Aparna (television presenter)
Aparna | |
|---|---|
| Born | Panchanahalli, Chikmaglur, Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Television presenter, actress, radio jockey |
| Years active | 1984–present |
Aparna Vastarey, known mononymously as Aparna, is an Indian actress, television presenter and a former radio jockey. A popular face in Kannada television, she is known for her work as a presenter of various shows that aired on DD Chandana in the 1990s. She made her cinematic debut in 1984 with Puttanna Kanagal's last film, Masanada Hoovu. Between 2015 and 2021, she played Varalakshmi on the sketch comedy show, Majaa Talkies.[1]
Career[edit]
Aparna made her feature film debut in Puttanna Kanagal's 1984 film, Masanada Hoovu, starring alongside stalwarts Ambareesh and Jayanthi. She began working as a radio jockey (RJ) with All India Radio in 1993, and went on to work with AIR FM Rainbow, as its first presenter. Her career in Kannada television as a presenter began in 1990 with DD Chandana; she was part of a majority of its productions until 2000.[2] As part of Deepawali celebrations in 1998, she created a record by presenting shows for eight hours at a stretch.[3]
Aparna has worked as an actress in television shows such as Moodala Mane and Mukta. In 2013, she appeared as a contestant in the first season of the Kannada reality television show Bigg Boss that aired on ETV Kannada.[4] Since 2015, she has been appearing in the sketch comedy television show, Majaa Talkies, as Varalakshmi, the vain and boastful sister-in-law of the character of Srujan Lokesh who claims to be friends of popular personalities like Barack Obama and Salman Khan.[2]
In 2011, Aparna lent her voice for the recorded announcements of passenger-boarding and deboarding for the Bangalore Metro.[2] After more than 20 years away from films, she returned with a 2024 release titled Grey games. On the gap, she stated, "It is not that I did not want to work; I did receive offers. But the role's significance mattered to me. Often, I was not fully briefed on what exactly I was supposed to do. I prioritised the importance of my role rather than its duration. Many times, the roles I was offered did not satisfy me, so I was not eager to accept them." In the cybercrime thriller Grey Games, directed by Gangadhar Salimath,[5] she plays the mother of a boy addicted to online gaming. The reviewer for Deccan Herald stated that she took "on a powerful role and is absolutely convincing."[6]
Partial filmography[edit]
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2004 | Moodala Mane | Sukanya | [2] |
| 2005 | Ee Family | Host | [7] |
| 2008–2010 | Mukta | [2] | |
| 2013 | Bigg Boss Kannada 1 | Herself | [4] |
| 2015–2017 | Majaa Talkies | Varalakshmi | [8] |
| 2018–2021 | Majaa Talkies Super Season | [9] | |
| 2019–2020 | Ivalu Sujatha | Durga | [10] |
| 2021 | Nannarasi Radhe | Janaki (Cameo appearance) | [11] |
| 2021–present | Yediyuru Shree Siddhalingeshwara | Parvathi |
Films[edit]
- Masanada Hoovu (1985)
- Sangrama (1987)
- Nammoora Raja (1988)
- Sahasa Veera (1988)
- Mathru Vathsalya (1988)...Rohini
- Olavina Asare (1989)
- Inspector Vikram (1989)
- Ondaagi Balu (1989)
- Doctor Krishna (1989)
- Onti Salaga (1989)
- Chakravarthy (1990)
- Grey Games (2024)...Tara
References[edit]
- ^ "Swetha Changappa, Aparna, Kuri Prathap, and other cast members of Majaa Talkies enjoy a reunion". The Times of India. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Srinath, Shruthi (22 May 2016). "The one & only..." Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Aparna, RJ, TV anchor and actress". Rediff.com. 25 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Details about People of Bigg Boss Kannada". karnatakakaravali. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (8 May 2024). "A closer look at strong female characters in Grey Games". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Angadi, Jagadish. "'Grey Games' movie review: Despite flaws, this psychological thriller manages to entertain". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "The many talents of 'RJ' Aparna". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 29 December 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Aparna turns Nagavalli on Maja Talkies". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Sharan to be first guest of Majaa Talkies Super Season". The Times of India. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Ivalu Sujatha to premiere today; Actress Meghashri to play the lead role". The Times of India. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Aparna Vastrey plays a cameo in the TV show Nannarasi Radhe". The Times of India. 31 August 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.