Vyjayanthimala, whose name evokes images of a precious pearl necklace adorning Lord Vishnu, remains a mesmerizing figure even at 91, captivating audiences with her timeless dancing skills. Her legacy in Indian cinema is profound, though her personal life often drew mixed reactions. Despite achieving unparalleled fame for her acting and dancing, her relationships sparked controversy. She was labeled a “home-breaker” for her romance with a married man and was linked with the legendary actor Dilip Kumar. Rumors suggested that Kumar was so enchanted by her that he personally selected the sarees she wore in every scene of the classic film *Gunga Jumna* (1961). Another prominent rumor connected her with Raj Kapoor, which Vyjayanthimala dismissed as mere publicity, leading to a public spat with Kapoor’s son, Rishi Kapoor.
Vyjayanthimala’s journey into the film industry began at the age of 16, shortly after her arangetram, the debut performance of a Bharatnatyam dancer. She quickly defied societal norms, not only with her acting but also by transitioning into politics, challenging conventional expectations at every turn.
Her cinematic debut came with the Tamil film *Vaazhkai* in 1949, followed by a successful career in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. Her role as Chandramukhi in Bimal Roy’s *Devdas* (1955) was a turning point, although she was far from the first choice for the role. The part was initially offered to actresses Nargis, Suraiya, and Bina Rai, all of whom turned it down. Vyjayanthimala was cast with little confidence from the filmmakers, and the scriptwriter Nabendu Ghosh expressed doubts, believing she was too young for the role. However, her stellar performance proved the skeptics wrong, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Demonstrating her maturity, she declined the award, insisting she was as much a leading lady as Suchitra Sen, who played Paro.
Vyjayanthimala also broke cultural barriers by becoming the first South Indian actress to wear a swimsuit on screen, a daring move considering her orthodox Tamil Brahmin Iyengar background. This was during a time when actresses were expected to embody traditional values, and such bold choices were often met with disapproval. She made this bold statement in Raj Kapoor’s *Sangam*, cementing her status as arguably India’s first female superstar, dominating three film industries and becoming one of the earliest pan-India stars.
At the height of her career, Vyjayanthimala made the surprising decision to retire from acting after marrying Dr. Chamanlal Bali, the love of her life. In her memoir *Bonding*, she recalls how she fell ill while shooting in Kashmir, prompting Chamanlal to travel from Bombay to treat her. Though he was already married with three children, their love flourished, leading Chamanlal to divorce his first wife and marry Vyjayanthimala. The couple later had a son, Suchindra Bali.
Beyond her success in cinema, Vyjayanthimala also made significant strides in politics. She joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1984 and won the Tamil Nadu General Election that year with a substantial margin, overcoming skepticism. Reflecting on her entry into politics, she wrote in her memoir *Bonding*, “Being a member of Parliament also meant facing people’s preconceived notions about her. ‘How would she fare?’ they asked derisively. A pretty fairy from the arena of fine arts, what was she doing in the hard-as-nails battleground of politics? Would she make it? She won like she had always done, by silently proving the detractors wrong.”
Her political career continued to flourish as she secured another victory in 1989 and was later nominated to the Rajya Sabha for a six-year term in 1993. However, by 1999, she became disillusioned with the direction of the INC and resigned. In her resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi, she expressed her concerns, stating, “Painfully watching the party drifting from its avowed principles after the death of Rajiv Gandhi, the party has lost touch with its grassroots and one can see day in and day out that sincere party workers are being steadily ignored.” Subsequently, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1999.
In recognition of her contributions to Indian cinema and society, Vyjayanthimala was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1968. More recently, she was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. Despite her age, she remains deeply connected to dance, continuing to practice and perform. Her 90th birthday celebrations were marked by a graceful dance performance that took the internet by storm, proving that her passion and talent remain undiminished.
Vyjayanthimala’s life is a testament to her indomitable spirit, her ability to break boundaries, and her unwavering dedication to her craft and beliefs. From her groundbreaking roles in Indian cinema to her successful political career, she has left an indelible mark on both fields, continuing to inspire generations with her achievements and grace.
