Vanisri was born in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1948. Actor S V Ranga Rao gave her screen name Vanisri.
Her first film was Marapurani Kadha. She gained attention with a supporting role in a film penned by K. Balachander titled Sukha Dukhalu, where the famous song "idi mallela velayani" was picturized on her. She became a heroine and held the top spot through most of the 1970s
Vanisri returned to film in the late 1980s acting in mother roles, such as her character in Attaku Yamudu-Ammayiki Mogudu (1989). She was also in the 1999 hindi film Main Tere Pyar Mein Pagal directed by Telugu director K. Raghavendra Rao. She often portrays arrogant mothers-in-law or aunts. Vanisri has acted in television serials as well.
She also worked as politician in Congress party.
