Telugu actress, filmmaker Vijaya Nirmala passes away at 75

The actor had starred in over 200 films and had directed 44 films over three decades. She holds the Guinness record for most films made by any woman.

Hyderabad: Veteran Telugu actress and film producer Vijaya Nirmala passed away on Thursday. Her son Naresh confirmed the news of her death.

Nirmala had starred in over 200 films and had directed 44 films over three decades. She took her last breathe on June 27 at Continental Hospital, Hyderabad.

The actress was undergoing treatment for a while. According to media reports, the 75-year-old Telugu actress died due to old age-related causes.

In 1950, Vijaya made her acting debut at the age of five as a child artist in a Tamil film 'Machcha Rekkai'. By age of 11, she made her Telugu debut with the film 'Panduranga Mahatmyam'. She rose to stardom with the Malayalam film 'Bhargavi Nilayam'.

As a leading lady, she made her Telugu debut with 'Rangula Ratnam'. In 1967, she starred in Telugu film 'Saakshi' opposite to Krishna with whom she worked in 47 other films.

Vijay Nirmala was a trailblazer as she was one of the few female filmmakers to really make a mark as a director.

In 1971, she made her directorial debut with Telugu film 'Meena'. Two years later, she directed her first Malayalam film 'Kavitha'.

With 44 films as director to her credit, she holds a Guinness Record for the most number of films directed by a female filmmaker.

Vijaya Nirmala is survived by her son Vijaya Naresh, who is a popular actor in Telugu filmdom and husband Krishna.