Noted South Indian film actress, director and producer Vijaya Nirmala, 73, passed away on Wednesday night.

She had acted in over 200 films in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam languages. She also held a Guinness record for directing about fifty feature films, highest for a woman director. Vijaya Nirmala, who had been ailing for some time, died of cardiac arrest.

She started her career at a young age of seven years by acting in a Tamil film Matsya Rekha. In Telugu, she debuted at the age of 11 years through Panduranga Mahatyam. Vijaya Nirmala's small role as the young Krishna in a song in the film, earned her good name.

Vijaya Nirmala, who was a co-star of Ghattamaneni Krishna (father of actor Mahesh Babu) in Sakshi in 1967 and became companions. They went on to act in 50 films, creating a record, which include blockbusters like Alluri Seetarama Raju and Padipantalu.

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, film actors Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Junior NTR mourned Vijaya Nirmala and lauded her contributions to the film industry.