Soundarya Sathyanarayana was an Indian actress and producer who worked predominantly in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films, besides Malayalam and Hindi films in lead roles. InIn 2002, she received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film as producer for the Kannada film Dweepa. She received two Karnataka State Film Awards for Best Actress, several Filmfare Awards South and the Nandi Awards for her performances in films such as Ammoru (1994), Anthapuram (1998), Raja (1999), Dweepa (2002) and Aaptamitra (2004). At the peak of her career, Soundarya died in an aircraft crash near Bangalore on 17 April 2004, when she was on her way to Andhra Pradesh to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Soundarya's first movie was the Kannada movie Gandharva in 1992, produced and directed by Hamsalekha. In the same year, she entered Telugu movies ("Tollywood") through the movie Raithu Bharatham, opposite Krishna.
Satti Vijayashanti, known mononymously as Vijayashanti, is an Indian film actress, producer and politician. In a film career spanning 30 years, she has acted in over 180 feature films in a variety of roles in various Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. She has been widely called "The Lady Superstar" and "Lady Amitabh" of South Indian cinema. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her work as a "super cop" in Kartavyam (1990), for depicting both aggression and feminity with balance and restraint. She received the Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu Government in 2002. She also garnered seven Filmfare Awards South, six for best acting and one Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, and four state Nandi Awards for Best Actress.
Mechanic Alludu is a 1993 Telugu-language action comedy film, produced by Allu Aravind under the Geetha Arts banner and directed by B. Gopal. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti in the lead roles and music composed by Raj-Koti.
Raja Vikramarka is a 1990 Telugu film. It was directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty. Chiranjeevi, Amala and Raadhika played the lead roles. The film was later dubbed into Hindi as Daulat Ki Duniya and into Tamil as Sathyama Naan Kaavalkaaran. The movie is a remake of Tamil film My Dear Marthandan which itself was based on the popular 1988 release Coming to America.
Sathruvu is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language crime thriller film produced by M. S. Raju under Sumanth Art Productions, directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. It stars Venkatesh, Vijayashanti, and Kota Srinivasa Rao playing the lead roles, with music composed by Raj-Koti. The film was released to positive reviews and was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office. The film was remade in Hindi as Vijeta (1996).
Challenge is a 1984 Indian Telugu-language film directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and produced by K. S. Rama Rao under the Creative Commercials banner. It stars Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti, Suhasini and Rao Gopal Rao with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. This film is based on Yandamuri Veerendranath's novel Dabbu to the power of Dabbu. The plot revolves around an unemployed youngster (Chiranjeevi) taking up a challenge of a successful business magnet (Rao) to earn ₹50 lakh in 5 years.
Swayamkrushi is a 1987 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Viswanath. The film stars Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti in main leads, while Sarvadaman D. Banerjee, and Sumalatha in other pivotal roles.
Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu is a 1989 Telugu romantic action comedy film produced by Allu Aravind, starring Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti in the lead roles, with former heroine Vanisri making a comeback to the silver screen as Vijayashanti's on-screen mother, Chamundeswari. The film was written and directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy. This film was eventually remade in Tamil as Maapillai, in Hindi as Jamai Raja, in Bengali as Sasurbari Zindabad and also inspired other Indian films with similar themes. The film was recorded as an Industry Hit at the box office.
Gang Leader is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language action crime film written, directed by Vijaya Bapineedu and produced by Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary. The film stars Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti in the lead roles, while Rao Gopal Rao, Anandaraj, Murali Mohan, and Sarath Kumar play other key roles. The soundtrack was composed by Bappi Lahiri with dance choreography by Prabhu Deva. The genre-bending semi-fiction film explores the concepts of exploitation of law enforcement by anti-social behaviour and the impact of mob psychology.
Yamudiki Mogudu is a 1988 Telugu-language fantasy film, directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty, starring Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti, Radha and Kota Srinivasa Rao. This film was dubbed into Hindi as Chiranjeevi (1991) and remade in Tamil as Athisaya Piravi (1990). The film was recorded as an Industry Hit at the box office and was the highest-grossing film of 1988.
Chanakya Sapatham is a 1986 Indian Telugu language action film starring Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti, Rao Gopal Rao and Satyanarayana, produced by D. V. S. Raju and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao.
Kondaveeti Raja is a 1986 Tollywood film starring Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti, Radha and Rao Gopal Rao. This film was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film released on 31 January 1986. The film recorded as Hit at the box office.
Rudranetra is a 1989 Telugu language spy film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film was written by Yandamuri Veerendranath and stars Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti, Radha, and Rao Gopal Rao. The film was dubbed into Hindi as Secret Agent Raja. The soundtrack, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, was a hit. The film is based on conspiracy theories and was a box office hit.
Manchi Donga is a 1988 Telugu film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Vijayashanti and Suhasini. The film was recorded as a Hit at the box office.
Chattaniki Kallu Levu is a 1981 Telugu-language film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Madhavi, Lakshmi, Hema Sundar and Kannada Prabhakar in important roles. It is a remake of the 1981 Tamil film Sattam Oru Iruttarai. The film was a commercial success.
Rakshasudu is a 1986 Telugu-language action crime film produced by K. S. Rama Rao under the Creative Commercials banner and directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy. It stars Chiranjeevi, Radha, Suhasini in the lead roles while Rajendra Prasad, Sumalatha in special appearances and music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The film is based on Yandamuri Veerendranath's novel of the same name. The film is the debut of K. Naga Babu in the film industry.
Vetri (Success) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language action crime film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. Vijayakanth play the lead role. The music is composed by Shankar-Ganesh. Vijay also plays a cameo role as a child artist, making it his first ever on-screen performance. The film was a remake of director's own 1983 Kannada film Geluvu Nannade which he also later remade in Telugu as Devanthakudu (1984).
Osey Ramulamma is a 1997 Telugu film based on a woman's rebellion in Telangana. It was directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Vijayashanti and Dasari Narayana Rao. The film premiered at the 1998 International Film Festival of India in the mainstream section. The film includes Krishna and Tamil actor Ramki in supporting roles. The film was dubbed in Tamil and released as Adimaipenn. It was the only film in 1990s without any hero in the main role. It was a trendsetter and blockbuster in Indian films. The same thing happened in the 1980s with the Telugu film Prathighatana (1985). Vijaya Shanthi is the only heroine who achieved this twice in Indian films.
Vijay is a 1989 Telugu-language action film, produced by Venkat Akkineni under the Annapurna Studios banner and directed by B. Gopal. It stars Akkineni Nagarjuna, Vijayashanti in the lead roles and music composed by Chakravarthy. The film was recorded as Average at the box office.
Bhale Donga is a 1989 Telugu-language action film produced by K. Devi Vara Prasad under the Devi Films banner, directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy. It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Vijayashanti in the lead roles and music composed by Chakravarthy. The film was also dubbed into Hindi under the title Qaidi no.1. The film was recorded as a Hit at the box office.
