Kanchana (actress)
Kanchana | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vasundhara Devi 16 August 1939 Vijayawada, India |
| Relatives | Girija Pandey (sister) |
Vasundhara Devi, known by her stage name Kanchana (born 16 August 1939) is a noted Indian actress of the 1960s and 1970s. She acted in all four major south Indian languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, as well as in a few Hindi films.[1][2]
Early life
She was born as Vasundhara Devi in a wealthy family originally from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. They moved to Madras (present Chennai) in Tamil Nadu, where Kanchana was born.[3] She learnt Bharata Natyam and Music.
Career
Her father suffered business losses, and she went to work as an air hostess to support her family, when she was discovered by the film director C. V. Sridhar on a plane where he was a passenger. He gave her the lead role in his film Kaadhalikka Neramillai in 1963 and changed her name to Kanchana, since there was already another actress named Vasundhara Devi, mother of star Vyjayanthimala.[4] Kanchana acted in over 150 films – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, with a successful acting career.
She had extremely successful career in Tamil films especially between 1964 and 1977 as lead heroine. Her critically acclaimed films include Kaadhalikka Neramillai, Thedi Vantha Thirumagal, Parakkum Paavai, Kodimalar, Adhey Kangal, Bama Vijayam, Naalum Therindavan, Thangai, Thulabaram, Ponnu Mappilai, Shanti Nilayam, Chella Penn,Uthiravindri Ulle Vaa, Vilaiyaattu Pillai, Sivanda Mann, Nyayam Ketkirom, Avalukendru Oru Manam, Pattondru Ketten, Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum. She retired from films in the early 1980s.[5] In 2005, she was presented with the MGR award and in 2007 the ANR Swarna Kankanam award.[6][7]In Tamil, she acted with R. Muthuraman in about 19 films including Kaadhalikka Neramillai, Kodimalar, Thulabharam (Tamil version), Thangai, Bama Vijayam and Avalukendru Oru Manam. She also acted with Sivaji Ganesan in Sivandha Mann, Vilayattu Pillai and Avan Oru Sarithiram. She did two films with MGR, Naan Yen Pirandhen and Parakkum Paavai. Apart from that, she was paired with many Tamil heroes like A. V. M. Rajan, S. S. Rajendran, Gemini Ganesan , Jaishankar, Ravichandran and Sivakumar.Her last film as lead heroine was Avan Oru Sarithiram in 1977 in Tamil.
Her performances in the movies Pavitra Bandham, Manchivaadu were well appreciated and recognised.[8] She played the role of Uttara in the film Veerabhimanyu. The following year she acted in the Annapurna pictures film Aatma Gowravam with veteran director K. Viswanath.
She acted with Krishnam Raju in some glamorous roles in Neeti Nijayitee (1972), Parivartana (1975), Nenante Nene and Dharma Daata. Not only in social roles, she acted some mythological roles in pictures likeShri Krishnavataram (1967). After retirement as heroine, she acted in some good films including Ananda Bhairavi and Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra in 1984.
After her retirement as a heroine, she acted in some films including Ananda Bhairavi, Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra, Johnny, Sigappu Rojakkal, Mouna Ragam and more as a supporting role.
There were rumours floating around a few years ago about her living in penury. A popular Tamil magazine, Kumudam, published a report that Kanchana was relying on the prasadam served at a Temple. However, in a press release, Kanchana refuted all this with deep anguish. She cited her existing legal tangles as a reason for reluctance for not suing the magazine.
Kanchana appeared in OLX commercial (Tamil/Telugu) in 2015.
Personal life
The actress later won back her properties in T.Nagar, Chennai of around 6 grounds, with the Court ruling against her parents. It was learnt that one day her father took signature of Kanchana on a white paper and without her knowledge converted total assets on his name. After a long legal battle she won and regained her wealth.
Kanchana along with her Sister Girija Pandey donated their property in Chennai worth then around Rs. 150 million to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010.[9][10]
Filmography
This is a partial filmography of Kanchana (please help to extend it).
Tamil
| Year | Movies | Actors | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Kaadhalikka Neramillai | Ravichandran, Muthuraman, Rajasri | Kanchana | Debut film |
| 1965 | Veera Abhimanyu | A.V.M Rajan, Gemini Ganesan | Uttara | |
| 1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | Sivaji Ganesan, Ravicandran, Sivakumar, Sowcar Janaki, Jayalalitha | ||
| 1966 | Thedi Vantha Thirumagal | S.S Rajendran, Ravichandran, Vijayakumari | ||
| 1966 | Parakkum Paavai | M.G.R, Saroja Devi | Shantha | |
| 1966 | Kodimalar | Muthuraman, A.V.M Rajan, Vijayakumari | ||
| 1966 | Marakka Mudiyumaa? | S.S Rajendran, Devika | ||
| 1967 | Adhey Kangal | Ravichandran, S.A Ashokan, Nagesh | Susheela | |
| 1967 | Bama Vijayam | Muthuraman, Nagesh, Major Sundrrajan, Rajasri, Sowcar Janaki, Jayanthi | ||
| 1967 | Thangai | Sivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, K.R. Vijaya | Lalitha | |
| 1968 | Naalum Therindhvan | Ravichandran, Nagesh, V.K. Ramasamy | ||
| 1969 | Chella Penn | Ravichandran, A.V.M Rajan, Pushpalatha | ||
| 1969 | Ponnu Mappillai | Jaishankar, Nagesh, V.K Ramasamy | ||
| 1969 | Shanti Nilayam | Gemini Ganesan, Nagesh, Pandari Bai | Malathi | |
| 1969 | Thulabaram | A.V.M Rajan, Muthuraman, Saradha | Vatsala | |
| 1970 | Noorandu Kaalam Vazgha | Muthuraman, A.V.M Rajan, L. Vijayalakshmi | ||
| 1970 | Sivandha Mann | Sivaji Ganesan, Muthuraman, M.N Nambiar | Chitralekha | |
| 1970 | Vilaiyaattu Pillai | Sivaji Ganesan, Sivakumar, Padmini | ||
| 1970 | Kadhal Jothi | Jaishankar, Ravichandran, Vanisri, Nagesh, Thengai Srinivasan | ||
| 1971 | Avalukendru Oru Manam | Gemini Ganesan, Muthuraman, Bharathi | ||
| 1971 | Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa | Ravichandran, Nagesh | ||
| 1971 | Pattondru Ketten | A.V.M Rajan, Ravichandran, Rajasri | ||
| 1972 | Naan Yen Pirandhen | M.G.R, K.R Vijaya | Radha | |
| 1973 | Nyayam Ketkirom | Muthuraman, Nagesh, Lakshmi | ||
| 1975 | Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum | Ravichandran, Nagesh | ||
| 1977 | Avan Oru Sarithiram | Sivaji Ganesan, Manjula Vijayakumar | ||
| 1978 | Sigappu Rojakkal | Kamal Hassan, Sri Devi | ||
| 1979 | Ninaivil Oru Malar | |||
| 1979 | Jaya Nee Jayichutte | Major Sundarrajan, Jayachitra, Prameela | ||
| 1980 | Johnny | Rajinikanth, Sridevi | Johnny's mother | |
| 1980 | Jamboo | Jaishankar, Jayamala, Major Sundarrajan | ||
| 1981 | Lorry Driver Rajakannu | Sivaji Ganesan, Jaiganesh, Sri Priya | ||
| 1982 | Pagadai Panirendu | Kamal Hassan, Sri Devi, Sathyapriya | Anand's mother | |
| 1983 | Gramathu Kiligal | Rajeev, Subathra | ||
| 1983 | Kaakkum Kaamakakshi | K.R Vijaya, Ramya Krishnan, Aruna Mucherla | ||
| 1985 | Kattukkulle Thiruvizha | Vijayendra, Viji | ||
| 1986 | Mouna Raagam | Mohan, Karthik, Revathi | Lawyer | |
| 1987 | Naanum Neeyum | Charu Hassan, Sonika Gill | ||
| 1987 | Kizhakku Africavil Sheela | Suresh, Shakeela | ||
| 1994 | Neethiyaa Nyayamaa | Cho |
Kannada
| Year | Movie | Co-star | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Mayor Muthanna | Rajkumar, Barathi Vishnuvardhan | ||
| 1969 | Mathrubhoomi | Udaykumar, Kalpana | ||
| 1970 | C.I.D. Rajanna | Rajkumar, Rajasri, Premalatha | ||
| 1971 | Thayi Devaru | Rajkumar, Barathi Visnuvardhan | ||
| 1971 | Samshaya Phala | Udaykumar, Srinath, Jayanthi | ||
| 1971 | Kaasidre Kailasa | Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Vanisri | ||
| 1972 | Bandhavya | K.s Aswath, Rajesh, B.V Radha | ||
| 1974 | Veeranjaneya Kathe | S.V Ranga Rao, Kantha Rao, Jayanthi, Kalpana | ||
| 1974 | Bhakta Kumbara | Rajkumar, Leelavathi | ||
| 1977 | Karthavyada Kare | Udayachandrika, B.V Radha | ||
| 1977 | Babruvahana | Rajkumar, Saroja Devi, Jayamala | Uloopi | |
| 1978 | Nanobba Kalla | Rajkumar, Lakshmi | ||
| 1978 | Shankar Guru | Rajkumar, Jayamala, Padmapriya | ||
| 1979 | Seetharamu | Shankar Nag, Manjula | ||
| 1980 | Biligiriya Banadalli | Vishnuvardhan, Geetha | ||
| 1980 | Aarada Gaaya | Shankar Nag, Gayatri Nag, Sowcar Janaki | ||
| 1981 | Jeevakke Jeeva | Anant Nag, Shankar Nag, Saritha | ||
| 1981 | Bhagyavantha | Jai Jagadish, Aarathi | ||
| 1982 | Nyaya Ellide | Shankar Nag, Aarathi | ||
| 1982 | Pedda Gedda | Dwarakish, Aarathi | ||
| 1982 | Prachanda Kulla | Vishnuvardhan, Dwarakish, Raadhika | ||
| 1983 | Bhakta Prahlada | Rajkumar, Anant Nag, Saritha | ||
| 1984 | Maryade Mahalu | Udaykumar, Ramakrishna, Roopadevi, Poornima | ||
| 1984 | Raktha Thilaka | Shankar Nag, Jayamala | ||
| 1984 | Bandhana | Vishnuvardhan, Suhasini Manirathnam | ||
| 1984 | Pralayanthaka | V. Ravichandran, Jai Jagadish, Bhavya | ||
| 1984 | Prachanda Kulla | Vishnvardhan, Raadhika | ||
| 1984 | Ananda Bhairavi | Girish Karnad, Malavikka | ||
| 1984 | Samayada Gombe | Rajkumar, Roopadevi, Menaka | ||
| 1985 | Veeradhi Veera | Vishnuvardhan, Geetha | ||
| 1985 | Nanna Prathigne | Vishnuvardhan, Ahalya, Lakshmi | ||
| 1985 | Chaduranga | Ambrish, Ambika | ||
| 1985 | Bidugadeya Bedi | Ananth Nag, Lakshmi, Umasri | ||
| 1986 | Ratha Sapthami | Shivarajkumar, Rajeswari, Roopadevi | ||
| 1986 | Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu | Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi | ||
| 1986 | Beegara Pandya | Sridhar, Poornima, Pallavi | ||
| 1986 | Africadalli Sheela | Charan Raj, Kalyan Kumar, Shakeela | ||
| 1987 | Vijayothsava | Kumar Bangarappa, Sudha Rani | ||
| 1987 | Jayasimha | Vishnuvardhan, Mahalakshmi | ||
| 1988 | Chiranjeevi Sudhakar | Ragavendran Rajkumar, Monisha Unni | ||
| 1988 | Dharma Pathni | Rajesh, Lakshmi, Thara | ||
| 1988 | Devatha Manushya | Rajkumar, Geetha |
Telugu
| Year | Movie | Co-star | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Aatma Gowravam | ANR, Rajasri | Savitri/Sarala | |
| 1965 | Manchi Kutumbam | ANR, Krishna, Chandramohan, Sowcar Janaki, Vijayanirmala, Vijayasree | ||
| 1965 | Preminchi Choodu | ANR, Jaggaiah, Rajasri | ||
| 1965 | Veerabhimanyu | NTR, Sobhan Babu | Uttara | |
| 1966 | Navarathri | ANR, Jaggaiah, Savitri | ||
| 1966 | Dr. Anand | NTR, Anjali Devi | ||
| 1967 | Ave Kallu | Krishna, Gummadi, Ranjanala | Susheela | |
| 1967 | Prana Mithrulu | ANR, Jaggaiah, Savitri | ||
| 1967 | Kanchukota | ANR, Anjali Devi | ||
| 1967 | Private Master | Ram Mohan, Krishna, Sukanya | Sundari | |
| 1967 | Shri Krishnavataram | NTR, Devika | ||
| 1968 | Bandhipotu Dongalu | ANR, Jaggaiah, Jamuna | Malli | |
| 1968 | Nenante Nene | Krishna, Krishnamraju, Sriranjini | ||
| 1968 | 'Deva Kanya | Kantha Rao, Rajasri | ||
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | Kantha Rao, Anjali Devi | ||
| 1968 | Kalisochina Adrushtam | NTR, Sathyanarayana | ||
| 1969 | Manushulu Marali | Sobhan Babu, Saradha | ||
| 1969 | Saptaswaralu | Kantha Rao, Rajasri, Vijayalalitha, Vijayanirmala | ||
| 1969 | Natakala Rayudu | Nagabhushanam, Hemalatha | Geetha Devi | |
| 1970 | Dharma Daata | ANR, Nagabhushanam | Padma | |
| 1971 | Kalyana Mandapam | Sobhan Babu, Jaggaiah | ||
| 1971 | Pavitra Bandham | ANR, Vanisri | ||
| 1971 | Amayakuralu | ANR, Saradha | ||
| 1973 | Bhakta Tukaram | ANR | ||
| 1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | NTR, Jaggaiah, Jayalalitha | ||
| 1973 | Manchi Vadu | ANR, Vanisri | ||
| 1975 | Maya Maschindra | NTR, Vanisri | Mohini | |
| 1975 | Annadammula Anubandham | NTR, Murali Mohan, Latha | Geetha | |
| 1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya | ANR, Anjali Devi, Manjula | ||
| 1976 | Secretary | ANR, Chandramohan, Vanisri, Jayasudha | ||
| 1977 | Daana Veera Soora Karna | NTR, Balakrishna, Saradha | ||
| 1977 | Indradhanusu | Krishna, Saradha | ||
| 1979 | Driver Ramudu | NTR, Jayasudha | Kalavathi | |
| 1981 | Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu | Krishna, Bhanumathi | ||
| 1984 | Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra | NTR, Balakrishna, Rathi | ||
| 1985 | Shri Datta Darshanam | Sarvadaman D. Banerjee, Jyotirmayi |
Malayalam
| Year | Movie | Co-star | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Priyathama | Prem Nazir, Sheela | ||
| 1968 | Thirichadi | Prem Nazir, Sheela | ||
| 1968 | Kodungallooramma | Prem Nazir, K.R Vijaya | ||
| 1970 | Othenante Makan | Prem Nazir, Ragini, Sheela | ||
| 1972 | Prathikaaram | Jayabharathi, Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair | ||
| 1972 | Manthrakodi | Prem Nazir, Vijayasree | ||
| 1973 | Azhakulla Saleena | Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi | Lucyamma | |
| 1974 | Thumbolaarcha | Prem Nazir, Sheela, Srividya | ||
| 1974 | Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree | Sheela, Mohan Sharma | ||
| 1977 | Ammaayi Amma | Sukumari, Jayabharathi | ||
| 1979 | Nithya Vasantham | Kundara Johny, Vidhubala | ||
| 1979 | Rakthamillatha Manushyan | M.G Soman, Jayabharathi | ||
| 1982 | Ina | Raghu, Devi | Aunty | |
| 1984 | Sreekrishna Parunthu | Mohanlal, Aruna | ||
| 1985 | Njaan Piranna Naattil | Mohanlal, Aruna | Nandini |
Hindi
| Year | Movie | Co-star | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Farz | Jeetendra, Babita | ||
| 1968 | Teen Bahuraniyan | Prithviraj Kapoor, Ramesh Deo | Remake of Bhama Vijayam | |
| 1970 | Samaj Ko Badal Dalo | Ajay Sahni, Saradha, Aruna Irani | Remake of Thulabaaram | |
| 1974 | Prem Nagar | Dancer | Remake of Vasantha Maligai | |
| 1975 | Alakh Niranjan | Mohini | dubbed from Maya Maschindra | |
| 1977 | Veer Arjun | Uloopi | dubbed from Babruvahana | |
| 1987 | Waqt Ka Shahenshah | dubbed |
Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award
- She was presented with the MGR award in 2005.
Other awards
External links
References
- ^ http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece
- ^ http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=5584
- ^ http://www.andhrajyothi-sunday.com/AJweeklyshow.asp?qry=2012/apr/29/gnapakalu&more=2012/apr/29/sundaymain
- ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (18 August 2012). "'Nothing is permanent'". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
- ^ "Star then, a stoic now". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
- ^ a b "Yesteryear diva looks back". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
- ^ "Yesteryear heroine wins property, donates to TTD". The New Indian Express. Chennai, India. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ Idle Brain. Idle Brain. Retrieved on 9 June 2012.
- ^ "TTD not to sell land donated by yesteryear actress". Zee News. Chennai, India. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "Yesteryears dream girl has a dream today - IBNLive". IBN Live. Chennai, India. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2014.