Kanchana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Vasundhara Devi 16 August 1939 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1957–1988; 2017 |
Vasundhara Devi (born 16 August 1939), known by her stage name Kanchana, is an Indian actress who worked in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films, in addition to Malayalam and Hindi films. [1]
Kanchana was born as Vasundhra Devi on 16 August 1939 in Karavadi, Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, of India to a Telugu-speaking family. [2] Her father suffered business losses, and she went to work as an air hostess to support her family. She was discovered by a friend of film director C. V. Sridhar on a plane where he was a passenger, and he later suggested her to C.V. Sridhar.[ 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 successful career in Tamil films, especially between 1964 and 1977 as a 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 Or Manam, and Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum. She retired from films in the mid-80s itself. [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 Or 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 Tamil and Babruvahana in Kannada, both in 1977. Her performances in the movies Pavitra Bandham & Manchivaadu were well appreciated and recognized. [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 in films such as Ananda Bhairavi , Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra , Johnny and Mouna Ragam . Kanchana appeared in an OLX commercial (Tamil/Telugu) in 2015. [8] She made her comeback to films with Arjun Reddy in 2017 as the titular character's grandmother.[ citation needed ]
The actress later won back her properties in T. Nagar, Chennai around 6 grounds, with the Court ruling against her parents. It was learned that one day her father took the 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, then worth around Rs. 15 crore, to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010. [9] [10] She remains happy, single and unmarried to date currently residing in Hyderabad.
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Suvarna Sundari | Naaga Kanya |
| 1960 | Bhatti Vikramarka | Goddess Kaalika |
| 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 | Kinnera/Lalasa |
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | Sulochana |
| 1968 | Thalli Prema | |
| 1968 | Kalisochina Adrushtam | Sobha |
| 1968 | Vintha Kapuram [11] | Vijaya |
| 1968 | Bhale Kodallu | |
| 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 | Amaayakuraalu | Shobha |
| 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 |
| 1978 | Kalanthakulu | Kamala |
| 1978 | Dongala Dopidi [12] | Gowri |
| 1978 | Indradhanussu [13] | Saraswathi |
| 1979 | Driver Ramudu | Kalavathi |
| 1981 | Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu | |
| 1982 | Naa Desam | Saraswati Devi |
| 1983 | Anandha Bhairavi | |
| 1984 | Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra | Govindamma |
| 1985 | Shri Datta Darshanam | |
| 1986 | Kirayi Mogudu [14] | Janaki |
| 1986 | Jayam Manade | Savithri |
| 1986 | Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam | |
| 2017 | Arjun Reddy | Arjun's grandmother |
| 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 Or 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 | |
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Babruvahana | Uloochi |
| 1978 | Nanobba Kalla | Savitri |
| 1978 | Shankar Guru | Sumati |
| 1980 | Biligiriya Banadalli | |
| 1980 | Aarada Gaaya | Mangala |
| 1981 | Jeevakke Jeeva | Seetha |
| 1981 | Bhagyavantha | |
| 1982 | Nyaya Ellide | Durga |
| 1982 | Pedda Gedda | |
| 1982 | Prachanda Kulla | Rama's mother |
| 1983 | Anandha Bhairavi | |
| 1983 | Bhakta Prahlada | Diti |
| 1984 | Maryade Mahalu | |
| 1984 | Raktha Thilaka | Durga |
| 1984 | Bandhana | |
| 1984 | Pralayanthaka | |
| 1984 | Samayada Gombe | Kamakshi |
| 1985 | Veeradhi Veera | |
| 1985 | Nanna Prathigne | Mangala |
| 1985 | Chaduranga | Dr. Maheshwari |
| 1985 | Bidugadeya Bedi | Ratna |
| 1986 | Ratha Sapthami | Sharada |
| 1986 | Beegara Pandya | |
| 1986 | Africadalli Sheela | |
| 1987 | Vijayothsava | |
| 1987 | Jayasimha | |
| 1988 | Chiranjeevi Sudhakar | |
| 1988 | Dharma Pathni | |
| 1988 | Devatha Manushya |
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Atom Bomb | |
| 1973 | Azhakulla Saleena | Lucyamma |
| 1974 | Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree | |
| 1977 | Ammaayi Amma | |
| 1979 | Nithya Vasantham | |
| 1979 | Rakthamillatha Manushyan | |
| 1982 | Ina | Aunty |
| 1984 | Sreekrishna Parunthu | Kumaran's mother |
| 1985 | Njaan Piranna Naattil | Nandini |
| 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 |
 | This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification .(January 2023) |
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