The veteran star debuted with Shanthi Nilayam (1969) in a supporting role. Her first lead role was in Rickshawkaran (1971) as MGR’s heroine. She also starred alongside the legendary actor in Ulagam Sutrum Valiban.
Manjula has acted in more than 100 films in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. She was a leading heroine in the 70s and 80s and then graduated to character roles in the late 80s.
She is suvived by husband Vijayakumar, daughters Vanitha, Preetha, Sridevi, and step-son Arun Vijay.