[en] | Vanisri

Not to be confused with Vanishree.

Vanisri (born Rathna Kumari) is an Indian actress known for her works predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films.[3][4] In a film career spanning 40 years, she has received three Filmfare Awards South, the Nandi Awards and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award.[3]

Vanisri
Born
Rathna Kumari[1]
Nellore, Madras State, India
Other namesKalabhinetri
Occupations
  • Actress
  • politician
Years active1962–1980
1989-2004
Spouse
Dr.Karunakaran
​

(m. 1978)​[2]

AwardsFilmfare Awards
Nandi Award

Career

Vani made her debut with the 1962 Telugu movie Bhishma. She gained attention with a supporting role in a film penned by K. Balachander titled Sukha Dukhalu, and Marapurani Katha (1967). Vanisri has starred in super hits such as Krishnaveni, Prem Nagar, Dussehra Bullodu, Aradhana, Jeevitha Chakram, Rangula Ratnam, Sri Krishna Tulabharam, Bhakta Kannappa, and Bobbili Raja.[5]

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.

With actor M. G. R Vanisri acted in three films: Kannan En Kadhalan (1968), Thalaivan (1970), and Oorukku Uzhaippavan (1976).

She acted in 20 Telugu films with Akkineni Nageshwara Rao and 18 Telugu films with Super Star Krishna such as Marapurani Katha, Ganga Manga, Cheekati velugulu, Illu Illalu. She acted with Sivaji Ganesan in 10 films such as Uyarntha Manithan (1968), Nirai Kudam (1969), Kulama Gunama (1971), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Sivakamiyin Selvan (1974), Vani Rani (Tamil remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta) (1974), Rojavin Raja (1976), Ilaya Thalaimurai (1977), Punniya Boomi (1978), and Nallathoru Kudumbam (1979).[5] In 2013, she received the state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for her contribution to Telugu cinema.[6]

Personal life

Vanisri married Dr. Karunkaran in 1978 and left the film industry. The couple have a son and a daughter. Vanisri returned to film to acting in mother roles from 1989, such as her character in Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989). She was also in the 1999 Hindi film Main Tere Pyar Mein Pagal, directed by Telugu director K. Raghavendra Rao.[5]

She lost her son Abhinaya Venkatesha Karthik aged 36 on 23 May 2020 due to cardiac arrest.[7]

Awards and honours

YearAwardAward CategoryAwarded Work
1973Filmfare Awards SouthBest Actress – TeluguJeevana Tarangalu
1974Krishnaveni
1975Jeevana Jyothi
2001Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsKavignar Kannadasan AwardContribution to film industry
2004Vamsi AwardsMeena Kumari Award
2005Madhavapeddi Prabhavathi AwardsMadhavapeddi Prabhavathi Award by the Siva Foundation
2013Nandi AwardsRaghupathi Venkaiah Award[6]

Selected filmography

Main article: Vanisri filmography

References

  1. ^ “I was once tipped as a style icon: Vanisri”. 17 October 2016.
  2. ^ “Income-Tax Officer vs Mrs. Vanishree Karunakaran on 9 March, 2001”. indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b “Resting on her laurels”. The Hindu. 11 October 2007.
  4. ^ “Vanisri News – List Of Indian Actresses on Newsaajtak – Newsaajtak – News Aajtak – Newsaajtak.in”. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b c “Vanisri is my inspiration: Priya”. The Times of India. 14 December 2014.
  6. ^ a b Correspondent, Special (5 April 2017). “S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Hema Malini bag NTR awards”. The Hindu.
  7. ^ “Prem Nagar actress Vanisri’s son Abhinaya Venkatesha Karthik dies of cardiac arrest”. The Times of India. 23 May 2020.