Vyjayanthimala
Born: 1933-08-13 in Madras, Madras State, British India [now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India]
Known For: Acting
Biography
Vyjayanthimala Bali (née Raman; born August 13, 1933), known mononymously as Vyjayanthimala, an Indian parliamentarian, dancer and former actress. Born to actress and dancer Vasundhara Devi in a Tamil-speaking family, she had a rare opportunity of performing a dance before the Pope at the age of 7. This cemented her interest in film and she became the one of the highest paid Indian actress of the 1950s and 1960s. Her accolades include five Filmfare Awards, two BFJA Awards, a Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour granted by the Government of India, and a Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honor granted by the Government of India. Her dance numbers, such as 'Hothon Pe Aisi Baat Main Dabake Chali Aai...', 'Man Doley Mera Tan Doley...'; 'Chad Gaiyo Paapi Bichua...'; 'Main Ka Karu Ram Mujhey Buddha Mil Gaya' continue to be popular even today. She made waves when she appeared in a fire red swimsuit in 'Sangam'. She also paved the way for other South Indian actresses, like Hema Malini, Rekha, Sridevi, etc. to make a transition to Bollywood. After the passing of her husband, she retired from Bollywood and now resides in Chennai, with her son, who is an aspiring actor in his own right. In 2011, her son presented her with a grandchild.
Filmography
2002
- Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai as Herself
1970
- Vidhi Vilasam
- Ganwaar as Parvati 'Paro'
1969
- Prince as Princess Amrita
- Pyar Hi Pyar as Kavita (as Vyjayantimala)
1967
- Jewel Thief as Shalini Singh
- The Market Place as Chhipli
- Chhoti Si Mulaqat as Roopa Choudhury
1966
- Suraj as Princess Anuradha Singh
- Amrapali as Amrapali
- Do Dilon Ki Dastaan
1964
- Sangam as Radha
- Leader as Princess Sunita
- Phoolon Ki Sej
- Ishaara as Mala
- Zindagi
1961
- Gunga Jumna as Dhanno
- Aas Ka Panchhi
- Nazrana as Vasanthi
- Then Nilavu as Shanthi
1960
- Irumbu Thirai
- College Girl as Kamala
- Parthiban Kanavu as Princess Kundhavi
- Baghdadh Thirudan
1959
- Paigham as Manju
1958
- Sadhna as Champabai (as Vyjayantimala)
- Madhumati as Madhumati / Madhavi / Radha
- Sitaron Se Aage
- Vanjikottai Valiban as Princess Mandakin
- Raj Tilak as Mandakini
- The Eternal Lamp as Aruna
1957
- Kath Putli as Pushpa
- Naya Daur as Rajni
- Aasha as Nirmala
1956
- Anjaan as Ratna
- Kismet ka Khel
- Patrani as Princess Mrinalla
- New Delhi as Janaki Subramaniam
- Devta
1955
- Devdas as Chandramukhi
- Pehli Jhalak as Beena / Devi (as Vyjayantimala)
- Jashan
- Yasmin as Yasmin
1953
- Ladki as Rani Mehra
1951
- Bahar as Lata
1949
- Vaazhkai as Mohana