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Rajasree

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Rajasree
Born
Kusuma Kumari[1]

Other namesRajasri, Gracy, Rajasree T.
Occupation(s)Actress, Classical dancer
Years active1956–1979
Spouse
Thota Panchajanyam
(m. 1975; died 1983)
Children1 son (b.1979)

Rajasree (Rajasree Thota Panchajanyam,[2] 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 Rajasri's 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 (1962), 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

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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 (Telugu actor). 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

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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

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Rajasree was honoured with the MGR Award in 2004.

Tamil Nadu State Government Awards

Kalaimamani, 2012 for her contribution to Tamil Cinema

Partial filmography

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

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

Telugu

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  1. Andame Anandham (1977)
  2. Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)
  3. Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
  4. Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1975)
  5. Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974)
  6. Intinti Katha (1974)
  7. Panjaramlo Pasipapa (1973)
  8. Kalavari Kutumbam[3] (1972) as Kalpana
  9. Atthanu Diddina Kodalu (1972)
  10. Prema Jeevulu (1971)
  11. Pattindalla Bangaram[4] (1971) as Bharathi
  12. Adavi Veerulu (1971)
  13. Vikramarka Vijayam (1971)
  14. Anuradha (1971) as Aruna
  15. Bangaru Kutumbam (1971)
  16. Chitti Chellelu (1970)
  17. Evarini Nammali (1970)
  18. Jhanmabhoomi (1970)
  19. Okka Kutumbham (1970)
  20. Raithe Raju (1970)
  21. Lakshmi Kataksham (1970)
  22. Maa Manchi Akkayya (1970)
  23. Bale Etthu Chivariki Chitthu (1970)
  24. Merupu Veerudu (1970)
  25. Ukku Pidugu[5] (1969) as Padmavathi Devi
  26. Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1969)
  27. Sattekalapu Satteya (1969)
  28. Sabash Satyam (1969)
  29. Takkari Donga Chankkani Chukka (1969)
  30. Devudichina Bhartha[6] (1969) as Amruthavalli
  31. Aggi Veerudu (1969)
  32. Ukku Pidugu (1969)
  33. Saptaswaralu (1969)
  34. Gandara Gandadu (1969)
  35. Govula Gopanna (1968)
  36. Aggi Meeda Guggilam (1968) as Chandraprabha
  37. Rajayogam (1968)
  38. Ranabheri (1968)
  39. Bhale Kodallu (1968)
  40. Evaru Monagadu[7] (1968) as Padma
  41. Rahasyam (1967)
  42. Aggidora (1967)
  43. Sthree Janma (1967)
  44. Kambojaraju Katha (1967)
  45. Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967)
  46. Raktha Sindhooram (1967)
  47. Satyame Jayam (1967)
  48. Veera Pooja (1967)
  49. Aggi Barata (1966)
  50. Loguttu Perumallakeruka (1966)
  51. Bhimanjaneya Yuddham (1966)
  52. Pidugu Raamudu (1966)
  53. Bhulokamlo Yamalokam (1966)
  54. Prathigna Palana (1966)
  55. Aakasaramanna[8] (1965) as Chandravathi
  56. Prameelarjuna Yuddham (1965)
  57. Aatma Gowravam (1965)
  58. Vijaya Simha (1965)
  59. Manushulu Mamathalu (1965)
  60. Preminchi Chudu (1965)
  61. Mangamma Sapatham (1965)
  62. Pakkalo Ballem (1965)
  63. Babruvahana (1964)
  64. Aggi Pidugu (1964)
  65. Totalo Pilla Kotalo Raani (1964)
  66. Bhaktha Ramadasu (1964)
  67. Pooja Phalam (1964)
  68. Bangaru Timmaraju (1964)
  69. Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963)
  70. Madana Kamaraju Katha (1962) as Mohana
  71. Conistable Kuthuru (1962)
  72. Dakshayagnam (1962)
  73. Aradhana (1962)
  74. Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962)
  75. Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam (1960)
  76. Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chintamani (1960) as Princess who imprisons Prathapa Simha
  77. Mangalyam (1960)
  78. Bhaktha Ambarisha (1959)
  79. Nagula Chavithi (1956) - Debut in Telugu (Child Artist)

Tamil

[edit]

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

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

Kannada

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Year Film Role Notes
1960 Dashavathara
1960 Aasha Sundari
1962 Thejaswini
1962 Swarna Gowri
1962 Rathna Manjari
1962 Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu
1962 Kantheredu Nodu
1963 Santha Thukaram
1963 Chandra Kumaara
1964 Shivarathri Mahathme
1964 Shivagange Mahathme
1964 Chandavalliya Thota
1965 Satya Harishchandra
1965 Naagapooja
1966 Bala Nagamma
1968 Arunodaya
1969 Gruhalakshmi
1969 Bhale Basava
1970 Sukha Samsaara
1970 Mr. Rajkumar
1970 C.I.D. Rajanna
1970 Modala Rathri[citation needed] Rajani
1973 Jwala Mohini
1973 CID 72
1974 Urvashi
1974 Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala
1974 Mannina Magalu
1975 Aashirvaada
1975 Naaga Kanye
1977 Shani Prabhava
1978 Devadasi

Malayalam: Credited as Gracy

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Year Film Role Notes
1962 Bharya Gracy Malayalam debut
1963 Kadalamma
1963 Rebecca
1964 Pazhassi Raja Ammu Thampuratty
1965 Shakuntala Menaka
1966 Jail
1966 Kadamattathachan
1966 Anarkali Gulnar
1967 Udhyogastha
1967 Karutha Rathrikal
1968 Kadal Rajeena
1968 Dial 2244
1969 Kumara Sambhavam Urvashi
1969 Urangatha Sundary Vilasini
1970 Dathuputhran
1971 Aana Valarthiya Vanampadiyude Makan
1972 Sree Guruvayoorappan
1973 Manassu
1973 Ponnaapuram Kotta Maalu
1974 Devi Kanyaakumaari Devaki
1974 Durga Latha
1975 Raasaleela
1975 Hotel Kaveri
1977 Sreemurukan Rajeswari
1978 Vishwaroopam

Hindi

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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
1968 Mujrim Kaun?

References

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  1. ^ Wa
  2. ^ "Sengamala Theevu". cinestaan.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Kalavari Kutumbam (1972)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  4. ^ Pattindalla Bangaram (1971), retrieved 3 February 2024
  5. ^ "Ukku Pidugu - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Devudichina Bhartha (1969)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Evaru Monagadu (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Aakasaramanna (1965)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
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