Rajasree (Rajasree Thota Panchajanyam, Kusuma Kumari, born 31 August 1945), 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 Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who served as List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh fo ...

and

Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao (16 November 1923 – 22 March 2009) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao starred in more than four hundred feature ...

and for acting alongside

Ravichandran Ravichandran is an Indian name. Notable people with the name include: * Ravichandran (Tamil actor) (1942–2011) * Ravichandran (Tamil film director) (born 1971) * N. Ravichandran (professor) (1955), professor at IIM Ahmedabad * N. 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 ''Kadhalikka Neramillai'' () is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by C. V. Sridhar, who also conceived and co-wrote its script with Chitralaya Gopu. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Balai ...

'', 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

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) Ramakrishna (Telugu: రామకృష్ణ) was an Indian actor who worked in Telugu cinema. He has acted in over 200 films, including Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. He has acted in several super hit Telugu movies such as 'Nomu', 'Pooja', 'N ...

. 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, ''

'', 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 Nagesh (born Cheyur Krishnarao Nageshwaran; (27 September 1933 – 31 January 2009) was an Indian actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian in Tamil films during the 1960s. Nagesh was born in Dharapuram. He acted in over 1,000 fil ...

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 4 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

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 ''Aggi Barata'' () is a 1966 Telugu-language swashbuckling fantasy film, produced and directed by B. Vittalacharya under the Sri Vital Combines banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Rajasree, with music composed by Vijaya Krishna Murthy. Plot On ...

'' (1966), ''

Pidugu Ramudu ''Pigudu Ramudu'' () is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckling fantasy film directed by B. Vittalacharya. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Rajasree, with music composed by T. V. Raju. Plot Once upon a time, a Kingdom was ruled by an innoc ...

'' (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 Bommasandra Srinivasaiah Suryanarayana Murthy (16 March 1933 – 26 December 1985), known by his screen name Udaykumar, was an Indian actor and producer in Kannada cinema. He, along with Kalyan Kumar and Rajkumar, were called the ''Kumarath ...

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 60 films in Tamil.

Personal life

Rajasree hails from a village in

Eluru Eluru is a city and the district headquarters of Eluru district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the 14 municipal corporations in the state and the mandal headquarters of Eluru mandal in the Eluru revenue division. The cit ...

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...

. She was born with a sister and her father was a railway station master. Rajasree was ten years old when she came to

Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...

. She got married to Thota Panchajanyam in

Hyderabad Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India ...

at 1977. Rajasree's husband died within few years after her marriage, when her child was just four.

Awards

Rajasree was honoured with the MGR Award in 2004. Tamil Nadu State Government Awards ;

Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of ...

, 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

# '' Andame Anandham'' (1977) # ''

Daana Veera Soora Karna ''Daana Veera Soora Karna'' () is a 1977 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film co-written, produced and directed by N. T. Rama Rao under his banner, Ramakrishna Cine Studios. Based on the life of Karna from the ''Mahabharata'', ...

'' (1977) # ''

Manushulanta Okkate ''Manushulanta Okkate'' () is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Duddu Venkateswara Rao and V. Mahesh under the Aditya Chitra banner and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jamuna and Manjula, with mu ...

'' (1976) # '' Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham'' (1975) # '' Alluri Seetarama Raju'' (1974) # '' Intinti Katha'' (1974) # '' Panjaramlo Pasipapa'' (1973) # '' Atthanu Diddina Kodalu'' (1972) # '' Prema Jeevulu'' (1971) # '' Pattindhalla Bangaaram'' (1971) # '' Adavi Veerulu'' (1971) # '' Vikramarka Vijayam'' (1971) # '' Anuradha'' (1971) # ''

Bangaru Kutumbam ''Bangaru Kutumbam'' ( ''Golden Family'') is a 1994 Telugu-language drama film, produced by Kaikala Nageswara Rao under the Ramaa Films banner, presented by Satyanarayana and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao an ...

'' (1971) # '' Chitti Chellelu'' (1970) # '' Evarini Nammali'' (1970) # '' Jhanmabhoomi'' (1970) # '' Okka Kutumbham'' (1970) # '' Raithe Raju'' (1970) # '' Lakshmi Kataksham'' (1970) # ''

Maa Manchi Akkayya Maa or MAA may refer to: People * MAA (singer), Japanese pop singer, previously known as Mar from the band Marbell * Maa Afia Konadu (1950–2019), Ghanaian media personality Organizations * Mathematical Association of America, a professional ...

'' (1970) # ''

Bale Etthu Chivariki Chitthu Bale may refer to: Packaging * Cotton bale * Hay or straw bale in farming, bound by a baler * Paper bale, a unit of paper measurement equal to ten reams * Wool bale, a standard-sized and -weighted pack of classed wool Places * Bale Zone in ...

'' (1970) # '' Merupu Veerudu'' (1970) # '' Ukkupidugu'' (1969) # '' Gopaludu Bhoopaludu'' (1969) # '' Sattekalapu Satteya'' (1969) # '' Sabash Satyam'' (1969) # '' Takkari Donga Chankkani Chukka'' (1969) # '' Aggi Veerudu'' (1969) # '' Ukku Pidugu'' (1969) # '' Saptaswaralu'' (1969) # '' Gandara Gandadu'' (1969) # ''

Govula Gopanna ''Govula Gopanna'' is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by Lakshmi Rajyam and Sridhar Rao and directed by C. S. Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Rajasree and Bharathi, with music composed by Ghantasala. It i ...

'' (1968) # '' Aggi Meeda Guggilam'' (1968) # '' Rajayogam'' (1968) # '' Ranabheri'' (1968) # '' Devudichhina Bhartha'' (1968) # ''

Bhale Kodallu ''Bhale Kodallu'' () is a 1968 Telugu-language comedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. It was simultaneously filmed in Tamil as '' Bama Vijayam'', despite being released more than a year after that. The film features an ensemble cast ...

'' (1968) # ''

Evaru Monagaadu ''Evaru'' () is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language crime thriller film directed by Venkat Ramji. The film was produced by Pearl V. Potluri, Param V. Potluri and Kavin Anne. The film starring Adivi Sesh, Regina Cassandra, Naveen Chandra and Murali S ...

'' (1968) # '' Rahasyam'' (1967) # '' Aggidora'' (1967) # '' Sthree Janma'' (1967) # '' Kambojaraju Katha'' (1967) # '' Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna'' (1967) # '' Raktha Sindhooram'' (1967) # '' Satyame Jayam'' (1967) # ''

Veera Pooja Veera (Sanskrit and other Indian languages for ''"hero"'') may refer to: Films and media * ''Veera'' (1994 film), a Tamil film directed by Suresh Krissna starring Rajnikanth * ''Veera'' (2011 film), a Telugu film directed by A. Ramesh Varma sta ...

'' (1967) # ''

'' (1966) # '' Loguttu Perumallakeruka'' (1966) # '' Bhimanjaneya Yuddham'' (1966) # '' Pidugu Raamudu'' (1966) # '' Bhulokamlo Yamalokam'' (1966) # '' Prathigna Palana'' (1966) # '' Akasha Ramanna'' (1965) # '' Prameelarjuna Yuddham'' (1965) # '' Aatma Gowravam'' (1965) # '' Vijaya Simha'' (1965) # ''

Manushulu Mamathalu ''Manushulu Mamathalu'' () is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by A. V. Subba Rao under the Prasad Art Productions banner and directed by K. Pratyagatma. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Nissankara Savitri Guruvaiah and Jayal ...

'' (1965) # '' Preminchi Chudu'' (1965) # '' Mangamma Sapatham'' (1965) # '' Pakkalo Ballem'' (1965) # '' Babruvahana'' (1964) # ''

Aggi Pidugu ''Aggi Pidugu'' () is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, produced and directed by B. Vittalacharya under the Sri Vital Combines banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna Kumari and Rajasree, with music composed by Rajan–Nage ...

'' (1964) # '' Totalo Pilla Kotalo Raani'' (1964) # '' Bhaktha Ramadasu'' (1964) # '' Pooja Phalam'' (1964) # '' Bangaru Timmaraju'' (1964) # '' Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu'' (1963) # ''

Madana Kamaraju Katha Kama ( sa, काम, ), also known as Kamadeva and Manmatha, is the Hindu god of love and desire, often portrayed alongside his consort, Rati. The Atharva Veda regards Kamadeva as the wielder of the creative power of the universe, also descri ...

'' (1962) # '' Conistable Kuthuru'' (1962) # ''

Dakshayagnam Dakṣayajña is an important event in Hindu mythology that is narrated in various Hindu texts, Hindu scriptures. It refers to a yajna (ritual-sacrifice) organised by Daksha, where his daughter, Sati (goddess), Sati, immolates herself. The wrath ...

'' (1962) # '' Aradhana'' (1962) # '' Mahamantri Timmarusu'' (1962) # '' Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam'' (1960) # '' Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chintamani'' (1960) # '' Mangalyam'' (1960) # '' Bhaktha Ambarisha'' (1959) # '' Nagula Chavithi'' (1956) - Debut in Telugu (Child Artist)

Tamil

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

Kannada

# ''Devadhasi'' (1978) # '' Shani Prabhava'' (1977) # ''Naaga Kanye'' (1975) # ''Aashirvaada'' (1975) # ''

Mannina Magalu ''Mannina Magalu'' is a 1973 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Udaykumar, Jayanthi, Gangadhar, Aarathi, and Rajasree. The film has musical score by S. Rajeshwara Rao. The movie is based on a no ...

'' (1974) # ''

Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala ''Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala'' is a 1975 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Sangram and produced by S. V. Rajendra Singh. The film stars Srinath, B. V. Radha, Ramadevi, T. N. Balakrishna and Rajasree in the lead roles. The film has musical ...

'' (1974) # ''Urvashi'' (1974) # '' CID 72'' (1973) # '' Jwala Mohini'' (1973) # ''Modala Raathri'' (1970) # ''

C.I.D. Rajanna ''C.I.D. Rajanna'' is a 1970 Indian Kannada-language film produced and directed by R. Ramamurthy, starring Rajkumar. The supporting cast features Rajasree, Premalatha, Dinesh, Ranga, Dwarakish and K. S. Ashwath. S. P. Balasubrahma ...

'' (1970) # '' Mr. Rajkumar'' (1970) # ''Sukha Samsaara'' (1970) # ''

Bhale Basava ''Bhale Basava'' is a 1969 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Udaykumar, Rajesh, V. Nagayya and Narasimharaju. The film has musical score by S. Rajeshwara Rao. Cast *Udaykumar *Rajesh *V. Nagayy ...

'' (1969) # '' Gruhalakshmi'' (1969) # '' Arunodaya'' (1968) # '' Bala Nagamma'' (1966) # '' Naagapooja'' (1965) # '' Satya Harishchandra'' (1965) # ''

Chandavalliya Thota ''Chandavalliya Thota'' is a 1964 Indian Kannada language film, directed by T. V. Singh Thakur. It stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar and Jayanthi. Film was release on 24 June 1964and ran for a hundred days at Prabhat Cinema in Bangalore. The film wo ...

'' (1964) # '' Shivagange Mahathme'' (1964) # ''

Shivarathri Mahathme ''Shivarathri Mahathme'' is a 1964 Indian Kannada-language film directed by P. R. Kaundinya. The film stars Rajkumar, Leelavathi and K. S. Ashwath. The movie was dubbed in Telugu in 1965 as ''Shivarathri Mahatyam''. Cast * Rajkumar as Vijay ...

'' (1964) # '' Chandra Kumaara'' (1963) # '' Santha Thukaram'' (1963) # '' Kantheredu Nodu'' (1962) # ''

Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu ''Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu'' () is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by T. V. Singh Takur and produced by A. C. Narasimha Murthy and Friends. The film stars Dr. Rajkumar, Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Balakrishna (Kannada actor), Balakrishna ...

'' (1962) # '' Rathna Manjari'' (1962) # '' Swarna Gowri'' (1962) # ''

Thejaswini ''Thejaswini'' is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by H. L. N. Simha and produced by Pandari Bai. The film stars Rajkumar, Pandari Bai, Rajashankar and Rajasree. The film had musical score by M. Venkataraju. The movie is based on ...

'' (1962) # ''

Aasha Sundari ''Aasha Sundari'' is a 1960 Kannada-language film, directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced and written by S. Bhavanarayana. The film starred Krishnakumari in the titular role, besides Rajkumar, Harini and M. N. Lakshmi Devi in other p ...

Film industry

Personal life

Awards

Partial filmography

Telugu

Tamil

Kannada

Malayalam:credited as Gracy

Hindi

References

External links