Chennai: Legendary Telugu/Tamil actor Anjali Devi passed away on Monday at a private hospital in Chennai.
The 86-year-old actor was suffering from an age-related disease and admitted to Vijaya Hospital in the city where she died of a cardiac arrest at about 2 pm. She is survived by two sons. Her body has been shifted to Porur Ramachandra Hospital where it is being kept in the mortuary since her grandson and granddaughter are expected to arrive from the US on Wednesday.
Read here: Veteran Telugu actor Anjali Devi passes away in Chennai
In a career spanning five decades, she acted in more than 350 flicks in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. The veteran effortlessly played various characters, including a damsel, angel, dancer, vamp, goddess, traditional woman, and later, mother roles too.
Her portrayal as goddess Sita opposite Tollywood star and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T.Rama Rao in Lava Kusa was a landmark film in her career, which was followed by Suvarna SuÂndari and Anarkali.
Next: Anjali made her mark as Sita
Anjali made her mark as Sita
Chennai: Born on August 24, 1927, as Anjana Kumari, Anjali Devi was a theatre artiste before she entered films. Her acting career began with a minor role of Lohitasya in Raja HarishchÂandra in 1936. Later, C. Pullayya discovered her and gave her the opportunity to star as Mohini in Gollabhama with the screen name, Anjali Devi.
With her charming looks and acting prowess, she became a star overnight in 1947. A contemporary of the old era of actresses, such as the late Padmini, Kannamba, Bhanumathi and Rajasulochana, Anjali Devi was known for her daring roles and glamorous looks.
In a career spanning five decades, she acted in more than 350 flicks in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. The veteran effortlessly played various characters, including a damsel, angel, dancer, vamp, goddess, traditional woman, and later, mother roles too.
Her portrayal as goddess Sita opposite Tollywood star and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T.Rama Rao in Lava Kusa was a landmark film in her career, which was followed by Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.
Anjali, who married P. Adinarayana Rao, a music director, producer and lyricist, in 1940, also jointly produced many Telugu films under the banner, Anjali Pictures.
She also acted with the likes of Sivaji Ganesan, T.R. Mahalingam, M.G. Ramachandran and Gemini Ganesan. Anjali Devi acted in many films along with Sandhya, the late mother of Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, her closeness to whom is common knowledge.
In an earlier interview with DC, Anjali recounted how the chief minister had come to her house on her Sadhabishekam (80th birthday celebration) a few years ago and spent almost half an hour with her, reminiscing over the old days.
Anjali Devi was honoured recently at the centenary celebrations of Indian cinema, organised by the Tamil Nadu government. She had been a staunch devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, and family sources said that her last rites would therefore be performed at her Raja Annamalaipuram residence on Thursday, which was an auspicious day for Baba.
