
Vanisri
Department: Acting
Biography
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.
Known For

Agni
1989

Vintha Katha
1973

Srimadhvirata Parvamu
1979

Collector Gari Alludu
1992

Jeevana Jyothi
1975

Annaiyum Pithavum
1969

Vani Rani
1974

Vichitra Jeevitham
1978

Adi Parasakthi
1971

Vaazhkai Alaigal
1978

Punniya Boomi
1978

Ilaya Thalaimurai
1977

Rojavin Raja
1976

Kulama Gunama
1971

Uyarndha Manidhan
1968

Nalladhoru Kudumbam
1979

Vasantha Maligai
1972

Flowing Against
1977

Thamarai Nenjam
1968

Velli Vizha
1972

Kuzhandai Ullam
1969

Porsilai
1969

Punnagai
1971

Evandi Aavida Vachindi
1993

Oorukku Uzhaippavan
1976

Thalaivan
1970

Kannan En Kadhalan
1968

Qaidi Dada
1990

Pooja
1975

Gorantha Deepam
1978

Aakasa Ramanna
1965

Jagath Kantrilu
1971

Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu
1989

Bobbili Raja
1990

Bombay Priyudu
1996

Sukha Dukhalu
1968

Nangu Suvargal
1971

Who is she?
1966

Aggi Barata
1966

Maavaari Manchithanam
1979

Simha Baludu
1978

Sati Savithri
1978

Pathala Mohini
1965

Rangula Ratnam
1966

Lakshmi Nivasam
1968

Nindu Hrudayalu
1969

The Sage from the Sea
1978

Allari Alludu
1993

Nyaya Tharasu
1989

Aayiram Poi
1969

Aaradhana
1976

Prema Nagar
1971

Pandava Vanavasamu
1965

Nirai Kudam
1969

Eduruleni Manishi
1975

Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu
1992

Peddinti Alludu
1991

Chelleli Kapuram
1971

Private Master
1967

Bangaru Babu
1973

Dasara Bullodu
1971

Aastiparulu
1966

Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi
1992

Bangaru Panjaram
1969

Kasidre Kailasa
1971

Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu
1979

Rajeswari Kalyanam
1993

Mangamma Sapatham
1965

Kathanayika Molla
1970

Aathmeeyulu
1969

Rampur Ka Raja
1993

Chakravakam
1974

Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu
1966

Warning To Youth
1992

Avasara Kalyanam
1972

Kanne Manasulu
1966

Marapurani Katha
1967

Stree Janma
1967

Life Cycle
1971

Maya Maschindra
1975

Jeevana Tarangalu
1973

Bhakta Kannappa
1976

Satya Harishchandra
1965

Koduku Kodalu
1972