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Vijayashanti, whose given name was 'Shanti', 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 1979 at the age of 13 as the leading lady in the Tamil film Kallukkul Eeram ("Stones Have Tears") directed by the legendary Tamil film-maker Bharati Raja. The same year, she debuted in her native Telugu with the movie Kilaadi Krishnudu ('Cunning Krishna'), pairing opposite superstar Krishna. For the first few years, she portrayed mostly glamour roles. Notable among them is her role in the Telugu film Satyam-Shivam (1981), the cast of which included the two legends of Telugu Cinema - NTR and ANR.
Vijayashanti's first break as a performer came in the 1983 Telugu film [[Neti Bharatam]] directed by T. Krishna. The next few years saw her in performance-oriented roles (Desamlo Dongalu Paddaaru, Vandemaataram, Pratighatana, Aruna kiranam, Repati Pourulu, Devalayam, etc), and in glamorous roles (Challenge, Desodhdhaarakudu, Pasivaadi Praanam, Muddula Krishnaiah, Agni Parvatam, Gang Leader etc). By 1985 she was exclusively acting in Telugu films.
As an action heroine and mass entertainer
In the blockbuster movie Karthavyam (1990), her electrifying 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. 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 Superstar and became the highest paid actor in Telugu. In 1990, Kartavyam was dubbed into Tamil as Vijayanthi IPS and its success brought her superstardom 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). Though she limited herself to acting in Telugu movies, it did not stop her from being treated as a highly rated heroine in Tamil films. Following the success of Vijayanthi IPS, the producers of her films began releasing Tamil versions of her movies simultaneously with the Telugu Movies.
A superstar of Indian cinema
She was treated as one of the superstars in the telugu cinema. Her image as a superstar so outgrew that of her male counterparts that no top hero was willing to act in her movie for the fear of being sidelined. She once joked in an interview, when asked of the difference between her and the other heroes: "There aren't many differences. One is, they dance around the trees with heroines imported from Bombay; and I dance around trees with heroes imported from Bombay. The other difference is, when in a slump, they can try a remake from other languages; but I don't get a subject to remake, and also they normally save heroines from the hands of villain and she usually save the heroes from the hands of villains".
Limiting herself to heroine-oriented films did not stop her from continuing as Number One. Between 1990 and 2000, she acted in films like Police-Lockup, Rowdy Inspector, Shatruvu, Mondi Mogudu - Penki Pellaam, Tejaswini, Mannan and Osey Ramulamma. Osey Ramulamma broke several box-office records, and won her, her 4th Andhra Pradesh State award for Best Actress (called Nandi Award for Best Actress) in 1997. In 1995, she acted in Malayalam opposite action superstar Suresh Gopi in the film Yuvathurki directed by Bhadran and Co-produced by Amitabh Bachchan. The film though was an action thriller, was only moderately received. Her latest film is Nayudamma, which was released in August 2006, after two years in production finally went to moderate reception. In her long career as a heroine, she has acted in over 165 films. No other actress except Sri Devi and Ramya Krishnan in Indian cinema has lasted for as long a period without turning to 'maternal' roles! At 44, she remains very fit, and may return to the screen with yet another superlative performance.
Two of her very close friends are Suhasini Mani Ratnam who has been instrumental in improving her hair dressing skills and her competitor Radha , with whom she shares special friendships. In fact, in one of the interviews to a Telugu magazine, Vijayashnathi has mentioned that she considers Suhasini as her elder sister who has been protective of her in her difficult times.
Political career
In 1997, she started her political career by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Soon she was made the secretary of BJP's Women's Wing (Bharateeya Mahila Morcha). During the 1999 Indian general elections, 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) 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 2009 General Election of 15th Lok Sabha she won Medak seat.
Filmography (actress)
2006
1. Naayudamma co-starring Prabhu Deva
2004
1. Indiramma
2003
1. Shivani
2. Bhannari Amman (Tamil) dubbed into Telugu as 'Maha Chandi'
2002
1. Sri Srimathi Sathyabhaama co-starring Raghu
2. Sambhavi IPS
3. Sahasa 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 Ratha 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. Aasayam co-starring Jagapathi Babu (dubbed into Tamil as 'Aasayam')
2. Doragaariki Donga Pellaam .... Rani co-starring Krishna
3. Surya IPS co-starring Venkatesh
4. China Raayudu co-starring Venkatesh
5. Nippu Ravva co-starring Bala Krishna
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 co-starring Rajanikanth
2. Mondi Mogudu - Penki Pellaam co-starring Suman
3. Rowdy Inspector co-starring Bala Krishna (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. Stoovertpuram Police Station .... Alakananda co-starring Chiranjeevi
4. Talli Tandrulu co-starring Bala Krishna
5. Lorry Driver .... Jaya co-starring Bala Krishna
6. Muddula Menalludu co-starring Bala Krishna
1990
1. Karthavyam .... Vyjayanthi co-starring Vinod Kumar (dubbed into Tamil as 'Vijayanthi 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 Bala Krishna
2. Vijay co-starring Nagarjuna
3. Koduku Diddina Kaapuramco-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 Bala Krishna
1988
1. Inspector Pratap co-starring Bala Krishna
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 with Thomas Jane
2. bhargava Ramudu co-starring with Bala Krishna
3. Kalyana thambhulam co-starring with shobhan babu
4. Bhanumati Gaari Mogudu co-starring Bala Krishna
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 Bala Krishna
11. Sahasa Samrat co-starring Bala Krishna
1986
1. Deshoddhorakudu co-starring with Bala krishna
2. jeevana poratam co-starring with shobhan babu
3. samsaram oka sangeetham 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. Dairyavanthudu co-starring Chiranjeevi
8. Repati Pourulu co-starring Raja Sekhar
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 Bala Krishna
15. Muddula Krishnaiah .... Vijayashanti co-starring Bala Krishna
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. Thirugubatu co-starring with Mohanbabu
7. Agni Parvatam co-starring Krishna
8. Desamlo Dongalupaddaru co-starring Suman
9. Devalayam co-starring Sobhan Babu
10. Bhandhi co-starring with Krishnam raju
11. Kothapelli Kuthuru
12. Pattabhishekham co-starring Bala Krishna
13. Vande Mataram co-starring Rajasekhar
1984
1. Kurra cheshtalu co-starring with suman
2. Kutumbha gouravam co-starring with Muralimohan
3. Adadhani saaal co-starring with Murali mohan
4. Veerabhadhrudu co-starring with karthik
5. Dhongallo 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 Mayagadu co-starring Chiranjeevi
12. SP Bhayankar co-starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishnam Raju
13. Sundhari-subbarao co-starring with chandhra mohan
14. Devanthakudu 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 kapuraniki 12 suthralu (telugu)
7. Dharmathmudu (telugu)
8. Pelli Chesi chupistam (telugu)
9. Amayaka 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 Ranganeethulu 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)
1. Kartavyam (1990) � Telugu
2. Nippu Ravva (1992) � Telugu
3. Tejaswini (1994) � Hindi
4. Adavi Chukka (1999) � Telugu
Incomplete films
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
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South) in Indian Cinema (2003)
Osey Ramulamma (1997) - Nandi Award for Best Actress
Mannan (1992) - Filmfare Best Villain Award (Tamil)
Kartavyam (1990) - Nandi Award for Best Actress,
National Film Award for Best Actress
Bharatanaari (1989) - Nandi Award for Best Actress
Pratighatana (1986) - Nandi Award for Best Actress
Neti Bharatam (1983) - Nandi Award for Best Actress
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