Top Bollywood actresses like Katrina Kaif Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone started their careers in the South Indian film industry before making a mark in Bollywood. Many actresses in Bollywood today first showcased their talent in South cinema before gaining recognition in Hindi films. At the same time several South Indian actresses have successfully transitioned to Bollywood based on their acting skills with Rashmika Mandanna being one of the biggest names today. However one such actress from the 80s-90s started her acting journey from South cinema and then landed up in Bollyood. Very few people know she was known as Lady Amitabh. In the South Indian film industry Vijayashanti is known for playing the role of the hero’s mother. However she once starred as the leading lady opposite Anil Kapoor in Bollywood. At 58 Vijayashanti remains as beautiful as many contemporary actresses. Known as the Lady Superstar and Lady Amitabh Vijayashanti is also referred to as The Action Queen of Indian Cinema. A National Award-winning actress she appeared alongside Anil Kapoor in K. Vishwanath’s 1989 film Eeshwar. Another Bollywood movie of hers is Gundagardi starring Dharmendra in an action role. She was also paired opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Zamanat directed by S. Ramanath but the film didnt release. Vijayashanti began her acting career in Telugu cinema in 1980. She gained immense recognition for her role as a female IPS officer in the 1990 film Kartavyam which won her the National Award for Best Actress. She has also received prestigious accolades such as the Nandi Award Cinema Express Award Filmfare Award and Tamil Nadu State Award. She was also seen in the Kartavyams Hindi version Tejaswini. Over her 40-year career she has acted in 187 films starting her journey in cinema at the young age of 14. In 1998 she entered politics by joining the BJP and campaigned for AIADMK’s Jayalalithaa. In 2009 she became an MP for the BRS party. However in 2014 she joined the Congress but lost in the general elections. In 2020 she returned to the BJP only to switch back to Congress in 2023 under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. On March 13 2025 she was unanimously elected as a member of the Telangana Legislative Council.