Kangana Ranaut recently took to social media to share a moving tribute to legendary actress and classical dancer Vyjayanthimala. Posting a vintage video of the veteran star performing Bharatanatyam, Kangana showered praise on her timeless grace, calling her “heavenly” and “born only to be worshipped.“
Kangana Ranaut shares vintage video of Vyjayanthimala
The actress took to her Instagram stories to share a vintage video of Vyjayanthimala performing a classical dance in traditional attire, pairing it with a heartfelt note celebrating the icon’s grace and artistic brilliance. She wrote, “Gentle reminder not every one who lives on earth is a human, some are heavenly and born only to be worshiped by mere mortals,” Ranaut wrote, adding the hashtag “#vaijanthimala”.
Vyjayanthimala’s journey from ‘Vaazhkai’ to ‘Jewel Thief’
Vyjayanthimala was born on August 13, 1933, and started acting at just 16 with the Tamil film ‘Vaazhkai’ in 1949, later making her Hindi film debut with ‘Bahar’ in 1951. The huge success of ‘Nagin’ in 1954 made her a big name across the country, and she went on to shine in beloved films like ‘Devdas’, ‘Madhumati’, ‘Gunga Jumna’, ‘Sangam’, and ‘Jewel Thief.’ Her pairing with Dilip Kumar on screen is still considered one of the greatest in Indian cinema.
Vyjayanthimala: From Bharatanatyam to Lok Sabha MP to Padma Vibhushan
Beyond cinema, Vyjayanthimala earned worldwide recognition for her mastery of Bharatanatyam, gracing prestigious stages across the globe, including the United Nations General Assembly. Her dance performances were further elevated by the golden voice of Lata Mangeshkar, with tracks like ‘Hothon Pe Aisi Baat’ standing out as particularly memorable. She also carved out a significant chapter in public life, entering politics at the invitation of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and serving as a Lok Sabha MP from 1984 to 1991, followed by a nomination to the Rajya Sabha from 1993 to 1999. Her extraordinary contributions have been recognised with some of India’s most prestigious honours, including the Padma Shri in 1968, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1982, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2024.
Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata’ inspired by 2008 Mumbai terror attacks
On the work front, Kangana Ranaut is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film ‘Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata’, helmed by director Manoj Tapadia. Set to arrive in theatres on June 12, 2026, the film draws inspiration from the unsung heroes who stood tall during the harrowing 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
