ran for 175 days at theatres, while Gheetha got an entry in the [[Malaysian Book Of Records]] for being the "first female Tamil movie producer to have produced a Tamil movie in India".<ref name="thevoiceguild.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.thevoiceguild.org/talents/1845/|title=The Voice Guild|work=thevoiceguild.org|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="thestar.com.my"/> Gheetha next funded ''[[Kundakka Mandakka]]'', a low-budget comedy flick with [[R. Parthipan]] and [[Vadivelu]] in the principal roles, through which she was able to introduce five Malaysians actors in Tamil cinema,<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> after which she and Vishnuvardhan decided to collaborate again on the director's next project, ''[[Pattiyal]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/09/16/stories/2005091600870400.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150410001937/http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/09/16/stories/2005091600870400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Entertainment Chennai / Interview : Success alone succeeds|date=2005-09-16|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News31/30-9-05e/tamil-movies-news-vishnuvardhan.html|title=Tamil movies : Vishnuvardhan sticks to his lucky team for Pattiyal|work=behindwoods.com|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> which emerged a financial success, too. After ''Pattiyal'', she took a break from Indian cinema and returned to her job in Malaysia. She co-hosted the ''[[Enthiran]]'' soundtrack release function held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia alongside actor [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jul-10-05/endhiran-audio-launch-29-07-10.html|title=Endhiran - Tamil Movie News - The compere of Endhiran audio launch event - Endhiran - Rajinikanth - Aishwarya Rai - AR Rahman - Shankar - Sun Pictures - Behindwoods.com|work=behindwoods.com|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>
Gheetha came to India and established a film production studio named SG Films to produce the film ''[[Arinthum Ariyamalum]]'', directed by [[Vishnuvardhan (director)|Vishnuvardhan]], a family friend of hers.<ref name="nesan4u.com.my"/> She had to release the film on her own since distributors did not have faith in a foreign investor and woman producer.<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> The film became a commercial success, having collected twice its cost at the box office,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123001140100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004052839/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123001140100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 October 2014 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Entertainment Chennai : Tamil cinema's new high |date=30 December 2005 |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> and ran for 175 days at theatres, while Gheetha got an entry in the [[Malaysian Book Of Records]] for being the "first female Tamil movie producer to have produced a Tamil movie in India".<ref name="thevoiceguild.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.thevoiceguild.org/talents/1845/ |title=The Voice Guild |work=thevoiceguild.org |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="thestar.com.my"/> Gheetha next funded ''[[Kundakka Mandakka]]'', a low-budget comedy flick with [[R. Parthipan]] and [[Vadivelu]] in the principal roles, through which she was able to introduce five Malaysians actors in Tamil cinema,<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> after which she and Vishnuvardhan decided to collaborate again on the director's next project, ''[[Pattiyal]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/09/16/stories/2005091600870400.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150410001937/http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/09/16/stories/2005091600870400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 April 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Entertainment Chennai / Interview : Success alone succeeds |date=16 September 2005 |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/features/News/News31/30-9-05e/tamil-movies-news-vishnuvardhan.html |title=Tamil movies : Vishnuvardhan sticks to his lucky team for Pattiyal |work=behindwoods.com |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> which emerged a financial success, too. After ''Pattiyal'', she took a break from Indian cinema and returned to her job in Malaysia. She co-hosted the ''[[Enthiran]]'' soundtrack release function held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia alongside actor [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/jul-10-05/endhiran-audio-launch-29-07-10.html |title=Endhiran - Tamil Movie News - The compere of Endhiran audio launch event - Endhiran - Rajinikanth - Aishwarya Rai - AR Rahman - Shankar - Sun Pictures |work=behindwoods.com |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>


After a sabbatical of five years, she returned to film production with ''[[Narthagi]]'', a drama about [[transgender]] people featuring all newcomers, in which she was also seen in a short role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Geethas-back-with-a-bang/articleshow/7151326.cms|title=Geetha's back with a bang|work=The Times of India|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> The next year, she produced the female-centric ''[[Oru Nadigaiyin Vaakkumoolam]]'' starring [[Sonia Agarwal]], which featured Gheetha in a lengthier supporting role as a journalist, for which she shot for seven days.<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> She then took on her first lead role in the [[Malaysian and Singaporean Tamil cinema|Malaysian Tamil film]] ''Maindhan''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Malaysian-Director%E2%80%99s-Becent-Debut/2014/09/21/article2441573.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703125603/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Malaysian-Director%E2%80%99s-Becent-Debut/2014/09/21/article2441573.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2015|title=Malaysian Director's Becent Debut|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Although she had played cameos and supporting roles in her earlier productions, she said that she was not "very much interested" in acting.<ref name="s.r.ashokkumar"/> When director C. Kumaresan offered her the lead female role in ''Maindhan'', she declined initially and went on to dodge Kumaresan for a week before he managed to convince her.<ref name="thestar.com.my1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/2015/03/20/Gheetha-gets-in-on-the-act-Radio-deejay-turned-film-producer-wins-award-in-India-for-first-acting-st/|title=Gheetha gets in on the act - Community - The Star Online|work=thestar.com.my|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Playing an event manager in the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/%E2%80%98My-Dream-has-Come-True-with-Maindhan%E2%80%99/2014/07/15/article2330437.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716115215/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/%E2%80%98My-Dream-has-Come-True-with-Maindhan%E2%80%99/2014/07/15/article2330437.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2014|title='My Dream has Come True with Maindhan'|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Gheetha also performed stunts by herself, getting injured in the process. ''Maindhan'' went on to become the highest grossing locally produced Tamil film of all time in Malaysia and saw a theatrical release in India as well;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Movies/News/2014/09/18/Beating-the-odds/|title=How the director of local Tamil film 'Maindhan' beat the odds - Movies - The Star Online|work=thestar.com.my|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Gheetha was later given the [[Edison Awards (India)|Edison Award]] in India for Best Overseas Artist.<ref name="thestar.com.my1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.astroulagam.com.my/Ragalai/articledetails/tabid/4168/articleId/476/Edison-Awards-|title=Astro Ulagam > Ragalai > ArticleDetails|work=astroulagam.com.my|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>
After a sabbatical of five years, she returned to film production with ''[[Narthagi]]'', a drama about [[transgender]] people featuring all newcomers, in which she was also seen in a short role.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Geethas-back-with-a-bang/articleshow/7151326.cms |title=Geetha's back with a bang |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> The next year, she produced the female-centric ''[[Oru Nadigaiyin Vaakkumoolam]]'' starring [[Sonia Agarwal]], which featured Gheetha in a lengthier supporting role as a journalist, for which she shot for seven days.<ref name="thestar.com.my"/> She then took on her first lead role in the [[Malaysian and Singaporean Tamil cinema|Malaysian Tamil film]] ''Maindhan''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Malaysian-Director%E2%80%99s-Becent-Debut/2014/09/21/article2441573.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703125603/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Malaysian-Director%E2%80%99s-Becent-Debut/2014/09/21/article2441573.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 July 2015 |title=Malaysian Director's Becent Debut |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Although she had played cameos and supporting roles in her earlier productions, she said that she was not "very much interested" in acting.<ref name="s.r.ashokkumar"/> When director C. Kumaresan offered her the lead female role in ''Maindhan'', she declined initially and went on to dodge Kumaresan for a week before he managed to convince her.<ref name="thestar.com.my1">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Metro/Community/2015/03/20/Gheetha-gets-in-on-the-act-Radio-deejay-turned-film-producer-wins-award-in-India-for-first-acting-st/ |title=Gheetha gets in on the act - Community - The Star Online |work=The Star|location=Malaysia |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Playing an event manager in the film,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/%E2%80%98My-Dream-has-Come-True-with-Maindhan%E2%80%99/2014/07/15/article2330437.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716115215/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/%E2%80%98My-Dream-has-Come-True-with-Maindhan%E2%80%99/2014/07/15/article2330437.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2014 |title=My Dream has Come True with Maindhan |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Gheetha also performed stunts by herself, getting injured in the process. ''Maindhan'' went on to become the highest grossing locally produced Tamil film of all time in Malaysia and saw a theatrical release in India as well;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Movies/News/2014/09/18/Beating-the-odds/ |title=How the director of local Tamil film 'Maindhan' beat the odds - Movies - The Star Online |work=The Star|location=Malaysia |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Gheetha was later given the [[Edison Awards (India)|Edison Award]] in India for Best Overseas Artist.<ref name="thestar.com.my1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astroulagam.com.my/Ragalai/articledetails/tabid/4168/articleId/476/Edison-Awards- |title=Astro Ulagam > Ragalai > ArticleDetails |work=astroulagam.com.my |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>


She has co-produced two films, ''[[Sivappu]]'' along with Muktha Entertainment, a film revolving around [[Sri Lankan Tamils in India|Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-sivappu-powerful-line-peppy-songs/article5740301.ece|title=Audio Beat: Sivappu - Powerful line, peppy songs|author=S. R. Ashok Kumar|work=The Hindu|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Sivappu-will-be-one-of-the-Most-Important-Movies-in-my-Career-Says-Rupa-Manjari/2014/02/05/article2037995.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419082952/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Sivappu-will-be-one-of-the-Most-Important-Movies-in-my-Career-Says-Rupa-Manjari/2014/02/05/article2037995.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2015|title='Sivappu' will be one of the Most Important Movies in my Career Says Rupa Manjari|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> and ''[[Kaaval (2015 film)|Kaaval]]'', in which she also played the female lead for which Malaysian Book of Records gave her an award as the first Malaysian to play the lead in an Indian movie.<ref name="thestar.com.my1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/the-movie-kaaval-aka-kaval-directed-by-vrnagendran-has-great-appreciation-from-all.html|title=The movie Kaaval (aka) Kaval directed by V.R.Nagendran has great appreciation from all|work=behindwoods.com|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>
She has co-produced two films, ''[[Sivappu]]'' along with Muktha Entertainment, a film revolving around [[Sri Lankan Tamils in India|Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-sivappu-powerful-line-peppy-songs/article5740301.ece |title=Audio Beat: Sivappu - Powerful line, peppy songs |author=S. R. Ashok Kumar |work=The Hindu |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Sivappu-will-be-one-of-the-Most-Important-Movies-in-my-Career-Says-Rupa-Manjari/2014/02/05/article2037995.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419082952/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Sivappu-will-be-one-of-the-Most-Important-Movies-in-my-Career-Says-Rupa-Manjari/2014/02/05/article2037995.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 April 2015 |title='Sivappu' will be one of the Most Important Movies in my Career Says Rupa Manjari |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> and ''[[Kaaval (2015 film)|Kaaval]]'', in which she also played the female lead for which Malaysian Book of Records gave her an award as the first Malaysian to play the lead in an Indian movie.<ref name="thestar.com.my1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/the-movie-kaaval-aka-kaval-directed-by-vrnagendran-has-great-appreciation-from-all.html |title=The movie Kaaval (aka) Kaval directed by V.R.Nagendran has great appreciation from all |work=behindwoods.com |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
Line 52: Line 52:
| ''[[Sivappu]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"|— ||
| ''[[Sivappu]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"|— ||
|-
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Sangu Chakkaram]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||Angayakanni ||
| 2017 || ''[[Sangu Chakkaram]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||Angayarkanni ||
|-
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Naanum Single Thaan]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"|— ||
| 2021 || ''[[Naanum Single Thaan]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"|— ||

Latest revision as of 17:59, 21 July 2024

"Punnagai Poo" Gheetha
Born
Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
Other namesGeetha THR Raaga
Occupation(s)Radio personality, host, film producer, actress finance
Years active2005–present

Gheetha Ammasee, best known by her stage name "Punnagai Poo" Gheetha, is a Malaysian radio personality, film producer and actress, who works in Malaysia and the Tamil film industry in India. Gheetha gained popularity as a radio jockey at the Malaysian radio station THR Raaga, before launching her own film production studio and venturing into Tamil cinema, becoming recognized as the first female producer from Malaysia. She has also worked as a host for various events and acted in several kollywood films as well as a Malaysian film.

Career

[edit]

Gheetha Ammasee was born in an Indian Malaysian Tamil family in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia as the daughter of a plantation owner.[1] She started off as a host on the Malaysian television channel NTV7 on a show called Rhythm And Raaga,[2][3] before starting her career as a radio jockey at the Malaysian Tamil radio station, THR Raaga.[4] She has been working at THR Raaga since its inception.[5] Besides her work in radio, she did hosting jobs, produced telefilms and opened her own advertising company called SG.[3] During her time at THR Raaga, she acquired the sobriquet "Punnagai Poo", which is Tamil for "smiling flower".[6]

Gheetha came to India and established a film production studio named SG Films to produce the film Arinthum Ariyamalum, directed by Vishnuvardhan, a family friend of hers.[2] She had to release the film on her own since distributors did not have faith in a foreign investor and woman producer.[3] The film became a commercial success, having collected twice its cost at the box office,[7] and ran for 175 days at theatres, while Gheetha got an entry in the Malaysian Book Of Records for being the "first female Tamil movie producer to have produced a Tamil movie in India".[8][3] Gheetha next funded Kundakka Mandakka, a low-budget comedy flick with R. Parthipan and Vadivelu in the principal roles, through which she was able to introduce five Malaysians actors in Tamil cinema,[3] after which she and Vishnuvardhan decided to collaborate again on the director's next project, Pattiyal,[9][10] which emerged a financial success, too. After Pattiyal, she took a break from Indian cinema and returned to her job in Malaysia. She co-hosted the Enthiran soundtrack release function held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia alongside actor Vivek in 2010.[11]

After a sabbatical of five years, she returned to film production with Narthagi, a drama about transgender people featuring all newcomers, in which she was also seen in a short role.[12] The next year, she produced the female-centric Oru Nadigaiyin Vaakkumoolam starring Sonia Agarwal, which featured Gheetha in a lengthier supporting role as a journalist, for which she shot for seven days.[3] She then took on her first lead role in the Malaysian Tamil film Maindhan.[13] Although she had played cameos and supporting roles in her earlier productions, she said that she was not "very much interested" in acting.[5] When director C. Kumaresan offered her the lead female role in Maindhan, she declined initially and went on to dodge Kumaresan for a week before he managed to convince her.[14] Playing an event manager in the film,[15] Gheetha also performed stunts by herself, getting injured in the process. Maindhan went on to become the highest grossing locally produced Tamil film of all time in Malaysia and saw a theatrical release in India as well;[16] Gheetha was later given the Edison Award in India for Best Overseas Artist.[14][17]

She has co-produced two films, Sivappu along with Muktha Entertainment, a film revolving around Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu.[18][19] and Kaaval, in which she also played the female lead for which Malaysian Book of Records gave her an award as the first Malaysian to play the lead in an Indian movie.[14][20]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Film Credited as Notes
Producer Actor Role
2005 Arinthum Ariyamalum Green tickY Green tickY A collector Cameo appearance
Kundakka Mandakka Green tickY Red XN —
2006 Pattiyal Green tickY Green tickY Cameo appearance
2011 Narthagi Green tickY Green tickY
2012 Oru Nadigaiyin Vaakkumoolam Green tickY Green tickY Reeta Cameo appearance
2014 Maindhan Green tickY Green tickY Gayathri Malaysian Tamil Movie
2015 Kaaval Green tickY Green tickY Amrutha
Sivappu Green tickY Red XN —
2017 Sangu Chakkaram Green tickY Green tickY Angayarkanni
2021 Naanum Single Thaan Green tickY Red XN —
2023 Sila Nodigalil Green tickY Green tickY

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Tea with Gheetha". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
  2. ^ a b "Nesan4u – The Geethas who rule the airwaves". nesan4u.com.my. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Archives". The Star. Malaysia. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  4. ^ "THR Raaga DJ Gheetha Enters Malaysian Book Of Records". Bernama. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  5. ^ a b S. R. Ashok Kumar. "Grill Mill: 'Punnagai Poo' Gheetha". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  6. ^ Tea with Gheetha – New Straits Times | HighBeam Research
  7. ^ "Entertainment Chennai : Tamil cinema's new high". The Hindu. 30 December 2005. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  8. ^ "The Voice Guild". thevoiceguild.org. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  9. ^ "Entertainment Chennai / Interview : Success alone succeeds". The Hindu. 16 September 2005. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Tamil movies : Vishnuvardhan sticks to his lucky team for Pattiyal". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  11. ^ "Endhiran - Tamil Movie News - The compere of Endhiran audio launch event - Endhiran - Rajinikanth - Aishwarya Rai - AR Rahman - Shankar - Sun Pictures". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Geetha's back with a bang". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  13. ^ "Malaysian Director's Becent Debut". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  14. ^ a b c "Gheetha gets in on the act - Community - The Star Online". The Star. Malaysia. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  15. ^ "My Dream has Come True with Maindhan". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  16. ^ "How the director of local Tamil film 'Maindhan' beat the odds - Movies - The Star Online". The Star. Malaysia. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  17. ^ "Astro Ulagam > Ragalai > ArticleDetails". astroulagam.com.my. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  18. ^ S. R. Ashok Kumar. "Audio Beat: Sivappu - Powerful line, peppy songs". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  19. ^ "'Sivappu' will be one of the Most Important Movies in my Career Says Rupa Manjari". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  20. ^ "The movie Kaaval (aka) Kaval directed by V.R.Nagendran has great appreciation from all". behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Punnagai_Poo_Gheetha&oldid=1235877535"