Born to famous actress and dancer Vasundhara Devi on the 13th of August 1936, Vyjayanthimala was born and brought up in Chennai. Polishing her dancing skills from a young age, she later transformed herself as an actress when a family friend M. V. Raman offered her a role in his Tamil film \'Vazhkai\' when she was merely fiften years old. The film went on to hit the blockbuster mark. It touched the success meters high, which eventually got Bollywood remaking it as \'Bahar\' in 1951 again casting her in the lead also marking her debut in Hindi cinema.

She then continued to pursue her career in Bollywood with films like \'Nagin\' (1954), \'Devdas\' (1955), \'Naya Daur\', \'Aasha\', \'Sadhna\', \'Madhumati\', \'Paigham\' (1959), \'Ganga Jamuna\' along with also acted in Tamil flicks like \'Irumbu Thirai\', \'Then Nilavu\' etc. With a wholesome of success and prosperity, Vyjayanthi bagged few professional controversies, when she refused to accept her first \'Filmfare Award\' just because it was for a supporting role category for her portrayal of Chandramukhi in then released \'Devdas\' (1955). Apart from this, she won the title \'Filmfare Award for Best Actress\' for the film \'Sadhna\' in 1957.

Apart from being an extraordinary actress, Vyjayanthimala was a fabulous dancer that was well showcased in her films. She was a trained Bharatanatyam performer, thus sculpting her as a sheer entertainer. Whereas, concerned about her skills both in acting and dancing, she showcased them very well, clearly stating her as one amongst the superlatives in the list with her further offerings like \'Sangam\', \'Leader\', \'Amrapali\', \'Suraj\' (1966), \'Jewel Thief\', \'Sunghursh\', \'Saathi\' (1968), and \'Prince\' (1969). Apart from venturing her hands in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinemas, Vyjayanthimala also appeared in a Bengali film \'Hatey Bazarey\' soothing the eyes of Bengali viewers.

Keeping aside her professional arch regarding \'Devdas\', Vyjayanthimala as well nurtured few personal controversies. During her heydays, the beauty was allegedly rumored to be dating several yesteryear superstars. But her link up rumors with actors Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor kept the gossip mongers on their toes. Dismissing these rumours, Vyjayanthimala tied the knot to Dr. Chamanlal Bali and flew back to Chennai. Disconnecting herself completely from Bollywood, she lead a happily married life with hubby and son Suchindra Bali.

Post her filmy career, Vyjayanthimala initiated herself into politics by joining Indian National Congress party and contesting the Tamil Nadu General Election in 1984, which she won and soon became a Parliamentarian. Post enjoying higher terms in her Parliamentary days, she resigned from the party in 1999 due to differences later falling her to be a part of another political party, Bhartiya Janata Patry (BJP) in 1999 itself.

Currently she\'s leading a joyous life, enjoying her grand parenting days with grand child, Swara. Apart from enjoying fame as an actress, performer and politician, Vyjayanthimala has also cherished the prosperity of being a successful golfer.

Filmography

As Actor