Vijaya Shanthi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vijaya Shanthi
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Member of Legislative Council Telangana |
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Assumed office 30 March 2025 |
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Constituency | Elected by MLAs |
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
In office 2009–2014 |
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Preceded by | A. Narendra |
Succeeded by | Kotha Prabhakar Reddy |
Constituency | Medak |
Personal details | |
Born |
Satti Vijaya Shanthi
24 June 1966 Madras, Madras State, India |
Political party |
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Other political affiliations |
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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.
Contents
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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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1983 | Keralida Hennu | ||
Simha Gharjane | Lalitha | ||
2001 | Vande Matharam | Gayatri |
Malayalam Films
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
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1996 | Yuvathurki | Dubbed in Telugu as Delhi Diary | |
2000 | Kallu Kondoru Pennu | Sita |