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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Kanchana
| name              = Kanchana
| image              =  
| image              = Kanchana Actress (cropped).jpg
| caption            =  
| caption            = Kanchana at an event
| birthname          = Vasundhara Devi
| birthname          = Vasundhara Devi
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1939|08|16|df=yes}}
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1939|08|16|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Karavadi]], [[Prakasam district|Prakasam]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| birth_place        = [[Madras]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]
| parents            =
| relatives          =
| occupation        = Actress
| occupation        = Actress
| yearsactive         = 1957–1988; 2017
| yearsactive       = 1957–1988; 2017
}}
}}


'''Vasundhara Devi''' (born 16 August 1939), known by her stage name '''Kanchana''', is an Indian actress who worked in [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and [[Kannada]] films, in addition to [[Malayalam]] and [[Hindi]] films.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 October 2010 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021011917/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>  
'''Vasundhara Devi''' (born 16 August 1939), known by her [[stage name]] '''Kanchana''', is an Indian actress who primarily worked in [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and [[Kannada]] films, in addition to [[Malayalam]] and [[Hindi]] films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girija Pandey, Kanchana donate crores to TTD |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021011917/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article849193.ece |archive-date=21 October 2012 |access-date=26 October 2010 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


==Early life and Career==
==Early life==
Kanchana was born as Vasundhra Devi on 16 August 1939 in [[Karavadi]] village of [[Prakasam district|Prakasam]]- [[Andhra Pradesh]] of India to a [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.98085|title=Sport And Pastime Vol.18(may-august)1964|date=24 November 1964|access-date=24 November 2021|website=Archive.org}}</ref> Her father suffered business losses, and she went to work as an [[air hostess]] to support her family, when she was discovered by a friend of film director [[C. V. Sridhar]] on a plane where he was a passenger, who later suggested her to him.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Sridhar gave her the lead role in his film ''[[Kaadhalikka Neramillai]]'' in 1963 and changed her name to Kanchana, since there was already another actress named [[Vasundhara Devi]], mother of actress [[Vyjayanthimala]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/nothing-is-permanent/article3790964.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Y. Sunita | last=Chowdhary | title='Nothing is permanent' | date=18 August 2012}}</ref> Kanchana acted in over 150 films – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada 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 (1967 film)|Bama Vijayam]]'', ''Naalum Therindavan'', ''[[Thangai]]'', ''Thulabaram'', ''Ponnu Mappilai'', ''[[Shanti Nilayam]]'', ''Chella Penn'', ''Uthiravindri Ulle Vaa'', ''Vilaiyaattu Pillai'', ''Sivanda Mann'', ''Nyayam Ketkirom'', ''Avalukendru Oru Manam'', and ''Engalakkum Kaadhal Varum''. She retired from films in the ,id-80s itself.<ref>{{cite news |title= Star then, a stoic now |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/03/10/stories/2006031002950300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625131437/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/03/10/stories/2006031002950300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=10 March 2006 |access-date=13 March 2008 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> In 2005, she was presented with the [[M. G. Ramachandran|MGR]] award and in 2007 the [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao|ANR]] Swarna Kankanam award.<ref name="hindu2007">{{cite news |title=Yesteryear diva looks back |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/27/stories/2007092761160600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030084040/http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/27/stories/2007092761160600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 October 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=27 September 2007 |access-date=13 March 2008 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref name="TNIE">{{cite news |title= Yesteryear heroine wins property, donates to TTD|url= http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/article294827.ece?service=print |work= The New Indian Express |date=10 October 2010 |access-date=23 November 2014 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> In Tamil, her pairing with [[Ravichandran (Tamil actor)|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 (1967 film)|Bama Vijayam]]'' and ''[[Avalukendru Oru 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 (Tamil actor)|Ravichandran]] and [[Sivakumar]] in Tamil. Her last film as lead heroine in Tamil was [[Avan Oru Sarithiram]] in and Babruvahana in Kannada, both in 1977. Her performances in the movies ''Pavitra Bandham'' & ''Manchivaadu'' were well appreciated and recognized.<ref>[http://www.idlebrain.com/research/untold/untold_kanchana.html Idle Brain]. Idle Brain. Retrieved on 9 June 2012.</ref> She played [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|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 film)|Parivartana]] (1975)'', ''Nenante Nene'' and ''[[Dharma Daata]]'' in addition to ''[[Shri Krishnavataram]]'' (1967). After her retirement as a heroine, she acted in supporting roles acted in films such as ''[[Ananda Bhairavi]]'', ''[[Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra]]'', ''[[Jhonny (1980 film)|Johnny]]'' and ''[[Mouna Ragam]]''. Kanchana appeared in OLX commercial (Tamil/Telugu) in 2015.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} She made her comeback to films with [[Arjun Reddy]] in 2017 as the titular character's grandmother.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
Kanchana was born as Vasundhara Devi on 16 August 1939 in [[Chennai|Madras]] (now Chennai).<ref name="dob">{{cite magazine |last=Ramachandban |first=T. M. |date=9 May 1964 |title=Sridhars's New Discovery |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.98085/page/n108/mode/1up |magazine=[[Sport and Pastime]]}}</ref> His father, Sathyanarayana Sasthri, was a civil engineer and his mother, Vidhyulatha, was a housewife. 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 (dance)|Arangetram]] at the Museum Theatre when she was just nine years old.<ref name="dob" />
 
Kanchana pursued her education at [[Good Shepherd Convent, Chennai|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 (As You Like It)|Celia]] in ''[[As You Like It]]'' and Sita in Manohar’s popular play ''Lankeswaran''.<ref name="dob" />
 
== Career ==
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 [[Mumbai|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.<ref name="dob" />
 
=== Film career ===
Kanchana had acted in minor roles in [[Suvarna Sundari|Suvarna sundari]] / [[Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam]]  (1957) film and [[Seeta (1960 film)|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]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Chowdhary |first=Y. Sunita |date=18 August 2012 |title='Nothing is permanent' |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/nothing-is-permanent/article3790964.ece |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Her performance in the film received critical acclaim, setting the stage for her future success in the film industry.<ref name="dob" />
 
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]]'', ''[[Athey Kangal (1967 film)|Adhey Kangal]]'', ''[[Bama Vijayam (1967 film)|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.<ref>{{cite news |title= Star then, a stoic now |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/03/10/stories/2006031002950300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625131437/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/03/10/stories/2006031002950300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=10 March 2006 |access-date=13 March 2008 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>
 
In 2005, she was presented with the [[M. G. Ramachandran|MGR]] award and in 2007 the [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao|ANR]] Swarna Kankanam award.<ref name="hindu2007">{{cite news |title=Yesteryear diva looks back |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/27/stories/2007092761160600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030084040/http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/27/stories/2007092761160600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 October 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=27 September 2007 |access-date=13 March 2008 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref name="TNIE">{{cite news |title= Yesteryear heroine wins property, donates to TTD|url= http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/article294827.ece?service=print |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141222182536/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/article294827.ece?service=print |url-status= dead |archive-date= 22 December 2014 |work= The New Indian Express |date=10 October 2010 |access-date=23 November 2014 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> In Tamil, her pairing with [[Ravichandran (Tamil actor)|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 (1967 film)|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 (actor)|Jaishankar]], [[Ravichandran (Tamil actor)|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.<ref>[http://www.idlebrain.com/research/untold/untold_kanchana.html Idle Brain]. Idle Brain. Retrieved on 9 June 2012.</ref> She played [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|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 film)|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]]'', [[Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra|''Srimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra'']], ''[[Jhonny (1980 film)|Johnny]]'' and ''[[Mouna Ragam]]''. Kanchana appeared in an OLX commercial (Telugu/Tamil) in 2015.<ref>{{Citation |title=Old Treasure Found : Starring the Legend Kanchana - Tamil | date=26 July 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI66OedC2vw |access-date=2023-11-04 |language=en}}</ref> She made her comeback to films with [[Arjun Reddy]] in 2017 as the titular character's grandmother.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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|date=February 2021}}. Kanchana along with her sister, Girija donated their property in Chennai worth then around Rs. 15&nbsp;crore to [[Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]] (TTD) on 25 October 2010.<ref name="Zee News">{{cite news |title=TTD not to sell land donated by yesteryear actress |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/andhra-pradesh/ttd-not-to-sell-land-donated-by-yesteryear-actress_666270.html|work= Zee News |date=6 November 2010 |access-date=23 November 2014 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref name="IBN Live">{{cite news |title= Yesteryears dream girl has a dream today - IBNLive|url= http://ibnlive.in.com/news/yesteryears-dream-girl-has-a-dream-today/233460-60-120.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20141123152540/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/yesteryears-dream-girl-has-a-dream-today/233460-60-120.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 23 November 2014|work= IBN Live |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=23 November 2014 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> She remains happy, single and unmarried to date currently residing in [[Hyderabad]].
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|date=February 2021}}. Kanchana along with her sister, Girija, donated their property in Chennai, then worth around Rs. 100 crores, to [[Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]] (TTD) on 25 October 2010.<ref name="Zee News">{{cite news |title=TTD not to sell land donated by yesteryear actress |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/andhra-pradesh/ttd-not-to-sell-land-donated-by-yesteryear-actress_666270.html|work= Zee News |date=6 November 2010 |access-date=23 November 2014 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref name="IBN Live">{{cite news |title= Yesteryears dream girl has a dream today - IBNLive|url= http://ibnlive.in.com/news/yesteryears-dream-girl-has-a-dream-today/233460-60-120.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20141123152540/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/yesteryears-dream-girl-has-a-dream-today/233460-60-120.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 23 November 2014|work= IBN Live |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=23 November 2014 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> She is currently residing in [[Bangalore]].


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
 
{{Pending films key}}
In order of languages, from the most to least acted films!
 
===Telugu===
===Telugu===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Movie !! Role  
! Year !! Movie !! Role  
!Notes
|-
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Suvarna Sundari]]'' || Naaga Kanya
| rowspan="3" | 1965 || ''[[Aatma Gowravam]]'' || Savitri/Sarala
|
|-
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Bhatti Vikramarka]]'' || Goddess Kaalika
| ''[[Preminchi Choodu (1965 film)|Preminchi Choodu]]'' ||Kanchanamala
|
|-
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Aatma Gowravam]]'' || Savitri/Sarala
| ''[[Veerabhimanyu]]'' || [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttara]]
|
|-
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Preminchi Choodu]]'' ||Kanchanamala
| rowspan="2" | 1966 || ''[[Navarathri (1966 film)|Navarathri]]'' ||Patient
|Cameo appearance
|-
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Veerabhimanyu]]'' || [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttara]]
| ''[[Dr. Anand]]'' ||Vijaya
|
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Navarathri (1966 film)|Navarathri]]'' ||Patient (cameo appearance)
| rowspan="6" | 1967 || ''[[Ave Kallu]]'' || Susheela
|
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Dr. Anand]]'' ||Vijaya
| ''[[Prana Mithrulu]]'' ||Padmavathi
|
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Ave Kallu]]'' || Susheela
| ''[[Kanchu Kota]]'' ||Dancer
|Cameo appearance
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Prana Mithrulu]]'' ||Padmavathi
| ''[[Private Master]]'' ||Sundari
|
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''Kanchukota'' ||
| ''[[Sri Krishnavataram]]''||Sathyabhama
|
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Private Master]]'' || Sundari
| ''[[Marapurani Katha]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Shri Krishnavataram]]'' ||Sathyabhama
| rowspan="9" | 1968 || ''[[Manchi Kutumbam]]'' ||Sharadha
|
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''Marapurani Katha'' ||
| ''[[Bandhipotu Dongalu]]'' || Malli
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Manchi Kutumbam]]'' ||Sharadha
| ''[[Nenante Nene]]'' ||Geetha
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Bandhipotu Dongalu]]'' || Malli
| ''Deva Kanya'' || Kinnera/Lalasa
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Nenante Nene]]'' ||Geetha
| ''[[Veeranjaneya]]'' ||[[Sulochana (Ramayana)|Sulochana]]
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''Deva Kanya'' ||  
| ''[[Thalli Prema]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Veeranjaneya]]'' ||[[Sulochana (Ramayana)|Sulochana]]
| ''[[Kalisochina Adrushtam]]'' ||Sobha
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Thalli Prema]]'' ||  
| ''Vintha Kapuram''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vintha Kapuram Movie Cast |url=https://www.vcinema.com/movie/vintha-kapuram-1968#overview}}</ref>||Vijaya
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Kalisochina Adrushtam]]'' ||Sobha
| ''[[Bhale Kodallu]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''Vintha Kapuram'' ||
| rowspan="5" | 1969 || ''[[Bhale Mastaru]]'' || Vijaya
|
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Bhale Mastaru]]'' || Vijaya
| ''[[Manushulu Marali]]'' ||  
|
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Manushulu Marali]]'' ||  
| ''[[Saptaswaralu]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Saptaswaralu]]'' ||
| ''[[Natakala Rayudu]]'' || Geetha Devi
|
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Natakala Rayudu]]'' || Geetha Devi
| ''Jarigina Katha'' ||
|-
|
| 1969 || ''Jarigina Katha'' ||
|-
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Dharma Daata]]'' || Padma  
| 1970 || ''[[Dharma Daata]]'' || Padma  
|
|-
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Kalyana Mandapam]]'' ||Devadasi  
| rowspan="5" | 1971 || ''[[Kalyana Mandapam]]'' ||Devadasi  
|
|-
|-
| 1971 || ''Pavitra Bandham'' ||  
| ''Pavitra Bandham'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1971 || ''Amayakuralu'' ||  
| ''[[Amaayakuraalu]]'' || Shobha
|
|-
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Rangeli Raja]]'' || Vijaya
| ''[[Rangeli Raja]]'' || Vijaya
|
|-
|-
|1971 || ''Andam Kosam Pandem'' || Malathi  
| ''Andam Kosam Pandem'' || Malathi  
|
|-
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Raitu Kutumbam]]'' || Radha  
| rowspan="3" | 1972 || ''[[Raitu Kutumbam]]'' || Radha  
|
|-
|-
| 1972 || ''Manchi Rojulu Vachchaayi'' ||Geetha
| ''Manchi Rojulu Vachchaayi'' ||Geetha
|
|-
|-
| 1972 || ''Vamsodharakudu'' ||
| ''Vamsodharakudu'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1973 || ''Pedda Koduku'' ||
| rowspan="5" | 1973 || ''Pedda Koduku'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Bhakta Tukaram]]'' ||Bahina bai
| ''[[Bhakta Tukaram]]'' ||Bahina Bai
|
|-
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973 film)|Devudu Chesina Manushulu]]'' ||Geetha  
| ''[[Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973 film)|Devudu Chesina Manushulu]]'' ||Geetha  
|
|-
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Manchivadu]]'' || Lalitha
| ''[[Manchivadu]]'' || Lalitha
|
|-
|-
| 1973 || ''Talli Kodukulu'' ||
| ''Talli Kodukulu'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Tatamma Kala]]'' || Seetha  
| 1974 || ''[[Tatamma Kala]]'' || Seetha  
|
|-
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Maya Maschindra (1975 film)|Maya Maschindra]]'' || Mohini  
| rowspan="2" | 1975 || ''[[Maya Maschindra (1975 film)|Maya Maschindra]]'' || Mohini  
|
|-
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Annadammula Anubandham]]'' || Geetha  
| ''[[Annadammula Anubandham]]'' || Geetha  
|
|-
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Mahakavi Kshetrayya]]'' ||
| rowspan="2" | 1976 || ''[[Mahakavi Kshetrayya]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Secretary (1976 film)|Secretary]]'' ||Rekha Rani
| ''[[Secretary (1976 film)|Secretary]]'' ||Rekha Rani
|
|-
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Daana Veera Soora Karna]]'' ||[[Subhadra]]  
| rowspan="3" | 1977 || ''[[Daana Veera Soora Karna]]'' ||[[Subhadra]]  
|
|-
|-
| 1977 || ''Indradhanusu'' ||  
| ''Indradhanusu'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Raja Ramesh]]'' ||Padmaja  
| ''[[Raja Ramesh]]'' ||Padmaja  
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1978
|''Kalanthakulu''
|Kamala
|
|-
|''Dongala Dopidi''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dongala Dopidi (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/SYN |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Gowri
|
|-
|''Indradhanussu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indradhanusu (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/SGU |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Saraswathi
|
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Driver Ramudu]]'' || Kalavathi  
| 1979 || ''[[Driver Ramudu]]'' || Kalavathi  
|
|-
| 1981 || ''Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gadasari Atha Sogasari Kodalu (1981) |url=https://indiancine.ma/VPR/info |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>|| Kamala
|
|-
|-
| 1981 || ''Gadasari Attaha Sosagara Kodalu'' ||  
|1982
|''[[Naa Desam]]''
| Saraswati Devi
|
|-
|-
| 1983|| ''[[Ananda Bhairavi (film)|Anandha Bhairavi]]'' ||
| 1983|| ''[[Ananda Bhairavi (film)|Anandha Bhairavi]]'' ||
|
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra]]''||Govindamma
|
|-
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra]]'' ||govindamma
| 1985 || ''[[Sri Datta Darsanam]]''||
|
|-
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Shri Datta Darshanam]]'' ||  
| rowspan="3" |1986
|''Kirayi Mogudu''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirayi Mogudu Cast Info |url=https://www.thecinebay.com/movie/index/id/8064 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|Janaki
|
|-
|-
|1986
|''[[Jayam Manade (1986 film)|Jayam Manade]]''
|''[[Jayam Manade (1986 film)|Jayam Manade]]''
|Savithri
|Savithri
|
|-
|-
|1986
|''[[Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam]]''
|''[[Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam]]''
|
|
|-
|1988
|''Premayanam''
|
|
|
|-
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Arjun Reddy ]]'' ||Arjun's grandmother
| 2017 || ''[[Arjun Reddy ]]'' ||Arjun's grandmother
|}  
|
|-
| {{TBA}} || {{Pending film|Spirit}}|| {{TBA}}
|
|}


===Tamil===
===Tamil===
Line 153: Line 248:
|-
|-
! Year !! Movies !! Role !! Note
! Year !! Movies !! Role !! Note
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam]]'' || Naaga Kanni||Credited as ''"Vasundhara"''
|-
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Kaadhalikka Neramillai]]'' || Kanchana || Debut film
| 1964 || ''[[Kaadhalikka Neramillai]]'' || Kanchana || Debut film
|-
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Veera Abhimanyu]]'' || [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttara]] ||
| 1965 || ''[[Veera Abhimanyu (1965 film)|Veera Abhimanyu]]'' || [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttara]] ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Motor Sundaram Pillai]]'' || Kamala ||
| rowspan="5" | 1966 || ''[[Motor Sundaram Pillai]]'' || Kamala ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''Thedi Vantha Thirumagal'' || Susheela ||
| ''Thedi Vantha Thirumagal'' || Susheela ||
|-
|-
| 1966  || ''[[Parakkum Paavai]]'' || Shantha ||
| ''[[Parakkum Paavai]]'' || Shantha ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Kodimalar]]'' || Parvathi ||
| ''[[Kodimalar]]'' || Parvathi ||
|-
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Marakka Mudiyumaa?]]'' || ||
| ''[[Marakka Mudiyumaa?]]'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Adhey Kangal]]'' ||Susheela ||
| rowspan="3" | 1967 || ''[[Athey Kangal (1967 film)|Adhey Kangal]]'' ||Susheela ||
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Bama Vijayam (1967 film)|Bama Vijayam]]'' || Seetha ||  
| ''[[Bama Vijayam (1967 film)|Bama Vijayam]]'' || Seetha ||  
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Thangai]]'' || Lalitha  ||
| ''[[Thangai]]'' || Lalitha  ||
|-
|-
| 1968|| ''Naalum Therindhvan'' || Mala ||
| 1968|| ''Naalum Therindhvan'' || Mala ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''Chella Penn''||  ||
| rowspan="5" | 1969 || ''Chella Penn''||  ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Ponnu Mappillai]]''|| Bhuvana ||
| ''[[Ponnu Mappillai]]''|| Bhuvana ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Shanti Nilayam]]''|| Malathi ||
| ''[[Shanti Nilayam]]''|| Malathi ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Thulabaram]]'' || Vatsala ||
| ''[[Thulabaram]]'' || Vatsala ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Sivandha Mann]]'' || Chitralekha ||
| ''[[Sivandha Mann]]'' || Chitralekha ||
|-
|-
| 1970 || ''Noorandu Kaalam Vazgha'' || Leela ||
| rowspan="3" | 1970 || ''Noorandu Kaalam Vazgha'' || Leela ||
|-
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Vilaiyaattu Pillai]]''|| Indu ||
| ''[[Vilaiyaattu Pillai]]''|| Indu ||
|-
|-
| 1970 || ''Kadhal Jothi'' || Dr. Suguna ||
| ''Kadhal Jothi'' || Dr. Suguna ||
|-
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Avalukendru Oru Manam]]'' || Meena ||
| rowspan="2" | 1971 || ''[[Avalukendru Or Manam]]'' || Meena ||
|-
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa]]'' || Janaki ||
| ''[[Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa]]'' || Janaki ||
|-
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Naan Yen Pirandhen]]'' || Radha ||
| 1972 || ''[[Naan Yen Pirandhen]]'' || Radha ||
Line 206: Line 299:
| 1977 || ''[[Avan Oru Sarithiram]]'' || Kalpana ||
| 1977 || ''[[Avan Oru Sarithiram]]'' || Kalpana ||
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''Ninaivil Oru Malar'' ||  ||
| rowspan="3" | 1979 || ''Ninaivil Oru Malar'' ||  ||
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''Neethiyaa Nyayamaa''|| ||
| ''Neethiyaa Nyayamaa''|| ||
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''Jaya Nee Jayichutte''|| ||
| ''Jaya Nee Jayichutte''|| ||
|-
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Jhonny (1980 film)|Johnny]]''|| Johnny's mother ||
| 1980 || ''[[Jhonny (1980 film)|Johnny]]''|| Johnny's mother ||
Line 220: Line 313:
| 1985 || ''Kattukkulle Thiruvizha'' || ||
| 1985 || ''Kattukkulle Thiruvizha'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Mouna Ragam|Mouna Raagam]]'' || Lawyer ||
| rowspan="2" | 1986 || ''[[Mouna Ragam|Mouna Raagam]]'' || Lawyer ||
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Kulirkaala Megangal]]'' || Maheswari ||
| ''[[Kulirkaala Megangal]]'' || Maheswari ||
|-
|-
| 1987 || ''Naanum Neeyum'' || ||
| rowspan="2" | 1987 || ''Naanum Neeyum'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1987 || ''[[Kizhakku Africavil Sheela]]'' || Kumudha ||
| ''[[Kizhakku Africavil Sheela]]'' || Kumudha ||
|-
|-
|}  
|}


===Kannada===
===Kannada===
Line 234: Line 327:
|-
|-
! Year !! Film !! Role  
! Year !! Film !! Role  
!Notes
|-
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Babruvahana (film)|Babruvahana]]'' || Uloochi  
| 1977 || ''[[Babruvahana (film)|Babruvahana]]'' || Uloochi  
|
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Nanobba Kalla]]'' || Savitri
| rowspan="2" | 1978 || ''[[Nanobba Kalla]]'' || Savitri
|
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Shankar Guru (1978 film)|Shankar Guru]]'' || Sumati
| ''[[Shankar Guru (1978 film)|Shankar Guru]]'' || Sumati
|
|-
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Biligiriya Banadalli]]'' ||  
| rowspan="2" | 1980 || ''[[Biligiriya Banadalli]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Aarada Gaaya]]'' ||
| ''[[Aarada Gaaya]]'' || Mangala
|
|-
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Jeevakke Jeeva]]'' ||
| rowspan="2" | 1981 || ''[[Jeevakke Jeeva]]'' || Seetha
|
|-
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Bhagyavantha]]'' || wife of [[K. S. Ashwath]]
| ''[[Bhagyavantha]]'' ||  
|
|-
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Nyaya Ellide]]'' || mother of Shankar nag
| rowspan="3" | 1982 || ''[[Nyaya Ellide]]'' || Durga
|
|-
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Pedda Gedda]]'' ||  
| ''[[Pedda Gedda]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Prachanda Kulla]]'' || Rama's mother
| ''[[Prachanda Kulla]]'' || Rama's mother
|
|-
|-
| 1983|| ''[[Ananda Bhairavi (film)|Anandha Bhairavi]]'' ||
| rowspan="2" | 1983|| ''[[Ananda Bhairavi (film)|Anandha Bhairavi]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Bhakta Prahlada (1983 film)|Bhakta Prahlada]]'' || Mother of ''[[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]''
| ''[[Bhakta Prahlada (1983 film)|Bhakta Prahlada]]'' || Diti
|
|-
|-
| 1984 || ''Maryade Mahalu'' ||
| rowspan="5" | 1984 || ''Maryade Mahalu'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1984 || ''Raktha Thilaka'' ||
| ''Raktha Thilaka'' || Durga
|
|-
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Bandhana]]'' ||
| ''[[Bandhana]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Pralayanthaka]]'' ||  
| ''[[Pralayanthaka]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Samayada Gombe]]'' || Mother of ''[[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]''
| ''[[Samayada Gombe]]'' || Kamakshi
|
|-
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Veeradhi Veera]]'' ||
| rowspan="4" | 1985 || ''[[Veeradhi Veera]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Nanna Prathigne]]''||
| ''[[Nanna Prathigne]]''|| Mangala
|
|-
|-
| 1985 || ''Chaduranga'' ||
| ''Chaduranga'' || Dr. Maheshwari
|
|-
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Bidugadeya Bedi]]'' ||
| ''[[Bidugadeya Bedi]]'' || Ratna
|
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Ratha Sapthami]]'' ||
| rowspan="3" | 1986 || ''[[Ratha Sapthami]]'' || Sharada
|
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu]]'' ||
| ''Beegara Pandya'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''Beegara Pandya'' ||
| ''[[Africadalli Sheela]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Africadalli Sheela]]'' ||
| rowspan="2" | 1987 || ''Vijayothsava'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1987 || ''Vijayothsava'' ||
| ''[[Jayasimha (1987 film)|Jayasimha]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1987 || ''[[Jayasimha (1987 film)|Jayasimha]]'' ||
| rowspan="3" | 1988 || ''[[Chiranjeevi Sudhakar]]'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1988 || ''Chiranjeevi Sudhakar'' ||
| ''Dharma Pathni'' ||
|
|-
|-
| 1988 || ''Dharma Pathni'' ||
| ''[[Devatha Manushya]]'' ||  
|-
|
| 1988 || ''[[Devatha Manushya]]'' || Sister of ''[[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]''
|}
|}


Line 309: Line 430:
| 1977 ||''[[Ammaayi Amma]]'' ||  
| 1977 ||''[[Ammaayi Amma]]'' ||  
|-
|-
| 1979 ||''[[Nithya Vasantham]]'' ||  
| rowspan="2" | 1979 ||''Nithya Vasantham'' ||  
|-
|-
| 1979 ||''[[Rakthamillatha Manushyan]]''||  
|''[[Rakthamillatha Manushyan]]''||  
|-
|-
| 1982 ||''[[Ina (film)|Ina]]'' || Aunty  
| 1982 ||''[[Ina (film)|Ina]]'' || Aunty  
Line 325: Line 446:
! Year !! Movie !! Role !! Note
! Year !! Movie !! Role !! Note
|-
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Suvarna Sundari]]'' || Naag Kanya || Credited as ''"Vasundhra"''
| 1967 || ''[[Farz (1967 film)|Farz]]'' || Kamala ||
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Farz (1967 film)|Farz]]'' || ||
| 1968 || ''[[Teen Bahuraniyan]]'' || Seeta ||
|-
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Teen Bahuraniyan]]'' || || Remake of Bhama Vijayam
| 1970 || ''[[Samaj Ko Badal Dalo]]'' || Vimla ||
|-
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Samaj Ko Badal Dalo]]'' || || Remake of Thulabaaram
| 1974 || ''[[Prem Nagar (1974 film)|Prem Nagar]]'' || Dancer ||
|-
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Prem Nagar (1974 film)|Prem Nagar]]'' || Dancer || Remake of same name in Telugu
|}
|}


==Awards==
==Awards==
{{BLP sources section|date=January 2023}}
* She was presented with the [[M. G. Ramachandran|MGR]] award in 2005.
* She was presented with the [[M. G. Ramachandran|MGR]] award in 2005.
*[[Akkineni Nageswara Rao|ANR]] Swarna Kankanam award in 2007.<ref name="hindu2007"/>
*[[Akkineni Nageswara Rao|ANR]] Swarna Kankanam award in 2007.<ref name="hindu2007"/>
Line 353: Line 474:
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Telugu actresses]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Telugu actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Chennai]]
[[Category:Actresses from Chennai]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:People from Prakasam district]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 12 March 2026


Kanchana
Kanchana at an event
Born
Vasundhara Devi

(1939-08-16) 16 August 1939 (age 86)
Madras, Madras Presidency, British India
OccupationActress
Years active1957–1988; 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 | edit source]

Kanchana was born as Vasundhara Devi on 16 August 1939 in Madras (now Chennai).[2] His father, Sathyanarayana Sasthri, was a civil engineer and his mother, Vidhyulatha, was a housewife. 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 | edit source]

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 | edit source]

Kanchana had acted in minor roles in Suvarna sundari / Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam (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 | edit source]

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. 100 crores, to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on 25 October 2010.[9][10] She is currently residing in Bangalore.

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released

Telugu[edit | edit source]

Year Movie Role Notes
1965 Aatma Gowravam Savitri/Sarala
Preminchi Choodu Kanchanamala
Veerabhimanyu Uttara
1966 Navarathri Patient Cameo appearance
Dr. Anand Vijaya
1967 Ave Kallu Susheela
Prana Mithrulu Padmavathi
Kanchu Kota Dancer Cameo appearance
Private Master Sundari
Sri Krishnavataram Sathyabhama
Marapurani Katha
1968 Manchi Kutumbam Sharadha
Bandhipotu Dongalu Malli
Nenante Nene Geetha
Deva Kanya Kinnera/Lalasa
Veeranjaneya Sulochana
Thalli Prema
Kalisochina Adrushtam Sobha
Vintha Kapuram[11] Vijaya
Bhale Kodallu
1969 Bhale Mastaru Vijaya
Manushulu Marali
Saptaswaralu
Natakala Rayudu Geetha Devi
Jarigina Katha
1970 Dharma Daata Padma
1971 Kalyana Mandapam Devadasi
Pavitra Bandham
Amaayakuraalu Shobha
Rangeli Raja Vijaya
Andam Kosam Pandem Malathi
1972 Raitu Kutumbam Radha
Manchi Rojulu Vachchaayi Geetha
Vamsodharakudu
1973 Pedda Koduku
Bhakta Tukaram Bahina Bai
Devudu Chesina Manushulu Geetha
Manchivadu Lalitha
Talli Kodukulu
1974 Tatamma Kala Seetha
1975 Maya Maschindra Mohini
Annadammula Anubandham Geetha
1976 Mahakavi Kshetrayya
Secretary Rekha Rani
1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna Subhadra
Indradhanusu
Raja Ramesh Padmaja
1978 Kalanthakulu Kamala
Dongala Dopidi[12] Gowri
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
Jayam Manade Savithri
Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam
1988 Premayanam
2017 Arjun Reddy Arjun's grandmother
TBA
style="background: #FFD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: left; " class="partial table-partial"|Spirit Not yet released
TBA

Tamil[edit | edit source]

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

Kannada[edit | edit source]

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

Malayalam[edit | edit source]

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

Hindi[edit | edit source]

Year Movie Role Note
1967 Farz Kamala
1968 Teen Bahuraniyan Seeta
1970 Samaj Ko Badal Dalo Vimla
1974 Prem Nagar Dancer

Awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Girija Pandey, Kanchana donate crores to TTD". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 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. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "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. Retrieved 23 November 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  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".[permanent dead link]

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