Legendary Actor-Dancer's Health Clarified by Family and Friends Amid Social Media Speculation
Family members and friends of iconic actor-dancer Vyjayanthimala Bali have dismissed recent social media reports questioning her health status, affirming that she remains in good health.Chennai-based Carnatic musician Girijashankar Sundaresan took to Instagram on Friday to address and dispel the circulating misinformation. He posted, “Dr Vyjayanthimala Bali is in good health, and any news that says otherwise is false. Before sharing, please validate the news source. Please stop spreading baseless rumours. We are better than this.” His message was subsequently shared by Nandini Bali, wife of Vyjayanthimala’s only son, Suchindra Bali.
Recent Appearance of Vyjayanthimala Performing Carnatic Music
Interestingly, Sundaresan had previously shared a video on January 18, featuring Vyjayanthimala performing the Carnatic composition 'Daasiganunta' in raga Abheri, which he had sung himself. The performance took place at Kala Pradarshini in Chennai, underscoring the actor’s active participation in cultural events.Vyjayanthimala's Illustrious Career in Cinema
Vyjayanthimala Bali commenced her illustrious acting career with the Tamil film Vaazhkai in 1949, subsequently gaining prominence across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. She notably rose to national acclaim with her memorable portrayal of Chandramukhi in Bimal Roy's classic Hindi film Devdas (1955). Although this portrayal earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress, Vyjayanthimala reportedly refused the accolade, asserting that her role was not secondary.Her success in Devdas elevated her profile, opening opportunities to work alongside Bollywood’s leading actors of the era, cementing her status as a celebrated star.
Transition from Cinema to Politics and Recognition
At the peak of her fame, Vyjayanthimala retired from films following her marriage to Dr Chamanlal Bali, known as the family physician of legendary actor Raj Kapoor. She later embarked on a political journey, joining the Indian National Congress in 1984, before eventually resigning and moving to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1999.In recognition of her outstanding contributions to cinema and culture, Vyjayanthimala was awarded the Padma Shri in 1968. Her illustrious career was further celebrated when she received the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2024.