Radhamonal Naval (26 January 1981 – 14 April 2002), known professionally as Monal, was an Indian former actress who appeared in Tamil language films. She is known for her debut role in the film Paarvai Ondre Pothume (2001) alongside Kunal. Monal died on 14 April 2002 after committing suicide in her apartment in Chennai.[1]

Monal
Monal in 2000
Born
Radhamonal Naval

(1981-01-26)26 January 1981
Delhi, India
Died14 April 2002(2002-04-14) (aged 21)
Chennai, India
Cause of deathSuicide by hanging
OccupationFilm actress
Years active2000–2002
PartnerPrasanna Sujit (2001 – 2002)
RelativesSimran (sister)
Jyoti Anand (sister)

Early life

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Monal was born on 26 January 1981 as Radhamonal Naval to parents Ashok Naval and Saratha in Delhi. She did her schooling in Delhi and college in Bombay, and studied for the Bachelor of Commerce degree in Mithibai College. She had two sisters, Simran and Jyothi, and a brother, Sumeet.

Career

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She did some modelling, fashion shows and beauty contests, and subsequently received film offers. Her sister Simran was a leading actress in South Indian films during the period, while another sister, Jyoti, made her debut in 2003.[2] She made her debut in 2001 and was reported by the media for throwing tantrums on the sets of her first film.[3] She was signed up to make her debut in Badri alongside Vijay, but her first release was Paarvai Ondre Pothume alongside Kunal (the lead actor of Kadhalar Dhinam).[4]

Monal appeared in a few more films, with most turning out to be moderate successes at the box office. At the time of her death, she was working on Dadagiri, a Telugu film which also featured her Suman, and Best of Luck, a Tamil film co-starring Eashwar and Yugendran.[5][6] On the day of her death, she had attended the launch of her new film Paiye Janmam, literally translating into "Ghost Life".[7]

Death

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She died by suicide, and was found hanging on 14 April 2002, aged just 21, in her room in Chennai.[8][9]

In May 2002, her sister Simran accused choreographer Prasanna Sujit for being a possible reason for her suicide, claiming that Prasanna had broken off his relationship with her just days earlier.[10][11]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Language Notes
2000 Indradhanush Yavanika Kannada Credited as Abhisarika
2001 Paarvai Ondre Pothume Neetha Tamil
Badri Mamati Tamil
Lovely Madhubala Tamil
Samudhiram Priya Tamil
Ishtam Telugu Special appearance
2002 Vivaramana Aalu Tamil Guest appearance
Maa Tujhhe Salaam Nargis Hindi
Charlie Chaplin Thilothama Tamil
Pesadha Kannum Pesume Swetha Tamil
2005 Aadhikkam Jhansi Tamil Posthumously released 3 years after death

References

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  1. ^ "Simran's emotional message to her sister actress Monal on her 20th death anniversary". India Glitz.
  2. ^ "Simran's sister act - Times of India". The Times of India. 17 June 2003. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Monal demanding star treatment". New Straits Times. 22 February 2001. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  4. ^ "rediff.com, Movies: Monal: I joined films because of Shah Rukh Khan!". Rediff.com. 20 August 2001. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Telugu Cinema Etc". Idlebrain.com. 14 April 2002. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  6. ^ "06-09-02". Archived from the original on 29 October 2004.
  7. ^ "rediff.com, Movies: For whom death tolls". Rediff.com. 16 April 2002. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Tamil actress Monal commits suicide - Times of India". The Times of India. 14 April 2002. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  9. ^ "The suicide syndrome!". The Hindu. 18 April 2002. Archived from the original on 1 July 2003. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  10. ^ "India News, Latest Sports, Bollywood, World, Business & Politics News". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  11. ^ "It's a heavy price to pay". The Hindu. 3 May 2002. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
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