Vyjayanthimala Bali (Tamil: வைஜெயந்திமாலா பாலி; born on August 13, 1936) is an former Indian film actress, trained Bharathanatyam dancer and was a part-time Member of Parliament.
Born into a orthodox Tamil Brahmin family, Vyjayanthi was introduced at the age 15 in the world of cinema by her family friend M. V. Raman through a bilingual Tamil/Telugu film Vazhkai or Jeevitham (alternate title) produced by AVM Productions. The success of the film helped Vyjayanthi and AVM Productions to foray into Bollywood with the film Bahar. The latter also became a hit at thr box office.[1] Following the huge box office success of Nagin, Vyjayanthi established herself as one of the biggest Bollywood actress beside being a successful Tamil actress — which also paved the pave for other South Indian actresses to conquer Bollywood.[2] Her films typically feature her at least one item number, which is expected by her fans.[3]
Some of her movies have been critically acclaimed beside being hit at box office. Those films are Devdas, Sadhna, Sangam, Suraj, Jewel Thief and Prince in Hindi and Vanjikottai Valiban, Baghdad Thirudan, Then Nilavu, Parthiban Kanavu and Irumbu Thirai in Tamil. Vyjayanthi was a hit pair with Dilip Kumar: Madhumati, Naya Daur, Gunga Jumna, Paigham and Leader.[3] Vyjayanthi hade box office hits in comedy roles with Kishore Kumar in movies like Aasha and New Dehli.[3]
She left the industry after another critically acclaimed historical Hindi film Amparali which based on life of the nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of Vaishali. Amrapali flopped miserably at the box office though other prominent directors such as B. R. Chopra felt that she could have easily continued for another decade in lead roles.[3]
Besides film, Vyjayanthi main concentration was in Bharata Natyam a form of Indian classical dance. She was an accomplish dancer who she introduced a lot of semi-classical dance in Bollywood.[3] After quitting movies Vyjayanthi continues with her dance career.