Vijaya Nirmala

Born: 1946-02-20

Actress

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Rising Talent

Last Updated on 14 Nov 2025

Vijaya Nirmala was a legendary Indian actress, film director, and producer who worked predominantly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Bo...

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Vijaya Nirmala was a legendary Indian actress, film director, and producer who worked predominantly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Born in Tamil Nadu, she began her acting career as a child artist and gained fame through her performance in the Malayalam classic Bhargavi Nilayam. Over her long career, she acted in more than two hundred films and directed more than forty feature films. She was honored by the Guinness World Records as the female director with the most films directed in the world. Vijaya Nirmala was also known for her strong screen presence and creative storytelling skills. She was married to veteran Telugu actor Krishna and was the stepmother of popular actor Mahesh Babu. Her remarkable contribution to Indian cinema has made her a respected and unforgettable figure in the film industry.

Vijaya Nirmala was an Indian actress, filmmaker, and producer who made an extraordinary mark in South Indian cinema. She was born in Tamil Nadu and started her film journey as a child artist before rising to fame with her performance in Bhargavi Nilayam. She worked across multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, and became a prominent figure in the 1960s and 1970s. Vijaya Nirmala made her directorial debut with Meena in 1973 and went on to direct more than forty films, a record that earned her a place in the Guinness World Records. She was deeply admired for her artistic vision and determination in a male-dominated industry. Apart from directing, she produced several successful films and supported new talents. She was married to Telugu superstar Krishna, and her stepson Mahesh Babu is one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema. Vijaya Nirmala passed away in 2019, leaving behind a glorious legacy that continues to inspire future generations of women filmmakers.

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Personal details

Alternative names Vijaya Nirmala Krishna; Height 5'4"/60kg; Born February 20, 1946 · Narasaraopet
Spouses: Children Vijaykrishna Naresh; Relatives Naveen Vijaya Krishna

FAQ

Vijaya Nirmala was a renowned Indian actress, director, and producer who worked mainly in Telugu and Tamil cinema and earned a Guinness World Record for directing the most films by a female filmmaker.

She acted in more than two hundred films across multiple languages including Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.

She is famous for being one of the most successful female directors in Indian film history and for her strong performances as an actress.

Vijaya Nirmala was married to veteran Telugu actor Krishna and was the stepmother of popular actor Mahesh Babu.

Vijaya Nirmala passed away on June 27, 2019, in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

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Trivia

Vijaya Nirmala started her career as a child artist in Tamil cinema
She acted in over two hundred films across Telugu Tamil and Malayalam languages
She directed more than forty films and entered the Guinness World Records for most films directed by a female director
She owned a film production company named Vijaya Krishna Movies
She was married to the famous Telugu actor Krishna

Quotes

"Cinema has been my life and my greatest teacher"
"I believe women can achieve anything they dream of with courage"
"Direction gave me a voice to tell stories my way"
"Art should come from the heart not from the desire for fame"
"Every film I made carried a part of my soul"

Trademarks

Strong female lead characters in her films
Simple emotional storytelling with family values
Collaborations with actor Krishna
Classic Telugu family dramas with social messages