Vijayashanti is an Indian film actress and a politician from Andhra Pradesh, India. She has acted in over 185 movies in seven languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. She was born in warangal district.India on 24 June 1966.^[1] She is credited as "The Lady Superstar" of South Indian cinema. She has won the National Film Award in Best Actress category for Karthavyam in 1991 and also She won four Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Awards South out of which four are Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South). She played a wide variety of roles ranging from glamour, action, tough cop, Goddess to sentimental roles.

Background and career[link]

Born as "Shanti" and her screen name is Vijayashanthi. "Vijaya" was given from her aunt Vijaya lalitha. Vijayashanthi is a politician and is the elected MP from the Medak constituency in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Prior to joining politics in 2004, she was a leading actress in Telugu and Tamil films. She began her acting career in 1980 as the leading lady in the Tamil film Kallukkul Eeram ("The moisture inside stone / rock") directed by P. S. Nivas. The same year, she debuted in Telugu with the movie Kilaadi Krishnudu ('Cunning Krishna'), pairing opposite Krishna. For the first few years, she portrayed mostly glamour roles. Notable among them is her 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[link]

By 1985 she was exclusively acting in Telugu films. She became a Glamour Queen of the Telugu film industry. She is one of the leading actress who played both glamour and performance oriented films. Her glamour roles were brought out by K. Raghavendra Rao and A. Kodandarami Reddy in films like (Challenge, Desodhdhaarakudu, Pasivadi Pranam, Muddula Krishnaiah, Agni Parvatam, Yamudiki Mogudu, Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu, Muddula Mavayya, Gang Leader etc.). In 1992 Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam movie was a huge success. She played a role of a bold lady speaking Telangana slang in the role^{[citation needed]}. In the 90s, she was the only actress demanding 1 crore (US$199,500) as remuneration for a film^{[citation needed]}. Most of her films with Chiranjeevi (19 films) and Balakrishna (16 films) were huge hits and mostly called as Hit Pair for both lead actors by the audience. She also acted with yester year heroes like Krishna, Shoban Babu.

As an action heroine and mass entertainer[link]

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, Vande mataranm 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 in Telugu films.

In 1990, Kartavyam 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). Following the success of Vijayanthi IPS, the producers of her films began releasing Tamil versions of her movies simultaneously with the Telugu Movies. After she started concentrating on Action roles. some thing special is her nativity showing.

In 1997 comes Osey Ramulamma directed by Dasari Narayana Rao was a huge success and winning her another Nandi Award. From this film onwards she is mostly called as "Ramulamma" by the people.

A.M. Ratnam is a make up man for Vijayashanti for years and grew up as one of the biggest producers in South India, and his first film as a producer was Karthavyam(1991) with the financial support from this actress. He made films with Rajnikanth, Chiranjeevi and many other super stars. His films include Padayappa (Narasimha in telugu), Gentle man, Sneham Kosam, Bharatheeyudu, Boys, Khushi and many more.

Political career[link]

Vijayashanti joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and was soon made the secretary of BJP's Women's Wing (Bharateeya Mahila Morcha).^[2] 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 Medak seat.^[3] In June 2009, she resigned from the post of secretary general of TRS, expressing solidarity with the resignation of Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao.^[4] In 2011, she submitted here 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).

Filmography (actress)[link]

2006

1. ''Naayudamma co-starring Prabhu Deva

2004

1. Indirammada

2003

1. Sivani
2. Bhannari 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. Goondaa Gardi (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 Raayudu
3. Tejasvini .... Asst. Supt. of Police Tejasvini Joshi
4. Kuntee Putrudu co-starring Mohan Babu
5. Attaa Kodallu co-starring Anand
6. Rowdy Mogudu co-starring Mohan Babu

1993

1. Aaasayam co-starring Jagapathi Babu (dubbed into Tamil as 'Aasayam')
2. Doragaariki Donga Pellaam .... Rani co-starring Krishna
3. Surya IPS co-starring Venkatesh
4. Chinna Raayudu 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(Tamil) co-starring Rajanikanth
2. Mondi Mogudu - Penki Pellaam 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. Stuvertpuram Police Station .... Alakananda co-starring Chiranjeevi
4. Talli Tandrulu co-starring Balakrishna
5. Lorry Driver .... Jaya co-starring Balakrishna
6. Muddula Menalludu co-starring Balakrishna

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 Mamaiah .... Radha co-starring Balakrishna

1988

1. Inspector Pratap co-starring Balakrishna
2. Donga Pelli co-starring Sobhan Babu
3. Aswadhdhaama co-starring Krishna
4. Yudda Bhoomi co-starring Chiranjeevi
5. Manchi Donga co-starring Chiranjeevi
6. 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 Gaari Mogudu co-starring Balakrishna
5. Yamudiki Mogudu co-starring Chiranjeevi
6. Muddayi co-starring Krishna
7. Swayam Krushi .... Ganga co-starring Chiranjeevi
8. Dongagaru Swagatam co-starring Sobhan Babu
9. Pasivadi Pranam co-starring Chiranjeevi
10. Muvva Gopaludu co-starring Balakrishna
11. Saahasa Samrat co-starring Nandamuri Balakrishna

1986

1. Desooddharakudu co-starring with Nandamuri Balakrishna
2. jeevana poraatam co-starring with shobhan babu
3. samsaaram oka sangeetam co-starring with 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 Dr. Rajasekhar
9. chankya 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. Devantakudu 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 (Telugu)
7. Dharmathmudu (Telugu)
8. Pelli Chesi chupistam (Telugu)
9. Amaayaka chakra varthy (Telugu)
10. Sangarshana co-starring Chiranjeevi
11. Navodayam
12. Mukku pudaka (Telugu)
13. Neti Bharatam co-starring Suman
14. Pelli Choopulu
15. Rakasi loya (Telugu)
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 Sobhan babu
8. satyam sivam co strring with NTR&ANR

1980

1. Kallukkul Eeram (Tamil)

1979

1. Kiladi Krishnudu co-starring Krishna

Filmography (producer)[link]

1. Kartavyam (1990) — Telugu
2. Nippu Ravva (1992) — Telugu
3. Tejaswini (1994) — Hindi
4. Adavi Chukka (1999) — Telugu

Incomplete films[link]

Below is a list of Vijayashanti's incomplete movies. Some of them were announced but never started; some more were started but never finished.

1. Zamaanat (Hindi)
2. Akshaya Paatra
3. Zindabad
4. Adavi Raani
5. Home Minister
6. Raayala Seema Raktam
7. Tamasoma Jyotirgamay

Awards[link]

Silver Screen Empress Award from TSR TV9 awards (2011)

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) - 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).

References[link]

External links[link]

• Vijayshanti at the Internet Movie Database