Trisha Krishnan, known for her role as Janaki in the acclaimed 2018 film '96', fondly remembered the legendary playback singer S Janaki, who passed away
on July 11 at the age of 88. Following the news of Janaki's death, Trisha shared heartfelt memories of their meeting during the film's production, where she portrayed a character named after the iconic singer. Alongside her tribute, Trisha posted photographs capturing their encounter, evoking nostalgia among fans. In her emotional tribute, Trisha expressed her gratitude, stating, “Carrying your name in one of my most special films will forever be one of the greatest honours of my life. But knowing you and being loved by you is something I’ll cherish forever.” She further acknowledged Janaki's impact on her life, saying, “Thank you for your hugs, your kindness, your laughter and for always reminding me that the greatest artists are the humblest souls. Your voice will live forever.” The images shared by Trisha depict her in a yellow kurta and blue scarf, embracing Janaki and capturing moments of joy. In '96', Trisha's character, affectionately called Janu, is a talented singer. A deleted scene from the film features a poignant interaction between her character and Ram, played by Vijay Sethupathi. In this scene, they visit her home for a photo opportunity, where Ram playfully complains about her reluctance to sing his favorite song. The scene concludes with Janaki expressing her delight upon learning that Trisha's character shares her name, suggesting that she must sing even better than the legendary singer herself. Fans of both the film and the singer have revisited this deleted scene following the announcement of Janaki's passing, sharing videos of Chinmayi Sripaada, who provided the voice for Trisha's character. Chinmayi recalled the ease of dubbing for the scene, noting Trisha's genuine admiration for Janaki, which added authenticity to the moment. “It was really easy (to dub that scene) because Trisha is also looking at (Janaki) saucer-eyed,” she remarked on a podcast, highlighting the deep connection between the two artists. S Janaki, a celebrated figure in the music industry, leaves behind a rich legacy, having sung thousands of songs across various languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi, among others. Her remarkable career spanned decades, and she was known for her versatility and emotive singing. Janaki passed away in a private hospital in Mysuru after being hospitalized due to cardiac arrest, with her last rites scheduled for July 12, marking the end of an era in Indian music.
