Kanchana (actress)

Kanchana
Born
Vasanthabhamadevi

(1939-08-16) 16 August 1939 (age 80)
ResidenceChennai, Tamilnadu
RelativesGirija Pandey (sister)

Bhagavathula Vasanthabhamadevi, known by her stage name Kanchana (born 16 August 1939) is a noted Indian actress of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. 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 Vasanthabama Devi in a wealthy family from Andhra pradesh. 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 a friend of film director C. V. Sridhar on a plane where he was a passenger, who later suggested her to C. V. Sridhar. Then 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.[3] 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 and Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum. She retired from films in the early 1980s.[4] In 2005, she was presented with the MGR award and in 2007 the ANR Swarna Kankanam award.[5][6] 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.[7] She played 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 her retirement as a heroine, she acted in supporting roles acted in films such as Ananda Bhairavi, Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra, Johnny and Mouna Ragam.

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.

Kanchana acted in Arjun Reddy in 2017

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 donated their property in Chennai worth then around Rs. 150 million to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010.[8][9]

Filmography

Tamil

Year Movies Role Note
1964 Kaadhalikka Neramillai Kanchana Debut film
1965 Veera Abhimanyu Uttara
1966 Motor Sundaram Pillai
1966 Thedi Vantha Thirumagal
1966 Parakkum Paavai Shantha
1966 Kodimalar
1966 Marakka Mudiyumaa?
1967 Adhey Kangal Susheela
1967 Bama Vijayam Seetha
1967 Thangai Lalitha
1968 Naalum Therindhvan
1969 Chella Penn
1969 Ponnu Mappillai
1969 Shanti Nilayam Malathi
1969 Thulabaram Vatsala
1970 Noorandu Kaalam Vazgha
1970 Sivandha Mann Chitralekha
1970 Vilaiyaattu Pillai
1970 Kadhal Jothi
1971 Avalukendru Oru Manam
1971 Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa
1971 Pattondru Ketten
1972 Naan Yen Pirandhen Radha
1973 Nyayam Ketkirom
1975 Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum
1977 Avan Oru Sarithiram
1979 Ninaivil Oru Malar
1979 Jaya Nee Jayichutte
1980 Johnny Johnny's mother
1980 Jamboo
1981 Lorry Driver Rajakannu
1982 Pagadai Panirendu Anand's mother
1983 Gramathu Kiligal
1983 Kaakkum Kaamakakshi
1985 Kattukkulle Thiruvizha
1986 Mouna Raagam Lawyer
1986 Kulirkaala Megangal Maheswari
1987 Naanum Neeyum
1987 Kizhakku Africavil Sheela
1994 Neethiyaa Nyayamaa

Kannada

Year Movie Role
1969 Mayor Muthanna
1969 Mathrubhoomi
1970 C.I.D. Rajanna
1971 Thayi Devaru
1971 Samshaya Phala
1971 Kaasidre Kailasa
1972 Bandhavya
1974 Veeranjaneya Kathe
1974 Bhakta Kumbara
1977 Nagarahole (film)
1977 Karthavyada Kare
1977 Babruvahana Uloochi
1978 Nanobba Kalla Savitri
1978 Shankar Guru
1979 Seetharamu
1980 Biligiriya Banadalli
1980 Aarada Gaaya
1981 Jeevakke Jeeva
1981 Bhagyavantha wife of K. S. Ashwath
1982 Nyaya Ellide mother of Shankar nag
1982 Pedda Gedda
1982 Prachanda Kulla
1983 Bhakta Prahlada Mother of Rajkumar
1984 Maryade Mahalu
1984 Raktha Thilaka
1984 Bandhana
1984 Pralayanthaka
1984 Ananda Bhairavi(kannada movie
1984 Samayada Gombe Mother of Rajkumar
1985 Veeradhi Veera
1985 Nanna Prathigne
1985 Chaduranga
1985 Bidugadeya Bedi
1986 Ratha Sapthami
1986 Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu
1986 Beegara Pandya
1986 Africadalli Sheela
1987 Vijayothsava
1987 Jayasimha
1988 Chiranjeevi Sudhakar
1988 Dharma Pathni
1988 Devatha Manushya Sister of Rajkumar

Telugu

Year Movie Role
1965 Aatma Gowravam Savitri/Sarala
1965 Preminchi Choodu kanchanamala
1965 Veerabhimanyu Uttara
1966 Navarathri patient
1966 Dr. Anand
1967 Ave Kallu Susheela
1967 Prana Mithrulu padmavathi
1967 Kanchukota
1967 Private Master Sundari
1967 Shri Krishnavataram Sathyabhama
1968 Manchi Kutumbam sharadha
1968 Bandhipotu Dongalu Malli
1968 Nenante Nene Geetha
1968 Deva Kanya
1968 Veeranjaneya sulochana
1968 Kalisochina Adrushtam sobha
1969 Bhale Mastaru Vijaya
1969 Manushulu Marali
1969 Saptaswaralu
1969 Natakala Rayudu Geetha Devi
1970 Dharma Daata Padma
1971 Kalyana Mandapam Devadasi
1971 Pavitra Bandham
1971 Amayakuralu
1973 Bhakta Tukaram bahina bai
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Geetha
1973 Manchi Vadu
1975 Maya Maschindra Mohini
1975 Annadammula Anubandham Geetha
1976 Mahakavi Kshetrayya
1976 Secretary
1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna subhadra
1977 Indradhanusu
1979 Driver Ramudu Kalavathi
1981 Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu
1984 Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra govindamma
1985 Shri Datta Darshanam
2017 Arjun Reddy Arjun's grandmother

Malayalam

Year Movie Role
1964 Althaara
1966 Priyathama
1968 Thirichadi
1968 Kodungallooramma
1970 Othenante Makan
1972 Prathikaaram
1972 Manthrakodi
1973 Azhakulla Saleena Lucyamma
1974 Thumbolaarcha
1974 Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree
1977 Ammaayi Amma
1979 Nithya Vasantham
1979 Rakthamillatha Manushyan
1982 Ina Aunty
1984 Sreekrishna Parunthu
1985 Njaan Piranna Naattil Nandini

Hindi

Year Movie Role Note
1967 Farz
1968 Teen Bahuraniyan Remake of Bhama Vijayam
1970 Samaj Ko Badal Dalo Remake of Thulabaaram
1974 Prem Nagar Dancer Remake of same name in Telugu
1975 Alakh Niranjan Mohini dubbed from Maya Maschindra
1977 Veer Arjun Uloopi dubbed from Babruvahana

Awards

References

  1. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece
  2. ^ http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=5584
  3. ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (18 August 2012). "'Nothing is permanent'". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  4. ^ "Star then, a stoic now". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Yesteryear diva looks back". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  6. ^ "Yesteryear heroine wins property, donates to TTD". The New Indian Express. Chennai, India. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  7. ^ Idle Brain. Idle Brain. Retrieved on 9 June 2012.
  8. ^ "TTD not to sell land donated by yesteryear actress". Zee News. Chennai, India. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Yesteryears dream girl has a dream today - IBNLive". IBN Live. Chennai, India. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2014.

External links


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