Savitri was an actress who ruled the south Indian film industry for over three decades and worked on around 300 films. Savitri shared the screen space with top stars of South Indian film Industry including Sivaji Ganesan, MGR and Gemini Ganesan in Tamil cinema and NTR and Nageswar Rao in Telugu film industry.
Savitri was not only an actress but also director and producer. In 1968, Savitri produced and directed the Telugu film Chinnari Papalu, for which she received the state Nandi Award for Best Feature Film and Savitri was honoured among “women in cinema” at the 30th International Film Festival of India.
Savitri got married to Gemini Ganesan when she was 18 and continued to act. It must be noted that Gemini Ganesan was already a married man when Savitri tied the knot with Shivaji Ganesan.
In 1964, Savitri was given the title “Mahanati” in a public function in Hyderabad. Both Savitri and Gemini Ganesan were felicitated by Andhra Yuvathi Mandali with an elephant ride. This photograph was clicked in 1964 when Andhra Yuvathi Mandali conferred the title Mahanati to Savitri. Coming on the pic, both Savitri and Gemini Ganesan are seen riding on elephant.
Savitri loved vintage cars and she had a collection of vintage cars.
Savitri died on 26 December 1981. She had been an alcoholic for many years, having begun drinking heavily in 1969, and developed diabetes and high blood pressure.
Now Savitri biopic- Mahanati starring Keerthy Sursh, Dulquer Salmaan and Samantha Akkinnei, which was released on 9th May, is receiving lot of appreciations from the celebrities and has already crossed $1.5 million marks at USA box office.