Vanisri should not be confused with Vanishree.
| Vanisri | |
| Birth Name: | Rathna Kumari[1] |
| Years Active: | 1962–1980 1989–2004 |
| Birth Place: | Nellore, Madras State, India |
| Other Names: | Kalabhinetri |
| Spouse: | [2] |
| Awards: | Filmfare Awards Nandi Award |
| Works: | Full list |
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]
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). In 2013, she received the state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for her contribution to Telugu cinema.[6]
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]
| Year | Award | Award Category | Awarded Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Best Actress – Telugu | Jeevana Tarangalu | |
| 1974 | Krishnaveni | ||
| 1975 | Jeevana Jyothi | ||
| 2001 | 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 | Raghupathi Venkaiah Award |
See main article: Vanisri filmography.