Vanisri
Also Known As: Rathna Kumari, Vanisree
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.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Nellore, Madras Presidency, British India
Adult: No
Birthday: August 03, 1948
Age: 76 years old
Gender: Female
Popularity:
Known For:
Agni
Overview: Shiva works in a company and is in love with the owner's daughter. His boss is a corrupt man who eventually traps and blames Shiva for all the frauds carried out by him and his crooked friends.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1989-08-09
Popularity:
Vintha Katha
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1973-01-01
Popularity:
Srimadhvirata Parvamu
Overview: It is an Epic story based on the book Virata Parva of Mahabharatha. After 12 years of Vanavasam, the Pandavas spend their 13th year of exile the Agnaadhavasam in an incognito state with disguised identities at the court of Virata. Follows how they end their exile & the marriage celebration of Uttara and Abhimanyu.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1979-05-28
Popularity:
Collector Gari Alludu
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1992-01-01
Popularity:
Jeevana Jyothi
Overview: A woman is attached to her brother-in-law's son and is unable to cope with his death. She becomes mentally unstable and is kept in a medical facility, while her own child is raised by her relatives.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1975-05-16
Popularity:
Annaiyum Pithavum
Overview: AVM Rajan the protagonist lives in a joint family is an easy going guy. Unfortunately AVM Rajan's father loses his eyesight in an accident and family struggles financially to run daily life. AVM Rajan joins for job and meets Vanishree.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1969-01-01
Popularity:
Vani Rani
Overview: Identical twins Vani and Rani are separated at birth. One is tortured by her abusive aunt while the other grows up as a street performer. However, their lives change forever when they swap places. A remake of 1972 Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1974-04-12
Popularity:
Vichitra Jeevitham
Overview: Chandra Shekar "Chandram" loves and marries Gowri. Soon, Chandram gets a job in an estate owned by Surendra Nath a decadent person who behaves like a gentleman and provides good hospitality. Later, once Gowri is alone, tries to molest her but Chandram arrives in time, and the quarrel ensues into the death of Surendra Nath. Chandram is sentenced to death but, on the way to prison, the police van meets with an accident and all occupants are dead.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1978-04-14
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Adi Parasakthi
Overview: A man saved from death by God and told how God help others.
Genres: Drama Fantasy
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1971-10-17
Popularity:
Vaazhkai Alaigal
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-04-13
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Punniya Boomi
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-05-15
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Ilaya Thalaimurai
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1977-07-28
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Rojavin Raja
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1976-12-24
Popularity:
Kulama Gunama
Overview: Chinnathambi is a well-respected pillar of his village, dedicating his life to public welfare—but his devotion to duty comes at the cost of time with his wife, Seetha, who longs for a child. His younger brother Raja falls in love with Lalitha, the daughter of a corrupt shopkeeper who profits from exploiting the villagers. When Chinnathambi opens a fair-price cooperative store, tensions rise—and Lalitha’s father seizes the opportunity to drive a wedge between the brothers. As family bonds are tested by love, rivalry, and personal sacrifice, the women of the household stand at the heart of reconciliation. But when a twist of fate turns joy into sorrow, hidden truths and quiet acts of love begin to shape the future of both couples.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1971-03-25
Popularity:
Uyarndha Manidhan
Overview: Raju, a rich man gets along even with the poor unlike his father. He falls in love with Parvathi, a poor girl but is forced to marry Vimala because of his father. Director duo Krishnan–Panju’s Midas touch made this remake of the 1966 Bengali film “Uttar Purush” a tremendous success in Tamil. Often considered as one of Sivaji Ganesan’s all-time greats, this drama is poignant account of the tragedies that befall a young heir following an act of atrocity.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1968-11-29
Popularity:
Nalladhoru Kudumbam
Overview: Raja and Vanisri marry to fulfill a grandfather’s dying wish, but their relationship soon unravels after a tragic misunderstanding involving one of Raja’s former lovers. A missed call, a child's death, and broken trust lead to their separation—each raising a son alone, determined to prove that a child can thrive without the other parent. Years later, both sons grow up to be bright and successful, but their own marriages bring unexpected heartache. As history begins to repeat itself, Raja and Vanisri must come together again—not for themselves, but to mend what their sons are now losing.
Genres: Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-05-03
Popularity:
Vasantha Maligai
Overview: Is an emotionally charged tale that depicts the transformation of an alcoholic after his life is touched by true love.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1972-09-29
Popularity:
Flowing Against
Overview: The film is a remake of the 1975 Hindi film Amanush. It revolves around a man who is falsely implicated and imprisoned for a crime he doesn't commit. Disappointed with life, he takes to the bottle on his release.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1977-07-22
Popularity:
Thamarai Nenjam
Overview: Story of a woman who falls in love with a man who's in love with her friend. She sacrifices her love and writes weekly stories in a magazine about her own life. Will she be able to find love in the end? Will her character in the story be able to find love?
Genres: Romance Drama Family Comedy
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1968-05-31
Popularity:
Kuzhandai Ullam
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1969-01-13
Popularity:
Porsilai
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-03-13
Popularity:
Velli Vizha
Overview: Bala, a tennis champion, is happily married to his wife and children. Things get difficult for him after his fan Sheela comes into his life and they develop feelings for each other.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1972-08-11
Popularity:
Punnagai
Overview: Punnagai means Smile. Smile which has many emotions and represents many gestures and expressions of life. Punnagai is a story of five friends Satya(Gemini Ganesan), Rajan(Muthuraman), Haniff who studied in the same college, while graduating they took an oath in front of Gandhi's statue saying they will always stand with truth. But later they got split as Haniff dies in a car accident and each of them got settled in their profession where they have to cheat their profession and principles. The story begins with three different stories (plots) where as the one friend (Nagesh)out of four explains the story. Will they follow Gandhi's principles ?
Genres: Family Drama Romance
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1971-11-04
Popularity:
Evandi Aavida Vachindi
Overview: Ramakrishnayya has two wives and gets his daughter Shanti married to his first wife's nephew. When misunderstandings ensue among his family members, he tries to solve them all.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1993-03-05
Popularity:
Thalaivan
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1970-07-24
Popularity:
Kannan En Kadhalan
Overview:
Genres: Fantasy
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1968-04-24
Popularity:
Oorukku Uzhaippavan
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-11-10
Popularity:
Qaidi Dada
Overview:
Genres: Action
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1990-01-01
Popularity:
Gorantha Deepam
Overview: A newly married couple's life turns to shambles, due to the machinations of the husband's supposedly best friend, whose intentions toward the wife are suspicious.
Genres: Drama Family
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1978-01-01
Popularity:
Pooja
Overview: Due to a familial dispute, Ramu is not allowed to marry his lady-love, Lalitha. He is then forced to marry Gouri who struggles to win him over.
Genres: Drama Comedy Romance
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1975-08-25
Popularity:
Aakasa Ramanna
Overview: Aakasa Ramanna is a Telugu language film starring Kanta Rao and Rajashree in lead roles. The film was released in the year 1965 and has been directed by G. Viswanathan. The producer of the film is S. Bhavan Narayana. Film picturization started on 31st December 1964 and released on 8th July 1965.
Genres: Fantasy
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1965-07-08
Popularity:
Jagath Kantrilu
Overview: Jagath Kantrilu is a secret research black and white Telugu film released on April 3, 1971. Produced by P. A. Kamreswara Rao under the banner of Phalguna Productions, P. Lakshmi Deepak directs the film. Starring Sobhan Babu and Vanisri in the lead roles, the film has music by S. P. Kodandapani. Moondrejuthu (1968), a Tamil film starring Jayalalitha and Ravichandran, was translated into Telugu as Jagath Kantrilu and released.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1971-04-03
Popularity:
Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu
Overview: When young Rekha falls in love with unemployed Kalyan, her high-hat mother, Chamundeshwari, disapproves of the match and devises numerous schemes to drive the lovebirds apart. But Kalyan proves a tougher adversary than Chamundeshwari expects, and soon an intense battle of wills ensues.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1989-01-13
Popularity:
Bobbili Raja
Overview: Raja, who has always lived in the jungle with his mother and grandpa and Rani, daughter of the minister who has had all the comforts of life. How they come together and fall for each other is what the movie is all about.
Genres: Romance
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1990-09-14
Popularity:
Bombay Priyudu
Overview: Bombay Priyudu is a 1996 Telugu-language romance film, starring J. D. Chakravarthy and Rambha.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1996-09-05
Popularity:
Sukha Dukhalu
Overview: Vanishree plays the role of a young college girl from a middle class family. She is being taken care by a her older brother (who is also young, no parents ). She goes on a college tour and one of her classmates takes advantage of her when both end up alone. She gets pregnant and the classmate refuses to marry her. She is a singer and sings on Radio.
Genres: Romance Drama Family
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1968-01-04
Popularity:
Nangu Suvargal
Overview: Directed by K Balachander, Music by M.S. Viswanathan, and starring Vanishree, Vijayalalitha, Jaishankar.
Genres: Family Drama Romance Comedy
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1971-02-06
Popularity:
Who is she?
Overview: Anand, a doctor, drops a strange woman at a cemetery. Thereafter, he experiences many bizarre and paranormal incidents that could be connected to the unknown woman.
Genres: Horror Mystery Music Thriller
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1966-01-19
Popularity:
Aggi Barata
Overview: A young warrior, Raja, is threatened by an evil general, Gajapathi, who exploits innocent subjects. At the same time, he must also save Princess Vasavi from the general's hands.
Genres: Action Fantasy
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1966-01-01
Popularity:
Maavaari Manchithanam
Overview: Maavari Manchitanam (transl. My Husband's Goodness) is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by A. Pundarikakshaiah and directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Vanisri, with music composed by Master Venu. The film is a remake of the Hindi film Do Anjaane (1976), itself based on the novel Ratrir Yatri by Nihar Ranjan Gupta.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1979-03-09
Popularity:
Sati Savithri
Overview: Sati Savitri is a 1978 Telugu-language Hindu epic film directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishnam Raju, Vanisri and music composed by Ghantasala & Pendyala Nageswara Rao. It is produced by A. Sankar Reddy under the Lalitha Siva Jyothi Studios. The film is based on the story of Savitri and Satyavan.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1978-01-04
Popularity:
Pathala Mohini
Overview: Pathala Mohini is a 1965 Indian Kannada film, directed by "S N Singh" and Produced by "S N Singh.The film Stars "Vanishree, Prathimadevi, B M Venkatesh, Narasimharaju, Balakrishna, Eshwarappa, M N Lakshmidevi", in lead roles. The film had musical score by "Rajan-Nagendra".
Genres: Horror
Original Language: kn
Release Date: 1965-11-26
Popularity:
Rangula Ratnam
Overview: A united family of two brothers and a sister along with their parents move to a town. Elder brother (Suryam - Ram Mohan) finds easy way to get rich and marries the daughter of a rich politician and abandons his family. After their father expires, tragedy hits the family. The younger brother Vasu (Chandra Mohan) sticks with the family to take care of his mother (Anjali Devi) and sister (Vijaya Nirmala).
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-01-01
Popularity:
Lakshmi Nivasam
Overview: Lakshmi Nivasam is a 1968 Indian Telugu drama film released on Jul 19, 1968. The film is directed by V. Madhusudan Rao.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1968-07-19
Popularity:
Nindu Hrudayalu
Overview: When Gopi (NTR) was a child, he witnesses his father's murder by Veeraraju. He grows up with a vengeance to take revenge on him. However because of some circumstances, he has to protect Veeraraju family who has a son and a daughter. He also falls in love with Veeraraju's daughter.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1969-06-20
Popularity:
The Sage from the Sea
Overview: The film involves the life of a young man who comes to believe that he has been bestowed supernatural powers. As the story unfolds, this boon eventually leads to a tragedy.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1978-01-01
Popularity:
Allari Alludu
Overview: The story is about Nagarjuna, who is the owner of a college canteen. Nagma is a new student in the college. She meets Nagarjuna and he insults her when she tries to act smart. Nagma accuses Nagarjuna falsely and gets him arrested. After he is set free, Nagarjuna goes to her hometown to take revenge only to find out that he has some history with Nagma's family, especially her mother.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1993-10-06
Popularity:
Nyaya Tharasu
Overview: A remarkable tale of a remarkable woman, who puts her commitment to social activism above everything else, including her own love for an adoring man.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1989-08-11
Popularity:
Aayiram Poi
Overview: Chinna Durai(V. K. Ramaswamy) dislikes his brother-in-law, Kanagasabi(V. S. Raghavan) stands in the way of a marriage arrangement for his daughter Malathy(Vanisri) and Kanagasabi's son Ravi(Jaishankar). The film deals with how Ravi's resourcefulness helps him in getting Malathi's hand in marriage.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1969-07-11
Popularity:
Aaradhana
Overview: In a village which is located in a beautiful hilly area full of greenery and water bodies, there lives a villager called Gopi (N. T. Rama Rao) along with his sister Janaki (Vijaya Lalitha) by rearing goats. He leads a happy life by singing and playing the flute. Once Radha (Vanisri) a famous stage artist & singer comes to his village on break. There, she becomes interested towards Gopi by listening to his flute & music. They spend time together and Radha gradually becomes fascinated by him. Before she starts back, Gopi finally proposes to her and she gladly accepts.
Genres: Family Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1976-03-12
Popularity:
Prema Nagar
Overview: A romantic story about a wealthy boy whose life revolves around wine and women and a middle class girl who changes him. They fall in love but his mother opposes the match.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1971-09-24
Popularity:
Pandava Vanavasamu
Overview: After the Pandavas are forcefully exiled by their enemies, they must get together and fight back in order to reclaim their land.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1965-01-14
Popularity:
Nirai Kudam
Overview: Nirai Kudam (Full Pitcher) is a 1969 Indian Tamil film, directed by Muktha Srinivasan and produced by V. Ramasamy under Muktha Films banner. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Vanisree in the lead roles, and had musical score by V. Kumar.
Genres: Drama Family
Original Language: ta
Release Date: 1969-08-08
Popularity:
Eduruleni Manishi
Overview: Eduruleni Manishi (transl. The Man Without Opposition) is a 1975 Telugu-language action film directed by K. Bapayya.
Genres: Action Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1975-12-12
Popularity:
Peddinti Alludu
Overview: Raja (Suman) is an unemployed educated guy, his mother (Dubbing Janaki) is a serious heart patient and requires a major operation. But due to poverty, Raja decides to shift to Hyderabad for his mother's treatment and search of a job. On the way, he meets a retired music teacher Srinivasa Rao (Babu Mohan) on a train who is traveling going to join as a tuition master Island Estate for Rs. 3000 salary monthly. While alighting with the suitcases of Raja & Srinivasa Rao interchanges. After reaching the room, Raja finds the appointment letter and address cover of Srinivasa Rao. Due to the critical situation of his mother, Raja joins the post as a disguise old man.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-01-01
Popularity:
Attaku Koduku Mamaku Alludu
Overview: Murali marries Roja without informing his mother, Vishalakshi. Vishalakshi mistakes Priya to be Roja and treats her with respect; now Murali must make his mother understand that Roja, and not Priya, is his wife.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1992-01-01
Popularity:
Chelleli Kapuram
Overview: Shobhan Babu, a struggling poet, is unable to publish his work due to his dark complexion. Later, he decides to publish his poems under his friend's name.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1971-11-27
Popularity:
Private Master
Overview: Sridhar, who is appointed as a home tutor to teach a girl belonging to a rich family, falls in love with his student.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1967-09-14
Popularity:
Dasara Bullodu
Overview: Both Radha and Nirmala love a young man named Gopi. But Nirmala's father wants to make Gopi marry Nirmala in order to grab his property. But she realizes that Gopi and Radha are in love and tries to unite them.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1971-01-13
Popularity:
Bangaru Babu
Overview: A popular actress runs from her scheming uncle and finds shelter in the house of a respected man, Buchi Babu. While they begin to fall in love, misunderstandings cause them to separate.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1973-03-15
Popularity:
Aastiparulu
Overview: Zamindar Janardhan Rao, a paterfamilias, holds high esteem in society. One of his sons, Bachi, is a vagabond and malicious, his misdeeds increasing day by day. After Janardhan Rao cuts his allowance, Bachi tries to make a theft, and his father collapses with a heart attack after obstructs his way. Before dying, he reveals the existance of a hidden treasure of their family hierarchy.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1966-11-18
Popularity:
Seetharatnam Gari Abbayi
Overview: Bank manager Vamsi loves Manga. Manga's father objects to the marriage because Vamsi's father's whereabouts are not known. Seetaratnam, who helps everyone in the village, has to find a solution. Manga's father Fixed Her Marriage In Another Then Manga pretends to be pregnant With Vamsi's Child Then ?
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1992-01-01
Popularity:
Bangaru Panjaram
Overview: Venu Gopal is an engineer who travels to various places as part of his projects. In his travel he meets a girl Neela. They both fall in love, and get married. But Venu's uncle wants him to marry his daughter. So he makes various plans and creates mis-understanding between Venu and Neela.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1969-03-19
Popularity:
Kasidre Kailasa
Overview: Kasidre Kailasa is a 1971 Indian Kannada-language film directed and produced by K. Janakiram. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Vanisri and Pandari Bai. The film has musical score by Satyam.
Genres: Family Drama
Original Language: kn
Release Date: 1971-07-02
Popularity:
Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu
Overview: Hindu mythological film following the life of Ganesha from his birth to his taming of Mushikasura
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-12-22
Popularity:
Rajeswari Kalyanam
Overview: An elderly couple plan to adopt a child, but when the father returns, they tell the boy the story of his parents.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1993-01-14
Popularity:
Mangamma Sapatham
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1965-03-06
Popularity:
Kathanayika Molla
Overview: The story is based on life of the poet Molla, who translated the Ramayana from Sanskrit into Telugu.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: te
Release Date: 1970-01-01
Popularity:
Aathmeeyulu
Overview: Suryam and Seetha struggle to survive after the death of their father, Veerayya. Jagannadham, their father's employer, takes them into their house, but things do not go as planned
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-07-17
Popularity: