Krishna (Telugu actor)

Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy

Krishna began his film career with minor roles in films such as Kula Gothralu (1961), Padandi Mundhuku (1962), and Paruvu Prathishta (1963). He debuted as a lead actor with the 1965 film Thene Manasulu and went on to star in films such as Sakshi (1967), which won critical acclaim at the Tashkent film festival in 1968.^[10] In 1972, he starred in Pandanti Kapuram, which garnered the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year. He has essayed roles across different genres including mythological, drama, western, fantasy, action, spy and historical films.^[11]

Krishna was credited with producing many technological firsts in the Telugu film industry such as the first Cinemascope film – Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974), the first Eastmancolor film – Eenadu (1982), the first 70mm film – Simhasanam (1986), the first DTS film – Telugu Veera Levara (1995) and introducing the cowboy genre to the Telugu screen.^[12] He uniquely starred in the spy films Gudachari 116 (1966), James Bond 777 (1971), Agent Gopi (1978), Rahasya Gudachari (1981) and Gudachari 117 (1989). Krishna directed Sankharavam (1987), Mugguru Kodukulu (1988), Koduku Diddina Kapuram (1989), Bala Chandrudu (1990) and Anna Thammudu (1990), casting his son Mahesh Babu in pivotal roles.

Krishna directed 17 feature films and produced many films under his Padmalaya Studios production company along with his brothers Adiseshagiri Rao and Hanumantha Rao. Krishna was one of the highest-paid Telugu actors during his time.^[13]

He is also noted for pairing up with the same leading actress on scores of productions. He worked with Vijaya Nirmala on 48 films and with Jaya Prada on 47. He worked with major directors including Adurthi Subba Rao, V. Madhusudhana Rao, K. Viswanath, Bapu, Dasari Narayana Rao and K. Raghavendra Rao.^[14]

Early and personal life

Krishna was born on 31 May 1943 in Burripalem, Guntur district of present-day Andhra Pradesh.^[4] His parents are Ghattamaneni Nagaratnamma, Veeraraghavayya Chowdary.^[15][16]

Krishna was married twice, first to Indira Devi and subsequently to Vijaya Nirmala. He had five children in his first marriage: two sons, film producer Ramesh Babu and actor Mahesh Babu, and three daughters, Padmavathi, Manjula Ghattamaneni, and Priyadarshini.^[17] Krishna met Vijaya Nirmala on the sets of Sakshi (1967).^[18]

Film career

Early work: 1962–1965

His career began with minor roles in films such as Padandi Munduku (1962), Kula Gotralu (1962) and Paruvu-Prathishta (1963). He then acted in Thene Manasulu (1965) which changed his career for ever.^[19] There was pressure to remove Krishna from the film owing to concerns expressed by buyers, though Adurthi was adamant about his decision. Thene Manasulu, ultimately hit screens, and was a resounding success.^[20]

Breakthrough: 1966–1975

Krishna became a household name with the runaway success of the iconic Telugu spy film Gudachaari 116 (1966). He was also known as the Andhra James Bond after he brought many James Bond-style, spy movies to the Telugu screen.^[21]

Though action films were his standard, Krishna also acted in films such as Marapurani Katha (1967), Atthagaaru Kotthakodalu (1968) and Undamma Bottu Pedatha (1968).

He also worked with more established actors, such as N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, in films such as Stree Janma (1967), Niluvu Dopidi (1968), Manchi Kutumbam (1968), Vichitra Kutumbam (1969), Akka Chellelu (1970) during this period.

Krishna and Vijaya Nirmala have complimented each other beautifully in every film they have done together. Both actors have worked together in 48 movies. Besides Sakshi (1967), Krishna and Vijaya Nirmala have worked in films like Manchi Kutumbam (1968), Vichitra Kutumbam (1969), Akka Chellelu (1970), Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971) and Pandanti Kapuram (1972). Krishna became famous across the nation when his family drama Pandanti Kapuram, which ran for over 175 days in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, earned him a slot in the highly competitive family hero league and a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

At this time, Krishna established his own production house, Padmalaya Films and produced several big-budget films such as Agni Pariksha (1970), Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971), Pandanti Kapuram (1972) and Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973) With his second wife Vijaya Nirmala, Krishna also set up another production house called Vijaya Krishna movies, and produced some critically acclaimed films, including Meena (1973) and Devadasu (1974).

Krishna tumbled many records with his portrayal marked his 100th film as Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974) under his home banner Padmalaya Studios. The biographical action film won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the song 'Telugu Veera Levara' penned by the late poet Sri Sri. The film also won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film and was screened at the International Film Festival of India and the Tashkent Film Festival. The film ran for 175 days and has emerged as the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year. Such was the success of Alluri Seetarama Raju that none of his next 14 films could match the hype and craze for the classic, and they hardly made a mark at the box office.^[22]

Continued success: 1976–1989

Jaya Prada is another star heroine with whom Krishna has done around 47 movies. They have debuted as a pair on screen with the 1976 film Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club. He have worked in films including, Eenati Bandham Yenatido (1977), Kurukshetram (1977) , Agent Gopi (1978), Kotta Alludu (1979), Rahasya Gudachari (1981), Ooruki Monagadu (1981), Jataadu (1981), Nivuru Gappina Nippu (1982) among others.

Krishna and Sridevi were among the most successful pairs in Tollywood. They have both acted in about 31 films together. Some of their most memorable works are Burripalem Bullodu (1979), Gharana Donga (1980), Maama Allulla Sawaal (1980), Ram Robert Rahim (1980), Chuttalunnaru Jagratha (1980), Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988) among others.

Krishna redeemed himself with Paadi Pantalu (1976) and went on to headline and bankroll a mythological film titled Kurukshetram (1977). The film's announcement has taken the Telugu film industry by storm and also paved way for a star war with N. T. Rama Rao, who also went on to make a film named Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) along the same lines. Following this, Krishna made a few films that directly attacked NTR, setting off the rivalry between the fans. His attitude has set him apart from his contemporaries and earned him the sobriquet ‘daring and dashing hero’.^[23]

1979 turned out to be an eventful year for Krishna, with six of his films becoming money spinners at the box office. 1982 is yet another milestone year for Krishna as he launched Padmalaya Studios and produced his 200th film Eenadu.^[24]

Krishna and Vijayashanti starred together in some hit films such as Krishnavataram (1982), Agni Parvatam (1985), Brahmastram (1986), Sardar Krishnama Naidu (1987), Donga Garu Swagatham (1987), Aswaddhama (1988) and Goonda Rajyam (1989).^[25]

Krishna was also part of super hit films like Pachani Kapuram (1985), Simhasanam (1986), Khaidi Rudrayya (1986), Muddayi (1987), Goonda Rajyam (1989), Gudachari 117 (1989),Sahasame Naa Oopiri (1989) and Koduku Diddina Kapuram (1989).

Later work: 1990–2016

In the 90s, Krishna reinvented himself, playing the roles of the avuncular and ruthless gangster, big brother, and cameos in action dramas.

In 1993, he came back strongly with the unexpected super-success of Pacchani Samsaaram. But it was Varasudu, his second release in the year, which made him the cynosure of the film fraternity again. With the films Number 1 (1994) and Amma Donga (1995) he had other thumping successes. Krishna also directed the Hindi film Ishq Hai Tumse produced by himself,which is the remake of the Telugu film Sampangi in the year 2004.^[26] The same year, he takes on the role of Jesus in Shanti Sandesham.^[27]

Andhra University felicitated Mr. Krishna with an honorary doctorate in 2008. For the recognition of his contribution to Telugu film industry as an actor, director, producer, writer government of India gave him Padma Bhushan in 2009.^[28]

Krishna’s last major movie to be released was Sri Sri in 2016 after which he bid adieu to films and has been staying away from the limelight.^[29]

Political career

Krishna joined the Congress Party under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi. He ran in the 1989 elections from the Parliament constituency in Eluru and won the seat. At the same time, NTR was leading the National Front and was at the pinnacle of his political career. By a margin of 71,000 votes, he defeated Bolla Bulliramaiah, the TDP's incumbent MP. However, Krishna was defeated by Bulliramaiah in the ensuing 1991 election by a margin of 47,000 votes.^[30]

Death

On 14 November 2022, Krishna suffered from a heart attack and was rushed to a hospital in Hyderabad. His health started deteriorating and was on a ventilator. He died during the early hours on 15 November 2022, at the age of 79.^{[31][32][33][34]} On 16 November 2022, Krishna was cremated with full state honours.^[35]

Filmography

Awards

Civilian Honors

• Padma Bhushan – 2009^[13]
• Doctorate – Andhra University^[13]

Nandi Awards

• Alluri Sita Rama Raju – 1974^[13]

NTR National Award

• NTR National Award for the year 2003.^[36]

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South in 1997.^[13]

References