Vani Viswanath

Vani Viswanath
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1989 - present

Vani Viswanath (Malayalam: വാണി വിശ്വനാഥ്), is a South Indian actress known for her extremely dare devil stunts. She has acted in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu movies. She is particularly famous for smashing stereotyped female roles. Vani has donned the lead roles in a number of films that portrayed her as a female vigilante, which rendered the male protagonist redundant. Vani won the Kerala State Film Award for the second best actress for her performance in Susanna.

Vani Vishwanath has enacted a wide range of characters. Be it the role of a smashing, dashing police officer, a protagonist, or the legendary Unniarcha, Vani Vishwanath ensures that her roles stand out. After a break, Vani is back in the film industry with Shaji Kailas' `Chintamani Kola Case' and I.V. Sasi's `Balram Vs. Taradas.' Almost all the movies that she worked with Mammootty together have done well - `Hitler,' `The Truth,' `Danny' and so on. Interestingly, some of these films portrayed us as rivals. In `Balram Vs Taradas' I play a corrupt politician who operates on behalf of Taradas, the underworld don." In `Chintamani Kola Case,' Vani Vishwanath enacts Pattammal, a legal practitioner who takes up the case of a medical student who is suspected to have been murdered. She assists advocate Lal Krishna (Suresh Gopi). Second innings "In fact, my second innings in cinema started with Kavithaalaya's `Idhaya Thirudan.' I played a strict and dominant character who is also the home secretary; It was received well by the Tamil audience." Confident and daring, Vani has donned the lead roles in a number of films that portrayed her as a female vigilante, which rendered the male protagonist redundant.

The Kerala Vijayashanthi' took the side of the masses, fought crime and did her own stunts too without any dupe. Films in this genre include Vinayan's `Independence' and `Usthaad,' directed by Sibi Malayil. `Action No 1' was a Telugu film in the same mould.

When asked about some of her dare devil stunts like para jumping, jumping from high elevations, riding motorbikes at extremely high speeds and riding horses, explains Vani: "You don't have to be a dare devil to do these kind of movies. It is your attitude towards your work that matters although I am trained in all these. Whatever roles come my way, I give it my best. I have learnt stunts, horse riding, para jumping and racing motorcycling to effectively portray my characters." In the legendary Unniarcha her amazing horse riding skills helped her to portray the role effectively, which was why she was even selected for the roles. She claims that "I am one of the best horse rider in India".

On-screen persona: One wonders how this warm and sensitive woman transforms herself into her on-screen persona. The ruthless cop, the possessed woman, the silent lover - all of them were handled with the same intensity, dedication and ease.

"I have had the privilege of working with eminent directors, major production houses and leading stars in the South. My career graph has commercial films that were hits and off-beat films that were critically acclaimed," she says.

Smashing stereotyped female roles, Vani gave excellent performances in `Susanna,' directed by T.V. Chandran and `Ente Hrudayathinte Udama' directed by Bharath Gopi. Both films dealt with unconventional, even daring, themes.

"Unlike many women-oriented themes where the central character is portrayed as powerful and self-sufficient, Susanna's grows in stature owning to her interaction with the men in her life. Starting out as a victim, Susanna gains steadily in strength while the men in her world are soon reduced to pygmy-like stature. And she does not lose her inherent femininity or kindness, despite the adversities she suffers."

A bouquet of awards including the Kerala State Award came her way for `Susanna.' "Awards and appreciations ignite your passion to perform. Any sort of encouragement forms an integral part of an artistic life. But at the end of the day, especially in cinema, it is the public response that matters. If they don't like you, you are out...she says"

If her busy schedules in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu are any indication, the audience seems to like her a lot and the industry therefore, has reserved a special place for this hardworking actor.

In 2010, Vani was cast as Annie, the leading character in the new drama Mattoruval. This marked the first time she did a role other than filmography and her entrance to mini screen stage. The drama is based on the novel of same name written by S. Sreedevi.

Filmography

1. Mattoruval* (2010-present)....Annie (Lead Role)
2. Black Daliya (2009)....IPS Officer
3. Chinthamani Kolacase (2006)
4. Mudhu (2006)
5. Idhaya Thirudan (2005)
6. India Gate (2002) .... IPS Officer
7. Danny (2002) .... Margarette
8. Ente Hridhayathinte Utama (2002) .... Uma
9. Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha (2002) .... Unniyarcha
10. Nagaravadhu (2001) .... Sukanya
11. Susanna (2000)
12. The Gang (2000) .... Gayathri
13. Garshom (1999) .... Sushama
14. Independence (1999)
15. James Bond (1999).... IPS Officer
16. Thachiledathu Chundan (1999) .... Ambika
17. The Godman (1999) .... Adv. Aswathy Menon
18. Usthad (1999) .... Police Commissioner
19. Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1999) (as Vani Vishwanath)
20. The Truth (1998)
21. Dravidan (1998)
22. Harthal (1998)
23. Ilamura Thamburan (1998)
24. Anubhoothi (1997)
25. Janathipathyam (1997) .... Maya Pillai
26. Kannoor (1997)
27. Kilukil Pambaram (1997)
28. Poothumbium Poovalanmarum (1997)
29. The Good Boys (1997) .... Guest Role
30. Hitler (1996) .... Ammu(wife of mukesh)
31. Bhishma (1996) (as Vani Vishwanath) .... Paro
32. Kaliveedu (1996) .... Yamini Menon
33. Mandrika Kuthira (1996)
34. Man of the Match (1996) .... Sonia
35. Swarnakireedam (1996)
36. The King (1995) .... Anuradha Mukharji
37. Mangalam Veettil Manaseswari Gupta (1995) .... Maya Surendran
38. Mannar Mathai Speaking (1995) .... Meera/Stella Fernandez
39. Sipayi Lahala (1995) .... Ratha
40. Thakshasila (1995)
41. Raithu Bharatam (1994)
42. Prema & Co. (1994)
43. Joker (1993) .... Usha Rani
44. Ladies Special (1993) .... Hema
45. Mama Kodalu (1993)
46. Prema Chitram Pelli Vichitram (1993)
47. Gharaana Mogudu (1992) .... Bhawani
48. Samrat Ashok (1992)
49. Vadinagari Gajulu (1992)
50. Bombay Dada (1991) Kannada
51. Kodama Simham (1990)
52. Maa Inti Katha (1990)
53. Naa Mogudu Nanke Sontham (1989)

The * indicates a Television Role

External links

• Vani Viswanathan at IMDb