Rajasree

For 1960s Bollywood actress, see Rajshree. For the 1990s actress, see Rajashree (actress).

Rajasree
File:Rajasree Telugu Actress.jpg
Born	Kusuma Kumari 1945 Eluru,West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
Other names	Rajasri/Gracy/Rajasree.T
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1956 - 1979
Spouse(s)	Thota Panchajanyam

Rajasree, also known as RajaSri, is a noted South Indian film actress of the 1960s. She is particularly famous for her portrayal as princess in several folklore Telugu movies opposite N. T. Rama Rao and Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao.

Notable among Rajasri's roles in non-folklore social films are as Nimmi in Tamil hit comedy film Kaadhalikka Neramillai, remade as Preminchi Choodu in Telugu, and as movie star Bhama in Tamil film Bama Vijayam.

Rajasree acted as Gracy in the Malayalam movie Bharya (1962) directed by Kunchakko. She has acted more than 200 movies in Telugu,Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi movies during 1960s and 1970s.

Awards

Yesteryear actress Rajasree was honoured with the MGR Award in 2004.

Personal life

Rajasree's husband died suddenly when her child was just four. Yet the actress has kept up her promise to him to this day! "Many ask me why I can't do television now? But I'm reluctant," she says. However, she has not severed ties with the film world. "I still have many friends from the industry. Saroja Devi calls up whenever she's in town. Recently Sharada (actress), Vanisri, Jayapradha, Sachu, Padmini (actress), Rajasulochana and I met over lunch. In fact it was Sachu who first called me up and told me about the award," she says. Rajasree spends her time in meditation and being a devotee of Sathya Sai Baba, people can often spot her at Sundaram, their Chennai centre. But today she is a picture of contentment, leading a relaxed life and taking care of her old sister.

Film Industry

It was the Tamil comic classic, `Kaadhalikka Neramillai,' that catapulted Rajasree to fame. "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," she recalls.

Rajasree went on to play the same role in Telugu with Nageswara Rao and in Hindi with Shashi Kapoor — she was the only one to repeat the role in the remakes. Acting in `Bama Vijayam' and also later in `Anubavi Raja Anubavi,' under the stewardship of K. Balachander was a great experience for her. "I remember Nagesh pulling my leg often shouting out `Dhigilazhagi' whenever I was on the sets," she laughs. (In `Bama Vijayam,' a thief refers to her by the name.)

Getting back to the subject of awards she says: "I've done three films with the CM (She's great!)J.Jayalalitha, and I've also acted with her mother Sandhya as her daughter."

Beginning as a child artiste in `Naga Devadhai,' Rajasree went on to do scores of films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam(as Gracy) and Hindi from beginning of 1960s until late 1970s

Partial Filmography

In order of languages in which she acted the least to most number of films(please help to expand it).

Hindi

1. Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966) (as Rajasree of south) .... Nirmala/Nimmi-(remake of Kadhalikka Neramillai)
2. Naseehat (1967)
3. Payal Ki Jhankar (1968)

Malayalam: Credited as Gracy

1. Vishwaroopam (1978)
2. Sreemurukan (1977)
3. Raasaleela (1975)
4. Durga (1974)
5. Devi Kanyaakumaari (1974)
6. Ponnaapuram Kotta (1973)
7. Manassu (1973)
8. Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972)
9. Aana Valarthiya Vaanampaadiyude Makan (1971)
10. Dathuputhran (1970)
11. Urangatha Sundary (1969) ...Vilasini
12. Kumara Sambhavam (1969) .... Urvashi
13. Dial 2244 (1968)
14. Kadal (1968) .... Rajeena
15. Karutha Rathrikal (1967)
16. Udhyogastha (1967)
17. Anarkali (1966)...Gulnar
18. Kadamattathachan (1966)
19. Jail (1966)
20. Shakuntala (1965)
21. Pazhassi Raja (1964)
22. Rebecca (1963)
23. Kadalamma (1963)
24. Bharya (1962)

Kannada

1. Swarna Gowri (1962)
2. Naaga Kanye (1975)
3. Kantheredu Nodu (1962)
4. Santha Thukaram (1963)
5. Naagapooja (1965)
6. Arunodaya (1968)
7. Modala Raathri (1970)
8. C.I.D. Rajanna (1970)
9. Mr. Rajkumar (1970)
10. Sukha Samsaara (1970)
11. Aashirvaada (1975)
12. Shani Prabhava (1977)
13. Devadhasi (1978)
14. Mannina Magalu (1974)
15. Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala (1974)
16. CID 72 (1973)
17. Jwala Mohini (1973)
18. Bhale Basava (1969)
19. Gruhalakshmi (1969) ... Guest appearance
20. Bala Nagamma (1966)
21. Satya Harishchandra (1965)
22. Chandavalliya Thota (1964)
23. Shivagange Mahathme (1964)
24. Shivarathri Mahathme (1964)
25. Chandra Kumaara (1963)
26. Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu (1962)
27. Rathna Manjari (1962)
28. Thejaswini (1962)
29. Aasha Sundari (1960)
30. Dashavathara (1960)

Tamil

1. Iravu 12 Mani (1978)
2. Amudha (1975)...Anbarasi
3. Naalai Namadhe (1975) ... Guest appearance
4. Hotel Swargam (1975)
5. Netru Indru Naalai (1974)...Amudha
6. Pattikaattu Ponnaiya (1973)...Megala
7. Ellai Kodu (1972)
8. Namma Veetu Deivam (1972)...Guest appearance
9. Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan (1971)
10. Aathi Parasakthi(1971)...Lakshmi Devi
11. Pattondru Ketten (1971)
12. Poi Sollathae (1971)
13. Patham Pasali (1970)
14. Sorgam (1970)
15. Kumara Sambhavam (1969)...Urvasi
16. Singapore Seeman (1969)
17. Adimai Penn (1969)...Princess Muthazhagi
18. Poova Thalaiya (1969)...Raji
19. Ulagam Ivvalaudhan(1969)
20. Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968)...Aasha
21. Siritha Mugam (1968)
22. Delhi Mapillai (1968)
23. Neeyum Naanum (1968)
24. Kallum Kaniyagum (1968)
25. Selva Magal (1967)...Saradha
26. Anubavam Pudhumai (1967)
27. Anubavi Raja Anubavi (1967)...Rajamani
28. Bama Vijayam(1967)...Bama
29. Thaikku Thalaimagan (1967) ... Guest Appearance
30. Neela Vanam (1965)...Vimala
31. Iru Thuruvam (1965)...Kamala
32. Kalyana Mandapam (1965)
33. Kaadhalikka Neramillai (1964)...Nirmala/Nimmi
34. Kalai Kovil (1964)
35. Magaley Un Samathu (1964)
36. Nal Varavu (1964)
37. Poompuhar (1964)...Madhavi
38. Kattu Maina (1963)
39. Yarukku Sondham (1963)
40. Kalai Arasi (1963)...Princess Rajani
41. Nichaya Thaamboolam (1962)...Sarala
42. Sengamala Theevu (1962)
43. Baktha Sabari (1960)
44. Petraval Kanda Peruvazhvu (1960)
45. Naga Devathai (1956) ... Child artist

Telugu

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

External links

• http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=5275
• Rajasree of South on IMDB
• RajaSri Filmography on 16reels.com
• https://sites.google.com/site/purushothamapatnam/rajasree