Debuted at 14, won a National Award, acted with mega stars like Mahesh Babu—can you guess this south star?

Vijayashanti began her acting journey at the young age of 14 with the Tamil film ‘Kallukkul Eeram’ in 1980. Directed by Bharathiraja, the romantic drama also featured Goundamani and Aruna Mucherla. This debut laid the foundation for a prolific career across multiple South Indian film industries, quickly making her a familiar face in movies like ‘Balanagamma’, ‘Pelleedu Pillalu’, ‘Ilanjodigal’, and ‘Challenge’.

Born on June 24, 1966, in Ramannagudem, Warangal, Vijayashanti went on to become a legendary figure in Telugu cinema. Known for her commanding screen presence, she starred in iconic films such as ‘Osey Ramulamma’, ‘Pratighatana’, ‘Police Lockup’, and ‘Karthavyam’. Over her extensive career, she collaborated with top stars—appearing in 19 films with Chiranjeevi and 16 with Balakrishna, cementing her place in the industry's top league.

Her portrayal of an upright IPS officer, ASP Vyjayanthi, in the 1991 action drama ‘Karthavyam’ earned her widespread acclaim and the National Film Award for Best Actress. The film, which also starred Vinod Kumar, became a benchmark for strong female-led narratives in Telugu cinema. With a compelling storyline and bold performance, ‘Karthavyam’ remains one of her most celebrated roles.

Vijayashanti's talent earned her four Filmfare Awards South for her performances in ‘Osey Ramulamma’, ‘Bharata Nari’, ‘Swayam Krushi’, and ‘Pratighatana’. She also ventured into Bollywood with the 1989 film ‘Eeshwar’, co-starring Anil Kapoor. Her role as Lalita won her yet another Filmfare Award for Best Actress, proving her versatility across regional and Hindi cinema.

After a long break from films, Vijayashanti made a notable comeback in 2020 with ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’, sharing screen space with Mahesh Babu and Rashmika Mandanna. Directed by Anil Ravipudi, the film was well-received. Her return was celebrated by fans who admired her legacy and continued influence on Indian cinema.