Bhanupriya is a versatile actress, Kuchipudi dancer, and voice artist. With a career spanning four decades, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the film industry.
Early Life
Bhanupriya, born Manga Bhanu on January 15, 1967, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh into a Telugu-speaking family. Her father’s name was Pandu Babu while her mother was Ragamali. Bhanupriya’s family later moved to Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She grew up with her elder brother Gopikrishana and younger sister Shantipriya, who also pursued a career in acting.
Acting Journey
Bhanupriya’s acting career began when she was spotted by director Bhagyaraj at a dance school. Although she was initially chosen for the lead role in Thooral Ninnu Pochchu (1982), she was replaced due to her young appearance. She made her acting debut with Bharathi–Vasu’s Tamil film Mella Pesungal (1983), opposite S. N. Vasanth.
Beginning her career in the early 1980s, Bhanupriya quickly rose to fame with her exceptional dancing and acting skills and enchanting looks. She gained recognition for her performances in various languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films. Her ability to portray diverse roles across genres has garnered her acclaim and a loyal fan base. She has won three state Nandi Awards, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South, and two Cinema Express Awards.
Bhanupriya’s breakthrough came with Vansy’s Telugu hit Sitaara, which also stars Suman, Subhalekha Sudhakar and Sarath Babu. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. One of her other significant roles came in Vamsy’s mystery film “Anveshana (1985),” where she played the role of an ornithologist, to widespread acclaim.
In 1988, she appeared in K. Viswanath’s Swarnakamalam opposite Vekates. The film was screened at the Indian panorama section of the 1988 International Film Festival of India. It also went to the Ann Arbour Film Festival. Bhanupriya received the Indian Express Award for Best Actress, the Nandi Award for Best Actress, and the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu for her performance in the film.
Her other notable films include “Aararo Aariraro (1989),” Azhagan (1991),” “Thalapathi (1991),” “Rajashilpi (1992),” Peddarayudu (1996),” Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo (2002), and Chatrapati (2005), among others.
Bhanupriya in Hindi films
In 1986, she made her Hindi film debut with T. Rama Rao’s “Dosti Dushmani,” opposite Jeetendra. She became a sensation for her dance number “Toota jo dil ka sheesha, Saghar Bana Gulabi” in “Insaf ki Pukar (1987).” She mesmerised a generation of filmgoers with her rain dance “Pyar kaahe banaya ram ne” in “Surya (1989).” The song which became a rage in its time, has a cult following.
Her other successful Hindi films were “Khudgarz (1987),” “Mar Mitenge (1988),” “Tamacha (1988),” “Garibon Ka Daata (1989),” “Kasam Vardi Ki (1989),” “Suryaa: An Awakening (1989),” and “Zahreelay (1990).”
Personal Life and Legacy
Bhanupriya married Adarsh Kaushal, a digital graphics engineer, at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Malibu, California, on June 14, 1998. The couple has a daughter, Abhinaya, born in 2002. Bhanupriya returned to India and resumed her acting career after her husband’s death in 2018 due to a cardiac arrest.
Bhanupriya’s contributions to Indian cinema have left an indelible mark on the industry. Her ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity has earned her a place among the most respected actresses in Indian cinema.
For Hindi cine viewers, Bhanupriya remains a cult figure despite very few film appearances. One of her admirers once told me that “Khoobsurat bhi thi aur Zindadil Bhi.”
Bhanupriya on IMDB
