{{short description|Indian actress}} {{Indian patronymic|Vani|Viswanath}} {{Infobox person | name = Vani Viswanath | image = | caption = Vani Viswanath in the Movie ''[[Susanna (2000 film)| Susanna (2000)]]'' | image_upright = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_date = | birth_place = [[Ollur]], [[Thrissur]], Kerala | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1986–present | spouse = {{marriage |[[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj]]|2002}} | children = 4 | awards = {{Awards|[[Kerala State Film Awards]]|2000}} }} '''Vani Viswanath''' is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in [[Malayalam]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] films.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/infocus_interview-article-210230 |title=In Focus interview - Vani Viswanath |language=ml |work=Mathrubhumi |access-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127015107/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/infocus_interview-article-210230 |archive-date=27 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2000, Vani won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress]] for her performance in ''[[Susanna (2000 film)|Susanna]]'', directed by [[T. V. Chandran]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/20010316/renews.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209071037/http://www.screenindia.com/old/20010316/renews.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 December 2008 |title=Kerala State Film Awards - 2000 |date=16 March 2001 |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]] |access-date=3 December 2009}}</ref> She was termed as [[Mollywood movie|Mollywood]]'s "Action Queen".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article304239.ece |title=With guns blazing |work=The Hindu |date=25 March 2010 |access-date=4 November 2011}}</ref> In 2017, she joined in [[Telugu Desam Party]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=kavirayani |first=suresh |date=15 September 2017 |title=Vani Viswanath confirms political entry; joins TDP |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/150917/vani-viswanath-confirms-political-entry-joins-tdp.html |access-date=2 October 2020 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life== Vani was born in [[Ollur]], [[Thrissur]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Express News |title=Rs 3.14 crore cheating case filed against actor-couple Baburaj and Vani Viswanath |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/Jul/18/rs-314-crore-cheating-case-filed-against-actor-couple-baburaj-and-vani-viswanath-2477898.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=18 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> as the fourth among five children of astrologer Vishwanathan and Girija. She did her schooling at [[St. Raphael's Convent Girls High School, Ollur]], and thereafter at Chennai. When she was 13, her father predicted through astrology that she would become an actor, and also that she would join politics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/210231/ |title='ഇടി'ക്കാരുടെ വീട്ടില് പൊട്ടിച്ചിരികള്, Interview - Mathrubhumi Movies |website=mathrubhumi.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826135835/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/210231/ |archive-date=26 August 2011}}</ref>
==Career== She has appeared predominantly in [[Malayalam]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] movies. She acted in ''[[The King (1995 film)|The King]]'' with [[Mammootty]] and in Usthad with Mohanlal and in Chinthamani Kolacase with Suresh Gopi respectively. She also appeared in Kannada and Tamil movies. She was among the big stars of her time in [[South India]]. Her [[Telugu cinema|Tollywood]] movie ''[[Gharana Mogudu]]'' with Tollywood superstar, [[Chiranjeevi]] was a huge hit. Vani also acted in two Hindi film with [[Mithun Chakraborty]] in ''[[Jung (1996 film)|Jung]]'' and ''[[Bhishma (1996 film)|Bhishma]]''.
==Personal life== While acting in several films with [[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj]], she fell in love with him. The couple got married in 2002 and have two children.<ref>{{cite web |title=എന്റെ സൂപ്പര്സ്റ്റാര്; വാണിക്കൊപ്പമുള്ള ചിത്രം പങ്കുവയ്ച്ച് ബാബുരാജ്! |date=8 July 2021 |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/vani-viswanath-babu-raj-new-photo-viral-movies-couple-goals-1.5813816}}</ref>
==Awards== ;[[Kerala State Film Awards]] * 2000 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress| Kerala State Film for the Second Best Actress]] - ''[[Susanna (2000 film)|Susanna]]''<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20090906133226/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/03/06/stories/0406211e.htm "'Sayahnam' bags seven awards"]}}</ref>
==Filmography==
===Malayalam=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1987 || ''Mangalya Charthu'' || Sithara || Debut Film |- | 1988 || ''[[Evidence (1988 film)|Evidence]]'' || Dahlia || |- | 1992 || ''Aadyaraathrikku Munpu'' || || |- | rowspan="5" |1995 |''[[Sipayi Lahala]]'' |Radhika | |- |''[[Mannar Mathai Speaking]]'' |Meera Varma/Stella Fernandez | |- |''[[Mangalam Veettil Manaseswari Gupta]]'' |Maya Surendran/Manaseswari Gupta | |- | ''[[The King (1995 film)|The King]]'' || Anuradha Mukharji || |- | ''[[Thakshashila]]'' || Amalendu || |- | rowspan="5" |1996 | ''Swarnakireedam'' || Sindhu || |- | ''[[Man of the Match (film)|Man of the Match]]'' || Sonia || |- | ''[[Mandrika Kuthira]]'' || Ancy Sunny || |- | ''[[Kaliveedu]]'' || Yamini Menon || |- | ''[[Hitler (1996 film)|Hitler]]'' || Ammu || |- | rowspan="6" |1997 | ''[[The Good Boys]]'' || ||Cameo Appearance |- | ''Poothumbiyum Poovalanmarum'' || Nanditha || |- | ''[[Kilukil Pambaram]]'' || Sugandhi || |- |''[[Kannur]]'' |Annie Rozario | |- |''[[Janathipathyam]]'' |Maya Pillai | |- |''[[Anubhoothi]]'' |Radha | |- | rowspan="5" |1998 |''Ilamura Thamburan'' |Urmila | |- |''Harthal'' |Mekhamala S Thampy | |- |''Dravidan'' |Jiji Philipose | |- |''[[Panchaloham]]'' |Jagadha | |- |''[[The Truth (1998 film)|The Truth]]'' |SP Meena Nambiar IPS | |- | rowspan="8" |1999 |''[[Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum]]'' |Jayanthi | |- |''[[Ustaad (1999 film)|Ustaad]]'' |Commissioner Varsha Varma | |- |''[[The Godman]]'' |Adv. Aswathy Menon | |- |''[[Thachiledathu Chundan]]'' |Ambika | |- |''[[James Bond (1999 film)|James Bond]]'' |Dayana IPS | |- |''[[Captain (1999 film)|Captain]]'' |Renuka Varma | |- |''[[Independence (1999 film)|Independence]]'' |Indu | |- |''[[Garshom]]'' |Sushama | |- | rowspan="6" |2000 |''[[The Gang (film)|The Gang]]'' |Kathy Saimon | |- |''India Gate'' |Parvathi Sharma | |- |''Rapid Action Force'' |Adithya Varma IPS | |- |''[[Ival Draupadi]]'' |Ajitha Madhavan | |- |''[[Indriyam]]'' |Neeli | |- |''[[Susanna (2000 film)|Susanna]]'' |Susanna | |- | rowspan="2" |2001 |''[[Ee Nadu Innale Vare]]'' |Beena Benjamin IPS | |- |''[[Nagaravadhu]]'' |Sukanya | |- | rowspan="7" |2002 |''India Gate'' |IPS Officer | |- |''[[Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha]]'' |Unniyarcha | |- |''Ente Hridhayathinte Udama'' |Uma | |- |''Ee Bhargavee Nilayam'' |Bhargavi | |- |''Akhila'' |Akhila | |- |''Bheri'' |Vasudha Nedungadi | |- |''[[Dany (film)|Danny]]'' |Margarette | |- | rowspan="2" |2006 |''[[Balram Vs Tharadas]]'' |MLA Rani | |- |''[[Chinthamani Kolacase]]'' |Adv.Pattammal | |- |2008 |''[[Twenty:20 (film)|Twenty:20]]'' |in the Title Song |Archive Footage Only |- |2009 |''[[Black Dalia]]'' |Daisy Wilfred IPS | |- | rowspan="2" |2011 |''[[Manushyamrugam]]'' | |Producer only |- |''[[Uppukandam Brothers Back In Action]]'' |Kochammini | |- | rowspan=2|2024 || ''[[Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam]]'' ||Sivamalli ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2024 |title=Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam trailer promises a gripping investigative thriller |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Oct/27/oru-anweshanathinte-thudakkam-trailer-promises-a-gripping-investigative-thriller |access-date=12 November 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''[[Rifle Club (film)|Rifle Club]]'' || Ittiyanam || <ref>{{Cite web |last=Santhosh |first=Vivek |date=11 November 2024 |title=Vineeth Kumar is Shajahan in Aashiq Abu's Rifle Club |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Nov/11/vineeth-kumar-is-shajahan-in-aashiq-abus-rifle-club |access-date=12 November 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | 2025 || ''[[Azadi (2025 film)|Azadi]]'' || Rani ||<ref>{{cite news|title=Azadi' review: Sreenath Bhasi stars in an engaging prison break film with strong performances|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2025/05/23/azadi-movie-review-malayalam-film-sreenath-bhasi-raveena-ravi-lal-vani-viswanath.html|work=Onmanorama|access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref> |- | 2026 || {{Pending film| Varavu}} || {{TableTBA}} ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-31 |title=Joju George's Varavu gets release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2026/Mar/31/joju-georges-varavu-gets-release-date |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- |}
===Telugu=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan=2 | 1988 || ''Chinni Krishnudu'' || || |- | ''[[Dharma Teja]]'' || Vichya || |- | rowspan=4 | 1989 || ''[[Simha Swapnam]]'' || Kavita || |- | ''Bhale Dampatulu'' || Vani || |- | ''Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham'' || Sumithra || |- | ''[[Sahasame Naa Oopiri]]'' || Padmini || |- | rowspan=10 | 1990 || ''Kondaveeti Rowdy'' || Rekha || |- | ''Neti Dowrjanyam'' || Swathi ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neti Dowrjanyam (1990) Telugu Movie: Watch Full HD Movie Online On JioCinema |url=https://www.jiocinema.com/movies/neti-dowrjanyam/3496275 |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=jiocinema.com |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''[[Kodama Simham]]'' || Bar servant || |- | ''[[Dagudumuthala Dampathyam]]'' || Rekha || |- | ''[[Mama Alludu]]'' || Jaya || |- | ''Maa Inti Katha'' || Gouri || |- | ''Doctor Bhavani'' || Meghamala || |- | ''Rowdyism Nashinchali'' || Devi || |- | ''[[Prema Yuddham]]'' || Julie || |- | ''[[Aayudham (1990 film)|Aayudham]]'' || Rangamma || |- | rowspan=5 | 1991 || ''Chinna Kodalu'' || Durga || |- | ''Irugillu Porugillu'' || Subbulu || |- | ''[[Parishkaram]]'' || Jyothi || |- | ''[[Sarpayagam]]'' || Chitrangi || |- | ''Nenera Police'' || Vani || |- | rowspan=8 | 1992 || ''Collector Gaari Alludu'' || Madhuri || |- | ''[[Gharana Mogudu]]'' || Bhavani || |- | ''Seetapathi Chalo Tirupathi'' || Aliveelu Mangatayaru || |- | ''Palleturi Pellam'' || Kanakadurga Devi || |- | ''Alexander'' || Vaani || |- | ''[[Samrat Ashoka]]'' || Tishya Raksha || |- | ''Vadinagaari Gajulu'' || Janaki || |- | ''SP Teja'' || || |- | rowspan=4 | 1993 || ''[[Joker (1993 film)|Joker]]'' || Usha Rani || |- | ''Ladies Special'' || Hema || |- | ''Mama Kodalu'' || Deepa || |- | ''Prema Chitram Pelli Vichitram'' || Usha || |- | rowspan=7 | 1994 || ''[[Gangmaster (film)|Gangmaster]]'' || Swapna || |- | ''Raitu Bharatam'' || Sita || |- | ''Prema & Co.'' || Sundari || |- | ''Presidentugari Alludu'' || Lavanya || |- | ''Maro Quit India'' || Durga || |- | ''Dongala Rajyam'' || Vyjayanthi || |- | ''Todi Kodallu'' || Jyoti || |- | 1995 || ''God Father'' || Rani || |- | 1998 || ''Adavilo Arunakka'' || || |- | rowspan=2 | 2002 || ''[[Action No. 1]]'' || Kiran || |- | ''Janam'' || Inspector Swapna || |- | 2006 || ''Mudhu'' || || |- | 2011 || ''Ratnavali'' || || |- | 2017 || ''[[Jaya Janaki Nayaka]]'' || Narayana's sister || |- | 2020 || ''[[Orey Bujjiga]]'' || Chamundeswari || |- | 2024 || ''[[Raajadhani Files]]'' || Farmer || |- |}
===Tamil=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1986 || ''[[Mannukkul Vairam]]'' || Chinnathayee || |- | rowspan=4 | 1988 || ''[[Nallavan (1988 film)|Nallavan]]'' || Radha || |- | ''[[Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran|Poonthotta Kaavalkaran]]'' || Vidhya || |- | ''[[Thaimel Aanai]]'' || Vijaya || |- | ''[[Ithu Engal Neethi]]'' || || |- | 1989 || ''Sanghu Pushpangal'' || Rosy || |- | 1997 || ''My India'' || Malavika || |- | 2002 || ''[[Jaya (film)|Jaya]]'' || || |- | 2005 || ''[[Idhaya Thirudan]]'' || Sudharani || |- | 2012 || ''Anandha Thollai'' || || |- |}
===Kannada=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1989 || ''[[Parashuram (1989 film)|Parashuram]]'' || Usha || |- | rowspan=2 | 1990 || ''Sididedda Gandu'' || Anitha || |- | ''Ranabheri'' || Rosy || |- | rowspan=2 | 1991 || ''Bombay Dada'' || Veena || |- | ''[[Mangalya (film)|Mangalya]]'' || Lavanya || |- |}
===Hindi=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1994 || ''[[Zakhmi Sipahi]]'' ||Priya || |- | rowspan=2 | 1996 || ''[[Jung (1996 film)|Jung]]'' || Laxmi Saxena || |- | ''[[Bhishma (1996 film)|Bhishma]]'' || Paro || |- |}
==Television== *''Mattoruval'' (2010) as Annie/Geetha Varma ([[Surya TV]]) *''Kaatrinile Varum Geetham'' as Gayathri Devi ([[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]) *''Samudram'' (2011) *''Dear Kairali'' (2002) - ([[Surya TV]]) as Host
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name}} * {{rotten tomatoes}} * [http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Vani%20Viswanath&limit=43 Vani Viswanath at MSI] {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Viswanath, Vani}} [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]] [[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]] [[Category:Indian film actresses]] [[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]] [[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]] [[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]] [[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]] [[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]] [[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]] [[Category:Actresses from Thrissur]] [[Category:St. Raphael's Convent Girls High School alumni]] [[Category:Telugu Desam Party politicians]] [[Category:Malayali politicians]] [[Category:Indian actor-politicians]] [[Category:Women in Andhra Pradesh politics]] [[Category:Actresses in Malayalam television]] [[Category:Actresses in Tamil television]]