Mammoth cardboard cutouts, a smiling monolith draped in a huge cloak, emanating an aura of supreme self confidence and a beatific smile which makes noodle pie of thousands of men and women who follow her blindly, Jayalalitha is a persona to be reckon with, whichever way you look at her.

Born on 10th April 1941 in Mysore, Jayalalitha grew up to be a southern belle with both beauty and brains. Daughter of the South Indian actress Sandhya, Jayalalitha excelled in her studies at Good Shepherd School in Madras where she spent her formative years. She is known to have taken a keen interest in her studies and extracurricular activities. A little diffident at first, Jayalalitha entered the line of cinema with faltering steps, but soon took over the south Indian film industry with her usual aplomb. She achieved success soon enough and became a protιgι of another South Indian mega star M.G. Ramchandran. She was not only to become his partner in films and later politics, Jayalalitha actually took over the political arena after his death; albeit after much battle and mudslinging.

Her acumen as a politician coupled with perceptive policy making decisions have made Jayalalitha a force to reckon with in the Indian political scene. Her flamboyant lifestyle, devil may care attitude and strong persona have earned her as many fans as foes.  Her taste for high life and unscrupulous actions have created a furore in the media. Her AIADMK party is the second largest coalition and considered crucial to the governments survival today. Accused of being mercenary , the BJP says that her demands are an attempt to evade prosecution for alleged corruption during her days as chief minister of Tamilnadu.

Jayalalitha is easily among  the most colourful and controversial personality of  recent times in India. She has been a potent power in South India for sometime now. She has  the ability to make politicians  cringe ,  admirers  grovel and the government stumble if she so chooses. With 18 seats in parliament , she knows the government is dependant on her and shrewdly uses her power with maximum effect.