Poornima Bhagyaraj (formerly Poornima Jayaram) turns 65 today.

Poornima Jayaram (now Poornima Bhagyaraj) made her debut to the Tamil screen in the 1981 film Nenjil oru Mull opposite Prathap. Although the film failed at the box-office, her second signing – Durai’s Kilanjalgal opposite Mohan – released just three weeks later and went on to become a blockbuster hit. The success of this second film boosted her marketability.

Her third film, Theeratha Villaiyaatu Pillai – also opposite Mohan was a moderate success.

Her fourth film, also opposite Mohan, was a record-breaking success. Titled Payanangal Mudivathillai, the film marked the directorial debut of R. Sundarrajan as well as the debut of Kovai Thambi’s newly launched production company, Motherland Pictures. It won Filmfare awards for Best Actor and Best Actress for Mohan and Poornima respectively and had a run at at the box-office exceeding one year. The film was later remade into Hindi.

Poornima shared the screen with the legendary Sivaji Ganesan in her fifth film. Titled Paritchaikku Neramaachu. The film was the screen version of the hit stage play by actor Y.G. Mahendran. Paritchaikku Neramaachu was written for the screen by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram and directed by MUktha Srinivasan.

Releasing on the same day as Paritchaikku Neram was Darling Darling Darling which paired her opposite K. Bhagyaraj for the first. The film was a massive hit and has since gained cult status. This on-screen pairing eventually resulted in the two of them marrying each other.

In 1983, shortly after her pairing with Mohan in Nenjamellaam Neeye, Poornima played a guest role as Bhagyaraj’s wife in Mundhanai Mudichu.

After acting with various actors, Poornima starred in Venkat’s Antha Sila Naatkal, which was based on Venkat’s successful stage play. This film gained a lot of praise from critics and film buffs.

She followed this with back to back hits with Thanga Magan opposite Rajinikanth and Vidhi opposite Mohan. Both films fared very well at the box-office.

This was followed by Unga Veetu Pillai opposite Prabhu and her first role under Balu Mahendra’s direction in the film Neengal Kettavai.

Poornima married K. Bhagyaraj in 1984 and announced that her last film would be Aduthathu Albert.

In 2013, she made a comeback through Suseendran’s Adhalaal Kaadhal Seiveer and has since played supporting roles in various films, including Vijay’s Jilla, Trisha’s Mohini and Jyothika’s Ratchasi.

Her last released film was Jiiva’s Aghathiyaa.