Vijaya Nirmala, a prominent figure in South Indian cinema, left an enduring legacy as an actress, director, and producer. Her contributions extended far beyond her on-screen presence, shaping the landscape of Telugu and Malayalam cinema.
Wiki/Biography
Vijaya Nirmala Garu was born on February 20, 1946, in Tamil Nadu, India. She began her career as a child artist, showcasing her talent from a young age. Her early experiences in the film industry laid the foundation for her remarkable career.
Family
While details about her parents and siblings remain scarce, it’s known her father was a film producer. Her personal life was marked by two marriages. She first married Late. Krishna Murthy, later divorcing him to marry the renowned actor, Krishna Ghattamaneni, after a period of courtship.
Her son, Vijaya Naresh, is from her first marriage. She also became stepmother to the well-known actors Ramesh Babu, Mahesh Babu, and actress Manjula, all from her husband Krishna Ghattamaneni’s previous relationship. Her grandson, Naveen Vijaya Krishna, has also followed in her and his father’s footsteps, pursuing an acting career.
| Family Member | Relationship | Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Vijaya Naresh | Son | Actor |
| Ramesh Babu | Stepson | Actor |
| Mahesh Babu | Stepson | Actor |
| Manjula | Stepdaughter | Actress |
| Naveen Vijaya Krishna | Grandson | Actor |
Career
Vijaya Nirmala’s acting debut came at the tender age of four in the Tamil film Machcha Rekhai (1950). Her Telugu film debut followed in 1957 with Panduranga Mahatyam. She later ventured into Malayalam cinema with Bhargavi Nilayam (1964) and made her mark in Tamil mainstream cinema with Enga Veetu Penn (1965).
Beyond acting, she was a prolific director. Her directorial debut, Meena (1971), marked the beginning of her remarkable journey as a filmmaker. This extended to Malayalam cinema with Kavitha (1973). She starred in and directed numerous successful films, including Devadasu (1974), Panchayathi (1977), Hema Hemeelu (1979), and many more, showcasing her versatility.
Notably, she held the Guinness World Record for directing the most number of films by a female director.
Awards/Achievements
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award (2008)
- Guinness World Record for directing the most films (44) by a female director
Favourite Things
Actor: Sivaji Ganesan
Death
Vijaya Nirmala passed away on June 26, 2019, at the age of 73 due to a heart attack at Continental Hospital in Gachibowli, Hyderabad, India.
Facts
- She gained widespread recognition through the Malayalam hit, Bhargavi Nilayam (1964).
- She met her second husband, Krishna Ghattamaneni, on the sets of Saakshi (1967) and they subsequently co-starred in 47 films.
- She owned the production house, Vijaya Krishna Movies, which produced 15 films.
- “Vijaya” wasn’t her birth name; she adopted it after 1965, paying homage to the Vijaya Movie Studio, which gave her a pivotal role.
- She was the aunt of actresses Jayasudha and Subhashini.
