Acting
Vanisri
Vanisri, (born Rathna Kumari) is an Indian film actress known for her works predominately in Telugu and Tamil, and a few Kannada and Hindi films. In a film career spanning forty years, she has received three Filmfare Awards South, including the Nandi Awards and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award. She gained attention with a supporting role in a film penned by K. Balachander titled Sukha Dukhalu, and Marapurani Kadha (1967). Vanisri has starred in super hits such as Krishnaveni, Prem Nagar, Dussehra Bullodu, Aradhana, Jeevitha Chakram, Rangula Ratnam, Sri Krishna Tulabharam, Bhakta Kannappa, Bobbili Raja, etc. If there was a star heroine in the Telugu film industry, who ruled on par with the heroes, it must be only Vanisri. She was the only actress during that period who commanded a higher remuneration than her male co stars. She played dual roles in Iddaru Ammayilu (1972) (Telugu remake of 1969 release Kannada film Kappu Bilupu), Ganga Manga (1973 remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta), Jeevana Jyothi (1975), and Chilipi Krishnudu (1978). She financed and starred in Shyam Benegal's only Telugu film Anugraham (1977), co-starring Smita Patil. She acted with Sivaji Ganesan in a number of films such as Uyarntha Manithan (1968), Nirai Kudam (1969), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Sivakamiyin Selvan (1974), Vani Rani (Tamil remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta) (1974) and Nallathoru Kudumbam (1979). In 2013, she received the state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for her contribution to Telugu cinema. In the late 1970s, Vanisri left films to get married and have a son and a daughter. Vanisri returned to film in the late 1980s acting in mother roles, such as her character in Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989). A practicing Shaivite Hindu, Vanisri is very religious. She was also in the 1999 Hindi film Main Tere Pyar Mein Pagal, directed by Telugu director K. Raghavendra Rao.
Filmography
Badradri Ramudu
Film · 2004
Bombay Priyudu
Film · 1996
Evandi Aavida Vachindi
Film · 1993
Allari Alludu
Film · 1993
Rajeswari Kalyanam
Film · 1993
Rampur Ka Raja
Film · 1993
Collector Gari Alludu
Film · 1992
Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu
Film · 1992
Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi
Film · 1992
Peddinti Alludu
Film · 1991
Qaidi Dada
Film · 1990
Bobbili Raja
Film · 1990
Prananiki Pranam
Film · 1990
Agni
Film · 1989
Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu
Film · 1989
Nyaya Tharasu
Film · 1989
Swathi Chinukulu
Film · 1989
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Film · 1979
Nalladhoru Kudumbam
Film · 1979
Maavaari Manchithanam
Film · 1979
Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu
Film · 1979
Vichitra Jeevitham
Film · 1978
Punniya Boomi
Film · 1978
Vaazhkai Alaigal
Film · 1978
Gorantha Deepam
Film · 1978
Simha Baludu
Film · 1978
Sati Savitri
Film · 1978
The Sage from the Sea
Film · 1978
Chilipi Krishnudu
Film · 1978
Ilaya Thalaimurai
Film · 1977
Flowing Against
Film · 1977
Thaaliya Salangaiya
Film · 1977
Rojavin Raja
Film · 1976
Oorukku Uzhaippavan
Film · 1976
Aaradhana
Film · 1976
Bhakta Kannappa
Film · 1976
Jeevana Jyothi
Film · 1975
Pooja
Film · 1975
Eduruleni Manishi
Film · 1975
Maya Maschindra
Film · 1975
Vani Rani
Film · 1974
Chakravakam
Film · 1974
Vintha Katha
Film · 1973
Bangaru Babu
Film · 1973
Jeevana Tarangalu
Film · 1973
Vasantha Maligai
Film · 1972
Velli Vizha
Film · 1972
Avasara Kalyanam
Film · 1972
Koduku Kodalu
Film · 1972
Adi Parasakthi
Film · 1971
Kulama Gunama
Film · 1971
Punnagai
Film · 1971
Jagath Kantrilu
Film · 1971
Nangu Suvargal
Film · 1971
Prema Nagar
Film · 1971
Chelleli Kapuram
Film · 1971
Dasara Bullodu
Film · 1971
Kasidre Kailasa
Film · 1971
Life Cycle
Film · 1971
Thalaivan
Film · 1970
Kathanayika Molla
Film · 1970
Chitti Chellelu
Film · 1970
Annaiyum Pithavum
Film · 1969
Kuzhandai Ullam
Film · 1969
Porsilai
Film · 1969
Nindu Hrudayalu
Film · 1969
Aayiram Poi
Film · 1969
Nirai Kudam
Film · 1969
Bangaru Panjaram
Film · 1969
Aathmeeyulu
Film · 1969
Uyarndha Manidhan
Film · 1968
Thamarai Nenjam
Film · 1968
Kannan En Kadhalan
Film · 1968
Sukha Dukhalu
Film · 1968
Lakshmi Nivasam
Film · 1968
Private Master
Film · 1967
Marapurani Katha
Film · 1967
Stree Janma
Film · 1967
Kadhalithal Podhuma
Film · 1967
Who is she?
Film · 1966
Aggi Barata
Film · 1966
Rangula Ratnam
Film · 1966
Aastiparulu
Film · 1966
Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu
Film · 1966
Kanne Manasulu
Film · 1966
Aakasa Ramanna
Film · 1965
Pathala Mohini
Film · 1965
Pandava Vanavasamu
Film · 1965
Mangamma Sapatham
Film · 1965
Satya Harishchandra
Film · 1965