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Vijaya Shanthi
Vijayashanti in 1998.jpg
Member of Legislative Council
Telangana
Assumed office
30 March 2025
Constituency Elected by MLAs
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
2009–2014
Preceded by A. Narendra
Succeeded by Kotha Prabhakar Reddy
Constituency Medak
Personal details
Born
Satti Vijaya Shanthi

(1966-06-24) 24 June 1966 (age 59)
Madras, Madras State, India
Political party
Other political
affiliations
  • Talli Telangana Party (2005-2009)
  • Bharat Rashtra Samithi (2009–2014)
  • Bharatiya Janata Party (1998-2005; 2020-2023)
Spouse
Moturi Venkata Srinivasa Prasad
(m. 1988)
Residences Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Occupation Actress, Film producer, Politician, Social Worker

Moturi Vijaya Shanthi (born on June 24, 1966) is a famous Indian actress, film producer, and politician. She has worked in films for 40 years, acting in 187 movies. Most of her films are in Telugu, but she has also acted in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam languages.

People often call her the "Lady Superstar" or "The Action Queen of Telugu Cinema." She holds a special record for having the most "Industry Hits" as a female lead in Telugu cinema. Five of her films were the highest-earning movies of their time. This is a record no other actress has achieved in 100 years of the industry.

Vijaya Shanthi won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role as a police officer in the movie Kartavyam (1990). She has also received many other awards, including four Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards for Best Actress and seven Filmfare Awards South. In 2003, she received a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South. The Tamil Nadu Government also honored her with the Kalaimamani Award.

She started her acting journey in the Tamil film Kallukkul Eeram (1980). She then starred in many successful films like Netrikkan (1981), Neti Bharatam (1983), Agni Parvatam (1985), and Pratighatana (1985). Other popular movies include Pasivadi Pranam (1987), Muvva Gopaludu (1987), Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989), Kondaveeti Donga (1990), Gang Leader (1991), and Osey Ramulamma (1997). She became one of the top actresses in Telugu cinema.

In 1987, she appeared in Swayam Krushi with Chiranjeevi, which was shown at the Moscow International Film Festival. She also starred in Padamati Sandhya Ragam with Hollywood actor Thomas Jane, which was shown at the Louisville International Film Festival.

Vijaya Shanthi entered politics in 1998. She served as a Member of Parliament in the 15th Lok Sabha. She represented the Medak area for the Telangana Rashtra Samithi party from 2009 to 2014. As of November 2023, she is a member of the Indian National Congress party. On March 13, 2025, she was chosen as a Member of the Telangana Legislative Council. She took her oath for this role on April 7, 2025.

Early Life and Education

Vijaya Shanthi was born on June 24, 1966, in Madras, India. Her parents were Satti Srinivas Prasad and Satti Varalakshmi. Her mother's elder sister is the actress and producer Vijayalalitha.

Even though she was born in Madras, Vijaya Shanthi feels more connected to Telangana. She completed her 10th grade at Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai. After finishing school, she started her career in films.

Film Career Highlights

Starting Out in Movies (1980-1982)

Vijaya Shanthi began acting when she was 14 years old in 1980. Her first Tamil film was Kallukkul Eeram, directed by Bharathiraja. In the same year, she made her debut in Telugu cinema with Kilaadi Krishnudu. She acted alongside Krishna in this movie. In 1981, she also appeared in the Telugu film Satyam-Sivam with famous actors N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao.

Becoming a Star (1983–1993)

At first, Vijaya Shanthi played many supporting roles, like a sister or daughter. But after a few years, the movie Pellichoopulu (1983) helped her become a recognized star. Her big breakthrough came with Neti Bharatam (1983). From then on, she started taking on "women-centric" roles. These are roles where the story focuses mainly on the female character.

In 1985, Pratighatana was a huge hit. Her strong performance in this film earned her a state Nandi Award. She also gave a memorable performance in K. Viswanath's Swayam Krushi, playing an uneducated woman who falls in love with a cobbler.

In 1992, Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam was very successful. Vijaya Shanthi played a bold woman who spoke with a special accent from Telangana. During the 1990s, she was the highest-paid actress in India. Her salary was even similar to male superstars like Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan.

She worked with Chiranjeevi in 19 films and Nandamuri Balakrishna in 17 films, and these movies were very popular. She also acted with Rajinikanth in Mannan and with Kamal Haasan in Indrudu Chandrudu. She even produced a film called Nippu Ravva (1993).

Working in Hindi Films (1989–1997)

In 1989, Vijaya Shanthi started acting in Hindi films. Her first Hindi movie was Eeshwar, where she starred with Anil Kapoor. She also appeared in Muqaddar Ka Badshaah and Apradhi. In Tejaswini, she played a police officer, a role she was famous for. Her other Hindi film was Gundagardi (1997).

Winning National Awards and Action Roles (1990–2006)

Vijaya Shanthi became known as a "HERO" in the film industry. In the hit movie Karthavyam (1990), she played a tough police officer. This role won her the National Film Award from the Government of India. She also received an Andhra Pradesh State award for best actress for this film.

After the success of Karthavyam, she started focusing more on action-packed, woman-oriented roles. She often performed risky stunts herself, without needing a stunt double. She was known for her bravery and dedication.

Karthavyam was also dubbed into Tamil as Vyjayanthi IPS and became very popular there. It was even remade in Hindi as Tejaswini, with her in the lead role, and it also did well.

Vijaya Shanthi also produced and acted in Aashayam (1993). In Police Lockup, she played two roles and won another Filmfare Award for Best Actress. In Osey Ramulamma (1997), she played a woman who fought against unfair treatment. This movie was a huge success and earned her another Nandi Award and Filmfare Award for Best Actress. People even started calling her "Ramulamma" or "Ramulakka" because of this film.

She also appeared in other woman-focused movies like Adavi Chukka and Rowdy Durbar. Vijaya Shanthi was also one of the first actresses to be featured in a Saree commercial.

Returning to Films (2019–Present)

After a break of 13 years, Vijaya Shanthi returned to acting in 2020. She starred in the film Sarileru Neekevvaru alongside Mahesh Babu. Her last movie before this break was Nayudamma, released in 2006.

On August 12, 2019, director Anil Ravipudi announced her return to films on Twitter. He praised her discipline and energy, saying "Nothing has ever changed in all these 13 years. Same discipline, same attitude and same dynamism. Welcome on-board." She received a large payment for her comeback film. Her second comeback film, Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi, is set to release on April 18, 2025. In this movie, she will again play a powerful police officer.

Political Career

Vijaya Shanthi began her political journey in 1998 by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She quickly became the secretary of the BJP's Women's Wing. In 1998, she held a very successful public meeting in Nellore to support the BJP.

In January 2005, she started her own political party called Talli Telangana. However, she later merged it with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) due to a lack of support. From 1999 onwards, she acted in fewer movies as she focused more on her political work. By 2004, she had stopped signing new films.

In the 2009 general election, she was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Medak area, representing the BRS party. In 2011, she resigned from her MP position to support the movement for a separate Telangana State. She played an important role in this movement.

In February 2014, Vijaya Shanthi joined the Indian National Congress party. She ran in the assembly elections from Medak in 2014 but did not win. After a few quiet years, in 2018, AICC president Rahul Gandhi appointed her as a star campaigner and advisor for the election campaign committee in Telangana.

In November 2020, she left the Congress party and rejoined the Bharatiya Janata Party on December 6, 2020. However, in November 2023, she left the BJP and rejoined the Congress party on November 17, 2023.

On March 13, 2025, she was unanimously elected as a Member of the Telangana Legislative Council. She took her oath as an elected Member of Legislative Council (MLC) from Congress on April 7, 2025.

Personal Life

Vijaya Shanthi is married to Moturi Venkata Srinivasa Prasad. They got married in 1988. Her husband works in the real estate business in Chennai and Hyderabad. He is also the nephew of Daggubati Purandeswari.

Awards and Recognitions

Year Award Award Category Awarded Work Ref.
1990 National Film Awards Best Actress Kartavyam
2002 Tamil Nadu State Awards Kalaimamani Award Art - Contribution to Tamil Cinema Industry
1985 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Telugu Pratighatana
1987 Swayamkrushi
1989 Bharathanaari
1990 Kartavyam
1993 Police Lockup
1997 Osey Ramulamma
2003 Lifetime Achievement Award (South) Contribution to South Indian Film Industry
1985 Nandi Awards Nandi Award for Best Actress Pratighatana
1989 Bharathanaari
1990 Kartavyam
1997 Osey Ramulamma
Cinema Express Awards Best Telugu Actress Osey Ramulamma
2010 TSR-TV9 Awards Silver Screen Empress Award Contribution to Indian Cinema

Filmography

Telugu Films

Year Film Role Notes
1980 Khiladi Krishnudu Debut in Telugu
1981 Satyam Shivam Shanti
Pandanti Jeevitham
1982 Prathikaram Sobha
Pelleedu Pillalu Santhi
Vamsha Gouravam Sasi
Prathikaram
Krishnavataram
1983 Sri Ranga Neethulu Lakshmi
Rakasi Loya
Pelli Choopulu
Neti Bharatam Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Mukku Pudaka
Navodayam
Sangharshana Radha
Amaayaka Chakra Varthy
Pelli Chesi Chupistam
Dharmaatmudu Shanthi
Pandanti Kaapuraniki Pannendu Suthralu Jaya
1984 Devanthakudu
Sundari Subbarao
S. P. Bhayankar Lakshmi
Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu
Challenge Haarika
Abhimanyudu
Ee Charithra Inkennallu Satyavathi
Jadagantalu
Raaraju
Dongallo Dora
Veerabhadhrudu
Adadhani Sawal
Kutumba Gouravam
Kurra Cheshtalu
Kathanayakudu
1985 Vande Mataram
Pattabhishekam Hema
Kottha Pelli Kuthuru
Bhandhi
Devalayam
Desamlo Dongalupaddaru
Agni Parvatam Vijaya
Thirugubaatu
Chiranjeevi Lalitha
Darja Donga
Ooriki Soggadu Radha
Srivaru Gayathri
Pratighatana Jhansi
1986 Muddula Krishnaiah Vijaya
Apoorva Sahodarulu
Sakkanodu
Sravana Sandhya Sravani
Naaga Devata
Kondaveeti Raja Rani
Chanakya Shapadham
Repati Pourulu Saraswathi
Dhairyavanthudu Lavanya
Brahmasthram
Samaajamlo Stree Karuna
Aruna Kiranam Aruna
Samsaaram Oka Sangeetam
Jeevana Poratam
Deshoddharakudu
1987 Sahasa Samrat Rani
Muvva Gopaludu Nirmala
Pasivadi Pranam Geetha
Dongagaru Swagatam
Swayam Krushi Ganga
Muddayi
Bhanumati Gari Mogudu Bhanumati
Kalyana Thambhulam
Bhargava Ramudu Latha
Padamati Sandhya Ragam Sandhya Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Sardar Krishnama Naidu
1988 Janaki Ramudu Janaki/Lakshmi Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
Manchi Donga Vijaya
Yuddha Bhoomi Kumari
Yamudiki Mogudu Gowri
Aswadhdhaama
Donga Pelli Shanti
Inspector Pratap
1989 Muddula Mavayya Radha
Indrudu Chandrudu Reporter Durga
Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu Sasi Rekha
Rudranetra Pratima
Dorikite Dongalu Shanti
Bhaarata Naari
Gunda Raajyam
Koduku Diddina Kapuram Sasi Rekha
Vijay Latha
Bhale Donga Rekha
1990 Shatruvu Vijaya
Naagaastram
Kondaveeti Donga Srilekha
Palnaati Rudraiah
Kartavyam Vyjayanthi IPS
Muddula Menalludu Shanti
Lorry Driver Jayamma
1991 Surya IPS Sirisha
Talli Tandrulu Kavitha
Stuartpuram Police Station Alakananda
Gang Leader Kanyakumari
Jaitra Yatra Aruna
1992 Rowdy Inspector Rani Dubbed in Tamil as Auto Raani
Chinarayudu Gowri
Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam Ammulu / Chandrakala
1993 Mechanic Alludu Chitti
Police Lockup Vijaya, Shanti Dual roles
Nippu Ravva Also producer
Aashayam Sarojini Also producer; dubbed in Tamil as Aasayam
Kunthi Putrudu
1994 Rowdy Mogudu
Doragaariki Donga Pellaam Rani
Atha Kodallu
Maga Rayudu Sudharani
Lady Boss Dubbed in Tamil as Lady Boss
1995 Street Fighter Ujjaini
1997 Osey Ramulamma Ramulamma Dubbed in Tamil as Adimai Penn
Rowdy Durbar Yellamma, Durgi
1998 Srivaarante Maa Vaare Nagamani
1999 Bharata Ratna Vijaya / Bhavani Also singer
2000 Sri Srimati Satyabhama Satyabhama
Adavi Chukka Chukkamma, Santhi Also producer
2001 Vyjayanthi Vyjayanthi
2002 Saahasa Baludu Vichitra Kothi
Sambhavi IPS Sambhavi Dubbed in Kannada as Vijayashanthi
Sri Srimathi Sathyabhaama Sathyabhaama
2003 Sivani Sivani
2004 Indiramma Indira
2006 Naayudamma Naayudamma, Jhansi
2020 Sarileru Neekevvaru Bharathi
2025 Arjun Son Of Vyjayanthi Vyjayanthi

Tamil Films

Year Film Role Notes
1980 Kallukkul Eeram Kaathi Debut in Tamil
1981 Rajangam Sathya
Netrikkann Sangeetha
Nenjile Thunivirunthal
Sandhana Malargal
Pattam Parakkattum
1982 Ilanjodigal Geetha
Manjal Nila
Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal
Vedikkai Manidhargal
1983 Neeru Pootha Neruppu
Villiyanur Matha
Thalaimagan
Kalyana Kanavugal
1992 Mannan Shanti Devi
1997 Thadayam Jyothi Producer; dubbed into Telugu as Chattam
1999 Suryodayam Indra
Rajasthan Gayathri
2002 Sri Bannari Amman Amman Dubbed in Telugu as Maha Chandi

Hindi Films

Year Film Role Notes
1989 Eeshwar Lalitha Debut Hindi film
1990 Muqaddar Ka Badshaah Bharthi Rathod
1992 Aparadhi Paro
1994 Tejasvini ASP Tejasvini Joshi Also producer
1997 Gundagardi Deepa

Kannada Films

Year Film Role Notes
1983 Keralida Hennu
Simha Gharjane Lalitha
2001 Vande Matharam Gayatri

Malayalam Films

Year Film Role Notes
1996 Yuvathurki Dubbed in Telugu as Delhi Diary
2000 Kallu Kondoru Pennu Sita
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