Acting · Nellore, Madras Presidency, British India · Born August 3, 1948
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.
MovieBadradri Ramudu
2004
MovieBombay Priyudu
1996
MovieAllari Alludu
1993
as Akhilandeswari Devi
MovieEvandi Aavida Vachindi
1993
as Sathyavati
Rajeswari Kalyanam
1993
MovieRampur Ka Raja
1993
Collector Gari Alludu
1992
Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu
1992
MovieSeetharatnam Gari Abbayi
1992
as Seeetharathnamma
MoviePeddinti Alludu
1991
as Bala Tripura Sundari
MovieBobbili Raja
1990
as Minister Rajeswari Devi
Prananiki Pranam
1990
as Justice Jayanti Devi
Qaidi Dada
1990
MovieNyaya Tharasu
1989
as Bhavani Ammal
MovieAgni
1989
as Seeta Mahalakshmi
MovieAttaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu
1989
as Chamundeshwari Devi
MovieSri Vinayaka Vijayamu
1979
as Devi Parvati
MovieSrimadhvirata Parvamu
1979
as Draupadi
MovieNalladhoru Kudumbam
1979
MovieMaavaari Manchithanam
1979
Simha Baludu
1978
Punniya Boomi
1978
MovieVichitra Jeevitham
1978
as Gowri
Vaazhkai Alaigal
1978
Chilipi Krishnudu
1978
as Vani / Rani
MovieSati Savithri
1978
MovieGorantha Deepam
1978
as Padmavati
MovieThe Sage from the Sea
1978
as Ansuya P. Rao
Ilaya Thalaimurai
1977
MovieFlowing Against
1977
as Radha
Rojavin Raja
1976
Oorukku Uzhaippavan
1976
MovieBhakta Kannappa
1976
as Leela
Aaradhana
1976
as Radha
MovieEduruleni Manishi
1975
as Latha
Pooja
1975
as Gouri
Maya Maschindra
1975
as Goddess Lakshmi / Tilottama Devi
MovieJeevana Jyothi
1975
as Lakshmi/Sobha
MovieVani Rani
1974
Chakravakam
1974
as Devarani
MovieVintha Katha
1973
Jeevana Tarangalu
1973
as Roja
MovieBangaru Babu
1973
as Vani
Koduku Kodalu
1972
as Shobha
MovieVasantha Maligai
1972
as Anand
MovieVelli Vizha
1972
Avasara Kalyanam
1972
as Vasanthi
MovieJagath Kantrilu
1971
MovieChelleli Kapuram
1971
Punnagai
1971
MovieAdi Parasakthi
1971
MoviePrema Nagar
1971
MovieKasidre Kailasa
1971
as Shakuntala
MovieKulama Gunama
1971
Nangu Suvargal
1971
MovieDasara Bullodu
1971
MovieLife Cycle
1971
as Suseela
Chitti Chellelu
1970
as Santha
MovieThalaivan
1970
Kathanayika Molla
1970
as Molla
MovieNirai Kudam
1969
as Chithra
MovieAathmeeyulu
1969
as Jaya
MovieAayiram Poi
1969
as Malathi
MovieNindu Hrudayalu
1969
as Sharada
MovieBangaru Panjaram
1969
as Neela
Porsilai
1969
Kuzhandai Ullam
1969
MovieAnnaiyum Pithavum
1969
MovieUyarndha Manidhan
1968
MovieLakshmi Nivasam
1968
as Asha
Thamarai Nenjam
1968
as Radha
MovieKannan En Kadhalan
1968
Sukha Dukhalu
1968
MoviePrivate Master
1967
Stree Janma
1967
as Phani
Marapurani Katha
1967
MovieAastiparulu
1966
as Special appearance
Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu
1966
as Suguna
MovieKanne Manasulu
1966
MovieWho is she?
1966
as Latha
MovieAggi Barata
1966
Rangula Ratnam
1966
as vasu's wife
MoviePathala Mohini
1965
as Mohini
MovieAakasa Ramanna
1965
Satya Harishchandra
1965
as Matangi
MovieMangamma Sapatham
1965
as Chanchala
MoviePandava Vanavasamu
1965
as Satyabhama
