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Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut praised legendary actress and classical dancer Vyjayanthimala on social media, describing the veteran star as "heavenly" and celebrating her enduring legacy in Indian cinema.
Ranaut shared a vintage video clip of Vyjayanthimala performing a classical dance routine in traditional attire on her Instagram Stories. Alongside the video, the actor wrote a note praising the icon's grace and artistic brilliance. "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". The praise highlights Vyjayanthimala's towering influence on Indian cinema and classical dance. Widely regarded as one of the pioneering female superstars of Hindi cinema, the veteran actor played a key role in bringing Bharatanatyam and semi-classical dance forms into mainstream Bollywood storytelling. Born on August 13, 1933, Vyjayanthimala began her acting journey at the age of 16 with the Tamil film 'Vaazhkai' in 1949 before entering Hindi cinema with 'Bahar' in 1951. She rose to nationwide fame with the commercial success of 'Nagin' in 1954 and went on to deliver acclaimed performances in classics such as 'Devdas', 'Madhumati', 'Gunga Jumna', 'Sangam', and 'Jewel Thief.' Her on-screen pairing with legendary actor Dilip Kumar remains one of the most celebrated collaborations in Indian film history. Apart from cinema, Vyjayanthimala earned global recognition for her mastery of Bharatanatyam and performed extensively across international stages, including at the United Nations General Assembly. Her dance performances were often elevated by the playback singing of Lata Mangeshkar, including memorable tracks such as 'Hothon Pe Aisi Baat.' Over the years, Vyjayanthimala also built a career in public service. Invited into politics by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, she served as a Lok Sabha MP from 1984 to 1991 and was later nominated to the Rajya Sabha from 1993 to 1999. The veteran star has received several of India's highest honours, including the Padma Shri in 1968, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1982, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2024. Meanwhile, Ranaut is preparing for the release of her upcoming film 'Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata', directed by Manoj Tapadia. Scheduled to hit theatres on June 12, 2026, the film is inspired by the unsung heroes of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)
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