- Vanisri, born Rathna Kumari, is a prominent Indian actress known for her extensive work in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada cinema. Her career spanned four decades, during which she achieved significant recognition and numerous accolades.
Early Life and Background:
- Vanisri was born on August 3, 1948, in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
- Her early life was marked by tragedy, with the loss of her father and other family members to tuberculosis within a short period.
- Her mother played a crucial role in her upbringing, ensuring that Vanisri and her sister received a good education despite the hardships.
Film Career:
- Vanisri debuted as a lead actress in the mid-1960s and quickly rose to prominence.
- She became one of the top heroines in the 1970s, starring in numerous hit films like “Dasara Bollodu” and “Prem Nagar.”
- Her striking appearance and glamorous style made her a trendsetter in South Indian cinema.
- She was known for her expressive eyes, captivating screen presence, and ability to portray a wide range of characters.
- Vanisri acted in a variety of genres, including mythological, social, and romantic films.
- Some of her notable films include “Krishnaveni,” “Jeevitha Chakram,” “Rangula Ratnam,” and “Sri Krishna Tulabharam.”
- She received three Filmfare Awards South, the Nandi Awards, and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for her outstanding performances.
Telugu Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Bhishma | — |
| 1964 | Bangaru Thimmaraju | — |
| 1964 | Navagraha Pooja Mahima | — |
| 1964 | Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani | — |
| 1965 | Aakasaramanna | Kamamanjari |
| 1965 | Mangamma Sapatham | — |
| 1965 | Prameelarjuna Yuddham | — |
| 1965 | Devatha | — |
| 1965 | Satya Harishchandra | — |
| 1965 | Pandava Vanavasam | — |
| 1965 | Pakkalo Ballem | — |
| 1966 | Sri Krishna Tulabharam | — |
| 1966 | Rangula Ratnam | — |
| 1966 | Paduka Pattabhishekam | — |
| 1966 | Urvashi | Uncredited |
| 1966 | Loguttu Perumallakeruka | — |
| 1966 | Pidugu Ramudu | — |
| 1966 | Potti Pleader | — |
| 1966 | Aame Evaru? | — |
| 1966 | Aastiparulu | Special appearance |
| 1966 | Aggi Barata | — |
| 1967 | Gopaludu Bhoopaludu | — |
| 1967 | Ummadi Kutumbam | — |
| 1967 | Aadapaduchu | — |
| 1967 | Marapurani Katha | — |
| 1967 | Stree Janma | — |
| 1967 | Bhuvana Sundari Katha | — |
| 1967 | Kanchu Kota | — |
| 1967 | Devuni Gelichina Manavudu | — |
| 1967 | Rambha | — |
| 1967 | Nindu Manasulu | — |
| 1967 | Pedda Akkayya | — |
| 1968 | Lakshmi Nivasam | — |
| 1968 | Pantaalu-Pattimpulu | — |
| 1968 | Sukha Dukhalu | — |
| 1968 | Ranabheri | — |
| 1968 | Bharya | — |
| 1968 | Asadhayudu | — |
| 1969 | Mahabaludu | — |
| 1969 | Astulu Anthastulu | — |
| 1969 | Jagath Kiladeelu | — |
| 1969 | Nindu Hrudayalu | — |
| 1969 | Karpura Harathi | Seetha/Radha |
| 1969 | Aatmeeyulu | — |
| 1969 | Bhale Rangadu | — |
| 1969 | Bangaru Panjaram | — |
| 1969 | Raja Simha Madhavi | — |
| 1970 | Chitti Chellelu | — |
| 1970 | Pachhani Samsaram | — |
| 1970 | Jagat Jetteelu | Vani |
| 1970 | Kodalu Diddina Kapuram | — |
| 1970 | Kathanayika Molla | — |
| 1970 | Pelli Sambandham | — |
| 1970 | Drohi | — |
| 1970 | Iddaru Ammayilu | Double role |
| 1971 | Dasara Bullodu | Radha |
| 1971 | Atthalu Kodallu | Janaki |
| 1971 | Jeevitha Chakram | — |
| 1971 | Prem Nagar | Latha |
| 1971 | Chinnanati Snehitulu | — |
| 1971 | Kathaanaayakuraalu | — |
| 1971 | Chelleli Kapuram | — |
| 1971 | Jagath Janthrilu | Jhansi |
| 1971 | Debbaku Taa Dongala Muthaa | Bijili |
| 1971 | Mooga Prema | — |
| 1971 | Raitu Bidda | — |
| 1971 | Adrusta Jathakudu | — |
Filmography (1972–1980)
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Badi Panthulu | Lakshmi |
| 1972 | Iddaru Ammayilu | — |
| 1972 | Srimanthudu | — |
| 1972 | Manchi Rojulochaie | — |
| 1972 | Balaraju Katha | — |
| 1972 | Vichitra Bandham | — |
| 1972 | Gudu Gudu Gunjam | — |
| 1972 | Samsaram | — |
| 1972 | Mugguru Ammayilu | — |
| 1972 | Kodalu Kodallu | — |
| 1972 | Vaade Veedu | — |
| 1972 | Amma Na Kodala | — |
| 1972 | Pandanti Kapuram | — |
| 1972 | Girija Kalyanam | — |
| 1973 | Bhakta Tukaram | Avali |
| 1973 | Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu | — |
| 1973 | Kurukshetram | — |
| 1973 | Pedda Koduku | — |
| 1973 | Andala Ramudu | — |
| 1973 | Jeevana Tarangalu | — |
| 1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | — |
| 1973 | Doctor Babu | — |
| 1974 | Krishnaveni | Krishnaveni |
| 1974 | Secretary | Jayalakshmi |
| 1974 | Yashoda Krishna | Yashoda |
| 1974 | Dheerga Sumangali | — |
| 1974 | Devudu Chesina Pelli | — |
| 1974 | Alu Magalu | — |
| 1974 | Dorababu | — |
| 1974 | Jeevana Jyothi | Lakshmi |
| 1975 | Gunavanthudu | — |
| 1975 | Soggadu | — |
| 1975 | Eduruleni Manishi | — |
| 1975 | Marapurani Manishi | — |
| 1975 | Samsaram Oka Chadarangam | — |
| 1976 | Seeta Kalyanam | Seeta |
| 1976 | Adavi Ramudu | Indumathi |
| 1976 | Bangaru Manishi | — |
| 1976 | Secretary | Jayalakshmi |
| 1976 | Sita Ramulu | — |
| 1976 | Prema Lekhalu | — |
| 1977 | Sahasavanthudu | Radha |
| 1977 | Aalu Magalu | — |
| 1977 | Amara Deepam | — |
| 1977 | Edureetha | — |
| 1977 | Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham | — |
| 1977 | Amma Nanna | — |
| 1978 | Gorantha Deepam | — |
| 1978 | Manchi Manasulu | — |
| 1978 | America Ammayi | — |
| 1978 | Pranam Khareedu | — |
| 1978 | Seetamalakshmi | — |
| 1979 | Andamaina Anubhavam | — |
| 1979 | Dora Babu | — |
| 1979 | Draupadi | Draupadi |
| 1979 | Tayaramma Bangarayya | — |
| 1980 | Driver Ramudu | — |
| 1980 | Grihalakshmi | — |
| 1980 | Karthika Deepam | — |
| 1980 | Sri Madvirata Veerabrahmendra Swamy C. | Ameerunnisa |
Filmography (1981–1992)
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Premabhishekam | Jayanthi |
| 1981 | Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi | — |
| 1981 | Mayadari Alludu | — |
| 1981 | Nyayam Kavali | — |
| 1981 | Aadaadani Adrustam | — |
| 1981 | Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu | — |
| 1982 | Rachayitha | — |
| 1982 | Meghasandesam | — |
| 1982 | Madhura Swapnam | — |
| 1982 | Kirayi Kotigadu | — |
| 1982 | Pratigna | — |
| 1983 | Dharmaatmudu | — |
| 1983 | Sitaara Sati | — |
| 1983 | Ammaayi Pelli | — |
| 1984 | Srivariki Premalekha | — |
| 1984 | Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra | Ameerunnisa |
| 1985 | Anveshana | — |
| 1985 | Pratighatana | — |
| 1985 | Agni Pariksha | — |
| 1986 | Bhargava Ramudu | — |
| 1986 | Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu | — |
| 1986 | Punyabhoomi Kallu Terichinddi | — |
| 1987 | Swayam Krushi | — |
| 1987 | Bharatamlo Arjunudu | — |
| 1988 | Aswaddhama | — |
| 1988 | Donga Ramudu | — |
| 1989 | Vicky Dada | — |
| 1989 | Brahma Putrudu | — |
| 1990 | Dharma Kshetram | — |
| 1990 | Neti Siddhartha | — |
| 1991 | Karthavyam | — |
| 1991 | Chaitanya | — |
| 1991 | Brundavanam | — |
| 1992 | Collector Gari Alludu | Kausalya |
Tamil Filmography
| Year | Movie |
|---|---|
| 1966 | Namma Veettu Lakshmi |
| 1966 | Kathal Paduthum Padu |
| 1967 | Thanga Thambi |
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada |
| 1967 | Bhavani |
| 1967 | Kadhalithal Podhuma |
| 1967 | Apoorva Piravigal |
| 1968 | Thamarai Nenjam |
| 1968 | Teacheramma |
| 1968 | Kannan En Kadhalan |
| 1968 | Nervazhi |
| 1968 | Uyarndha Manidhan |
| 1969 | Manasatshi |
| 1969 | Annaiyum Pithavum |
| 1969 | Kuzhandhai Ullam |
| 1969 | Kanni Pen |
| 1969 | Atthai Magal |
| 1969 | Aayiram Poi |
| 1969 | Nirai Kudam |
| 1969 | Porchilai |
| 1970 | Thabalkaran Thangai |
| 1970 | Ethirkalam |
| 1970 | Thalaivan |
| 1971 | Aathi Parasakthi |
| 1971 | Nangu Suvargal |
| 1971 | Kulama Gunama |
| 1971 | Irulum Oliyum |
| 1972 | Velli Vizha |
| 1972 | Vasantha Maligai |
| 1972 | Avasara Kalyanam |
| 1973 | Deiva Kuzhandhaigal |
| 1974 | Sivagamiyin Selvan |
| 1974 | Vani Rani |
| 1976 | Oorukku Uzhaippavan |
| 1976 | Rojavin Raja |
| 1977 | Thaliya Salangaiya |
| 1977 | Ilaya Thalaimurai |
| 1978 | Kanchi Kamakshi |
| 1978 | Punniya Boomi |
| 1979 | Nallathoru Kudumbam |
Kannada Filmography
| Year | Movie | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Veera Sankalpa | Debut film |
| 1964 | Muriyada Mane | |
| 1964 | Mane Aliya | |
| 1965 | Satya Harishchandra | |
| 1965 | Pathala Mohini | |
| 1965 | Miss Leelavathi | |
| 1965 | Mahasathi Anasuya | |
| 1965 | Chandrahasa | |
| 1966 | Katari Veera | |
| 1967 | Jaanara Jana | |
| 1971 | Kasidre Kailasa | |
| 1988 | Ganda Mane Makkalu | Played Saraswathi |
Hindi Filmography
| Year | Movie | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Kshana Kshanam | Hindi debut |
| 1974 | Jyoti | Remake of Jeevana Tarangalu |
| 1975 | Sanyasi | Opposite Manoj Kumar |
| 1976 | Do Yaar |
Later Life:
- In the late 1970s, Vanisri married Dr. Karunkaran and took a break from the film industry.
- She returned to acting in the late 1980s, primarily playing mother roles.
- She also appeared in the 1999 Hindi film “Main Tere Pyar Mein Pagal.”
- Vanisri is a devout Shaivite Hindu.
- She faced a personal tragedy in 2020 with the death of her son, Abhinaya Venkatesha Karthik.
Legacy:
- Vanisri is remembered as one of the most successful and influential actresses in South Indian cinema.
- Her contributions to the film industry have been widely recognized and celebrated.
- She continues to be an inspiration to aspiring actors and remains a beloved figure among film enthusiasts.
Key Achievements:
- Acted in over 200 films in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.
- Received three Filmfare Awards South.
- Won the Nandi Awards and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award.
- Known for her glamorous style and trendsetting fashion.
- Made a successful comeback in the late 1980s with mother roles.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnNRMFfQ2Bo&pp=ygUbdmFuaXNyaSBpbnRlcnZpZXcgaW4gdGVsdWd1
