Vijayashanti

Biography:

Vijayashanti, born on June 24, 1966, is a prominent Indian actress, producer, and politician with a career spanning over four decades. She is known for her work in 187 feature films across various Indian languages, primarily Telugu and Tamil, but also in Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema. She has earned the titles of “Lady Superstar,” “Lady Amitabh,” and “The Action Queen of Indian Cinema.” Notably, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role as a female police officer in “Kartavyam” in 1990, showcasing her ability to balance aggression and femininity. Her accolades include multiple Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards, seven Filmfare Awards South, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

Vijayashanti commenced her acting journey in 1980 with the Tamil film “Kallukkul Eeram” and soon ventured into Telugu cinema with “Kilaadi Krishnudu.” Her breakthrough came with “Pellichoopulu” in 1983, which marked her as a rising star. She transitioned to women-centric roles, with “Pratighatana” in 1985 being a notable success that earned her critical acclaim and her first state Nandi Award. Her career-defining role came in “Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam” in 1992, where she played a bold character speaking in Telangana slang, and the film’s success made her one of the highest-paid actresses in India during the 1990s.

Vijayashanti made her presence felt in Hindi cinema with films like “Eeshwar” and “Muqaddar Ka Badshaah” in 1989. She continued to act in diverse roles and ventured into production with “Nippu Ravva” in 1993. Her focus shifted to woman-centric roles, and her stellar performance in “Karthavyam” (1990) won her the National Film Award. Vijayashanti made a successful return to acting with “Sarileru Neekevvaru” in 2020 after a 13-year hiatus. Alongside her acting career, she ventured into politics, initially joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1998. She served as a Member of Parliament and was associated with multiple political parties during her career, finally rejoining the BJP in 2020.

Vijayashanti’s personal life includes her marriage to M. V. Srinivas Prasad in 1988, who is involved in real estate business around Chennai and Hyderabad. Her journey in Indian cinema and politics has made her a multifaceted and influential figure.