Vijayashanti (born 24 June 1966) is an Indian actress, producer and politician. In a film career spanning 40 years, she has acted in 187 feature films in a variety of roles in various languages predominantly in Telugu films in addition to Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam films. She is referred as "Lady Superstar" and "Lady Amitabh". She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her work as a "super cop" in Kartavyam (1990), for depicting both aggression and feminity with balance and restraint. For her role in Pratighatana (1985), Vijayashanti won her first state Nandi Award and Filmfare Award. She is a recipient of several accolades, including four Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards for Best Actress, seven Filmfare Awards South together with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, and the Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu Government.
Referred to as the "Lady Superstar", "Lady Amitabh", and "The Action Queen of Indian Cinema", Vijayashanti appeared in successful films like Neti Bharatam (1983), Agni Parvatam (1985), Challenge (1984), Pratighatana (1985), Muddula Krishnayya (1986), Repati Pourulu (1986), Desodharakudu (1986), Pasivadi Pranam (1987), Muvva Gopaludu (1987), Yamudiki Mogudu (1988), Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989), Janaki Ramudu (1988), Muddula Mavayya (1989), Kondaveeti Donga (1990), Karthavyam (1990), Indrudu Chandrudu (1989), Lorry Driver (1990), Sathruvu (1990), Gang Leader (1991), Mannan (1992), Rowdy Inspector (1992), Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam (1992), Chinarayudu (1993) and Police Lockup (1993), Osey Ramulamma (1997) establishing herself as one of the leading actresses of Telugu cinema and being cited in the media as one of the nation's most popular and attractive personalities of the late 80s and 90s. In 1987, she appeared in Swayam Krushi alongside Chiranjeevi, which was screened at the Moscow International Film Festival, and Padamati Sandhya Ragam with Hollywood actor Thomas Jane, which was screened at the Louisville International Film Festival.
She entered state politics in 1998. She served as the Member of Parliament in the 15th Lok Sabha, representing the Medak constituency from Telangana Rashtra Samithi. As of December 2020, she is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Early life
Vijayashanti was born on 24 June 1966 to Satti Srinivas Prasad (Anaparthi, East Godavari District) and Varalakshmi (Eturunagaram, Mulugu District), Madras, Tamil Nadu. She is the niece of famous Telugu actress and producer Vijayalalitha. She has said that she prefers to think of herself as being from Telangana rather than Madras, although as of 2004 she had never visited her ancestral village of Ramannagudem near Eturnagaram.
She completed her 10th class at Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai, before starting her film career.
