1964- Jayalalithaa makes her film debut in a lead role in 'Chinnada Gombe' a Kannada film. To support her debt-ridden family, Jayalalithaa gives us on her dreams of becoming a lawyer and plunges into the film industry.
1965- Jayalalithaa's Tamil film debut comes in the landmark blockbuster hit, 'Venniraadai'. In the same year, she stars in a film, 'Aayirathil Oruvan', with Tamil cinema's biggest star MG Ramachandran (MGR) for the first time, to begin what remains among the most successful screen pairings in Tamil cinema, as well as one of the most critical relationships in her life.
1965 - 1980 -This was the peak of Jayalalithaa's film career. She was among the highest-paid actresses in the country at the time, and endorsed top brands. In this period, she acted in over 140 films, of which about 120 were blockbuster hits.
1970 - Jayalalithaa has a falling out with MGR, after he chooses to work with another leading lady.
1971 - Jayalalithaa's mother Sandhya dies.
1973 - She stars in a movie with MGR for the last time, in 'Pattikaattu Ponnaiya', a year after he split from the DMK to launch the AIADMK.
1977 - Jayalalithaa steps back from films.
1980 - Jayalalithaa stars in a Tamil movie, 'Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal', for the last time. Her last film in a leading role however was the Telugu film 'Nayakudu Vinayakudu'.
1981 - Jayalalithaa revives relationship with MGR.
1982 - Jayalalithaa joins MGR's AIADMK and soon after delivers her maiden political speech at the party conference.
1983- She is appointed the AIADMK's propaganda secretary.
1984 - She is elected to the Rajya Sabha, as MGR wants her there for her fluency in English and knowledge of several languages. She remains a member of the Rajya Sabha till 1989. She becomes a key campaigner for the AIADMK as the party wins a massive election victory despite MGR remaining hospitalized through the campaigning. Her rising prominence irks senior hands in the party. Her attempt to be named interim CM also does not go well with MGR.
1986 - MGR sacks Jayalalithaa from all party posts after she forms a parallel political outfit. However, she continues as Rajya Sabha member of the AIAMDK.
1987 - MGR dies, leaving no clear political heir. AIADMK descends into chaos over his legacy. Jayalalithaa competes with his widow Janaki for control of the party. The party splits into two major factions, one behind each woman.
1989 - The Assembly election saw the Jayalalithaa faction win 27 seats to the Janaki faction's two. Janaki steps aside to clear the way for Jayalalithaa's accession to MGR's legacy. Jayalalithaa becomes Tamil Nadu's first woman Leader of Opposition. During the budget session, she s assaulted in the Assembly Hall and a senior DMK leader attempts to disrobe her. She vows she will not return except as Chief Minister.
1991 -Allied with the Congress, and rocketed by the sympathy wave following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, Jayalalithaa storms to power as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time.
