Biographie
Rati Agnihotri was born on December 10, 1960, into a Punjabi family in Bombay, India, with an older sister and brother. Despite coming from a traditional, conservative family, she was allowed to model at age 10, as her sister Anita had been Miss Young India. During her teenage years, her father moved the family to Madras, Tamil Nadu, for his job. There, she attended Good Shepherd's Convent school and participated in a school play. Bharati Raja, a renowned Tamil film director, was in the audience searching for a lead actress for his new film. He met with Rati's father and assured him the film would finish in a month. Reluctantly, her father agreed, and at sixteen, Rati eagerly starred in her debut film, Pudhiya Varpukal (1979). It was also the debut film for her co-star Bhagyaraj, who helped her learn Tamil lines. The film was a blockbuster, making Rati an overnight sensation. Bharati Raja soon cast her in her second film, Neeram Maradapukal (1979). Although Punjabi, South Indian audiences warmly accepted her, and she embraced the culture, calling herself "Tamilian at heart" and referring to Madras as her "home." She also acted in Telugu and Kannada films, completing 32 films in just three years. She worked with major studios and leading stars such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Shobhan Babu, Chiranjeevi, Vishnuvardhan, N.T. Rama Rao, Krishna, and Nageshwara Rao. Ironically, her entry into Hindi cinema was through her strong ties to South Indian films. Having worked with director K. Balachander and appearing as Kamal Haasan’s leading lady in many South Indian films, she was approached for the Hindi remake of their Telugu hit Marocharithra (1979). Retitled Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981), the film depicted passionate lovers separated by their parents, reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. It became the highest-grossing film of 1981 and introduced the Hindi audience to five South Indian film stars: director K. Balachander, hero Kamal Haasan, heroine Rati Agnihotri, supporting actress Madhavi, and playback singer S.P. Balasubramaniam. Though all received Filmfare nominations, only Rati and S.P. Balasubramaniam achieved major success, becoming top stars in their fields. The memorable score by Laxmikant-Pyarelal elevated the film’s popularity, and rumors circulated that its tragic love story inspired real-life lovers to take their own lives. Her father, who managed her career, protected her from the ensuing hysteria, as she was still very young. He ensured she acted only in Hindi films after Ek Duje Ke Liye, and by the end of the decade, she had appeared in over 43 Hindi films. Her biggest hits included Shaukeen (1982), Farz Aur Kanoon (1982), Coolie (1983), and Tawaif (1985), for which she earned her second Filmfare nomination for Best Actress.
Following her father’s death and her marriage to businessman and architect Anil Virwani on February 9, 1985, Rati decided to leave Hindi films while still at the peak of her career. In 1987, her only son, Tanuj, was born, and she focused on raising him and exploring other creative pursuits, including designing her husband’s architectural projects. She also earned a degree in Reiki, practicing distant healing. Though retired from films, she frequently appeared at film events looking elegant and glamorous, which led to ongoing film offers. After 16 years of declining roles, she accepted a part, feeling her son was growing up and she had more time for herself. Supported by her family, she returned to cinema playing Kajol’s glamorous mother in Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001). More roles followed, including Yaadein (2001) and Dev (2004). After a 20-year break from South Indian cinema, she returned with the Tamil film Majnu (2001). She also debuted in Malayalam with Anyar (2003) and in English with An Ode to Lost Love (2003). Additionally, she performed on stage in plays like Please Divorce Me Darling (2005) and acted in television serials, such as Sixer (2005). She continues to support her husband’s architectural work and dedicates time to social causes including cancer, AIDS, and menopause awareness for women over 40. In 2010, she supported her son Tanuj Virwani’s decision to pursue acting. In 2015, she separated from her husband.
