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Vyjayanthimala is regarded as one of the greatest actresses of Indian cinema.^[1] In 2022, she was placed in Outlook India's "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list.^[2] One of the highest paid actress of the 1950s and 1960s, Vyjayanthimala appeared in Box Office India's "Top Actresses" list from 1954 to 1967, and topped the list for six years (1958-1959, 1961-1964).^[3] Arushi Jain of The Indian Express called her the "first female superstar" of the Indian cinema and added that she ruled three industries, being the first "pan-India" star.^[4]

Vyjayanthimala is widely regarded as one of the most influential actresses in the history of Indian cinema, leaving a profound impact on generations of actors, dancers, and filmmakers. Helen, celebrated for her iconic dance numbers in Hindi cinema, has openly expressed her admiration for Vyjayanthimala. In an interview with Arbaaz Khan on The Invincibles, she shared, "I felt really nervous dancing with Vyjayanthimala. She is the best dancer India has ever produced." Helen further expressed her deep admiration, saying, "Yes, always. I love her now and I loved her then. No, I'm nothing in comparison to her. I should be touching her feet." Veteran actress Hema Malini has frequently cited Vyjayanthimala as her "role model" and likened her to an "elder sister." She has expressed deep admiration for Vyjayanthimala’s mastery in Bharatanatyam, her expressive acting style, and her commitment to the arts. In 2024, after Vyjayanthimala was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, Hema Malini visited her in Chennai and called it "the most memorable day of my life," further acknowledging the deep personal and professional influence Vyjayanthimala has had on her life and career.^[5]

Veteran actress Asha Parekh has frequently expressed deep admiration for Vyjayanthimala, acknowledging her as a major influence on her career. The two actresses worked together in the 1957 film Aasha, where they shared a dance number and comedic scenes. Parekh has shared that, during the filming of Amrapali (1966), she and actor Shammi Kapoor would sneak onto the sets just to watch Vyjayanthimala perform, captivated by her classical dance skills and magnetic on-screen presence. In 2024, after Vyjayanthimala was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, Parekh called her a “dear friend” and “true superstar,” describing her as a "complete actress" with excellence in both acting and classical dance. Parekh also emphasized that Vyjayanthimala was the highest-paid actress of her time, a remarkable achievement in an industry where male actors typically dominated. She expressed admiration for Vyjayanthimala’s grace, talent, and the lasting legacy she has created, which continues to inspire generations of actors and audiences alike.

Sridevi, who shared Vyjayanthimala’s birthday on August 13, also expressed deep admiration for her. Like Vyjayanthimala, she too transitioned from Tamil to Hindi cinema and was celebrated for her dance and screen presence. Reflecting on Vyjayanthimala’s legacy, Sridevi once said, “Who doesn’t admire her? Of course I look up to her. Her footsteps are very difficult to follow. Vyjayanthimalaji transitioned so smoothly from Tamil to Hindi cinema. And she is such a fabulous dancer! I am no match to her. She is a trained Bharat Natyam dancer. I learnt everything on the sets.”. Actress and politician Khushbu Sundar also expressed her admiration after a chance meeting with Vyjayanthimala during a flight in 2022. Sharing a photograph from the encounter on social media, she called her a "legacy of beauty and grace," stating that "nobody can dance like her till date" and that she wishes “we had even an iota of what she has.”^[6]

Both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have expressed admiration for Vyjayanthimala's work. Kamal Haasan has referred to her as the "first female superstar of Indian cinema," recognizing her significant contributions to the industry. In 2014, he invited her to be part of his film Vishwaroopam 2, though she declined, having retired from acting by then. Rajinikanth, during a public event, praised Vyjayanthimala, remarking, "Look at this lady. No amount of money can tempt her back to the arc lights." This was in reference to an offer he made, along with Chiranjeevi as producer, to cast her in a film with a record-breaking salary of ₹2 crore. Vyjayanthimala declined the offer, reaffirming her decision to remain retired and reflecting her strong personal principles and lasting dignity within the industry. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the acclaimed filmmaker, has frequently cited Vyjayanthimala as a significant influence on his cinematic vision. He has remarked, “I think all my heroines are consciously or subconsciously modelled on her,” acknowledging her enduring impact on the portrayal of female characters in Indian cinema. Bhansali has praised her versatility, noting her ability to embody diverse roles—from the rustic charm in Madhumati and Ganga Jamuna to the sophisticated elegance in Sangam. He expressed particular admiration for her performance in the song “Main Kaa Karun Ram Mujhe Buddha Mil Gaya” from Sangam, describing it as an "earthquake" of a dance, and highlighting that she personally managed the choreography and costume design for the sequence. Bhansali has also drawn inspiration from Vyjayanthimala's performances in his own work; for instance, he mentioned that Aishwarya Rai's character in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was influenced by Vyjayanthimala's role in Sangam. Furthermore, he stated that, “Vyjayanthimala is the biggest ever star, the most beautiful woman on the Indian screen ever, according to me.” ^[7] In a comprehensive interview at RK Studio, director Dharmesh Darshan stated that “When you were working with Raj Kapoor in Sangam, they said you were the first number one actress of Hindi cinema. You created the equality between the heroes and the heroines. There were big heroines, there were great heroines—and you were the greatest.”

In 2007, Vyjayanthimala released her memoir, titled, "Bonding... A Memoir".^[8]

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The following year proved to be lucky for Vyjayanthimala, she was signed

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