Vanisri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Rathna Kumari[1] |
| Other names | Kalabhinetri |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1964–1980 1989–2004 |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse | [2] |
| Awards | Filmfare Awards Nandi Award |
Vanisri (bornRathna Kumari) is an Indian actress known for her works predominantly inTelugu,Tamil, andKannada films.[3][4] In a film career spanning 40 years, she has received threeFilmfare Awards South, theNandi Awards and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award.[3]
Vani made her debut with the 1962 Telugu movieBhishma. She gained attention with a supporting role in a film penned byK. Balachander titledSukha Dukhalu, andMarapurani Katha (1967). Vanisri has starred in super hits such asKrishnaveni,Prem Nagar,Dussehra Bullodu,Aradhana,Jeevitha Chakram,Rangula Ratnam,Sri Krishna Tulabharam,Bhakta Kannappa, andBobbili Raja.[5]
She played dual roles inIddaru Ammayilu (1972) (Telugu remake of 1969Kannada filmKappu Bilupu),Ganga Manga (1973 remake of the Hindi filmSeeta Aur Geeta),Jeevana Jyothi (1975), andChilipi Krishnudu (1978). She financed and starred inShyam Benegal's only Telugu filmAnugraham (1977), co-starringSmita Patil.
With actorM. G. R Vanisri acted in three films:Kannan En Kadhalan (1968),Thalaivan (1970), andOorukku Uzhaippavan (1976).
She acted in 20 Telugu films withAkkineni Nageshwara Rao and 18 Telugu films with Super StarKrishna such asMarapurani Katha,Ganga Manga, Cheekati velugulu, Illu Illalu.She acted withSivaji Ganesan in 10 films such asUyarntha Manithan (1968),Nirai Kudam (1969),Kulama Gunama (1971),Vasantha Maligai (1972),Sivakamiyin Selvan (1974),Vani Rani (Tamil remake of the Hindi filmSeeta Aur Geeta) (1974),Rojavin Raja (1976),Ilaya Thalaimurai (1977),Punniya Boomi (1978), andNallathoru Kudumbam (1979).[5] In 2013, she received the stateRaghupathi Venkaiah Award for her contribution to Telugu cinema.[6]
Vanisri married Dr. Karunkaran in 1978 and left the film industry. The couple became parents to a son and a daughter. Vanisri returned to acting in mother roles from 1989, such as her character inAthaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989). She was appeared in the 1999Hindi filmMain Tere Pyar Mein Pagal, by famousTelugu directorK. Raghavendra Rao.[5]
She lost her son Abhinaya Venkatesha Karthik aged 36 on 23 May 2020 to cardiac arrest.[7]
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| Year | Award | Award category | Awarded work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Jeevana Tarangalu |
| 1974 | Krishnaveni | ||
| 1975 | Jeevana Jyothi | ||
| 2001 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Kavignar Kannadasan Award | Contribution to film industry |
| 2004 | Vamsi Awards | Meena Kumari Award | |
| 2005 | Madhavapeddi Prabhavathi Awards | Madhavapeddi Prabhavathi Award by the Siva Foundation | |
| 2013 | Nandi Awards | Raghupathi Venkaiah Award[6] |