HYDERABAD: Veteran actress and director Vijaya Nirmala died at the age of 73. She died of cardiac arrest at her residence in Hyderabad Wednesday night. Her death news was publicized by actor Manchu Manoj.

Vijaya Nirmala was a filmmaker who had revolutionized the film industry. More than an actress, she had directed 47 films in different languages. Vijaya Nirmala was successful as the first woman director of Malayalam films and owned the Guinness Book record for directing the most number of films.

Born in Tamil Nadu, she reached the film industry through her father who was working in film production works. She entered as a child artiste in a Telugu film in 1957. Malayalam films gave her good roles. Her entry in Malayalam films was through Bhargavi Nilayam directed by A Vincent. Her role as ghost Bhargavi got the attention of the audience. Madhu and Prem Nazir were the heroes of the film.

She has acted in almost 25 films including Rosy, Kalyana Rathriyil, Postmane Kananilla, Udyogastha, Nishagandhi, Ponnappuram Kota, Kavitha, Durga, Kelanum Collectorum. Her debut as a director was through Meena in 1971. She later released Kavitha with the help of I V Sasi. Adoor Bhasi, Vincent, Thikkurissi, Meena, Philomina and Kaviyoor Ponnamma were the casts of the film.

Krishna Murthy was her first husband. Later she married Telugu film actor Krishna Ghattamaneni and their company Vijayakrishna Movies had directed fifteen films in different languages. Telugu actor Naresh is her only son.