A record setting personality who was seen as Pandurangadu on Silver Screen and turned to first lady director- Vijaya Nirmala!
‘Hey Krishna Mukunda Murari...’ is an evergreen song which can be remembered irrespective of time. NAT production’s Pandurangadu Mahatyam featured this song sung by the eternal Ghantasala. While Sr.NTR gave life to the song with his phenomenal acting, the appearance of a little girl in Lord Krishna attire attracted everybody’s attention. That child artist grew up and acted in the evergreen song ‘Kanaraani Devude Kanipinchinade...’ from Rangula Ratnam and proved that she had a great future. She was introduced to Telugu Cinema with the name Neeraja but later turned to Vijaya Nirmala. She gained the attention of youth audience of the 1967 era with her great expressions and acting skills in films like Sakshi, Bhama Vijayam, Bangaru Pichuka, Manchi Kutumbam and so on. Her acting skills excelled in 'Amma Kadupu Challaga...' song as well. She suited very well opposite Chandramohan in Bangaru Pichuka. She created sparks as divine lady opposite Sr.NTR in Bhamavijayam.
It was when Vijayanirmala was offered many roles as a sister. She acted as a pampered sister to ANR in Poola Rangadu, and acted in duets like ‘Chiguru Vesina Kalalalnni...’, ‘Neevu Raavu Nidura Raadhu...’ opposite Sobhan Babu earning great appreciation by the audience. As a result she got sister roles in Bangaru Gajulu, and Atmeeyulu as well. But these roles were not less significant. They had great importance in the story’s main plot. Songs like ‘Annayya Sannidhi...’, ‘Chellayi Pellikuturaayene...’, ‘Chilipi Navvula Ninu Choodagane...’ made her even more popular in the Telugu Cinema arena. She was equally appreciated by youth as well as women audience. While appearing as sister beside ANR till then, she earned huge appreciation by acting as heroine opposite him in Bapu-Ramana’s Buddhimanthudu. Songs like ‘Thota loki Raaku raa...’ and ‘Gutta Meedha Guvva Koosindhi...’ became her all time best in her career. Right then, her life took a quantum leap with her marriage with Superstar Krishna. She was already a mother to a son (Naresh) and Krishna was an already married man. But she acted opposite Krishna in many successful films, co –produced and directed films by walking side-by- side with her understanding partner- Rest was History!
