Vijaya Nirmala

Vijaya Nirmala (born Nidudavolu Nirmala; 20 February 1946 – 27 June 2019) was an Indian actress, director, and producer known for her works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with a few Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning over six decades, she acted in more than 200 films and directed 44 films. In 2002, she entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the female director who has directed the most number of films in the world.[2][3] In 2008, she received the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for lifetime achievement in Telugu cinema.[4]

Vijaya Nirmala
Born
Nidudavolu Nirmala

(1946-02-20)20 February 1946
Narasaraopet, Madras Presidency, British India
Died27 June 2019(2019-06-27) (aged 73)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Spouse
  • K. S. Murthy
    ​
    (died)​
ChildrenNaresh (son)[1]
FamilySee Nidudavolu Family
Ghattamaneni Family

Born as Nirmala, she ventured into acting as a child artist with films like Macha Rekai (1950) and Panduranga Mahatyam (1957). She debuted as a lead actress in the 1964 Malayalam film Bhargavi Nilayam which became one of the biggest hits of that year. She then acted in the Tamil film Enga Veettu Penn (1965) produced by Vijaya Productions. She added Vijaya to her name as a mark of gratitude to the production house that gave her a break as an artiste. She debuted as a leading lady in Telugu with Rangula Ratnam (1966).[3][5]

She made her directorial debut in Telugu with Meena (1973) and went on to direct over 44 films. She acted with her husband Krishna in over 40 films from Sakshi (1967) to Sri Sri (2016) and the duo was considered as a hit pair. She launched her own production house – Vijaya Krishna Movies and went onto produce 15 films on the banner. She also handled the operations of Padmalaya Studios and Padmalaya Tele Films.[3] Her son Naresh is also a noted actor in Telugu cinema.[5]

Early life

She was born as Nidudavolu Nirmala on 20 February 1946 into a Telugu family settled in Tamil Nadu who were originally from Narasaraopet.[6] Her father was a film producer. Her paternal uncle is scholar and literary historian, Nidudavolu Venkatarao.[7] Actress Jayasudha is Venkatrao's granddaughter while singer R. Balasaraswathi Devi is her paternal aunt's daughter.[7]

Personal life

Vijaya Nirmala was married to Krishna Murthy and had a son Naresh, who is also an actor.[5] She later married actor Krishna.[8]

Career

Vijaya Nirmala entered cinema as a child artist with the Tamil movie Macha Rekai (1950). At age eleven, she debuted in Telugu films with Panduranga Mahatmyam (1957). In 1964, she starred opposite Prem Nazir and rose to stardom with the Malayalam film Bhargavi Nilayam.[9] Also, in 1967, she starred again opposite Prem Nazir in Udhyogastha, by P. Venu. She debuted in the Telugu industry in the film Rangula Ratnam (1966).[10]

Her first film in Tamil was Enga Veettu Penn (1965),[2] which was followed by Panama Pasama (1968), Uyira Maanama (1968), En Annan (1970), and Gnana Oli (1972). She met her second husband Krishna on the sets of Sakshi (1967), her second film in Telugu, and they starred together in 47 films. It was Sakshi that kindled her interest in direction. She has acted in over 200 films with 25 each in Malayalam and Tamil, and the remaining in Telugu.

Her small screen debut came with Balaji Telefilms' Pelli Kanuka. Soon after, she launched her own banner Vijaya Krishna Movies and produced 15 films.[11] She added Vijaya to her name as a gratitude to the production house.[5] She made her directorial debut with a Malayalam film on a budget of 3 lakhs. She made her directorial debut in Telugu with Meena and directed 40 films in Telugu and one film each in Malayalam (directorial debut film) and Tamil (Kungumachimizh).[2] The actress-director was based in Hyderabad and managed Padmalaya Studios and Padmalaya Telefilms Ltd.[12][11][13][14]

Selected filmography

Telugu
YearFilmRoleNotes
1957Panduranga MahatyamBala Krishnudu
1958BhookailasGoddess Seetha
1966Rangula Ratnam
1967Poola RangaduPadma
Sakshi
1968 Manchi Kutumbam
AsadhyuduRadha
Bangaru GaajuluRadha
1969AatmiyuluSaroja
1970Akka ChelleluLawyer Vijaya
Thaali Bottu Nirmala
1971Bomma Borusa
Anuradha[15] Anuradha
Mosagallaku MosagaduRadha
1972Tata ManavaduRani
Kathula Rathaiah
Pandanti Kapuram
1973Devudu Chesina Manushulu
Sahasame naa Oopiri
Pinni
Buddhimantudu
Patnavasam
Manchi Vallaki ManchivaduSaakhi
Marina Manishi
MeenaMeena
1974Alluri Seetarama RajuSeeta
DevadasuParvathy
Dhanavanthulu GunavanthuluPadma
Bantrotu Bharya
1976Paadipantalu
1977KurukshetramSubhadra
1979Moodu Puvvulu Aaru KayaluGowri, Uma DeviDual Role
Hema HemeeluVijaya
1988 Collector Vijaya
1989Sahasame Naa OopiriLakshmi
Pinni
2005 Sravanamasam
2016 Sri Sri Sumathi
2023 Malli Pelli Based

Malayalam
YearFilmRole
1964Bhargavi Nilayam[16]Bhargavi
1965RosieLeena
KalyanarathriyilKarthika
1966PoochakkanniMaheshwari
1973PoojaRadha
UdhyogasthaSujatha
Anweshichu KandethiyillaRadhika
1968Karutha PournamiJanamma
1974NishagandhiPadmini
Vivaham SwargathilLisy
1976Aana Valarthiya Vanampadiyude MakanOmana
1973KalippavaRani
PullimanDevika
Postmane KananillaNalini
ThenaruviSudha
KattuvithachavanLakshmi
Ponnapuram KottaKanni
KavithaKavitha
1974DurgaThulasi
1978Kenalum CollectorumIndhulekha

Tamil
YearFilmRole
1950Macha RekaiYoung Mahalingam
1965Enga Veetu Penn
1966ChitthiSaroja
1967Pandhayam
1968Neelagiri ExpressGeetha
Panama Pasama
Siritha Mugam
Sathiyam Thavaradhey
Soaappu Seeppu KannadiLatha
Uyira Manama
1969AnbalippuMeena
1970En AnnanThangam
1971Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan
1972Gnana Oli
1974Puthiya Manithan
1984Sumangali Kolam

Director
YearFilmNotes
1973MeenaBased on the novel Meena by Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani which was later adapted into 2016 movie A Aa[17]
KavithaMalayalam: IV SASI directed for her
1974Devadasu
1976Devude GelichaduRemake of Malayalam film Yakshagaanam
Kavitha
1977Panchayathi
1978Rowdy Rangamma
1979Moodu Puvvulu Aaru Kayalu
Sanku Theertham
Hema Hemeelu
1980Ram Robert RahimRemake of Hindi film Amar Akbar Anthony
Kiladi Krishnudu
Sangham Chekkina Silpalu
Sirimalle Navvindi
1981Bhogi Mantalu
Antham Kadidi AarambamRemake of Kannada film Antha
1982Doctor Cine Actor
1983Bezawada Bebbuli
1984MukhyamantriRemake of Kannada film Chakravyuha
Mukkopi
1985Lanke Bindelu
Surya Chandra
1988Collector Vijaya
1989Sahasame Naa Oopiri
Ajatha Satruvu
1990Prajala Manishi
1991Vadina Maata
1992Mogudu Pellala Dongaata
1994Yes Nenante Nene
1996Puttinti Gowravam
Rendu Kutumbala Katha
2009Neramu Siksha

See also

References
  1. "Mahesh Babu with father Krishna & wife Namrata Shirodkar pay their last respects to legendary Vijaya Nirmala". 27 June 2019.
  2. "Vijayanirmala enters the Guinness". The Hindu. 30 April 2002. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  3. CH, Murali Krishna (27 June 2019). "Actor-director Vijaya Nirmala passes away". Cinema Express.
  4. "Ex-actress, director Vijaya Nirmala dies at 73". The Times of India. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  5. Y, Sunita Chowdhary (27 June 2019). "Vijaya Nirmala: A full life, in retrosp". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  6. "Actor-director Vijaya Nirmala passes away". Cinema Express. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  7. kavirayani, suresh (30 June 2019). "Jayasudha remembers aunt Vijaya Nirmala". Deccan Chronicle.
  8. "Bestowed with bliss". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 August 2007. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009.
  9. B. Vijayakumar (16 November 2009). "Bhargavi Nilayam 1948". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011.
  10. "Ragupathi Venkaiah Award to Vijaya Nirmala". Sify. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  11. "Veteran director and actor Vijaya Nirmala passes away at 73". The News Minute. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  12. "About Us". Padmalaya Telefilms. Archived from the original on 11 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  13. "Actress-Director Vijaya Nirmala Dies At 75; Jr NTR And Others Post Tributes". NDTV.com. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  14. "Unique achiever, actress Vijaya Nirmala passes away - Telugu News". IndiaGlitz.com. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  15. "Anuradha 1971 Telugu Movie Cast Crew,Actors,Director, Anuradha Producer,Banner,Music Director,Singers & Lyricists". MovieGQ. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  16. "Makers release statement regarding Neelavelicham songs copyright claims". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  17. Kavirayani, Suresh (2 June 2016). "A.. Aa.. movie review: Trivikram is back with a bang". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
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