Savitri (Actress) Biography: Age, Husband, Children, Wikipedia, Net Worth, Nationality

Nissankara Savitri, famously known as Savitri, was an Indian actress and filmmaker who primarily worked in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Indian film, she was affectionately called Mahanati in Telugu and Nadigaiyar Thilagam in Tamil.

Profile

• Full Name: Nissankara Savitri
• Stage Name: Savitri
• Born: 6, December 1934
• Date of death: 26 December 1981 (Aged: 47 years)
• Birthplace: Chirravuru, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.57m
• Parent: Nissankara Rao Guruviah ,Subhadramma Guruviah
• Siblings: Murati
• Spouse: Gemini Ganesan
• Children: Vijaya Chamundeswari ,Satheesh Kumar
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Nissankara Savitri was born on December 6, 1934, in Chirravuru, India.

Her father, Nissankara Rao Guruviah, passed away when she was just six months old, and her mother, Subhadramma Guruviah, raised her and her older sibling, Maruti, with the support of an extended family.

Savitri displayed an early aptitude for dance, which led her uncle, Kommareddy Venkataramaiah, to enroll her in dance classes, setting the stage for her education in the performing arts.

She was of Telugu descent and followed Hinduism, reflecting her family’s cultural and religious values and upbringing.

Career

Savitri’s journey in the performing arts began in her childhood when she participated in dance dramas and worked with theatre companies.

At 12, she moved to Madras in search of film opportunities. After appearing in minor roles in early films such as Samsaram (1950), Roopavati, and Patala Bhairavi, Savitri’s breakthrough came with her role in Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952).

This success propelled her into lead roles in critically acclaimed films like Devadasu (1953), Missamma (1955), and Mayabazar (1957), quickly establishing her as the leading lady of Telugu and Tamil cinema in the 1950s and 1960s.

Over a career that spanned three decades, Savitri became one of the most prominent actresses in Indian cinema, acting in over 250 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.

Her versatility and expressive performances earned her the titles of “Mahanati” in Telugu and “Nadigaiyar Thilagam” in Tamil.

During her career, she worked alongside cinema legends such as M.G.R., Sivaji Ganesan, and Gemini Ganesan, whom she later married. Films like Nartanasala (1963), Gundamma Katha (1962), and Aradhana (1962) solidified her status as an iconic figure in South Indian cinema.

In addition to her acting career, Savitri ventured into filmmaking, producing and directing movies such as Chinnari Papalu (1968), which won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Silver).

Despite facing financial difficulties and health challenges later in her life, she continued her acting career while being admired for her philanthropy and generosity.

Savitri’s enduring legacy was further immortalized in the 2018 biopic Mahanati, cementing her place as one of the most revered and influential figures in the history of Indian cinema.

Social Media

Savitri does not have a social media handle.

Personal Life

Savitri married Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan in 1952, having first met him in 1948.

Their marriage led to a permanent estrangement with her uncle, as Gemini Ganesan was already married with four daughters and involved in an affair with another woman, Pushpavalli.

Despite these complexities, Savitri and Gemini Ganesan had two children: a daughter, Vijaya Chamundeswari, and a son, Satheesh Kumar. The couple separated in 1981, the same year Savitri passed away.

Filmography

 •   Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952)
•   Devadasu (1953)
•   Missamma (1955)
•   Ardhangi (1955)
•   Donga Ramudu (1955)
•   Thodi Kodallu (1957)
•   Mayabazar (1957)
•   Mangalya Balam (1959)
•   Chivaraku Migiledi (1960)
•   Aradhana (1962)
•   Gundamma Katha (1962)
•   Nartanasala (1963)
•   Doctor Chakravarty (1964)
•   Sumangali (1965)
•   Devata (1965)

Net Worth

Savitri did not have a publicly documented net worth during her career.

However, she was one of the highest-paid and most sought-after actresses in South Indian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s.

Her primary source of income came from her extensive acting career, which spanned over 250 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi languages.