Kanchana (actress)
Puranam Vasundhara Devi, known by her stage name Kanchana (born 16 August 1939) is a noted Indian actress of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. She acted in all four major south Indian languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, as well as in a few Hindi films.[1][2]
Kanchana | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vasundhara devi 16 August 1939 |
| Parent(s) | Father : Shastri |
| Relatives | Girija Pandey (sister) |
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. 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 films as lead heroine were Avan Oru Sarithiram in Tamil 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.
There were rumours around a few years ago about her living in penury. A popular Tamil magazine, Kumudam, published a report that Kanchana was relying on the prasadam served at a temple. However, in a press release, Kanchana refuted this with anguish. She cited her existing legal tangles as a reason for reluctance for not suing the magazine.
Kanchana appeared in OLX commercial (Tamil/Telugu) in 2015. She made her comeback to films with Arjun Reddy in 2017 as the titular character's grandmother.
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.
Kanchana along with her sister Girija donated their property in Chennai worth then around Rs. 150 million to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010.[8][9]
Filmography
Tamil
| Year | Movies | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Kaadhalikka Neramillai | Kanchana | Debut film |
| 1965 | Veera Abhimanyu | Uttara | |
| 1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | ||
| 1966 | Thedi Vantha Thirumagal | ||
| 1966 | Parakkum Paavai | Shantha | |
| 1966 | Kodimalar | ||
| 1966 | Marakka Mudiyumaa? | ||
| 1967 | Adhey Kangal | Susheela | |
| 1967 | Bama Vijayam | Seetha | |
| 1967 | Thangai | Lalitha | |
| 1968 | Naalum Therindhvan | ||
| 1969 | Chella Penn | ||
| 1969 | Ponnu Mappillai | ||
| 1969 | Shanti Nilayam | Malathi | |
| 1969 | Thulabaram | Vatsala | |
| 1970 | Noorandu Kaalam Vazgha | ||
| 1970 | Sivandha Mann | Chitralekha | |
| 1970 | Vilaiyaattu Pillai | ||
| 1970 | Kadhal Jothi | ||
| 1971 | Avalukendru Oru Manam | ||
| 1971 | Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa | ||
| 1972 | Naan Yen Pirandhen | Radha | |
| 1973 | Nyayam Ketkirom | ||
| 1975 | Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum | ||
| 1977 | Avan Oru Sarithiram | ||
| 1979 | Ninaivil Oru Malar | ||
| 1979 | Jaya Nee Jayichutte | ||
| 1980 | Johnny | Johnny's mother | |
| 1980 | Jamboo | ||
| 1981 | Lorry Driver Rajakannu | ||
| 1982 | Pagadai Panirendu | Anand's mother | |
| 1983 | Gramathu Kiligal | ||
| 1985 | Kattukkulle Thiruvizha | ||
| 1986 | Mouna Raagam | Lawyer | |
| 1986 | Kulirkaala Megangal | Maheswari | |
| 1987 | Naanum Neeyum | ||
| 1987 | Kizhakku Africavil Sheela | ||
| 1994 | Neethiyaa Nyayamaa |
Telugu
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1970 | Dharma Daata | Padma |
| 1971 | Kalyana Mandapam | Devadasi |
| 1971 | Pavitra Bandham | |
| 1971 | Amayakuralu | |
| 1971 | Rangeli Raja | Vijaya |
| 1972 | Raitu Kutumbam | Radha |
| 1972 | Manchi Rojulu Vachchaayi | Geetha |
| 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 | |
| 1984 | Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra | govindamma |
| 1985 | Shri Datta Darshanam | |
| 2017 | Arjun Reddy | Arjun's grandmother |
Kannada
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Mayor Muthanna | |
| 1969 | Mathrubhoomi | |
| 1970 | C.I.D. Rajanna | |
| 1971 | Thayi Devaru | |
| 1971 | Samshaya Phala | |
| 1971 | Kaasidre Kailasa | |
| 1972 | Bandhavya | |
| 1974 | Veeranjaneya Kathe | |
| 1974 | Bhakta Kumbara | |
| 1977 | Nagarahole (film) | |
| 1977 | Karthavyada Kare | |
| 1977 | Babruvahana | Uloochi |
| 1978 | Nanobba Kalla | Savitri |
| 1978 | Shankar Guru | |
| 1979 | Seetharamu | |
| 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 | |
| 1983 | Bhakta Prahlada | Mother of Rajkumar |
| 1984 | Maryade Mahalu | |
| 1984 | Raktha Thilaka | |
| 1984 | Bandhana | |
| 1984 | Pralayanthaka | |
| 1984 | Ananda Bhairavi(kannada movie | |
| 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 | Nithya Vasantham | |
| 1979 | Rakthamillatha Manushyan | |
| 1982 | Ina | Aunty |
| 1984 | Sreekrishna Parunthu | Kumaran's mother |
| 1985 | Njaan Piranna Naattil | Nandini |
Hindi
| Year | Movie | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- She was presented with the MGR award in 2005.
- ANR Swarna Kankanam award in 2007.[5]
- Kalaimamani award for her distinguished services for Tamil Cinema by the Government of Tamil Nadu, 2013
- Karnataka Rajyotsava Award by State Government Of Karnataka in 2017
References
- http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece
- http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=5584
- Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (18 August 2012). "'Nothing is permanent'". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
- "Star then, a stoic now". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
- "Yesteryear diva looks back". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
- "Yesteryear heroine wins property, donates to TTD". The New Indian Express. Chennai, India. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- Idle Brain. Idle Brain. Retrieved on 9 June 2012.
- "TTD not to sell land donated by yesteryear actress". Zee News. Chennai, India. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- "Yesteryears dream girl has a dream today - IBNLive". IBN Live. Chennai, India. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
