Kanchana (actress)

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Kanchana
Born
Vasundhara Devi

(1939-08-16) 16 August 1939 (age 82)
OccupationActress
Years active1957–1988; 2017

Vasundhara Devi (born 16 August 1939), known by her stage name Kanchana, is an Indian actress who worked in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films, in addition to Malayalam and Hindi films.[1][2]

Early life[]

She was born as Vasundhra 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 him.[citation needed] Sridhar 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 actress Vyjayanthimala.[3] Kanchana acted in over 150 films – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, with a successful acting career.

She had a very 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, 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, her pairing with Ravichandran was the most famous with all their films - Adhey Kangal, Kadhalikka Neram Illai, Utharavindri Ullevaa, Kadhal Jyoti, Thedivandha Thirumagal and Naalum Therindavan being hits. She acted in some films with R. Muthuraman including Kaadhalikka Neramillai, Kodimalar, Thulabharam (Tamil version), Thangai, Bama Vijayam and Avalukendru Oru Manam. She also acted with Sivaji Ganesan in Sivandha Mann, which was a blockbuster hit along with Vilayattu Pillai and Avan Oru Sarithiram. She did two films with MGR - Naan Yen Pirandhen and Parakkum Paavai as the second lead heroine of the film. Apart from that, she was paired with many Tamil heroes like A. V. M. Rajan, S. S. Rajendran, Gemini Ganesan , Jaishankar, Ravichandran and Sivakumar in Tamil. Her last film as lead heroine in Tamil was Avan Oru Sarithiram in and Babruvahana in Kannada, both in 1977.

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 in addition to Shri 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.

Kanchana appeared in OLX commercial (Tamil/Telugu) in 2015.[citation needed] She made her comeback to films with Arjun Reddy in 2017 as the titular character's grandmother.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

Kanchana along with her sister Girija donated their property in Chennai worth then around Rs. 15 crore to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010.[8][9]

Filmography[]

Tamil[]

Year Movies Role Note
1957 Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam Naaga Kanni Credited as "Vasundhara"
1964 Kaadhalikka Neramillai Kanchana Debut film
1965 Veera Abhimanyu Uttara
1966 Motor Sundaram Pillai Kamala
1966 Thedi Vantha Thirumagal Susheela
1966 Parakkum Paavai Shantha
1966 Kodimalar Parvathi
1966 Marakka Mudiyumaa?
1967 Adhey Kangal Susheela
1967 Bama Vijayam Seetha
1967 Thangai Lalitha
1968 Naalum Therindhvan Mala
1969 Chella Penn
1969 Ponnu Mappillai Bhuvana
1969 Shanti Nilayam Malathi
1969 Thulabaram Vatsala
1969 Sivandha Mann Chitralekha
1970 Noorandu Kaalam Vazgha Leela
1970 Vilaiyaattu Pillai Indu
1970 Kadhal Jothi Dr. Suguna
1971 Avalukendru Oru Manam Meena
1971 Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa Janaki
1972 Naan Yen Pirandhen Radha
1973 Nyayam Ketkirom
1975 Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum
1977 Avan Oru Sarithiram Kalpana
1979 Ninaivil Oru Malar
1979 Neethiyaa Nyayamaa
1979 Jaya Nee Jayichutte
1980 Johnny Johnny's mother
1981 Lorry Driver Rajakannu Ramu's wife
1982 Pagadai Panirendu Anand's mother
1985 Kattukkulle Thiruvizha
1986 Mouna Raagam Lawyer
1986 Kulirkaala Megangal Maheswari
1987 Naanum Neeyum
1987 Kizhakku Africavil Sheela Kumudha

Telugu[]

Year Movie Role
1957 Suvarna Sundari Naaga Kanya
1965 Aatma Gowravam Savitri/Sarala
1965 Preminchi Choodu Kanchanamala
1965 Veerabhimanyu Uttara
1966 Navarathri Patient (cameo appearance)
1966 Dr. Anand Vijaya
1967 Ave Kallu Susheela
1967 Prana Mithrulu Padmavathi
1967 Kanchukota
1967 Private Master Sundari
1967 Shri Krishnavataram Sathyabhama
1967 Marapurani Katha
1968 Manchi Kutumbam Sharadha
1968 Bandhipotu Dongalu Malli
1968 Nenante Nene Geetha
1968 Deva Kanya
1968 Veeranjaneya Sulochana
1968 Thalli Prema
1968 Kalisochina Adrushtam Sobha
1968 Vintha Kapuram
1969 Bhale Mastaru Vijaya
1969 Manushulu Marali
1969 Saptaswaralu
1969 Natakala Rayudu Geetha Devi
1969 Jarigina Katha
1970 Dharma Daata Padma
1971 Kalyana Mandapam Devadasi
1971 Pavitra Bandham
1971 Amayakuralu
1971 Rangeli Raja Vijaya
1971 Andam Kosam Pandem Malathi
1972 Raitu Kutumbam Radha
1972 Manchi Rojulu Vachchaayi Geetha
1972 Vamsodharakudu
1973 Pedda Koduku
1973 Bhakta Tukaram Bahina bai
1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Geetha
1973 Manchivadu Lalitha
1973 Talli Kodukulu
1974 Tatamma Kala Seetha
1975 Maya Maschindra Mohini
1975 Annadammula Anubandham Geetha
1976 Mahakavi Kshetrayya
1976 Secretary Rekha Rani
1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna Subhadra
1977 Indradhanusu
1977 Raja Ramesh Padmaja
1979 Driver Ramudu Kalavathi
1981 Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu
1983 Anandha Bhairavi
1984 Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra govindamma
1985 Shri Datta Darshanam
2017 Arjun Reddy Arjun's grandmother

Kannada[]

Year Film Role
1977 Babruvahana Uloochi
1978 Nanobba Kalla Savitri
1978 Shankar Guru Sumati
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 Rama's mother
1983 Anandha Bhairavi
1983 Bhakta Prahlada Mother of Rajkumar
1984 Maryade Mahalu
1984 Raktha Thilaka
1984 Bandhana
1984 Pralayanthaka
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

Malayalam[]

Year Movie Role
1964 Atom Bomb
1973 Azhakulla Saleena Lucyamma
1974 Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree
1977 Ammaayi Amma
1979
1979 Rakthamillatha Manushyan
1982 Ina Aunty
1984 Sreekrishna Parunthu Kumaran's mother
1985 Njaan Piranna Naattil Nandini

Hindi[]

Year Movie Role Note
1957 Suvarna Sundari Naag Kanya Credited as "Vasundhra"
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

Awards[]

References[]

  1. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece
  2. ^ "Kanchana".
  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. Archived from the original on 25 June 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Yesteryear diva looks back". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 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. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.

External links[]

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