Anjali Devi
Encyclopedia
Anjali Devi (born 24 August 1927) is a veteran Telugu
actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita
in Lava Kusha
and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari
and Anarkali
.
, East Godavari
district in Andhra Pradesh
state, India
, and later settled in Chennai
. She was a theater artist before entering into movies. Her film debut was as Lohitasya in Raja Harishchandra in 1936. Her first movie as heroine was Kashtajeevi by L. V. Prasad
1n 1940 but that movie was abandoned after three reels shooting.Later C.Pullayya found her given opportunity hevenly beauty Mohini in Gollabhama.Her expepressions and looks she became star over night in 1947 after that she never looked back. She eventually acted in more than 350 Telugu films and also in a few Tamil
and Kannada films as the heroine.
She married P. Adinarayana Rao
, a music director, in 1940. The couple was blessed with two sons chinna rao(1943) and kumar(1945) . Together they produced many Telugu films under the banner of Anjali Pictures
. She acted in Lava Kusha
, a milestone film and the first color film in the Telugu film industry in 1963. She acted in various roles like damsel, angel, dancer, demon, goddess, traditional woman and later in mother characters. Her granddaughter Saila Rao is also an actress.
(1992), Anna Vadina (1993) and Police Alludu (1994) were the last few films of her career. In Balaiah's Police Alludu and Anna Vadina she appeared alongside Brahmanandam.
as Salim. Then she produced V. Madhusudan Rao's Bhakta Tukaram and Chandipriya. Bollywood and Tollywood actress Jayapradha played the lead role in her film Chandipriya alongside Shobhan Babu and Chiranjeevi
.
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
in Lava Kusha
Lava Kusha
Lava Kusha is a classical Telugu cinema directed by C. S. Rao and Chittajallu Pullayya and the story of the movie is written by Samudrala Raghavacharya. It is produced by A Shankara Reddy under Lalitha Siva Jyoti Pictures. The movie was released on 29 March 1963 and instantly became one of the...
and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari
Suvarna Sundari
Suvarna Sundari is a popular Telugu film produced in 1957 in the golden era of Telugu film industry.It was directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner...
and Anarkali
Anarkali
Anarkali ; Anārkalī ) was a legendary slave girl from Lahore, Punjab . During the Mughal period, she was supposedly ordered to be buried alive between two walls by Mughal emperor Akbar for having an illicit relationship with the Prince Nuruddin Saleem later to become Emperor Jahangir...
.
Biography
She hails from PeddapuramPeddapuram
Peddapuram is an important Municipal town in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in South India. It is also capital town for Peddapuram Mandal.- Geography :Peddapuram is located at . It has an average elevation of 35 metres ....
, East Godavari
East Godavari
East Godavari District is a district situated on the northeast of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Its district headquarters is Kakinada. It is the second richest district in the whole country...
district in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
state, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and later settled in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. She was a theater artist before entering into movies. Her film debut was as Lohitasya in Raja Harishchandra in 1936. Her first movie as heroine was Kashtajeevi by L. V. Prasad
L. V. Prasad
Akkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasada Rao , more popularly known as L. V. Prasad was an Indian film producer and actor. He was a recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema from the Government of India for the year 1982...
1n 1940 but that movie was abandoned after three reels shooting.Later C.Pullayya found her given opportunity hevenly beauty Mohini in Gollabhama.Her expepressions and looks she became star over night in 1947 after that she never looked back. She eventually acted in more than 350 Telugu films and also in a few Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Kannada films as the heroine.
She married P. Adinarayana Rao
P. Adinarayana Rao
Penupatruni Adinarayana Rao , also known as P. Adinarayana Rao was a reputed Telugu music director, film producer, lyricist and play writer from south Indian film industry....
, a music director, in 1940. The couple was blessed with two sons chinna rao(1943) and kumar(1945) . Together they produced many Telugu films under the banner of Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures
Anjali Pictures is an Indian film production house owned by famous music director P. Adinarayana Rao and versatile film actress Anjali Devi.-Films Produced:* Pardesi * Poongothai , Tamil version of Pardesi.* Anarkali...
. She acted in Lava Kusha
Lava Kusha
Lava Kusha is a classical Telugu cinema directed by C. S. Rao and Chittajallu Pullayya and the story of the movie is written by Samudrala Raghavacharya. It is produced by A Shankara Reddy under Lalitha Siva Jyoti Pictures. The movie was released on 29 March 1963 and instantly became one of the...
, a milestone film and the first color film in the Telugu film industry in 1963. She acted in various roles like damsel, angel, dancer, demon, goddess, traditional woman and later in mother characters. Her granddaughter Saila Rao is also an actress.
As actress
In 1936 she appeared in a minor role in Raja Harishchandra and then played the lead role in L. V. Prasad's Kashtajeevi. She is well known for playing Sita in Lava Kusha and her performances in films like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali were also appreciated. She has acted in more than 350 films, which includes Telugu, Tamil and Kannada language films. BrundavanamBrundavanam
For the 2010 Telugu film, see BrindavanamBrundavanam is a 1993 Telugu Drama film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao.-The plot:...
(1992), Anna Vadina (1993) and Police Alludu (1994) were the last few films of her career. In Balaiah's Police Alludu and Anna Vadina she appeared alongside Brahmanandam.
As producer
In 1955 she produced the film Anarkali, in which she herself played the lead role of Anarkali, with Akkineni Nageswara RaoAkkineni Nageswara Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao , also known as ANR, is a Telugu cinema actor from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. Nageswara Rao has worked in several genres of films in his 70-year acting career, including mythological, social, and drama films...
as Salim. Then she produced V. Madhusudan Rao's Bhakta Tukaram and Chandipriya. Bollywood and Tollywood actress Jayapradha played the lead role in her film Chandipriya alongside Shobhan Babu and Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...
.
Awards
- She received the Raghupathi Venkaiah AwardRaghupathi Venkaiah AwardThe Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu Award is an annual award introduced to recognize people for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the Telugu film industry....
in 2005 for her lifetime service to the Telugu film industry. - She was conferred the Ramineni Award in 2006 in the fine arts category.
- She received the prestigious ANR National AwardANR National AwardThe ANR National Award is an annual award to recognize people for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the Indian film industry.The Award was instituted in the honour of versatile actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao or ANR. ANR National Award was first awarded to veteran bollywood actor Dev...
in 2008.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Language | Character | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Balaraju Balaraju Balaraju is a 1948 Tellugu film directed and produced by Ghantasala Balaramaiah. It is the fist Silver Jubilee Telugu film starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, S. Varalakshmi and Anjali Devi.-The Plot:... |
Telugu | ||
| 1949 | Keelu Gurram Keelu Gurram Keelugurram or Keelu Gurram is a 1949 Telugu film produced and directed by Raja of Mirzapur under Shobhanachala Pictures. Famous writer Tapi Dharma Rao wrote the story, dialogues and lyrics for the film. This is debut film of Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao as music director... |
Telugu | Mohini | |
| 1950 | Palleturi Pilla | Telugu | Santha | |
| Swapna Sundari Swapna Sundari (film) Swapna Sundari is a 1950 Telugu film produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramaiah. It was dubbed into Tamil with the same name.-The plot:... |
Telugu | Swapna Sundari | ||
| 1951 | Nirdoshi Nirdoshi Nirdoshi or Niraparadhi is a 1951 Telugu/Tamil film produced and directed by H. M. Reddy. Mukkamala Krishna Murthy played role of hero whereas Anjali Devi played double role. This film is remembered for the difficult portrayal of Anjali Devi... |
Telugu | Nirmala | |
| Niraparadhi | Tamil | |||
| Sarvadhikari Sarvadhikari (film) Sarvadhikari is a Tamil language musical film starring M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role and M. N. Nambiar as the villain. The film was released in 1951. It established Nambiar as a major star. It was the 25th film for MGR.... |
Tamil | |||
| 1953 | Pakkinti Ammayi Pakkinti Ammayi Pakkinti Ammayi or Pakka Inti Ammayi is a 1953 Telugu comedy film produced by East Indian Company and directed by Chittajalu Pullayya. It is based on a Bengali story "Pasher Bari" by Arun Chowdhury. The film featured Anjali Devi as the beautiful neighbour girl... |
Telugu | Leela Devi | |
| 1954 | Rechukka Rechukka Rechukka is a 1954 Telugu film directed by Ghantasala Balaramaiah and P. Pullaiah and produced by Ghantasala Krishnamurthy. N. T. Rama Rao acted in the lead role as prince. Devika debuted in the film as Princess... |
Telugu | Nana | |
| Sangham Sangham Sangham is a 1954 Telugu Romantic comedy film written by V.S.Venkatasalam and directed by M. V. Raman. The film starred Vyjayanthimala, N. T. Rama Rao, S. Balachander and Anjali Devi in the lead while Chittor V. Nagaiah, V. K. Ramasamy, K. N. Kamlam, K.R. Chellam and K. Sankarapani as the ensemble... |
Telugu | |||
| 1955 | Anarkali Anarkali (1955 Telugu film) Anarkali is a 1955 Telugu romance film based on the love story between Prince Salim and Anarkali, courtesan in Moghul emperor, Akbar.-Cast:*Anjali Devi as Anarkali*Akkineni Nageshwara Rao as Salim*S. V. Ranga Rao as Akbar*Kannamba *Chittor V... |
Telugu | Anarkali | |
| 1956 | Devta Devta (film) Devta is a 1956 Hindi Black-and-white swashbuckler film written by Sadasiva Bramham and directed by Pattana. The film had Vyjayanthimala in the title role with Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi in the lead while Agha, Bipin gupta, Daisy Irani, Krishna Kumari and M. N. Nambiar forms an ensemble cast... |
Hindi | ||
| 1957 | Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam is a 1957 Telugu Drama film directed by T. R. Raghunath and produced by T. S. Balaiah.It is based on the story of Alladin and his Magic lamp.... |
Telugu | Yasmin, the Princess | |
| Panduranga Mahatyam Panduranga Mahatyam (film) Panduranga Mahatyam is a 1957 Telugu film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and starring N. T. Rama Rao playing the role of Pundarika. The Lyrics written by Samudrala Ramanujacharya are excellent... |
Telugu | Rama | ||
| Suvarna Sundari Suvarna Sundari Suvarna Sundari is a popular Telugu film produced in 1957 in the golden era of Telugu film industry.It was directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner... |
Telugu | |||
| 1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi Chenchu Lakshmi * Aananda Maaye * Adhigo Kanalera * Chettulekka Galava... |
Telugu | ||
| 1959 | Jayabheri Jayabheri Jayabheri is a 1959 Telugu musical hit film directed by P. Pullaiah and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi in lead roles. The film is based on the 1947 production by V. Shantaram, titled Lokshahir Ram Joshi in Marathi and Matwala Shayar Ram Joshi in Hindi.-The plot:The story setting... |
Telugu | Manjulavani | |
| 1960 | Bhatti Vikramarka Bhatti Vikramarka Bhatti Vikramarka is a 1960 Telugu film directed by Jampana Chandrasekhara Rao and produced by Polisetty Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Murthy. It is a commercial hit film ran for 100-days.-The plot:... |
Telugu | ||
| 1962 | Bhishma Bhishma (film) Bhishma or Bheeshma is a 1962 Telugu film based on the life of the great Mahabharata character Bhishma. It is produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao. The title role is played by N. T. Rama Rao.-The plot:... |
Telugu | Amba | |
| 1963 | Lava Kusha Lava Kusha Lava Kusha is a classical Telugu cinema directed by C. S. Rao and Chittajallu Pullayya and the story of the movie is written by Samudrala Raghavacharya. It is produced by A Shankara Reddy under Lalitha Siva Jyoti Pictures. The movie was released on 29 March 1963 and instantly became one of the... |
Telugu | Sita SITA SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry... |
|
| 1966 | Chilaka Gorinka | Telugu | ||
| Palnati Yudham Palnati Yudham Palnati Yudham is a 1947 historical based on the battle of Palnadu. This film is directed by L. V. Prasad and Gudavalli Ramabramham. The film starring Govindarajula Subba Rao, Pasupuleti Kannamba and Akkineni Nageswara Rao.-Soundtrack:... |
Telugu | |||
| Rangula Ratnam Rangula Ratnam Rangula Ratnam is a Telugu movie directed by B. N. Reddy, starring Chandra Mohan, Vanisri and Anjali Devi, under the banner of Vahini pictures. It is a social and political sattire involving a middle class family in the backdrop of politics and elections. The film bagged golden Nandi Award in the... |
Telugu | |||
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada Bhakta Prahlada Bhakta Prahlada means "devotee Prahlada", a devotional character in Hindu mythology. It may refer to:-Films:* Bhakta Prahlada - first Telugu talkie movie made in 1931 under the krishna movies banner by H. M... |
Telugu | Leelavati | |
| Rahasyam Rahasyam (1967 film) Rahasyam is a 1967 Telugu film produced by A. Shankar Reddy starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and B. Saroja Devi in lead roles. It was a musical hit with many songs are remembered by Telugu people even today.-Songs:... |
Telugu | |||
| 1971 | Kalyana Mandapam Kalyana Mandapam Kalyana Mandapam is a 1971 Telugu-language film starring Shobhan Babu, Kanchana, Kongara Jaggaiah, Anjali, Gummadi and others. The film was distributed by Anjali Pictures and directed by V... |
Telugu | ||
| 1972 | Badi Panthulu Badi Panthulu Badi Panthulu is a 1972 Telugu Drama film directed by P. Chandrasekhara Reddy and starring N. T. Rama Rao and Anjali Devi. This is the first film of popular actress Sridevi.... |
Telugu | ||
| Bala Bharatam Bala Bharatam Bala Bharatam is a 1972 Telugu film wherein most of the characters are played by children. The child actors include Baby Sridevi and Master Prabhakar.-Story:... |
Telugu | |||
| Tata Manavadu Tata Manavadu Tata Manavadu or Thatha Manavadu is a 1972 Telugu film directed by Dasari Narayana Rao . This is the first film as a hero to comedian Raja Babu paired with Guinness record holding director and actress Vijaya Nirmala. The film won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film... |
Telugu | |||
| 1973 | Bhakta Tukaram Bhakta Tukaram Bhakta Tukaram is a 1973 Telugu Biographical film produced by Anjali Pictures based on the life of saint poet Tukaram. Akkineni Nageswara Rao played the title role with great devotion. The music score of P. Adinarayana Rao and songs of Ghantasala and others is one of the highest levels in Indian... |
Telugu | Avali Bai | |
| Jeevana Tarangalu Jeevana Tarangalu Jeevana Tarangalu is a 1973 Telugu Drama film directed by Tatineni Rama Rao. It is based on the novel by Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani. It is remade into Hindi language in 1978 entitled Dil Aur Deewaar.-Cast:* Shobhan Babu ... Vijay... |
Telugu | |||
| 1975 | Soggadu Soggadu (1975 film) Soggadu is a 1975 blockbuster Telugu drama film directed by K. Bapaiah. It was remade as Dildaar in Hindi in 1977, starring Jeetendra and Rekha.-The plot:... |
Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya Mahakavi Kshetrayya Mahakavi Kshetrayya is a 1976 Telugu film based on the life of Kshetrayya. It is produced by Anjali Pictures and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. The film has excellent songs voiced by V. Ramakrishna and music score proved by P. Adinarayana Rao.-Cast:* Akkineni Nageshwara Rao ...... |
Telugu | ||
| 1977 | Shri Ram Vanvas Shri Ram Vanvas Shri Ram Vanvas is a 1977 Bollywood drama film directed by Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao.-Cast:*Ravi Kumar... Shri Ram*Satyanarayana Kaikala ... Ravan*Gummadi Venkateswara Rao ... Dasharath*Jayapradha ... Sita*B. Saroja Devi ... Mandodari... |
Hindi | ||
| 1980 | Ram Robert Rahim Ram Robert Rahim Ram Robert Rahim is a 1980 Telugu film directed by Vijaya Nirmala and stars her husband Krishna as Robert, Rajnikanth as Ram and Chandra Mohan as Rahim. Anjali Devi plays their mother. Sridevi plays Robert's girlfriend. The film is a remake of the Hindi hit film Amar Akbar Anthony , starring... |
Telugu | ||
| 1986 | Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam is a 1986 Telugu Biographical film directed by K. Vasu. It is based on the life of Bhagwan Shirdi Sai Baba, who has preached and practiced Religious humanism. Vijayachander portrayed the role of Baba.... |
Telugu | ||
| 1987 | Srutilayalu Srutilayalu Sruthilayalu or Sruthi Layalu is a Telugu movie based on Indian Classical Music and was released in India in 1987. The movie was directed by K. Viswanath who is known for his presentation in the Classical Arts of the current societal status of India... |
Telugu | ||
| 1993 | Brundavanam Brundavanam For the 2010 Telugu film, see BrindavanamBrundavanam is a 1993 Telugu Drama film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao.-The plot:... |
Telugu |
- Gollabhama
- Kashtajivi
- Chandipriya
- Bhale Krishnudu
- Sati Sakkubai
- Mayalamaari
Tamil movies
- Annai Oru Alayam
- Adutha Veetu Penn
- Manalanae Mangayin Baghyam
- Sarvadhikari (with MGR)
- Kanavane Kankanda Theivam (with Gemini Ganesan)
- PennPenn (film)Penn is a 1954 Tamil romantic comedy film written by Ra. Venkatachalam and directed by M. V. Raman. The film starred Vyjayanthimala, Gemini Ganesan, S. Balachander and Anjali Devi in the lead while Chittor V. Nagaiah, V. K. Ramasamy, K. N. Kamlam, K.R. Chellam and K. Sankarapani as the ensemble...
(with VyjayanthimalaVyjayanthimalaVyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
) - Mangayarkarasi (with P. U. Chinnappa)
- Marmayogi (with MGR as hero)
- Eezai Uzavan
- Adiththan Kanavu (producer: T. R. Sundaram)
- Sorgavasal (as K.R. Ramasamy's sister "Thilagavathy")
As producer
- Paradesi
- Suvarna SundariSuvarna SundariSuvarna Sundari is a popular Telugu film produced in 1957 in the golden era of Telugu film industry.It was directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah and produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner...
- Swarnamanjari
- Chandi Priya
- Sati Sakkubai
- Shirdi Sai Sathya Sai Divya Katha (television series)