Bye Bye Jo

A walk down memory lane with Jo as a fond farewell to the actress...


While Jo's debut was in Priyadarshan's Hindi film Doli Saja Ke Rakhna(the Hindi remake of our own Kaadhalukku Mariyaadhai), Jo was first introduced to me(and Tamil cinema viewers) in 1999, as Ajith's imaginary ex-girlfriend in Vaali. She was cute, which was a pleasant surprise considering she was Nagma's sister, but didn't make much of an impression other than that (then again, it was a miracle that I even noticed her considering that the heroine was Simran at her prettiest and most loveable self!). She didn't fare much better in Poovellaam Kaettuppar, her first full-fledged heroine role, where the only thing that stood out was her atrocious dancing for Poova Poova.... But though insignificant at that time, that was the first time she paired up with Surya, laying the foundation for the cutest and most perfectly matched Tamil screen jodi since Kamal-Sridevi.

Though she had just a cameo(supposedly as a favor to director Vasanth, who made her a heroine with Poovellaam Kaettuppaar) in it, Rhythm, released in 2000, provided the first hint of the overexpressiveness that would turn out to be Jo's calling card. While she was solid in the serious scenes, her expressions in the lighthearted or comedy scenes were definitely overdone. Then came Kushi, undoubtedly the low point of my journey with Jo. She overacted in almost every scene in that film and was at her most irritating. Her performance in 2 scenes - one where she apologizes to Vijay after the car breakdown and the other where she fights with him after he stares at her waist - were almost intolerable. But while I personally didn't like her acting, viewers lapped it up and she quickly became TamilNadu's heartthrob. Her growing popularity and fast rise among the ranks of Tamil cinema heroines were pretty clear as she was Kamal's heroine in Tenali the same year and was picked as the lead in Priyadarshan's woman-only film Snehithiye. And she paired up for the second time with Surya in Uyirile Kalandhadhu.

2001 was definitely the year when my feelings for Jo underwent a sea change. Dumm Dumm Dumm was probably the first time that I really liked her. She looked really cute as a village belle and toned down her expressions considerably. But it was 12B that made me move from just "liking her" to becoming her fan. That was the time when she and Simran were fighting for the top heroine slot and so their teaming up in the film(though, like in Vaali, they didn't share any scenes) was newsworthy. But Jo had the livelier, chirpier role and she made full use of it, charming us with her bubbliness and energy. And she had toned down her facial contortions to just the right level so that we could marvel at, rather than get irritated by, her very expressive face. The year was quite good for her too as she landed several plum assignments, teaming up with Ajith in Poovellaam Un Vaasam and playing the heroine in Singeetham's Little John. But movies like Star were black spots on her resume.

2002 was probably the worst year in her career. She appeared in a stinker like One Two Three and her Raja, where a demure Priyanka Trivedi almost stole the show from her, didn't do too well at the box-office either.

But she proved that she was just down and not out as she came roaring back in 2003. She started the year off with a blockbuster in Dhool, displaying good chemistry with Vikram. Then came Kaakka Kaakka, where she carried off her important role with aplomb. Proving that she could also play mature roles, she was beautiful, strong and dignified and made Maya an unforgettable character. This was her third pairing with Surya, for whom it was a career-making role (since we now know that it was Jo who recommended her to Gautham, I guess he owes her big time for where he is right now!). Jo also proved lucky for Vijay since her film with him, Tirumalai, ended the actor's long streak of flops and started him off on the best phase of his career. The year wasn't all good for her though. Priyamaana Thozhi, where she had a very nice character, was a flop and 3 Roses, a wannabe-Charlie's Angels, was a disaster.

There was no stopping Jo after that as the good times continued for her in 2004. She did her first double role in Perazhagan and was pretty convincing as a blind beggar girl in that. The rumors about her and Surya had gained strength by then and the couple did nothing to refute them. She also successfully broke the myth that actresses who had paired up with senior actors were rejected by the younger brigade as, after acting with the likes of Kamal and Vikram, she paired up with Simbhu(a self-proclaimed fan) in Manmadhan. The highly-anticipated Arul was a flop but on the whole, it was a good year for her. But the best was yet to come.

As 2005 started, she had already landed the dream role for any actress - the title character in the next Rajnikanth film Chandramukhi! Though not a classical dancer, she worked hard for the role and it showed as she was quite convincing as the possessed Bharathanatyam dancer. With the movie going on to become Tamil cinema's biggest hit, Jo now had her name in the record books too. And in what was becoming a regular feature, she once again paired up with Surya in Maayaavi. Though the film didn't do well, Jo proved that she had a good sense of humor as she played herself in the film and poked fun at her lifestyle.

Proving that she really was the top heroine in 2006, Jo then paired up with Kamal in Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu. She was once again mature and dignified in another strong role and this time, got to be in the biggest hit of the year. But again, 2006 was not all good. The much-hyped Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, her first movie with Surya after the two disclosed their romance, was a flop. Saravanaa, where she once again paired upwith Simbhu, didn't do well either. And June R, a rare film about a mother-daughter relationship, also came a cropper at the box-office. But on the personal front, 2006 was a great year as she got married to Surya in September. She looked gorgeous at the wedding and the pair proved that they were perfectly matched in real life too. But the wedding caused mixed emotions for her fans since she announced soon after that should would stop acting.

As 2007 started, Jo had only 2 movies left. And what contrasting roles they provided for her! She boldly took on a role with large negative shades in Pachaikkili Muthucharam and went through a whole gamut of emotions in the difficult role. The climax truly brought out a new facet of her acting. But she saved her best for last. Playing a deaf-mute in Mozhi, she was completely natural and performed the sign language with a smoothness that was surprising. Finding a character that offered her the opportunity to be both lively and subdued, as an actress, she definitely finished her career on a high.

A successful career where she paired with all the top heroes; a spot in the record books; marriage with her sweetheart; and all set to be a mom... Jo's really had it all. Here's wishing Tamil cinema's most loveable actress a fond goodbye and wonderful life ahead...