Hyderabad, Jun 27 (UNI) Noted Actress Producer and Director Vijaya Nirmala passed away due to heat attack in Continental Hospital in Gachibowli here on Wednesday night.
She was 73 and is survived by her husband and veteran actor Krishna and senior actor Naresh.
Vijaya Nirmala starred in over 200 films in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. She also helmed in over 40 films.
Vijaya Nirmala has directed 44 films in Telugu, and in 2002, she made to the Guinness Book of Records for being the only female director to direct most of the films.
She and fellow Telugu actress Savitri are the only female directors who have directed the iconic actor Sivaji Ganesan
Born on February 20, 1946 in Tamil Nadu, Vijaya Nirmala made her acting debut in 1950 in Tamil film Machcha Rekhai at the age of seven.
She debuted in Telugu Cinema with Panduranga Mahathyam in 1957. She later turned director with Meena in 1971 and went on to direct 44 movies. Neramu Siksha ( in 2009) being the last one.
Vijaya Nirmala was also the recipient of the coveted Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2008 for her contribution to Telugu Cinema.
Vijaya Nirmala father had worked in film production. Her son Naresh was born from her first marriage to Krishna Murthy. After divorcing her first husband, she married Noted actor Krishna.
UNI CS 0805