Vijayashanti

Vijayashanti is an Indian film actress and a politician from the state of Andhra Pradesh . Prior to joining politics in 2004, she has acted in over 186 movies in seven languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. She is credited as "The Lady Superstar" and " Lady Amithabh" of South Indian cinema. She has won the National Film Award for Best Actress for Karthavyam in 1991 and she has also won six Filmfare Awards including Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South), four Nandi Awards.

Childhood

She was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on 24 June 1965.^[1] Her parents, Varalaxmi and Srinivas Prasad, from Ramannagudem in Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana).^[2] She completed her 10th class at Holy Angels High School, Chennai, before starting her film career.^[3]

Early career (1979–1983)

Her given name is 'Shanti'. She began her acting career at the age of 13 in 1980 as the leading lady in the Tamil film Kallukkul Eeram ("The moisture inside stone / rock") directed by Bharathiraja. The same year, she debuted in Telugu with the movie Kilaadi Krishnudu , pairing opposite Krishna. She was given screen name "Vijaya Shanthi" based on her aunt and veterna actress Vijaya Lalitha. She got a role in the Telugu film Satyam-Sivam (1981), the cast of which included N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao.

Glamour Queen & Dream Girl (1983–1990)

In 1985 she reached her stardom with lady oriented movie Pratighatana in which she acted as a Lecturer named Jhansi. Parallel she did her glam doll role in Agni Parvatam opposite to Krishna. She became a Glamour Queen of the Telugu film industry. She is a very versatile actress. In commercial movies, she played glamourous roles with a great ease. At the same time she excellently portrayed serious roles in message oriented movies. Her glamour roles in the direction of K. Raghavendra Rao and A. Kodandarami Reddy in films like Challenge, Kondaveeti Raja, Pasivadi Pranam, Muddula Krishnaiah, Agni Parvatam, Yamudiki Mogudu, Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu, Muddula Mavayya, Kondaveeti Donga, Gang Leader etc. All these films scored her the most successful heroine in late 1980's. She acted as a mother to Master Mahesh Babu in Koduku Diddina Kapuram in 1989 opposite to Krishna.

In 1992 Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam was a huge success. She played a role of a bold lady speaking Telangana slang in the role, the song ‘Laloo Darwaja Laskar’ became a career defining song for her as well. In the 1990s, she was the only actress demanding hightest remuneration in India equal to her co-superstars.^[4] Most of her films with Telugu superstars Chiranjeevi (19 films) and Balakrishna (17 films) were huge hits and her onscreen chemistry with both the lead actors worked very well at the boxoffice. Vijayashanti is the only actress who acted most number of films for both superstars of Telugu. She has acted alongside Tamil superstars Rajinikanth in the film Mannan as the antagonist and with Kamal Hassan in Indrudu Chandrudu as a detective reporter. She also acted with yesteryear biggies like superstar Krishna, Shoban Babu.

Action heroine (1990–2003)

Her break through movie was Neti bharatham(1983), from there she started acting lady oriented roles teaming up with T.Krishna. In 1985 Pratighatana from the same director won her accolades and a state Nandi award for the first time. Films like Repati Pourulu, Aruna kiranam, Vandemataram and Bharatha Nari are some other movies winning some state awards. In the blockbuster movie Karthavyam (1990), her performance as a tough cop (modeled after real-life supercop Kiran Bedi) won her the National Film Award from Indian Government and an Andhra Pradesh State award for best actress. She became third women to win national award for best actress from Telugu industry. The success of this movie saw her moving away from glamorous roles and limiting herself to tough lady roles. These tough lady roles made her a leading actress at box-office ratings in Telugu films. More than all these, her humungous popularity striked a chord to her biggest costars. She is one such actress who proved her versatility.

In 1990, Karthavyam was dubbed into Tamil as Vijayanthi IPS and its success brought her actress in Tamil cinema as well. (It was also remade in Hindi as Tejaswini, with herself playing the lead role. As expected, Tejaswini did very well at the Hindi box-office). C Indhumathi an IAS officer, when she was a 10-year-old girl happened to watch "Vijayanthi IPS", the little girl who was till then brought up on Tamil films with men playing super heroes was thoroughly impressed by actress Vijayashanthi's portrayal of the woman cop who fought against all odds. The woman cop grew to be her inspiration in the years to come.^[5] Her incompatible record of Vijayanthi IPS 1990 ran for 50 days in Vetri theater in Chennai and this record is broken by dubbed version of Baahubali in August 2015.^[6]

In 1993 she acted in a dual role Police lock up directed by Kodi Ramakrishna was a superhit. After she started concentrating on Action roles, something special is her nativity showing. In 1997 she did Osey Ramulamma directed by Dasari Narayana Rao was a biggest blockbuster of the year and winning her 4th Nandi Award. From this film onwards she is mostly called as "Ramulamma" by the people. Later she appeared in strong roles in movies like Adavi chukka, Rowdy darbar directed by Dasari Narayana Rao.

Political career (1998–2014)

In 1998 Vijayashanti joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and was soon made the secretary of BJP's Women's Wing (Bharateeya Mahila Morcha).^[7] During the 1999 general election she was named BJP's contestant from the Cuddapah Lok Sabha seat against Sonia Gandhi of Congress(I) (however, she withdrew from the race after Sonia Gandhi decided to contest from Bellary). She started her own political party, Talli Telangana, which merged into Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) due to lack of strength and support, in January 2009.

From 1999 her movie appearances decreased as she focused on her political career. By 2004 she had stopped signing new films. In the 2009 general election, she won as a Member of Parliament from Medak constituency.^[8] In June 2009, she resigned from the post of secretary general of TRS, expressing solidarity with the resignation of Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao.^[9] In 2011, she submitted her resignation as an MP. The resignation was later rejected by the speaker of the house, as they were not in the proper format. Later she was actively participating in Politics for separate Telangana state (region).

2014

Vijayashanti joined Indian National Congress party on FEB 2014 after split with TRS chief KCR and contesting to Loksabha elections 2014 on congress ticket.^[10] However she lost in the elections as nominated for MLA and was staying away from politics a bit while where she announced she will come back onto the silver screen in 2016 once she found a script for her movie.

Personal life

She is married to M. V. Srinivas Prasad. She made that public in her application to election commission.^[11] He produced a movie "Nippuravva" under the banner of "Yuvaratna arts". He is a real estate businessman in Andhra Pradesh State, South India.

Awards

National Film Awards

• National Film Award for Best Actress - Karthavyam (1990).

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South) (2003).
• Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) - Osey Ramulamma (1997).
• Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) - Police Lockup (1993).
• Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) - Karthavyam (1990).
• Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) - Bharathanaari (1989).^[12]
• Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) - Pratighatana (1985).

Nandi Awards

• Nandi Award for Best Actress - Osey Ramulamma (1997).
• Nandi Award for Best Actress - Karthavyam(1990).
• Nandi Award for Best Actress - Bharatanaari (1989).
• Nandi Award for Best Actress - Pratighatana (1985).

Other honors

• Silver Screen Empress Award from TSR TV9 Awards (2011)

Filmography

2006

1. Naayudamma as Naayudamma / Jhansi

2004

1. Indiramma

2003

1. Sivani
2. Sri Bannari Amman (Tamil) dubbed into Telugu as 'Maha Chandi'

2002

1. Sri Srimathi Sathyabhaama co-starring Raghu
2. Sambhavi IPS
3. Saahasa Baludu Vichitra Kothi
4. Rifles (Kannada) dubbed into Telugu as 'Vandemaataram'

2001

1. Vijayanthi
2. Adavi Chukka .... Chukkamma/Santhi co-starring Charan Raj

1999

1. Rajasthan (Tamil) dubbed into Telugu as 'Rajastan', co-starring Sarath Kumar
2. Bharata Rathna co-starring Vinod Kumar

1998

1. Thadayam .... Lawyer Nandhini (Tamil) dubbed into Telugu as 'Chattam', co-starring Ramkee
2. Srivaarante Maa Vaare co-starring Suman
3. Kallukonduru Penn (Malayalam)

1997

1. Rowdy Darbaar co-starring Ramkee
2. Gundagardi (Hindi) co-starring Aditya Pancholi and Dharmendra
3. Osey Ramulamma .... Ramulamma co-starring Krishna and Ramkee (dubbed into Tamil as 'Adimai Penn')

1996

1. Young Turks (YUVATHURKI) (Malayalam) dubbed into Telugu as 'Delhi Dairy', co-starring Suresh Gopi

1995

1. Street Fighter - Vijayashantii

1994

1. Lady Boss co-starring Vinod Kumar (dubbed into Tamil as 'Lady Boss')
2. Maga Rayudu
3. Tejasvini .... Asst. Supt. of Police Tejasvini Joshi
4. Kuntee Putrudu co-starring Mohan Babu
5. Attaa Kodallu co-starring Shashi Kumar
6. Rowdy Mogudu co-starring Mohan Babu

1993

1. kunthi putrudu co-starring Mohan Babu
2. Aasayam co-starring Jagapathi Babu (dubbed into Tamil as 'Aasayam')
3. Doragaariki Donga Pellaam .... Rani co-starring Krishna
4. Chinarayudu co-starring Venkatesh
5. Nippu Ravva co-starring Balakrishna
6. Police Lockup (Vijaya, Shanti) co-starring Vinod Kumar (dubbed into Tamil as 'Police-Lockup')
7. Mechanic Alludu co-starring Chiranjeevi (dubbed into Tamil as 'Mechanic Maappillai')

1992

1. Mannan co-starring Rajanikanth(Tamil)
2. Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam co-starring Suman
3. Rowdy Inspector co-starring Balakrishna (dubbed into Tamil as 'Auto Raani')
4. Aparadhi .... Paro co-starring Anil Kapoor

1991

1. Jaitra Yaatra co-starring Nagarjuna
2. Gang Leader .... Kanyakumari co-starring Chiranjeevi
3. Stuartpuram Police Station co-starring Chiranjeevi
4. Talli Tandrulu co-starring Balakrishna
5. Lorry Driver co-starring Balakrishna
6. Muddula Menalludu co-starring Balakrishna
7. Surya IPS co-starring Venkatesh

1990

1. Karthavyam .... Vyjayanthi co-starring Vinod Kumar (dubbed into Tamil as 'Vyjayanthi IPS')
2. Palnaati Rudraiah co-starring Suman
3. Kondaveeti Donga .... Srilatha co-starring Chiranjeevi
4. Muqaddar Ka Badshaah .... Bharti Rathod
5. Naagaastram co-starring Krishna
6. Shatruvu .... Vijaya co-starring Venkatesh

1989

1. Bhale Donga co-starring Balakrishna
2. Vijay co-starring Nagarjuna
3. Koduku Diddina Kaapuram co-starring Krishna
4. Gunda Raajyam co-starring Krishna
5. Bhaarata Naari co-starring Vinod Kumar
6. Dorikite Dongalu co-starring Sobhan Babu
7. Rudranetra co-starring Chiranjeevi
8. Eeshwar .... Lalita co-starring Anil Kapoor
9. Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu .... Rekha co-starring Chiranjeevi
10. Indrudu Chandrudu co-starring Kamal Hassan
11. Muddula Mavayya .... Radha co-starring Balakrishna

1988

1. Inspector Pratap co-starring Balakrishna
2. Donga Pelli co-starring Sobhan Babu
3. Aswadhdhaama co-starring Krishna
4. Yamudiki Mogudu co-starring Chiranjeevi
5. Yuddha Bhoomi co-starring Chiranjeevi
6. Manchi Donga co-starring Chiranjeevi
7. Janaki Ramudu co-starring Nagarjuna

1987

1. Padamati Sandhya Ragam co-starring Thomas Jane
2. Bhargava Ramudu co-starring Balakrishna
3. Kalyana Thambhulam co-starring Shobhan Babu
4. Bhanumati Gari Mogudu co-starring Balakrishna
5. Muddayi co-starring Krishna
6. Swayam Krushi .... Ganga co-starring Chiranjeevi
7. Dongagaru Swagatam co-starring Sobhan Babu
8. Pasivadi Pranam co-starring Chiranjeevi
9. Muvva Gopaludu co-starring Balakrishna
10. Saahasa Samrat co-starring Nandamuri Balakrishna

1986

1. Desooddharakuduco-starring with Nandamuri Balakrishna
2. Jeevana Poraatam co-starring with Shobhan Babu
3. Samsaaram Oka Sangeetam co-starring Chandramohan
4. Aruna Kiranam co-starring Raja Sekhar
5. Samaajamlo Stree co-starring Suman and Bhanu Chandar
6. Brahmashtram co-starring with krishna
7. Dhairyavanthudu co-starring Chiranjeevi
8. Repati Pourulu co-starring Rajasekhar
9. Chanakya Shapadham co-starring with Chiranjeevi
10. Kondaveeti Raja co-starring Chiranjeevi
11. Naaga Devata co-starring Arjun
12. Sravana Sandhya co-starring Sobhan Babu
13. Sakkanodu co-starring Sobhan Babu
14. Apoorva Sahodarulu co-starring Balakrishna
15. Muddula Krishnaiah .... Vijayashanti co-starring Balakrishna

1985

1. Pratighatana .... Jhansi co-starring Chandra Mohan and Raja Shekhar
2. Srivaru co-starring Sobhan Babu
3. Ooriki Soggaadu co-starring Sobhan Babu
4. Darja Donga co-starring Suman
5. Chiranjeevi co-starring Chiranjeevi
6. Thirugubaatu co-starring with Mohanbabu
7. Sreevaru co-starring with Shobhan babu
8. Agni Parvatam co-starring Krishna
9. Desamlo Dongalupaddaru co-starring Suman
10. Devalayam co-starring Sobhan Babu
11. Bhandhi co-starring with Krishnam raju
12. Kottha pelli Kuthuru
13. Pattabhishekham co-starring Balakrishna
14. Vande Mataram co-starring Rajasekhar

1984

1. Kurra cheshtalu co-starring with suman
2. Kutumba gouravam co-starring with Muralimohan
3. Adadhani saaal co-starring with Murali mohan
4. Veerabhadhrudu co-starring with karthik
5. Dongallo dora co-starring with Suman
6. Raaraju co-starring with krishnam raju
7. Jadagantalu co-starring with suresh
8. Enkennalli charithra co-strring with Suman
9. Abhimanyudu co-starring with shobhan babu
10. Challenge .... Haarika co-starring Chiranjeevi
11. Mahanagaramlo Maayagaadu co-starring Chiranjeevi
12. SP Bhayankar co-starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishnam Raju
13. Sundari-subbarao co-starring with chandhra mohan
14. Devanthakudu co-starring Chiranjeevi

1983

1. Kalyana Kanavugal (Tamil)
2. Thalaimagan (Tamil)
3. Villiyanur Matha (Tamil)
4. Neeru Pootha Neruppu (Tamil)
5. Keralida hennu (Kannada)
6. Pandanti kaapuraniki Pannendu suthralu
7. Dharmathmudu
8. Pelli Chesi chupistam
9. Amaayaka chakra varthy
10. Sangarshana co-starring Chiranjeevi
11. Navodayam
12. Mukku pudaka
13. Neti Bharatam co-starring Suman
14. Pelli Choopulu
15. Rakasi loya
16. Shri Ranganeetulu co-starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao

1982

1. Vedikkai Manidhargal (Tamil)
2. Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal (Tamil)
3. Manjal nilla (Tamil)
4. Ilan jodigal (Tamil)
5. krishnavatharam co -starring with krishna
6. prathikaram co starring with shobhan babu
7. Vamsha gouravam co-starring with Shobhan babu
8. Pelleedu Pillalu .... Santhi

1981

1. Sivappu Malli (Tamil)
2. Pattam Parakkattum (Tamil)
3. Sandhana malargal (Tamil)
4. Nenjile Thunivirunthaal (Tamil)
5. Netrikann (Tamil)
6. Rajangam (Tamil)
7. Pandanti Jeevitham co starring with Shoban Babu
8. Satyam Sivam co starring with NTR&ANR

1980

1. Khiladi Krishnudu co-starring Krishna
2. Kallukkul Eeram (Tamil)

Filmography (producer)

1. Kartavyam
2. Tejaswini (1994) — Hindi
3. Adavi Chukka (1999) — Telugu

References

External links

• Vijayshanti at the Internet Movie Database