Vanisri, (born Rathna Kumari) is an Indian film actress known for her works predominately

in Telugu and Tamil, and a few Kannadaand Hindi films.[3][4] In a film career spanning forty years, she has
received three Filmfare Awards South, including the Nandi Awardsand the Tamil Nadu State Film
Award.[3] She gained attention with a supporting role in a film penned by K. Balachander titled Sukha
Dukhalu, and Marapurani Kadha (1967). Vanisri has starred in super hits such as Krishnaveni, Prem
Nagar, Dussehra Bullodu, Aradhana, Jeevitha Chakram, Rangula Ratnam, Sri Krishna Tulabharam, Bhakta
Kannappa, Bobbili Raja, etc.[5] If there was a star heroine in the Telugu film industry, who ruled on par with
the heroes, it must be only Vanisri. She was the only actress during that period who commanded a higher
remuneration than her male co stars.
She played dual roles in Iddaru Ammayilu (1972) (Telugu remake of 1969 release Kannada film Kappu
Bilupu), Ganga Manga (1973 remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta), Jeevana Jyothi (1975), and Chilipi
Krishnudu (1978). She financed and starred in Shyam Benegal's only Telugu film Anugraham (1977), co-
starring Smita Patil.
The tamil film acted from M. G. R in a 3 films such as Kannan En Kadhalan (1968), Thalaivan (1970),
and Oorukku Uzhaippavan (1975) eny films.
She acted with Sivaji Ganesan in a 11 films such as Uyarntha Manithan (1968), Nirai
Kudam (1969), Kulama Gunama (1971), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Sivakamiyin Selvan (1974), Vani
Rani (Tamil remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta) (1974), Rojavin Raja (1976), Ilaya
Thalaimurai (1977), Punniya Boomi (1978), Vaazhkai Alaigal (1978) and Nallathoru
Kudumbam (1979).[6][5] In 2013, she received the state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for her contribution to
Telugu cinema.[7]
In the late 1970s, Vanisri left films to get married and have a son and a daughter. Vanisri returned to film in
the late 1980s acting in mother roles, such as her character in Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989).
A practicing Shaivite Hindu, Vanisri is very religious. She was also in the 1999 Hindi film Main Tere Pyar
Mein Pagal, directed by Telugu director K. Raghavendra Rao.[5]