Savitri had ₹100 crore assets- died penniless
Savitri had ₹100 crore assets- died penniless
South’s Legendary actress Savitri, considered as beautiful as Madhubala, was worth of ₹100 crores
assets but died penniless and was an alcoholic.
Notably, Savitri was Telugu cinema’s female superstar and is once said to have Rs 100 crore estate. But trauma from her movie’s debacle at the box-office and her husband’s infidelity eventually she took to alcohol for solace.
She was one of the most celebrated female actress of her generation and was often referred to as ‘Mahanati’.
Not all love stories have a happy ending is a lesson that cinema and life have taught. Regardless how much success one finds in their professional life, even if one manages to emerge as a widely celebrated film actress sidestepping life’s pitfalls is a skill not everyone masters. Had that been the case, the life of “Mahanati” Savitri may not have been cut short before she turned 50. Considered the biggest star in Telugu cinema, her beauty was often compared to Madhubala and Meena Kumari.
One of the most celebrated female actors of her generation in the South, Savitri has appeared in several critically and commercially successful films in her career, and has won the hearts of audiences with her impactful performances. Ever since she was a child, she reportedly showed a flair for dance and began performing in plays as a schoolgirl. She started trying her luck in movies as a teenager itself. Amidst a visit to Gemini Studios in Madras(Chennai) seeking acting opportunities, she met a young man named Ramasamy Ganesan, who worked there as a casting assistant. She was among the many aspirants he interviewed, and he even took her photos, filing them with a note saying, “Looks promising if given the opportunity.”
Savitri finally found her way into show business amidst the early 1950s, and her performance in the NT Rama Rao (NTR)-starrer Pelli Chesi Choodu released in 1952 received acclaim. By then, Ramasamy Ganesan (who took on the name Gemini as a sobriquet) had also entered cinema as an actor, and they joined forces in Manampol Mangalyam. The duo fell in love quite soon, and Savitri tied the knot with Ganesan, who was already married and had children. Apart from being married to a woman named Alamelu, he also shared a bond with actress Pushpavalli. Together, they had two daughters, including actress Rekha. Thus, Savitri and Ganesan kept their marriage a secret for some time.
The news leaked when Savitri appeared in a branded hair oil advertisement and signed it as “Savitri Ganesh,” and it turned out to be a viral sensation of that era. However, it garnered attention primarily due to Ganesan’s multiple relationships rather than because they exuded “couple goals.” Notwithstanding this, they continued their relationship, and Savitri turned mother to their two children: Vijaya Chamundeswari and Sathish.
During their time together, they shared the screen in notable movies such as Mayabazar, Missiamma, Pasamalar, Kappalottiya Thamizhan, and Kalathur Kannamma. According to sources Savitri was also a philanthropist who did not hesitate to contribute money to good causes. “After Mayabazar, Savitri’s fame soared, and producers lined up for her. At her peak, her assets in the 1960s were reportedly worth ₹100 crore, much of it held under benami names. By the time she realised the truth, it was all gone.
However, her career began to decline as some of her films, particularly those she directed and produced, flopped.
News Edit KV Raman
