24th June 1966 has to be the most memorable day for millions of people in Andhra Pradesh because it was on this day that Vijayshanthi, one of the most gorgeous heroines of all time was born in Andhra Pradesh.

Vijayshanthi made her debut when she was just 13 and by the time she was 17 when Neti Bharatham was released she had already become the undisputed number one actress in Telugu film industry a position she held till she quit movies on her own terms.  What made Vijayshanti special was the fact that she had a very long career as a heroine and that too as number one right from the time she gained recognition in Neti Bharatham in 1983 till she quit films on her own terms after a long career as heroine which is something very rare in India.

Another thing which made Vijayshanthi special was the fact that she was a three in one heroine.  If there was a category of viewers who wanted a movie with heroine in lead role then Vijayshanthi was the first choice and if one wanted to view a typical hero oriented movie with a glamorous heroine playing second fiddle, then there was nobody more glamorous than Vijayshanthi for the role of heroine.  If audience wanted a heroine in title role in an action movie, then nobody could perform the role of a action queen better than Vijayshanthi who is known for performing real stunts.

The extremely talented Vijayshanthi should be credited for planning her career very well.  Though she attained super stardom and critical acclaim very early in her career for her astonishing performance in Neti Bharatham which was a big blockbuster she did not get carried away and get tempted for doing heroine oriented movies for the rest of her career.  She chose to act in movies with her playing second fiddle to hero in typical hero oriented movies.  A very high percentage of her movies with top heroes were huge hits.  Vijayshanthi acted in the most number with Chiranjeevi as her co star and the pair formed such a wonderful onscreen chemistry that all of their movies starting from early eighties till late nineties were huge blockbusters.  The Vijayshanti-Chiranjeevi delivered some huge blockbusters like Challenge and Mahangaramlo Mayagadu in 1984, Kondaveeti Raja, Chanakya Shapadam and Dairyavanthudu in 1986, Yamudiki Mogadu,  Pasivadi Pranam in 1987, Machi Donga and Yuddha Bhoomi in 1988, Gang Leader in 1991.  While the Chiranjeevi Vijaysanthi combination was the perfect recipe for a block buster in terms of commercial success, the pair were equally adept in delivering award winning hits like Swayam Krushi released in 1987. The Chiranjeevi Vijayshanthi pair apart from being a visual beauty and the favourite pair for millions not only brought collective success for themselves, but also individual success making them the highest paid hero and heroines, a status they held on till they quit films on their own terms.

While Vijayshanti and Chiranjeevi formed a terrific combination, she was ease pairing up with any other hero irrespective of the difference in age between her and the hero.  Vijayshanthi formed a successful partnership with Balakrisha too and though she did not attain the same success which she achieved with Chiranjeevi, still the Vijayshanthi Balakrishna pair delivered super hits like Mudulla Krishnayya, Muvva Gopaludu.

While Vijayshanti was delivering huge blockbusters with big heroes in the eighties, she has consistently delivered block busters on her own with her in the lead role.  Apart from Neti Bharatam, Vande Mataram and Pratighatana released in 1985, Repati Pourallu and Aruna Kiranam in 1986 and Sandhya Ragam released in 1987 were huge block busters. In early nineties with the likes of Chiranjeevi begining to work with heroines like Nagma, Vijayshanthi shifted her focus to action packed roles in heroine oriented movies which continued to bring her success.

While Vijayshanthi was known for fitting into any type of role with ease, she was one of those heroines who fit into any costume with ease.  While she looked ravishing in sarees and half sarees, she looked good in modern dresses an aspect not many heroines of any generation can boast of. Vijayashanthi can also boast of a fact that she was the first regional actress to become a household name in India without acting in hindi movies as her hindi movies are very rare and hard to remember. Vijayshanti can also boast of the fact that she attained stardom in India in an era in which there was no Internet and media hype.

Let us wish Andhra Beauty Vijayshanti, who stole the hearts of millions and gave us magical moments a Very Very Happy and Wonderful Birthday. 

• Written by N R SATISH.
• In category Movies.
• 14 years ago.

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