Vani Viswanath (born 13 May 1971) is an Indian actress who predominantly appeared in
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry ( Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam wa ...
and
Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
films. In 2000, Vani won the
Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for her performance in ''
Susanna'', directed by
T. V. Chandran
T. V. Chandran (born 23 November 1950) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and actor, predominantly working in Malayalam cinema. Born in a Malayali family in Telicherry, Chandran worked as a Reserve Bank of India employee before entering ...
. She was termed as
Mollywood's "Action Queen". In 2017, she joined in
Telugu Desam Party
The Telugu Desam Party (; TDP) is an Indian regional political party operating in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at the state and central level. Since its founding by N. T. Rama Rao (often referred to as NTR) on 29 March 1982, the party has f ...
in
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 t ...
.
Early life
Vani was born as the fourth among the five children of
Malayali
The Malayali people () (also spelt Malayalee and also known by the demonym Keralite) are a Dravidian ethnolinguistic group originating from the present-day state of Kerala in India, occupying its southwestern Malabar coast. They are predomina ...
parents Thazhathuveettil Vishwanathan, an astrologer and Girija, a housewife in
Ollur
Ollur is a major suburban area and an old commercial town in the city of Thrissur of Kerala state, South India. It is about away from Swaraj Round on old National Highway 47 (India) towards Kochi. From ancient time onwards, Ollur was a major b ...
,
Thrissur
Thrissur (), formerly Trichur, also known by its historical name Thrissivaperur, is a city and the headquarters of the Thrissur district in Kerala, India. It is the third largest urban agglomeration in Kerala after Kochi and Kozhikode, and ...
in 1971. She did her schooling at
St. Raphael's Convent Girls High School, Ollur
St. Raphael's Convent Girls High School is a Kerala Government aided Christian school run by Carmelites, located in Ollur, Thrissur. The school was started in 1942 with 13 classes and now have
classes till secondary level.
Famous alumnae
* ...
and thereafter at Chennai. When she was 13, her father predicted through astrology that she will become an actor and also she will enter into the politics.
Career
She has appeared predominantly in
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry ( Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam wa ...
and
Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
movies. She acted in ''
The King In the British English-speaking world, The King refers to:
* Charles III (born 1948), King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms since 2022
As a nickname
* Michael Jackson (1958–2009), American singer and pop icon, nicknamed "T ...
'' with
Mammootty
Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail (; born 7 September 1951), known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty (), is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam films. He has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada ...
and in Usthad with Mohanlal and in Chinthamani Kolacase with Suresh Gopi respectively. She also appeared in Kannada and Tamil movies. She was among the big stars of her time in the
South India
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the States and union territories of India, Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and T ...
. Her
Tollywood
Tollywood may refer to:
* Tollywood (Bengali cinema), the Bengali-language film industry based in West Bengal.
** Tollygunge
Tollygunge (Bengali: টালিগঞ্জ; nicknamed 'Mini Mumbai' or 'Mini Bombay') is a locality of South Kolkat ...
movie ''
Gharana Mogudu
''Gharana Mogudu'' () is a 1992 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Nagma and Vani Viswanath with Rao Gopal Rao and Kaikala Satyanarayana in supporting roles. Music is comp ...
'' with Tollywood superstar,
Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi (born Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad; 22 August 1955) is an Indian actor, film producer and former politician, who predominantly works in Telugu cinema. Chiranjeevi starred in over 150 feature films in Telugu, as well as some film ...
was a huge hit. Vani also acted in two Hindi film with Superstar
Mithun Chakraborty
Mithun Chakraborty (born Gouranga Chakraborty; 16 June 1950) is an Indian actor, producer and politician who predominantly worked in Hindi and Bengali language films. He is a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. He is the recipient of three ...
in ''
Jung
Carl Gustav Jung ( ; ; 26 July 1875 – 6 June 1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. Jung's work has been influential in the fields of psychiatry, anthropology, archaeology, literature, phil ...
'' and ''
Bhishma
Bhishma (Sanskrit: भीष्म, , ), also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, played an integral role in Mahabharata. He was the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the Kurukshetra War mentioned in the Hindu epi ...
''.
Personal life
While acting for several films with
Baburaj, she fell in love with him. The couple got married in 2002 and has two children.
Awards
;
Kerala State Film Awards
The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Ch ...
* 2000 -
Second Best Actress - ''
Susanna''
Filmography
Malayalam
# ''Mangalya Charthu'' (1987) as Sithara (Debut Film)
# ''
Evidence
Evidence for a proposition is what supports this proposition. It is usually understood as an indication that the supported proposition is true. What role evidence plays and how it is conceived varies from field to field.
In epistemology, eviden ...
'' (1988) as Dahlia
# ''Aadyaraathrikku Munpu'' (1992)
# ''
Sipayi Lahala'' (1995) as Radhika
# ''
Mannar Mathai Speaking'' (1995) as Meera Varma /Stella Fernandez
# ''
Mangalam Veettil Manaseswari Gupta'' (1995) as Maya Surendran/ Manaseswari Gupta
# ''
The King In the British English-speaking world, The King refers to:
* Charles III (born 1948), King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms since 2022
As a nickname
* Michael Jackson (1958–2009), American singer and pop icon, nicknamed "T ...
'' (1995) as Anuradha Mukharji
# ''
Thakshashila'' (1995) as Amalendu
# ''Swarnakireedam'' (1996) as Sindhu
# ''
Man of the Match
In team sport, a player of the match or man of the match or woman of the match award is often given to the most outstanding player in a particular match. This can be a player from either team, although the player is generally chosen from the winn ...
'' (1996) as Sonia
# ''
Mandrika Kuthira'' (1996) as Ancy Sunny
# ''
Kaliveedu
''Kaliveedu'' is a 1996 Malayalam family drama film directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Jayaram, Manju Warrier, Jagadish, Sunitha and Vani Viswanath in lead roles. The film explores the marital relationship of Mahesh (Jayaram) and Mridula (Ma ...
'' (1996) as Yamini Menon
# ''
Hitler
Adolf Hitler (; 20 April 188930 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was dictator of Germany from 1933 until his death in 1945. He rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party, becoming the chancellor in 1933 and the ...
'' (1996) as Ammu
# ''
The Good Boys'' (1997) as Guest Role
# ''Poothumbiyum Poovalanmarum'' (1997) as Nanditha
# ''
Kilukil Pambaram'' (1997) as Sugandhi
# ''
Kannur
Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a Cities in India, city and a municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the major port city a ...
'' (1997) as Annie Rozario
# ''
Janathipathyam'' (1997) as Maya Pillai
# ''
Anubhoothi'' (1997) as Radha
# ''Ilamura Thamburan'' (1998) as Urmila
# ''Harthal'' (1998) as Mekhamala S Thampy
# ''Dravidan'' (1998) as Jiji Philipose
# ''
Panchaloham
''Panchaloha'' ( sa, पञ्चलोह), also called ''Pañcadhātu'' ( sa, पञ्चधातु, lit=five metals), is a term for traditional five-metal alloys of sacred significance, used for making Hindu temple ''murti'' and jewelry.
...
'' (1998) as Jagadha
# ''
The Truth'' (1998) as SP Meena Nambiar IPS
# ''
Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum'' (1999) as Jayanthi
# ''
Ustaad'' (1999) as Police Commissioner Varsha
# ''
The Godman'' (1999) as Adv. Aswathy Menon
# ''
Thachiledathu Chundan'' (1999) as Ambika
# ''
James Bond (1999 film)'' (1999) as Dayana IPS Officer
# ''
Captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
'' (1999) as Renuka Varma
# ''
Independence
Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the s ...
'' (1999) as Indu
# ''
Garshom'' (1999) as Sushama
# ''
The Gang
A gang is a group or society of associates, friends or members of a family with a defined leadership and internal organization that identifies with or claims control over territory in a community and engages, either individually or collectivel ...
'' (2000) as Kathy Saimon
# ''India Gate'' (2000) as Parvathi Sharma
# ''Rapid Action Force'' (2000) as Adithya Varma IPs
# ''Ival Draupathi'' (2000) as Ajitha Madhavan
# ''
Daivathinte Makan
''Daivathinte Makan'' () is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Vinayan. It stars Jayaram, Prema, and Pooja Batra. The film was released in 2000.
Plot
Cast
*Jayaram as Sunny
* Prema as Anjali
*Pooja Batra as Soniy ...
'' (2000)
# ''
Indriyam'' (2000) as Neeli
# ''
Susanna'' (2000) as Susanna
# ''Ee Nadu Innalevare'' (2001) as Beena Benjamin IPS
# ''
Nagaravadhu'' (2001) as Sukanya
# ''India Gate'' (2002) as IPS Officer
# ''
Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha'' (2002) as Unniyarcha
# ''Ente Hridhayathinte Udama'' (2002) as Uma
# ''Ee Bhargavee Nilayam'' (2002) as Bhargavi
# ''Akhila'' (2002) as Akhila
# ''Bheri'' (2002) as Vasudha Nedungadi
# ''
Danny'' (2002) as Margarette
# ''
Balram Vs Tharadas'' (2006) as MLA Rani
# ''
Chinthamani Kolacase'' (2006) as Adv.Pattammal
# ''
Twenty:20'' (2008) as Archive footage only
# ''
Black Dalia'' (2009) as IPS Officer Daisy Wilfred
# ''
Manushyamrugam
''Manushya Mrugam'' is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language mystery film written, directed and starring Baburaj and Prithviraj Sukumaran. It was produced by his wife Vani Viswanath; the film co-stars Kiran Rathod, and Oviya. The story is about sexual ...
'' (2011) - Producer only
# ''
Uppukandam Brothers Back In Action'' (2011) as Kochamini
# ''
Mannar Mathai Speaking 2'' (2014) as Lakshmi (Cameo)
# ''The Criminal Lawyer'' - TBA
Telugu
# ''Chinni Krishnudu'' (1988)
# ''
Dharma Teja'' (1989) as Vichya
# ''
Simha Swapnam'' (1989) as Kavita
# ''Bhale Dampatulu'' (1989) as Vani
# ''Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham'' (1989) as Sumithra
# ''Sahasame Naa Oopiri'' (1989) as Padmini
# ''Kondaveeti Rowdy '' (1990) as Rekha
# ''
Kodama Simham'' (1990) as Bar servant
# ''
Dagudumuthala Dampathyam
''Dagudumuthala Dampathyam'' is a 1990 Indian Telugu-language comedy film, produced by Bogavalli Prasad and directed by Relangi Narasimha Rao. Starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Rajendra Prasad, Sharada, Vani Viswanath, Ramya Krishna, and music c ...
'' (1990) as Rekha
# ''Mama Alludu'' (1990) as Jaya
# ''Maa Inti Katha'' (1990) as Gouri
# ''Doctor Bhavani'' (1990) as Meghamala
# ''Chinna Kodalu'' (1991) as Durga
# ''Rowdyism Nashinchali'' (1990) as Devi
# ''
Prema Yuddham'' (1990) as Julie
# ''Aayudham'' (1990) as Rangamma
# ''Neti Dowrjanyam'' (1990) as Swathi
# ''Irugillu Porugillu'' (1991) as Subbulu
# ''Parishkaram'' (1991) as Jyothi
# ''Sarpayagam'' (1991) as Chitrangi
# ''Nenera Police'' (1991) as Vani
# ''Collector Gaari Alludu'' (1992) as Madhuri
# ''
Gharana Mogudu
''Gharana Mogudu'' () is a 1992 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Chiranjeevi, Nagma and Vani Viswanath with Rao Gopal Rao and Kaikala Satyanarayana in supporting roles. Music is comp ...
'' (1992) as Bhavani
# ''Seetapathi Chalo Tirupathi'' (1992) as Aliveelu Mangatayaru
# ''Palleturi Pellam'' (1992) as Kanakadurga Devi
# ''Alexander'' (1992) as Vaani
# ''
Samrat Ashoka'' (1992) as Tishya Raksha
# ''Vadinagaari Gajulu'' (1992) as Janaki
# ''SP Teja'' (1992)
# ''Joker'' (1993) as Usha Rani
# ''Ladies Special'' (1993) as Hema
# ''Mama Kodalu'' (1993)
# ''Prema Chitram Pelli Vichitram'' (1993) as Usha
# ''
Gangmaster
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is the foremost intelligence and investigative agency for labour exploitation in the UK. Its role is to work in partnership with police and other law enforcement agencies such as the National Crime ...
'' (1994) as Swapna
# ''Raitu Bharatam'' (1994) as Sita
# ''Prema & Co.'' (1994) as Sundari
# ''Presidentugari Alludu'' (1994) as Lavanya
# ''Maro Quit India'' (1994) as Durga
# ''Dongala Rajyam'' (1994) as Vyjayanthi
# ''Todi Kodallu'' as Jyoti
# ''God Father'' (1995) as Rani
# ''Adavilo Arunakka'' (1998)
# ''Action No. 1'' (2002) as Kiron
# ''Janam'' (2002) as Inspector Swapna
# ''Mudhu'' (2006)
# ''Ratnavali'' (2011) as
# ''
Jaya Janaki Nayaka
''Jaya Janaki Nayaka'' is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Boyapati Srinu and produced by Miryala Ravinder Reddy, under ''Dwaraka Creations''. It stars Bellamkonda Sreenivas, Rakul Preet Singh and Jagapathi Babu, while ...
'' (2017) as Narayana's sister
# ''
Orey Bujjiga'' (2020) as Chamundeswari
Tamil
# ''
Mannukkul Vairam
''Mannukkul Vairam'' () is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Manoj Kumar in his debut and produced by Kovaithambi. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Rajesh and Murali. The film, had musical score by Devendran, and was relea ...
'' (1986) as Chinnathayee
# ''
Nallavan'' (1988) as Radha
# ''
Poonthotta Kaavalkaran'' (1988) as Vidhya
# ''
Thaimel Aanai'' (1988) as Vijaya
# ''
Ithu Engal Neethi
''Ithu Engal Neethi'' () is a 1988 Indian Tamil-language vigilante action film, directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and produced by S. S. Neelakandan and Shoba Chandrasekhar. The film stars Ramki, Raadhika, Nizhalgal Ravi and Vani Viswanath. It wa ...
'' (1988)
# ''Sanghu Pushpangal'' (1989) as Rosy
# ''My India'' (1997) as Malavika
# ''
Jaya
Jaya may refer to:
Media
*''Jaya'', self titled albums by Jaya (singer), released in 1989, 1996 and 2001
* ''Jaya'' (film), a 2002 Indian Tamil film
Mythology
*''Jaya'', a name of Karna in Mahabharata; the core portion of the ''Mahabharata''
...
'' (2002)
# ''
Idhaya Thirudan'' (2005) as Sudharani
# ''Anandha Thollai'' (2012)
Kannada
# ''
Mangalya'' (Kannada) (1991) as Lavanya
# ''Bombay Dada'' (1991) as Veena
# ''Ranabheri'' (Kannada) (1990) as Rosy
# ''Sididedda Gandu'' (Kannada) (1990) as Anitha
# ''
Parashuram
Parashurama (), also referred to as Rama Jamadagnya, Rama Bhargava and Veerarama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatara of the preserver god Vishnu in Hinduism. He is believed to be one of the ''Chiranjeevis'' (Immortals), who will appear ...
'' (1989) as Usha
Hindi
# ''
Bhishma
Bhishma (Sanskrit: भीष्म, , ), also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, played an integral role in Mahabharata. He was the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the Kurukshetra War mentioned in the Hindu epi ...
'' (1996) With
Mithun Chakraborty
Mithun Chakraborty (born Gouranga Chakraborty; 16 June 1950) is an Indian actor, producer and politician who predominantly worked in Hindi and Bengali language films. He is a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. He is the recipient of three ...
as Paro
# ''
Jung
Carl Gustav Jung ( ; ; 26 July 1875 – 6 June 1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. Jung's work has been influential in the fields of psychiatry, anthropology, archaeology, literature, phil ...
'' (1996) With
Mithun Chakraborty
Mithun Chakraborty (born Gouranga Chakraborty; 16 June 1950) is an Indian actor, producer and politician who predominantly worked in Hindi and Bengali language films. He is a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. He is the recipient of three ...
as Laxmi
# ''
Zakhmi Sipahi'' (1994) With
Mithun Chakraborty
Mithun Chakraborty (born Gouranga Chakraborty; 16 June 1950) is an Indian actor, producer and politician who predominantly worked in Hindi and Bengali language films. He is a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. He is the recipient of three ...
Television
*''Mattoruval'' (2010) as Annie/Geetha Varma (
Surya TV)
*''Kaatrinile Varum Geetham'' as Gayathri Devi (
Sun TV)
*''Samudram'' (2011)
*''Dear Kairali'' (2002) - (
Surya TV) as Host
References
External links
*
*
Vani Viswanath at MSI
{{DEFAULTSORT:Viswanath, Vani
1968 births
Living people
20th-century Indian actresses
21st-century Indian actresses
Indian film actresses
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Actresses in Kannada cinema
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Actresses in Telugu cinema
Kerala State Film Award winners
Actresses in Hindi cinema
Actresses from Thrissur
St. Raphael's Convent Girls High School alumni
Telugu Desam Party politicians
Malayali politicians
Indian actor-politicians
Women in Andhra Pradesh politics
Actresses in Malayalam television
Actresses in Tamil television