Vasundhara Devi (born 16 August 1939), known by her stage name Kanchana, is an Indian actress who primarily worked in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films, in addition to Malayalam and Hindi films.
Early life Kanchana was born as Vasundhara Devi on 16 August 1939 in Madras (now Chennai). Her father, Sathyanarayana Sasthri, was a civil engineer and her mother, Vidhyulatha, was a housewife. From a young age, Kanchana exhibited a strong artistic inclination, which was nurtured alongside her academic pursuits. She learned Bharatanatyam at an early age and performed her Arangetram at the Museum Theatre when she was just nine years old.
Kanchana pursued her education at Good Shepherd Convent, where she excelled in her studies. She later attended Ethiraj College for Women, where she continued to distinguish herself as a talented student. During her college years, she began participating in stage plays, notably portraying Celia in As You Like It and Sita in Manohar’s popular play Lankeswaran.
Career Initially interested in a career as an air hostess, Kanchana left college during her Intermediate studies to join Indian Airlines. However, her artistic aspirations soon led her to the film industry. While on a trip to Bombay, director Mahesh Kaul noticed her and offered her a screen test. Around the same time, producer Chezhian introduced her to director C. V. Sridhar at the Madras airport. Sridhar recognized her potential and offered her a role, which she accepted, preferring to start her film career in her hometown.
Film career Kanchana had acted in minor roles in Suvarna sundari / Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam (1957) film and Seeta (1960) film but in January 1963, Kanchana joined Chithralaya as a permanent artist, marking the beginning of her acting career. Sridhar gave her the lead role in his film Kaadhalikka Neramillai (1963) and changed her name to Kanchana, since there was already another actress named Vasundhara Devi, mother of actress Vyjayanthimala. Her performance in the film received critical acclaim, setting the stage for her future success in the film industry.
Kanchana acted in over 150 films – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi, with a successful acting career. She had a successful career in Tamil films, especially between 1964 and 1977 as a lead heroine. Her critically acclaimed films include Kaadhalikka Neramillai, Thedi Vantha Thirumagal, Parakkum Paavai, Kodimalar, Adhey Kangal, Bama Vijayam, Naalum Therindavan, Thangai, Thulabaram, Ponnu Mappilai, Shanti Nilayam, Chella Penn, Uthiravindri Ulle Vaa, Vilaiyaattu Pillai, Sivanda Mann, Nyayam Ketkirom, Avalukendru Or Manam, and Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum. She retired from films in the mid-80s itself.
In 2005, she was presented with the MGR award and in 2007 the ANR Swarna Kankanam award. In Tamil, her pairing with Ravichandran was the most famous with all their films - Adhey Kangal, Kadhalikka Neram Illai, Utharavindri Ullevaa, Kadhal Jyoti, Thedivandha Thirumagal and Naalum Therindavan being hits. She acted in some films with R. Muthuraman including Kaadhalikka Neramillai, Kodimalar, Thulabharam (Tamil version), Thangai, Bama Vijayam and Avalukendru Or Manam. She also acted with Sivaji Ganesan in Sivandha Mann, which was a blockbuster hit along with Vilayattu Pillai and Avan Oru Sarithiram.
She did two films with MGR - Naan Yen Pirandhen and Parakkum Paavai as the second lead heroine of the film. Apart from that, she was paired with many Tamil heroes like A. V. M. Rajan, S. S. Rajendran, Gemini Ganesan, Jaishankar, Ravichandran and Sivakumar in Tamil. Her last film as lead heroine in Tamil was Avan Oru Sarithiram in Tamil and Babruvahana in Kannada, both in 1977. Her performances in the movies Pavitra Bandham & Manchivaadu were well appreciated and recognized.Idle Brain. Idle Brain. Retrieved on 9 June 2012. She played Uttara in the film Veerabhimanyu. The following year she acted in the Annapurna Pictures' film Aatma Gowravam with veteran director K. Viswanath. She acted with Krishnam Raju in some glamorous roles in Neeti Nijayitee (1972), Parivartana (1975), Nenante Nene and Dharma Daata in addition to Shri Krishnavataram (1967).
After her retirement as a heroine, she acted in supporting roles in films such as Ananda Bhairavi, Srimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra, Johnny and Mouna Ragam. Kanchana appeared in an OLX commercial (Telugu/Tamil) in 2015. She made her comeback to films with Arjun Reddy in 2017 as the titular character's grandmother.
Personal life The actress later won back her properties in T. Nagar, Chennai around 6 grounds, with the Court ruling against her parents. It was learned that one day her father took the signature of Kanchana on a white paper and without her knowledge converted total assets on his name. After a long legal battle, she won and regained her wealth. . Kanchana along with her sister, Girija, donated their property in Chennai, then worth around Rs. 100 crores, to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010. She is currently residing in Bangalore.
Filmography
Telugu Year Movie Role Notes 1957 Suvarna Sundari NagakanyaCredited as Vasundhara 1960 Bhatti Vikramarka Goddess Kali 1965 Aatma Gowravam Savitri/Sarala Preminchi Choodu Kanchanamala Veerabhimanyu Uttara 1966 Navarathri Patient Cameo appearance Dr. Anand Vijaya 1967 Ave Kallu Susheela Prana Mithrulu Padmavathi Kanchu Kota Dancer Cameo appearance Private Master Sundari Sri KrishnavataramSathyabhama Marapurani Katha 1968 Manchi Kutumbam Sharadha Bandhipotu Dongalu Malli Nenante Nene Geetha Deva Kanya Kinnera/Lalasa Veeranjaneya Sulochana Thalli Prema Kalisochina Adrushtam Sobha Vintha KapuramVijaya Bhale Kodallu 1969 Bhale Mastaru Vijaya Manushulu Marali Saptaswaralu Natakala Rayudu Geetha Devi Jarigina Katha 1970 Dharma Daata Padma 1971 Kalyana Mandapam Devadasi Pavitra Bandham Amaayakuraalu Shobha Rangeli Raja Vijaya Andam Kosam Pandem Malathi 1972 Raitu Kutumbam Radha Manchi Rojulu Vachchaayi Geetha Vamsodharakudu 1973 Pedda Koduku Bhakta Tukaram Bahina Bai Devudu Chesina Manushulu Geetha Manchivadu Lalitha Talli Kodukulu 1974 Tatamma Kala Seetha 1975 Maya Maschindra Mohini Annadammula Anubandham Geetha 1976 Mahakavi Kshetrayya Secretary Rekha Rani 1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna Subhadra Indradhanusu Raja Ramesh Padmaja 1978KalanthakuluKamalaDongala DopidiGowriIndradhanussuSaraswathi 1979 Driver Ramudu Kalavathi 1981 Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu Kamala1982Naa Desam Saraswati Devi 1983 Anandha Bhairavi 1984 Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami CharitraGovindamma 1985 Sri Datta Darsanam1986Kirayi MoguduJanakiJayam ManadeSavithriSri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam1988Premayanam 2017 Arjun Reddy Arjun's grandmother
Tamil Year Movies Role Note 1964 Kaadhalikka Neramillai Kanchana Debut film 1965 Veera Abhimanyu Uttara 1966 Motor Sundaram Pillai Kamala Thedi Vantha Thirumagal Susheela Parakkum Paavai Shantha Kodimalar Parvathi Marakka Mudiyumaa? 1967 Adhey Kangal Susheela Bama Vijayam Seetha Thangai Lalitha 1968 Naalum Therindhvan Mala 1969 Chella Penn Ponnu Mappillai Bhuvana Shanti Nilayam Malathi Thulabaram Vatsala Sivandha Mann Chitralekha 1970 Noorandu Kalam Vazhga Leela Vilaiyaattu Pillai Indu Kadhal Jothi Dr. Suguna 1971 Avalukendru Or Manam Meena Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa Janaki 1972 Naan Yen Pirandhen Radha 1973 Nyayam Ketkirom 1975 Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum 1977 Avan Oru Sarithiram Kalpana 1979 Ninaivil Oru Malar Neethiyaa Nyayamaa Jaya Nee Jayichutte 1980 Johnny Johnny's mother 1981 Lorry Driver Rajakannu Ramu's wife 1982 Pagadai Panirendu Anand's mother 1985 Kattukkulle Thiruvizha 1986 Mouna Raagam Lawyer Kulirkaala Megangal Maheswari 1987 Naanum Neeyum Kizhakku Africavil Sheela Kumudha
Kannada Year Film Role Notes 1977 Babruvahana Uloochi 1978 Nanobba Kalla Savitri Shankar Guru Sumati 1980 Biligiriya Banadalli Aarada Gaaya Mangala 1981 Jeevakke Jeeva Seetha Bhagyavantha 1982 Nyaya Ellide Durga Pedda Gedda Prachanda Kulla Rama's mother 1983 Anandha Bhairavi Bhakta Prahlada Diti 1984 Maryade Mahalu Raktha Thilaka Durga Bandhana Pralayanthaka Samayada Gombe Kamakshi 1985 Veeradhi Veera Nanna Prathigne Mangala Chaduranga Dr. Maheshwari Bidugadeya Bedi Ratna 1986 Ratha Sapthami Sharada Beegara Pandya Africadalli Sheela 1987 Vijayothsava Jayasimha 1988 Chiranjeevi Sudhakar Dharma Pathni Devatha Manushya
Malayalam Year Movie Role 1973 Azhakulla Saleena Lucyamma 1977 Ammaayi Amma 1979 Nithya Vasantham Rakthamillatha Manushyan 1982 Ina Aunty 1984 Sreekrishna Parunthu Kumaran's mother 1985Pournami Raavil 3DNjaan Piranna Naattil Nandini
Hindi Year Movie Role Note 1967 Farz Kamala 1968 Teen Bahuraniyan Seeta 1970 Samaj Ko Badal Dalo Vimla 1974 Prem Nagar Dancer 1987 Sheela
Awards
She was presented with the MGR award in 2005. ANR Swarna Kankanam award in 2007. Kalaimamani award for her distinguished services for Tamil Cinema by the Government of Tamil Nadu, 2013 Karnataka Rajyotsava Award by State Government Of Karnataka in 2017
References
External links