VANISREE ,A TELUGU LEGEND HISTORY

VANISREE ,A TELUGU LEGEND HISTORY

Vanisri’s earlier life was filled with sorrows as she lost her father and few family members. Her mother sold goat milk, and she assisted her mother too. Later she went to school but she was more interested in dancing. While she was performing in school on stage, she was noted by a director and she made her entry into the silver screen. 

When Jayaprada, Sridevi, and Jayasudha was trying for Vanisri’s post that she held for a decade, she felt to quit films and got married. She married a family doctor, and the couple had a son named Abinaya Venkatesha Kartik and daughter named Anupama. In 1989, she made a comeback in films and even opted to act in TV screen. Vanisri was born in Nellore on August 3, 1948.

Vanisri is a south Indian actress who shot to fame by acting in Telugu films. Later she carved out a niche for herself even in Tamil and Kannada films. Vanisri was the first heroine to innovate on various styles. When Savitri, Krishna Kumari, and Jamuna announced retirement, she featured in every film that turned out to be a success, and she had no other competitor except Kanchana. Her original name was Ratna Kumari. 

When she was a busy actress, she worked in 14 films per year and even had 16 hours shooting schedules. She had always mentioned that she had to get her own jewelry set and saris as she had no time to look herself in the mirror in the dressing room. Thus, this actress evolved her own style of make-up and dressing patterns, and she preferred he own make-up. She was averse to the same kind of style and look in every movie that is why she was regarded as style-queen in South Indian cinema. She preferred dark colors costumes and matching lipstick, nail polish and different hair style which were a trendsetter. Her greatest asset was her photogenic face and she even slimmed down so that she evolved a new striking appearance that caught the eyes of every cameraman and she became the glamorous star in 70’s. In order to cover up her dark complexion, she used to have heavy makeup. A cinematographer, who is a friend of her made her look best on camera. She played dual roles in "Vani Rani", "Ganga Manga", and "Iddaru Ammayulu". She won acting awards for her excellent performances in "Krishnaveni (1974)" and "Jeevana Jyothi (1976)". Her film Prem Nagar was made in Tamil where she was cast opposite Sivaji Ganesan. Her first Telugu film was ‘ Bheeshma’ (1962). The studios produced during this period color films like Prem Nagar’ and ‘Dasara Bolludu’ where the directors utilized extensive color and long shots which magnified Vanisri’s screen image and even made a dramatic impact on her talent.

First of all, Happy Birthday Vanisri Garu. You turn 67 today. The last time i saw you so remarkable was when i was like 12 years old. And watched most of your films with my mother.
Vanisri, the darling of the Telugus. She was no Savitri or Jamuna, she was not an Athiloka Sundari or anything. But she was a sensation in herself. An explosive persona who would rattle off those deep intense lines like a walk in the park. A lady like pride gliding on to go head to head with the legendary ANR while building his Prem Nagar. 

I will go on and call the days of Vanisri Garu as the true respite to Telugu Cinema. As she lived and breathed the spirit of her existence in the industry, performing big and small roles. Vanisri was a brand. A reputation that Telugu people gauged while estimating the standards of films made those days.
Her qualitative innings with Tollywood saw many of her co stars writhe in hesitation. She is 5 ft 6, but she walked the carpet and stood to her full height. She was not very fair complexioned. But an interesting story line with an important character? She was the only choice of any film maker. Vanisri had no issues of star tantrums or peer pressure. For her, the end performance and her contribution to the film was all that mattered.

Vanisri’s portrayal of an average middle class girl who wore stylish looking cheap sarees and pinned up her hair to serve in a high class family was a visual straight out of a Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani’s novel. Her mannerisms, her diction, her witty responses to a wasted rich leading man were nothing short of awe. That performance so sleek, perfection driven and straight-arrowed. I will not be surprised if many of the young women of that generation, including my mother, would have wanted a piece of Vanisri inside them. 

vani3 An Ode to Vanisri, The Real Nellooru 'Nerajaana'
With Late ANR – Prem Nagar Pair Reunited At an Event
Somewhere in the innermost of hearts, every woman would relate herself with the roles played by Vanisri. She ranked and rated among the heavy duty performers who could shake the ground off with a simple scene. For me as a young girl, Vanisri was that lovely Aunty who would appear on the TV set and make a statement. For many other adults, she was a God awesome uptown girl who knew her stuff and did her thing. Like “you better ain’t mess with me” kinds.
The current generation of actresses can actually take some online classes and watch her renditions. There is a great depth of learning that comes from the way the lady lived her on screen characters. She never looked ahead, nor turned back to compare. Vanisri did her part. She always had only one competition to win over – her own self!
Irony but true, there would be no second Vanisri. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. She is a single piece, a personality of sorts that screams – never before my darling, never again.
Vanisri Garu, please take my salute.

Chit Chat with Vani Sri

Vani Sri is the diva of Golden Telugu cinema. She joined the winning Congress Party before elections and campaigned in places like Nizamabad and Vizag. She held press meet today (26th May) to share her happiness with press. Here are the excerpts of the chitchat
Why did you choose politics as your new career?
I am admirer of Indira Gandhi. As an actor I liked her charming walking style. Jalagam Vengal Rao is a close family friend of us and I met Indira Gandhi through Jalagam Vengala Rao. I am thoroughly following the politics for the past 5-6 years. My kids are into higher studies now. My daughter is doing her MS and my son is into MBBS. I got enough free time. Hence I joined that party of my liking Congress to serve the people. I flourished in whatever career I have chosen so far. I am feeling lucky that Congress won so many seats after joined the party.
Every politician wants to have power and aims for certain positions in public office. What are you expecting from Congress Party?I have no positions in my mind when I joined Congress. They offered me ticket to contest for MLA, but I refused.


Would you accept it if you are position like Chairman of FDC (Film Development Corporation) or Electronic Media advisor?

I am a woman of self respect. I do not ask for any positions. If they offer me anything, I would accept it humbly.

When one woman (Sonia Gandhi) wants to become PM, another woman (Sushma Swaraj) vowed to tonsure her head? Is it a fair fight between two women? What is your stand on that??If you tonsure your head, you would get your hair again. And if you tonsure your head in Tirupati, you would get punyam as well. Ask sushma Swaraj to sacrifice something which she can never get back!

Our CM says that one must retire from politics after reaching 60. How many more years would it take for you to reach sixty?Are you asking my age? It would take 7 more years to reach sixty. I guess there is no age bar when it comes to acting. Nageswara Rao garu acted even when he is 80.

When the entire Telugu film industry shifted to Hyderabad, you continued your stay in Madras. Why is it so?
The government invited others and offered free sites to those who shifted to Hyderabad. Nobody has invited me to Hyderabad.

You have been in film and political industry. Which politics are dangerous?
Politics are everywhere. When four men meet, there are politics. When two women meet, there are politics as well.

What do you think is the essential quality for a politician?
One should be a good orator. One should be able to explain to people what his vision in. I like Chidambaram, Rama Krishna Hegde and VP Singh when it comes to oratory skills.
What are the films you are doing currently?
I am doing the role of arrogant aunt to hero in 'Bhadradi Ramudu' film.