Vanisri
Known for: Acting
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
Film
Vani Rani
Vani / Rani
1974
Film
Bangaru Panjaram
Neela
1969
Oorukku Uzhaippavan
1976
Kadhalithal Podhuma
Mohana
1967
Film
Badradri Ramudu
2004
Satya Harishchandra
Matangi
1965
Film
Vintha Katha
1973
Avasara Kalyanam
Vasanthi
1972
Film
Thalaivan
1970
Film
Dasara Bullodu
1971
Film
Life Cycle
Suseela
1971
Swathi Chinukulu
1989
Film
Kannan En Kadhalan
1968
Film
Aakasa Ramanna
1965
Koduku Kodalu
Shobha
1972
Rangula Ratnam
vasu's wife
1966
Film
Lakshmi Nivasam
Asha
1968
Maya Maschindra
Goddess Lakshmi / Tilottama Devi
1975
Prananiki Pranam
Justice Jayanti Devi
1990
Punnagai
1971
Film
Bobbili Raja
Minister Rajeswari Devi
1990
Film
Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu
Chamundeshwari Devi
1989
Nangu Suvargal
1971
Jeevana Tarangalu
Roja
1973
Film
Jagath Kantrilu
1971
Film
Agni
Seeta Mahalakshmi
1989
Film
Bombay Priyudu
1996
Marapurani Katha
1967
Film
Prema Nagar
1971
Film
Jeevana Jyothi
Lakshmi/Sobha
1975
Vaazhkai Alaigal
1978
Film
Private Master
1967
Film
Pandava Vanavasamu
Satyabhama
1965
Pooja
Gouri
1975
Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu
1992
Stree Janma
Phani
1967
Film
Bhakta Kannappa
Leela
1976
Film
Who is she?
Latha
1966
Film
The Sage from the Sea
Ansuya P. Rao
1978
Film
Bangaru Babu
Vani
1973
Film
Velli Vizha
1972
Chitti Chellelu
Santha
1970
Film
Kanne Manasulu
1966
Thamarai Nenjam
Radha
1968
Film
Evandi Aavida Vachindi
Sathyavati
1993
Aaradhana
Radha
1976
Film
Nyaya Tharasu
Bhavani Ammal
1989
Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu
Suguna
1966
Chilipi Krishnudu
Vani / Rani
1978
Ilaya Thalaimurai
1977
Film
Aathmeeyulu
Jaya
1969
Film
Kulama Gunama
Lalitha
1971
Film
Uyarndha Manidhan
1968
Film
Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu
Devi Parvati
1979
Film
Allari Alludu
Akhilandeswari Devi
1993
Film
Annaiyum Pithavum
1969
Film
Rampur Ka Raja
1993
Simha Baludu
1978
Punniya Boomi
1978
Film
Aayiram Poi
Malathi
1969
Film
Chakravakam
Devarani
1974
Film
Vasantha Maligai
Anand
1972
Film
Chelleli Kapuram
1971
Film
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Draupadi
1979
Film
Vichitra Jeevitham
Gowri
1978
Qaidi Dada
1990
Film
Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi
Seeetharathnamma
1992
Film
Adi Parasakthi
1971
Film
Nirai Kudam
Chithra
1969
Collector Gari Alludu
1992
Film
Nindu Hrudayalu
Sharada
1969
Film
Flowing Against
Radha
1977
Film
Aggi Barata
1966
Film
Nalladhoru Kudumbam
1979
Film
Maavaari Manchithanam
1979
Sukha Dukhalu
1968
Film
Peddinti Alludu
Bala Tripura Sundari
1991
Film
Gorantha Deepam
Padmavati
1978
Rajeswari Kalyanam
1993
Film
Sati Savitri
Savitri
1978
Film
Aastiparulu
Special appearance
1966
Rojavin Raja
1976
Porsilai
1969
Film
Eduruleni Manishi
Latha
1975
Film
Pathala Mohini
Mohini
1965
Kathanayika Molla
Molla
1970
Film
Mangamma Sapatham
Chanchala
1965
Film
Kasidre Kailasa
Shakuntala
1971
Kuzhandai Ullam
1969
Thaaliya Salangaiya
Chandra
1977