{{Short description|Indian film actress (1946–2019)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox person | image = Vijaya Nirmala.jpg | name = Vijaya Nirmala | birth_date = {{birth date|1946|02|20|df=y}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|06|27|1946|02|20|df=y}} | death_place = Hyderabad, Telangana, India | birth_place = Narasaraopet, Madras Presidency, British India | birth_name = Nidudavolu Nirmala | website = | spouse = {{ubl | {{marriage|K. S. Murthy||end=died}} | Krishna}} | family = See Nidudavolu Family<br/>Ghattamaneni Family | children = Naresh (son)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/mahesh-babu-father-krishna-wife-namrata-shirodkar-pay-their-last-respects-legendary-vijaya-nirmala-458265 |title=Mahesh Babu with father Krishna & wife Namrata Shirodkar pay their last respects to legendary Vijaya Nirmala |date=27 June 2019}}</ref> }} '''Vijaya Nirmala''' (born '''Nidudavolu Nirmala'''; 20 February 1946 – 27 June 2019) was an Indian actress, director, and producer known for her works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with a few Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning over six decades, she acted in more than 200 films and directed 44 films. In 2002, she entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the female director who has directed the most number of films in the world.<ref name="Guinness">{{cite news |date=30 April 2002 |title=Vijayanirmala enters the Guinness |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/vijayanirmala-enters-the-guinness/article28370836.ece |url-status= |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=CH |first=Murali Krishna |date=27 June 2019 |title=Actor-director Vijaya Nirmala passes away |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/jun/27/actor-director-vijaya-nirmala-passes-away-12565.html |website=Cinema Express}}</ref> In 2008, she received the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for lifetime achievement in Telugu cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/ex-actress-director-vijaya-nirmala-dead/articleshow/69980636.cms |title=Ex-actress, director Vijaya Nirmala dies at 73 |date=28 June 2019 |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=1 September 2019}}</ref>
Born as Nirmala, she ventured into acting as a child artist with films like ''Macha Rekai'' (1950) and ''Panduranga Mahatyam'' (1957). She debuted as a lead actress in the 1964 Malayalam film ''Bhargavi Nilayam'' which became one of the biggest hits of that year. She then acted in the Tamil film ''Enga Veettu Penn'' (1965) produced by Vijaya Productions. She added Vijaya to her name as a mark of gratitude to the production house that gave her a break as an artiste. She debuted as a leading lady in Telugu with ''Rangula Ratnam'' (1966).<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />
She made her directorial debut in Telugu with ''Meena'' (1973) and went on to direct over 44 films. She acted with her husband Krishna in over 40 films from ''Sakshi'' (1967) to ''Sri Sri'' (2016) and the duo was considered as a hit pair. She launched her own production house – Vijaya Krishna Movies and went on to produce 15 films under the banner. She also handled the operations of Padmalaya Studios and Padmalaya Tele Films.<ref name=":2" /> Her son Naresh is also a noted actor in Telugu cinema.<ref name=":0" />
== Early life == She was born as Nidudavolu Nirmala on 20 February 1946 into a Telugu Brahmin family settled in Tamil Nadu who were originally from Narasaraopet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actor-director Vijaya Nirmala passes away |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/jun/27/actor-director-vijaya-nirmala-passes-away-12565.html |access-date=10 June 2021 |website=Cinema Express |date=27 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Her father was a film producer. Her paternal grand uncle was scholar and literary historian Nidudavolu Venkatarao.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/300619/jayasudha-remembers-aunt-vijaya-nirmala.html |title=Jayasudha remembers aunt Vijaya Nirmala |first=suresh |last=kavirayani |date=30 June 2019 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> Actress Jayasudha is Venkatrao's granddaughter while singer R. Balasaraswathi Devi is her paternal aunt's daughter.<ref name="auto2"/>
== Personal life ==
Vijaya Nirmala was married to Krishna Murthy and had a son Naresh, who is also an actor.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Y |first=Sunita Chowdhary |date=27 June 2019 |title=Vijaya Nirmala: A full life, in retrosp|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vijaya-nirmala-a-full-life-in-retrospect/article28166938.ece |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> She later married actor Krishna.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 August 2007 |title=Bestowed with bliss |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/08/04/stories/2007080452160600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503091259/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/08/04/stories/2007080452160600.htm |archive-date=3 May 2009}}</ref>
== Career == Vijaya Nirmala entered cinema as a child artist with the Tamil movie ''Macha Rekai'' (1950). At age eleven, she debuted in Telugu films with ''Panduranga Mahatmyam'' (1957). In 1964, she starred opposite Prem Nazir and rose to stardom with the Malayalam film ''Bhargavi Nilayam''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/11/16/stories/2009111651140400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629033144/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/11/16/stories/2009111651140400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |title=Bhargavi Nilayam 1948 |author=B. Vijayakumar |newspaper=The Hindu |date=16 November 2009 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Also, in 1967, she starred again opposite Prem Nazir in ''Udhyogastha'', by P. Venu. She debuted in the Telugu industry in the film ''Rangula Ratnam'' (1966).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/ragupathi-venkaiah-award-to-vijaya-nirmala-news-telugu-kkfqMxaehecsi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819085156/http://www.sify.com/movies/ragupathi-venkaiah-award-to-vijaya-nirmala-news-telugu-kkfqMxaehecsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 August 2016 |title=Ragupathi Venkaiah Award to Vijaya Nirmala |website=Sify |language=en |access-date=1 September 2019}}</ref>
Her first film in Tamil was ''Enga Veettu Penn'' (1965),<ref name="Guinness" /> which was followed by ''Panama Pasama'' (1968), ''Uyira Maanama'' (1968), ''En Annan'' (1970), and ''Gnana Oli'' (1972). She met her second husband Krishna on the sets of ''Sakshi'' (1967), her second film in Telugu, and they starred together in 47 films. It was ''Sakshi'' that kindled her interest in direction. She has acted in over 200 films with 25 each in Malayalam and Tamil, and the remaining in Telugu.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
Her small screen debut came with Balaji Telefilms' ''Pelli Kanuka''. Soon after, she launched her own banner Vijaya Krishna Movies and produced 15 films.<ref name=":1" /> She added Vijaya to her name as a gratitude to the production house.<ref name=":0" /> She made her directorial debut with a Malayalam film on a budget of 3 lakhs. She made her directorial debut in Telugu with ''Meena'' and directed 40 films in Telugu and one film each in Malayalam (directorial debut film) and Tamil (''Kungumachimizh'').<ref name="Guinness" /> The actress-director was based in Hyderabad and managed Padmalaya Studios and Padmalaya Telefilms Ltd.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cgstudionet.com/padmalaya/aboutus.htm |title=About Us |website=Padmalaya Telefilms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211131338/http://cgstudionet.com/padmalaya/aboutus.htm |archive-date=11 February 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=26 February 2011}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=27 June 2019 |title=Veteran director and actor Vijaya Nirmala passes away at 73 |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijaya-nirmala-veteran-director-actor-and-mahesh-babu-s-mother-passes-away-73-104358 |access-date=1 September 2019 |website=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/actress-director-vijaya-nirmala-dies-at-73-2059943 |title=Actress-Director Vijaya Nirmala Dies At 75; Jr NTR And Others Post Tributes |website=NDTV.com |access-date=1 September 2019}}</ref>
== Selected filmography == === Telugu === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Notes |- | 1957 || ''Panduranga Mahatyam'' || Bala Krishnudu | |- | 1958 || ''Bhookailas'' || Goddess Seetha | |- | 1966 || ''Rangula Ratnam'' || | |- | rowspan="2" | 1967 || ''Poola Rangadu'' || Padma | |- | ''Sakshi'' || | |- | rowspan="3" |1968 |''Manchi Kutumbam'' | | |- | ''Asadhyudu'' || Radha | |- | ''Bangaru Gaajulu'' || Radha | |- | rowspan="3" | 1969 || ''Aatmiyulu'' || Saroja | |- |''Muhurtha Balam''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muhurtha Balam Cast and Crew |url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/film/muhurtha-balam}}</ref> |Kamala | |- |''Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka'' |Geeta | |- | rowspan="3" | 1970 || ''Akka Chellelu'' ||Lawyer Vijaya | |- |''Vidhi Vilasam''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vidhi Vilasam (1970) |url=https://indiancine.ma/OEQ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> |Nirmala | |- |''Thaali Bottu'' |Nirmala | |- | rowspan="3" | 1971 || ''Bomma Borusa'' || | |- |''Anuradha''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anuradha 1971 Telugu Movie Cast Crew, Actors, Director, Anuradha Producer, Banner, Music Director, Singers & Lyricists |url=https://moviegq.com/movie/anuradha-1164/cast-crew |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=MovieGQ |language=en}}</ref> |Anuradha | |- | ''Mosagallaku Mosagadu'' || Radha | |- | rowspan="4" | 1972 || ''Tata Manavadu'' || Rani | |- |''Kathula Rathaiah'' | | |- |''Bhale Mosagadu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhale Mosagadu (1972) |url=https://indiancine.ma/OXB |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> |Rani, Agent 117 | |- | ''Pandanti Kapuram''|| | |- | rowspan="8" | 1973 || ''Devudu Chesina Manushulu'' || | |- | ''Sahasame Naa Oopiri'' || | |- | ''Pinni'' || | |- | ''Buddhimantudu'' || | |- | ''Patnavasam'' || | |- | ''Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu'' || Saakhi | |- | ''Marina Manishi'' || | |- | ''Meena'' || Meena | |- | rowspan="4" | 1974 || ''Alluri Seetarama Raju'' || Seeta | |- | ''Devadasu'' || Parvathy | |- | ''Dhanavanthulu Gunavanthulu'' || Padma | |- | ''Bantrotu Bharya'' || | |- |1975 |''Mallela Manasulu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mallela Manasulu on Moviebuff.com |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/mallela-manasulu |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Moviebuff.com}}</ref> |Radha Devi | |- | 1976 || ''Padi Pantalu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Padi Pantalu (1976) |url=https://indiancine.ma/RAZ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>||Radha | |- | 1977 || ''Kurukshetram'' || Subhadra | |- |1978 |''Patnavasam''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patnavasam (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/THH |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> |Geetha | |- | rowspan="2" | 1979 || ''Moodu Puvvulu Aaru Kayalu'' || Gowri, Uma Devi || Dual Role |- |''Hema Hemeelu'' || Vijaya | |- |1987 |''Trimurtulu'' | |Cameo |- |1988 |''Collector Vijaya'' | | |- | rowspan="4" |1989 |''Atha Mechina Alludu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atha Mechina Alludu (1989) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ADMQ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> |Parvathi | |- |''Pinni'' | | |- | ''Sahasame Naa Oopiri'' || Lakshmi | |- |''Gandipeta Rahasyam'' | | |- |1990 |''Prajala Manishi''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prajala Manishi (1990) {{!}} V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date |url=https://www.vcinema.com/movie/about:blank |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=www.vcinema.com |language=en}}</ref> |Jhansi | |- |2005 |''Sravanamasam'' | | |- | 2009 || ''Neramu Siksha'' |Archana | |- |2016 |''Sri Sri'' |Sumathi | |- |}
=== Malayalam === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role |- | 1964 || ''Bhargavi Nilayam''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Makers release statement regarding Neelavelicham songs copyright claims |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/apr/02/opm-cinemas-releases-statement-regarding-neelavelicham-film-songs-copyright-claims-41830.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Cinema Express |date=2 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> ||Bhargavi |- | rowspan="2" | 1965 || ''Rosie'' ||Leena |- | ''Kalyanarathriyil'' ||Karthika |- | 1966 || ''Poochakkanni'' ||Maheshwari |- | rowspan="3"| 1973 || ''Pooja'' ||Radha |- | ''Udhyogastha'' ||Sujatha |- | ''Anweshichu Kandethiyilla'' ||Radhika |- | 1968 || ''Karutha Pournami'' ||Janamma |- | rowspan="2" | 1974 || ''Nishagandhi'' ||Padmini |- | ''Vivaham Swargathil'' ||Lisy |- | 1976 || ''Aana Valarthiya Vanampadiyude Makan'' ||Omana |- | rowspan="7" | 1973 || ''Kalippava'' ||Rani |- | ''Pulliman'' ||Devika |- | ''Postmane Kananilla'' || Nalini |- | ''Thenaruvi'' || Sudha |- | ''Kattuvithachavan'' ||Lakshmi |- | ''Ponnapuram Kotta'' ||Kanni |- | ''Kavitha'' ||Kavitha |- | 1974 || ''Durga'' || Thulasi |- | 1978 || ''Kenalum Collectorum'' ||Indhulekha |}
=== Tamil === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role |- | 1950 || ''Macha Rekai'' || Young Mahalingam |- | 1965 || ''Enga Veetu Penn'' || |- | 1966 || ''Chitthi'' || Saroja |- | 1967 || ''Pandhayam'' || |- | rowspan="6" | 1968 || ''Neelagiri Express'' || Geetha |- | ''Panama Pasama'' ||Kannamma aka Baby |- | ''Siritha Mugam'' || |- | ''Sathiyam Thavaradhey'' || |- | ''Soaappu Seeppu Kannadi'' || Latha |- | ''Uyira Manama'' || |- | 1969 || ''Anbalippu'' || Meena |- | 1970 || ''En Annan'' || Thangam |- | 1971 || ''Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan'' || |- | 1972 || ''Gnana Oli'' || |- | 1974 || ''Puthiya Manithan'' || |- | 1984 || ''Sumangali Kolam'' || |}
=== Director === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 1973 || ''Kavitha'' || Malayalam |- | ''Meena'' || Based on the novel ''Meena'' by Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani which was later adapted into 2016 movie ''A Aa''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/020616/a-aa-movie-review-trivikram-is-back-with-a-bang.html |title=A.. Aa.. movie review: Trivikram is back with a bang |date=2 June 2016 |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |first=Suresh |last=Kavirayani |access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref> |- | 1974 || ''Devadasu'' || |- | rowspan="2"|1976 || ''Devude Gelichadu'' || Remake of Malayalam film ''Yakshagaanam'' |- |''Kavitha'' || |- | 1977 || ''Panchayathi'' || |- | 1978 ||''Rowdy Rangamma'' || |- | rowspan="3" | 1979 || ''Moodu Puvvulu Aaru Kayalu'' || |- |''Sanku Theertham'' || |- | ''Hema Hemeelu'' || |- | rowspan="4" | 1980 || ''Ram Robert Rahim'' || Remake of Hindi film ''Amar Akbar Anthony'' |- | ''Kiladi Krishnudu'' || |- |''Sangham Chekkina Silpalu'' || |- | ''Sirimalle Navvindi'' || |- | rowspan="2" | 1981 || ''Bhogi Mantalu'' || |- | ''Antham Kadidi Aarambam'' || Remake of Kannada film ''Antha'' |- | 1982 || ''Doctor Cine Actor'' || |- | 1983 || ''Bezawada Bebbuli'' || |- | rowspan="2"|1984 || ''Mukhyamantri'' || Remake of Kannada film ''Chakravyuha'' |- | ''Mukkopi'' || |- | rowspan="2"|1985 || ''Lanke Bindelu'' || |- | ''Surya Chandra'' || |- | 1988 ||''Collector Vijaya'' || |- | rowspan="2"|1989 || ''Sahasame Naa Oopiri'' || |- |''Ajatha Satruvu'' || |- | 1990 || ''Prajala Manishi'' || |- | 1991 ||''Vadina Maata'' || |- | 1992 ||''Mogudu Pellala Dongaata'' || |- | 1994 || ''Yes Nenante Nene'' || |- | rowspan="2"|1996 || ''Puttinti Gowravam'' || |- |''Rendu Kutumbala Katha'' || |- | 2009 || ''Neramu Siksha'' || |}
== See also == * Raghupathi Venkaiah Award
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0632560}}
{{Raghupathi Venkaiah Award Recipients}} {{FilmfareLifetimeAchievementAwardSouth}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nirmala, Vijaya}} Category:2019 deaths Category:Telugu film directors Category:Indian women film directors Category:Nandi Award winners Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema Category:Indian film actresses Category:1946 births Category:Film producers from Tamil Nadu Category:Malayalam film directors Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu Category:21st-century Indian people Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:Actresses from Tamil Nadu Category:Women artists from Tamil Nadu Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Telugu women film directors