A star is bornBorn in Melukote town in Mysuru district as Komalavalli to Vedavalli and Jayaraman in an orthodox Tamil Brahmin family.
Child actressStarts her film career as a child artist. Acts in English, Kannada and Hindi language films. Epistle, the only English movie in her career, was the first movie she started shooting for.
The MGR connectionA song from the film Ayirathil Oruvan. (YouTube) Debuts as lead actress in Tamil with 'Vennira Aadai' (white dress), a huge commercial success.
In the same year, she also acts opposite MG Ramachandran (MGR), former Tamil Nadu chief minister and her future political mentor.
A relationship blossoms between the two -- first as a co-star and later as a political protégé -- stretching for two decades, until MGR's death in 1987.
A separationAround this year, due to pressure from his party colleagues, MGR starts acting with other heroines and Jayalalithaa pairs up with other heroes.
For around 10 years, this 'separation' continues.
She pairs with MGR for the last time in the film Pattikaattu Ponnaiya.
The silver screen collaboration, that lasted for 28 films, comes to an end.
Last filmActs in her last Tamil movie, Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal (Where ocean seeks a river), as the female lead. By now, she has acted in 300 odd films. The actress starts nursing serious political ambitions.
Enters politics
Becomes an AIADMK party member. Addresses her first public gathering in Cuddalore, a town in northern Tamil Nadu. Her speech, titled Pennin Perumai (greatness of women), is a huge success.
Rift widensMGR sends her to Rajya Sabha where she serves till 1989.
In the final months of the year, MGR suffers a stroke and is hospitalised in the US. According to reports Jayalalithaa seizes the moment, approaching then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi to appoint her as CM citing MGR's ill-health.
Her rift with MGR widens and she is stripped from several party posts. In the same year, the state faces two crucial elections - Lok Sabha and Legislative assemblies - both won by AIADMK comfortably. Jayalalithaa plays a crucial role in the absense of MGR.
MGR's demiseMGR dies and AIADMK is in complete disarray.
Party breaks into two factions; one follows MGR's wife Janaki Ramachandran and the other supports Jayalalithaa.
Brief setbackShortly after MGR's demise, his wife Janaki becomes chief minister with the support of 97 MLAs out of the 132 AIADMK MLAs. Her rule ends in 21 days, after Rajiv Gandhi dismisses her government.
State comes under president's rule. A brief setback for Jayalalithaa.
Back in hot seatFor AIADMK, the 1989 state polls is a messy affair. With the party split into two factions and the 'two leaves' symbol frozen by the election commission, party workers and followers are unable to decide whom to work or vote for.
A day that changed the future course of Tamil Nadu politics.
Trial by fireThere are several versions of what happened inside the assembly hall that day, but the most accepted version is that Jaya keeps interrupting then CM Karunanidhi's budget speech, repeating the word 'criminal'. Karunanidhi returns the favour by hurling cusswords at her, following which an AIADMK MLA lunges at him. Leaders start hitting each other and pandemonium ensues. When she tries to exit the assembly, DMK minister Durai Murugan attempts to disrobe Jayalalithaa. She cries foul to the media, swearing to step inside the assembly again only as chief minister. This incident unites the AIADMK supporters behind a cause -- defeating the DMK govt.
Chief minister AmmaThe elections bring an astounding victory for the AIADMK-Congress alliance, which wins 225 seats out of possible 234.
An unruly first termAmma (mother), as she is fondly called by her followers, courts controversy by throwing a lavish wedding for her adopted son Sudakaran, signing controversial land deals, mismanaging funds in granite quarrying lease, immunity scheme and colour television scheme, amassing assets disproportionate to her known source of income -- actions that continues to dog her career.
DMK is humiliated, wins only two seats. Jaya becomes chief minister for the first time.
First lossShe faces a rout in the elections, with the AIADMK winning only 4 seats. Loses her assembly seat from Bargur, as Karunanidhi returns. She disowns Sasikala, her aide, after the loss.
Prison timeGets arrested in a corruption case. Spends close to a month in prison.
Around 48 cases of varying charges are slapped on her, her aide Sasikala, Sasikala's family, several IAS officers and ministers.
Battling casesStarting this year until 2000, she concentrates on her defense for the cases against her.
Subramanian Swamy files a case accusing her of having disproportionate assets worth Rs 66.65 crore. Gets acquitted in some cases but others continue to haunt.
Second comingAIADMK rides back to power with a massive mandate, helped by a mega alliance and DMK's personal attacks on her that make her appear as a 'victim' of false cases.
AIADMK and its partners win 196 seats, DMK front wins 36. But Jaya herself is barred from contesting by the Election Commission due to the pending 12 corruption cases. Even then, her party appoints her as CM, only to have her unseated by an SC order. O Paneerselvam warms the CM seat, awaiting her return.
CM againAfter the Madras high court clears her on some counts, she is allowed to contest elections.
An AIADMK MLA resigns and she wins from Andipatti, becomes CM again.
Elections againDMK alliance defeats her in the elections.
AIADMK alliance wins 69 seats, DMK alliance wins 163 seats.
Consecutive victoriesFor the first time in 32 years, a chief minister is selected for a consecutive second term in the state.
AIADMK front wins 134 seats and the DMK front puts on a strong show by winning 98 seats.
Health woes continueJayalalithaa taken to the ICU again after suffering from a cardiac arrest. Hours before, AIADMK had announced that she was given a clean bill of health by a team of medical specialists, including three doctors from AIIMS.
HT/NS
