Rajasree

Rajasree (Rajasree Thota Panchajanyam, Kusuma Kumari), also known as Rajasri or Rajashri, is an Indian actress active from 1956 to 1979. She is particularly famous for her portrayal as a princess in several folklore Telugu movies opposite N. T. Rama Rao and Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao and for acting alongside Ravichandran in the Tamil comedy films Neeyum Naanum, Kadhalikka Neram Illai and Delhi Mappilai. Notable among Rajasris roles in non-folklore social films in Tamil are as Nimmi in the Tamil hit comedy film Kaadhalikka Neramillai, remade as Preminchi Choodu in Telugu, as movie star Bhama in Tamil film Bama Vijayam. She was credited as Gracy in the Malayalam movies she starred in her career since her debut film Bharya, directed by Kunchako. Rajasree went on to do 200 films spread across the languages – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam (as Gracy) and Hindi from beginning of 1956 to 1979.

Film industry Rajsree first appeared as a child artiste in the Tamil film Naga Devadhai in 1956. She worked as child artiste in films like Bhaktha Ambarisha (1959) and Mangalyam (1960) in Telugu, Aasha Sundari (1960) in Kannada, Petraval Kanda Peruvazhvu (1960) and Baktha Sabari (1960) in Tamil. She debuted as a young heroin in Telugu film Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam in 1960 opposite another debutante hero Ramakrishna. She acted as the supporting young heroine with the Malayalam film Bharya (1962). Her character was named Gracy. With the success of her debut Malayalam film, Rajsree was always credited throughout her Malayalam film career as Gracy. Some of her famous Malayalam movies include Kadalamma (1963), Rebecca (1963), Pazhassi Raja (1964) and Shakuntala (1965). However, she was cast only as supporting and second lead actress in Tamil films like Sengamala Theevu (1962), Nichaya Thaamboolam (1962), Thendral Veesum (1962), Kalai Arasi (1963), Yarukku Sondham (1963) and Kattu Maina (1963) in the period 1962 to 1963. Her portrayal as the courtesean Madhavi in the film Poompuhar brought her new recognition as supporting actress in 1964. It was the film Kadhalikka Neram Illai in 1964, which made her a household name as the main lead heroine. She started receiving more Tamil films from 1964 onward.

However, she continued to be very selective as far as her choice of doing Malayalam movies was concerned. Her notable films in Malayalam as the lead heroine include Jail (1966), Kadamattathachan (1966), Anarkali (1966), Udhyogastha (1967), Karutha Rathrikal (1967), Kadal (1968), Dial 2244 (1968), Urangatha Sundary (1969), Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972), Sreemurukan and Devi Kanyaakumaari (1974). She did about 30 movies in Malayalam. Her last Malayalam film was Vishwaroopam (1978).

It was the Tamil comic classic, Kaadhalikka Neramillai, that catapulted Rajasree to national fame. She quoted in an interview "When I got a call from such a big banner as Chitralaya asking me to be present at the studio the next morning, I couldn't believe my ears. Many artistes had been considered for the role, I had heard. The song, "Anubavam Pudhumai", was the sequence that was shot first. They liked it and I did the film,". Rajasree went on to play the same role in Telugu with Akkini Nageswara Rao and in Hindi with Shashi Kapoor — she was the only one to repeat the role in the remakes. She quoted in interview "I remember Nagesh pulling my leg often shouting out "Dhigilazhagi" whenever I was on the sets,". Hence both during the shooting of Bama Vijayam and every time she met actor Nagesh, he would always call her as Dhiglazhagi as in the film, a thief refers to her by that name.

It was decided by Sridhar to remake Kadhallikaa Neram Illai in Hindi as Pyar Kiye Jaa and he retained only Rajasree from the original. Her debut Hindi film was a major box office hit in 1966. This led to her receiving films in Hindi as well. However, none of her four films in Hindi became a hit except for her debut Hindi film.

She made her heroine debut in Telugu films with Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam in 1960 opposite Hero Ramakrishna (Telugu actor) and Constable Kuthuru (1962) opposite Kanta Rao, but previously she had been already introduced as a child artist in Nagula Chavithi (1956). She was cast as the heroine of N. T. Rama Rao in films like Aggi Barata (1966), Pidugu Ramudu (1966), Aggi Veerudu (1969) and Chitti Chellelu (1969). Her pairing opposite actor Kanta Rao was a box office success. The pair Rajasree-Kanta Rao worked in Pakkalo Ballem (1965), Bangaru Timmaraju (1964), Saptaswaralu (1969), Pratigyna Palana (1966), Vijaya Simha (1965), Aggidora (1967), Bhoolokamlo Yamolokam (1966), Devudichchina Bharta (1968), Veera Pooja (1968), Ranabheri (1968), Aggimeeda Guggilam (1968), Oke Kutumbham (1970), Merupu Veerudu (1970), Maa Manchi Akkayya (1970), Prema Jeevulu, Bhale Ettu Chivaraku Chittu (1970) and Raite Raju (1970). They worked in another 10 movies where they were not paired opposite each other. She did about 76 films in Telugu. Her last film in Telugu was Andame Anandham (1977).

Her debut film in Kannada was Kantheredu Nodu (1961). The Kannada film Thejaswini, produced by M. Pandaribai, made Rajasree a popular in the Kannada film circle. She played second lead supporting roles in Kannada films like Swarna Gowri, Rathna Manjari, Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu and Chandra Kumara. She regularly starred in mythological period films like Santha Thukaram (1963), Shivarathri Mahathme and Shivagange Mahathme with either Rajkumar or Udaykumar or both. After achieving success in Tamil with Kadhalikka Neram Illai, she decided to do only lead heroine roles even in Kannada from 1964. Her Kannada films as lead heroine include Chandavalliya Thota, Satya Harishchandra (1965), Bala Nagamma (1966), Bhale Basava, Mr. Rajkumar (1970), Jwala Mohini, CID 72 and C.I.D. Rajanna. She was part of the cast in 14 films in Kannada with Rajkumar in the lead role. She did 30 films in Kannada with her last movie being Devadhasi (1978).

She went on to do comedy films as the lead heroine in Tamil to capitalize on her comic abilities like Bama Vijayam (1967), Anubavi Raja Anubavi (1967), Anubavam Pudhumai (1967), Neeyum Naanum (1968) and Delhi Mapillai (1968). These films have developed classic cult status over the years. She then went on to get the second lead heroine roles in films with M. G. Ramachandran in the lead, like Thaikku Thalaimagan (1967), Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968), Adimai Penn (1969), Pattikaattu Ponnaiya (1973), Netru Indru Naalai (1974) and Naalai Namadhe (1975). Her other notable films in Tamil include Kallum Kaniyagum, suspense thriller Selva Magal (1967), Siritha Mugam (1968), Patham Pasali (1970), Poi Sollathae (1971), Pattondru Ketten (1971), Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan, Amudha (1975) and Veeduvarai Uravu (1976). Her last film in Tamil was Iravu 12 Mani (1978). She did more than sixty films in Tamil.

Personal life Rajasree hails from a village in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh. She was born with a sister and her father was a railway station master. Rajasree was ten years old when she came to Chennai. She married Thota Panchajanyam in Hyderabad at 1977. Rajasree's husband died within few years after her marriage, when her child was four years old.

Awards Rajasree was honoured with the MGR Award in 2004.

Tamil Nadu State Government Awards Kalaimamani, 2012 for her contribution to Tamil Cinema

Partial filmography In order of languages in which she acted the most to fewest films.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Telugu

Nagula Chavithi (1956) - Debut in Telugu (Child Artist) Bhaktha Ambarisha (1959) Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam (1960) Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chintamani (1960) as Princess who imprisons Prathapa Simha Mangalyam (1960) Madana Kamaraju Katha (1962) as Mohana Constable Koothuru (1962) Dakshayagnam (1962) Aradhana (1962) Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962) Aasa Jeevulu (1962) Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963) Babruvahana (1964) Aggi Pidugu (1964) Totalo Pilla Kotalo Raani (1964) Bhaktha Ramadasu (1964) Pooja Phalam (1964) Bangaru Thimmaraju (1964) Aakasaramanna (1965) as Chandravathi Prameelarjuna Yuddham (1965) Aatma Gowravam (1965) Vijaya Simha (1965) Manushulu Mamathalu (1965) Preminchi Chudu (1965) Mangamma Sapatham (1965) Pakkalo Ballem (1965) Aggi Barata (1966) Loguttu Perumallakeruka (1966) Bhimanjaneya Yuddham (1966) Pidugu Raamudu (1966) Bhulokamlo Yamalokam (1966) Prathigna Palana (1966) Rahasyam (1967) Aggidora (1967) Stree Janma (1967) Kambojaraju Katha (1967) Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967) Raktha Sindhooram (1967) Satyame Jayam (1967) Veera Pooja (1967) Govula Gopanna (1968) Aggi Meeda Guggilam (1968) as Chandraprabha Rajayogam (1968) Ranabheri (1968) Bhale Kodallu (1968) Evaru Monagadu (1968) as Padma Ukku Pidugu (1969) as Padmavathi Devi Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1969) Sattekalapu Satteya (1969) Sabash Satyam (1969) Takkari Donga Chankkani Chukka (1969) Devudichina Bhartha (1969) as Amruthavalli Aggi Veerudu (1969) Ukku Pidugu (1969) Saptaswaralu (1969) Gandara Gandadu (1969) Chitti Chellelu (1970) Evarini Nammali (1970) Jhanmabhoomi (1970) Okka Kutumbham (1970) Raithe Raju (1970) Lakshmi Kataksham (1970) Maa Manchi Akkayya (1970) Bale Etthu Chivariki Chitthu (1970) Merupu Veerudu (1970) Prema Jeevulu (1971) Pattindalla Bangaram (1971) as Bharathi Adavi Veerulu (1971) Vikramarka Vijayam (1971) Anuradha (1971) as Aruna Bangaru Kutumbam (1971) Kalavari Kutumbam (1972) as Kalpana Atthanu Diddina Kodalu (1972) Panjaramlo Pasipapa (1973) Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974) Intinti Katha (1974) Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1975) Manushulanta Okkate (1976) Andame Anandham (1977) Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)

Tamil This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Year Film Role 1956 Naga Devathai Child Artist (Debut in Tamil) 1960 Baktha Sabari Petraval Kanda Peruvazhvu 1961 Panam Panthiyile Santha 1962 Nichaya Thaamboolam Sarala Sengamala Theevu Kanni Thendral Veesum Neeya Naana? 1963 Kaattumaina Yarukku Sontham Mallika Manthiri Kumaran Rani Kalai Arasi Princess Rajani Kubera Theevu Vasanthi 1964 Kalai Kovil Saroja Amma Engey Bhuvana Magaley Un Samathu Alli Nal Varavu Nanum Manidhandhaan Poompuhar Madhavi Kaadhalikka Neramillai Nirmala/Nimmi 1965 Neela Vanam Vimala Vazhikaathi Kamala Iru Thuruvam Kamala Poomalai Nalina 1966 Thayin Mel Aanai Rathnamala 1967 Selva Magal Saradha Anubavam Pudhumai Vanitha Anubavi Raja Anubavi Rajamani Bama Vijayam Bama Thaikku Thalaimagan Nalini 1968 Kudiyirundha Koyil Asha Siritha Mugam Delhi Mapillai Gandhimathi Neeyum Naanum Kallum Kaniyagum Geetha 1969 Kumara Sambhavam Urvasi Singapore Seeman Avare En Deivam Adimai Penn Princess Muthazhagi Poova Thalaiya Raji Ulagam Ivvalaudhan Sumathi 1970 Patham Pasali Radha Sorgam Anjana Namma Veettu Deivam 1971 Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan Kamini Aathi Parasakthi Lakshmi Devi Pattondru Ketten Poi Sollathae Needhi Dhevan 1972 Ellai Kodu Bhavani 1973 Pattikaattu Ponnaiya Megala School Master Ponggodi 1974 Akkarai Pachai Usha Netru Indru Naalai Amudha Pathu Matha Bandham Mallika 1975 Amudha Anbarasi Naalai Namadhe Kamala Swami Ayyappan 1976 Veeduvarai Uravu Sophia 1978 Iravu 12 Mani

Kannada

Malayalam: Credited as Gracy Year Film Role Notes 1962 Bharya Gracy Malayalam debut 1963 Kadalamma Rebecca 1964 Pazhassi Raja Ammu Thampuratty 1965 Shakuntala Menaka 1966 Jail Kadamattathachan Anarkali Gulnar 1967 Udhyogastha Karutha Rathrikal 1968 KadalRajeena Dial 2244 1969 Kumara SambhavamUrvashiUrangatha SundaryVilasini 1970 Dathuputhran 1971 Aana Valarthiya Vanampadiyude Makan 1972 Sree Guruvayoorappan 1973 Manassu Ponnaapuram KottaMaalu 1974 Devi KanyaakumaariDevakiDurgaLatha 1975 Raasaleela Hotel Kaveri 1977 SreemurukanRajeswari 1978 Vishwaroopam

Hindi Year Film Role Notes 1966 Pyar Kiye Jaa Nirmala "Nimmo" Hindi Debut as Rajasree of South(Remake of Kadhalikka Neramillai) 1967 Nasihat 1968 Payal Ki Jhankar Kala Mujrim Kaun?