Kanchana (actress)

Indian actress

Kanchana

Born|

Vasundhara Devi

(1939-08-16) 16 August 1939 (age 85)
Occupation| Actress
Years active| 1957–1988; 2017

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.[1]

## Early life

[edit]

Kanchana was born as Vasundhara Devi on 16 August 1939 in Madras (now Chennai).[2] She is the daughter of Ramakrishna Sastri, a civil engineer. 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.[2]

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.[2]

## Career

[edit]

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.[2]

### Film Career

[edit]

Kanchana had acted in minor roles in Suvarna sundari (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.[3] Her performance in the film received critical acclaim, setting the stage for her future success in the film industry.[2]

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.[4]

In 2005, she was presented with the MGR award and in 2007 the ANR Swarna Kankanam award.[5][6] 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.[7] 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.[8] She made her comeback to films with Arjun Reddy in 2017 as the titular character's grandmother.[citation needed]

## Personal life

[edit]

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. [citation needed]. Kanchana along with her sister, Girija, donated their property in Chennai, then worth around Rs. 15 crore, to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010.[9][10] She is currently residing in Bangalore.

## Filmography

[edit]

### Telugu

[edit]

Year | Movie | Role

|
|

1957 | Suvarna Sundari | Naaga kanyaa
1961 | Seeta | Kausalya
1965 | Aatma Gowravam | Savitri/Sarala
1965 | Preminchi Choodu | Kanchanamala
1965 | Veerabhimanyu | Uttara
1966 | Navarathri | Patient (cameo appearance)
1966 | Dr. Anand | Vijaya
1967 | Ave Kallu | Susheela
1967 | Prana Mithrulu | Padmavathi
1967 | Kanchu Kota | Dancer (cameo appearance)
1967 | Private Master | Sundari
1967 | Sri Krishnavataram | Sathyabhama
1967 | Marapurani Katha |
1968 | Manchi Kutumbam | Sharadha
1968 | Bandhipotu Dongalu | Malli
1968 | Nenante Nene | Geetha
1968 | Deva Kanya | Kinnera/Lalasa
1968 | Veeranjaneya | Sulochana
1968 | Thalli Prema |
1968 | Kalisochina Adrushtam | Sobha
1968 | Vintha Kapuram[11] | Vijaya
1968 | Bhale Kodallu |
1969 | Bhale Mastaru | Vijaya
1969 | Manushulu Marali |
1969 | Saptaswaralu |
1969 | Natakala Rayudu | Geetha Devi
1969 | Jarigina Katha |
1970 | Dharma Daata | Padma
1971 | Kalyana Mandapam | Devadasi
1971 | Pavitra Bandham |
1971 | Amaayakuraalu | Shobha
1971 | Rangeli Raja | Vijaya
1971 | Andam Kosam Pandem | Malathi
1972 | Raitu Kutumbam | Radha
1972 | Manchi Rojulu Vachchaayi | Geetha
1972 | Vamsodharakudu |
1973 | Pedda Koduku |
1973 | Bhakta Tukaram | Bahina bai
1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | Geetha
1973 | Manchivadu | Lalitha
1973 | Talli Kodukulu |
1974 | Tatamma Kala | Seetha
1975 | Maya Maschindra | Mohini
1975 | Annadammula Anubandham | Geetha
1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya |
1976 | Secretary | Rekha Rani
1977 | Daana Veera Soora Karna | Subhadra
1977 | Indradhanusu |
1977 | Raja Ramesh | Padmaja
1978  | Kalanthakulu | Kamala
1978  | Dongala Dopidi[12] | Gowri
1978  | Indradhanussu[13] | Saraswathi
1979 | Driver Ramudu | Kalavathi
1981 | Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu[14] | Kamala
1982  | Naa Desam | Saraswati Devi
1983 | Anandha Bhairavi |
1984 | Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra | Govindamma
1985 | Sri Datta Darsanam |
1986  | Kirayi Mogudu[15] | Janaki
1986  | Jayam Manade | Savithri
1986  | Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam |
1988  | Premayanam  |
2017 | Arjun Reddy  | Arjun's grandmother

### Tamil

[edit]

Year | Movies | Role | Note

|
|
|

1957 | Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam | Naga Kanni | Credited as Vasundhara
1964 | Kaadhalikka Neramillai | Kanchana | Debut film
1965 | Veera Abhimanyu | Uttara |
1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | Kamala |
1966 | Thedi Vantha Thirumagal | Susheela |
1966 | Parakkum Paavai | Shantha |
1966 | Kodimalar | Parvathi |
1966 | Marakka Mudiyumaa? |  |
1967 | Adhey Kangal | Susheela |
1967 | Bama Vijayam | Seetha |
1967 | Thangai | Lalitha |
1968 | Naalum Therindhvan | Mala |
1969 | Chella Penn |  |
1969 | Ponnu Mappillai | Bhuvana |
1969 | Shanti Nilayam | Malathi |
1969 | Thulabaram | Vatsala |
1969 | Sivandha Mann | Chitralekha |
1970 | Noorandu Kaalam Vazgha | Leela |
1970 | Vilaiyaattu Pillai | Indu |
1970 | Kadhal Jothi | Dr. Suguna |
1971 | Avalukendru Or Manam | Meena |
1971 | 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 |  |
1979 | Neethiyaa Nyayamaa |  |
1979 | 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 |
1986 | Kulirkaala Megangal | Maheswari |
1987 | Naanum Neeyum |  |
1987 | Kizhakku Africavil Sheela | Kumudha |

### Kannada

[edit]

Year | Film | Role

|
|

1977 | Babruvahana | Uloochi
1978 | Nanobba Kalla | Savitri
1978 | Shankar Guru | Sumati
1980 | Biligiriya Banadalli |
1980 | Aarada Gaaya | Mangala
1981 | Jeevakke Jeeva | Seetha
1981 | Bhagyavantha |
1982 | Nyaya Ellide | Durga
1982 | Pedda Gedda |
1982 | Prachanda Kulla | Rama's mother
1983 | Anandha Bhairavi |
1983 | Bhakta Prahlada | Diti
1984 | Maryade Mahalu |
1984 | Raktha Thilaka | Durga
1984 | Bandhana |
1984 | Pralayanthaka |
1984 | Samayada Gombe | Kamakshi
1985 | Veeradhi Veera |
1985 | Nanna Prathigne | Mangala
1985 | Chaduranga | Dr. Maheshwari
1985 | Bidugadeya Bedi | Ratna
1986 | Ratha Sapthami | Sharada
1986 | Beegara Pandya |
1986 | Africadalli Sheela |
1987 | Vijayothsava |
1987 | Jayasimha |
1988 | Chiranjeevi Sudhakar |
1988 | Dharma Pathni |
1988 | Devatha Manushya |

### Malayalam

[edit]

Year | Movie | Role

|
|

1960 | Seeta | Kausalya
1964 | Atom Bomb |
1973 | Azhakulla Saleena | Lucyamma
1974 | Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree |
1977 | Ammaayi Amma |
1979 | Nithya Vasantham |
1979 | Rakthamillatha Manushyan |
1982 | Ina | Aunty
1984 | Sreekrishna Parunthu | Kumaran's mother
1985 | Njaan Piranna Naattil | Nandini

### Hindi

[edit]

Year | Movie | Role | Note

|
|
|

1957 | Suvarna Sundari | Naag Kanya | Credited as "Vasundhra"
1967 | Farz | Kamala |
1968 | Teen Bahuraniyan | Seeta | Remake of Bhama Vijayam
1970 | Samaj Ko Badal Dalo | Vimla | Remake of Thulabaaram
1974 | Prem Nagar | Dancer | Remake of same name in Telugu

## Awards

[edit]

This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
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* She was presented with the MGR award in 2005.
* ANR Swarna Kankanam award in 2007.[5]
* 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

[edit]

1. ^ "Girija Pandey, Kanchana donate crores to TTD". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
2. ^ a b c d e Ramachandban, T. M. (9 May 1964). "Sridhars's New Discovery". Sport and Pastime.
3. ^ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (18 August 2012). "'Nothing is permanent'". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
4. ^ "Star then, a stoic now". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 March 2006. Archived from the original on 25 June 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
5. ^ a b "Yesteryear diva looks back". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
6. ^ "Yesteryear heroine wins property, donates to TTD". The New Indian Express. Chennai, India. 10 October 2010. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
7. ^ Idle Brain. Idle Brain. Retrieved on 9 June 2012.
8. ^ Old Treasure Found : Starring the Legend Kanchana - Tamil, 26 July 2015, retrieved 4 November 2023
9. ^ "TTD not to sell land donated by yesteryear actress". Zee News. Chennai, India. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
10. ^ "Yesteryears dream girl has a dream today - IBNLive". IBN Live. Chennai, India. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
11. ^ "Vintha Kapuram Movie Cast".
12. ^ "Dongala Dopidi (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
13. ^ "Indradhanusu (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
14. ^ "Gadasari Atha Sogasari Kodalu (1981)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
15. ^ "Kirayi Mogudu Cast Info".

## External links

[edit]

* Kanchana at IMDb

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

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