Ramasamy Ganesan, better known by his stage name Gemini Ganesan, was an Indian actor who worked mainly in Tamil cinema. He was referred to as the Kaadhal Mannan for his romantic roles in films. Ganesan was one of the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", the other two being M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan. While Sivaji Ganesan excelled in dramatic films and M. G. Ramachandran was popular as an action hero, Gemini Ganesan was known for his romantic films. A recipient of the Padma Shri in 1971, he had also won several other awards including the Kalaimamani, the MGR Gold Medal, and the Screen Lifetime Achievement Award. He was one of the few college graduates to enter the film industry then.
Zindagi (transl. Life) is a 1964 Indian Hindi-language film produced by S. S. Vasan, Gemini Pictures and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The film stars Rajendra Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Raaj Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor, Mehmood, Jayant, Jeevan, Leela Chitnis and Helen. The film's music is by Shankar Jaikishan. The film was remade in Tamil as Vaazhkai Padagu (1965) and in Telugu as Aada Brathuku (1965).
Subramaniam Srinivasan, popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was an Indian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon. He is the founder of the Tamil-language magazine Ananda Vikatan and the film production company Gemini Studios, Gemini Film Laboratories and Gemini Picture Circuit. He was a member of parliament from 1964 and served his term till his death.
Mangamma Sabatham is a 1943 Indian Tamil-language film, starring Vasundhara Devi, Ranjan, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film was produced by S. S. Vasan and directed by T. G. Raghavachari, credited as Acharya. The film was remade in Hindi and Telugu as Mangala, in Sinhala as Mathalan (1955) and again in Telugu as Mangamma Sapatham (1965).
Poova Thalaiya is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language comedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Gemini Ganesh, Jaishankar, Nagesh, S. Varalakshmi, Rajasree and Vennira Aadai Nirmala. It was released on 10 May 1969. The film was remade in Telugu as Bomma Borusa, in Malayalam as Balapareekshanam and in Kannada as BalondhuUyyale. It was also an influence on Kandha Kadamba Kathir Vela.
Miss Malini is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language satirical film written and directed by Kothamangalam Subbu and produced by K. Ramnoth, based on a story by R. K. Narayan. Subbu also starred in the film alongside Pushpavalli and M. S. Sundari Bai. Javar Seetharaman and Gemini Ganesan made their acting debuts in the film appearing in minor supporting roles. The film focuses on Malini (Pushpavalli), an impoverished woman who joins her actress friend Sundari's theatre company Kala Mandhiram and becomes a success. Things take a turn for the worse when she befriends a charlatan named Sampath.
Pushpavalli was an Indian actress who predominently worked in Telugu and Tamil films. She entered the film industry as a child actress with a small role as young Sita in the film Sampoorna Ramayanam (1936). This was followed by a few more roles as child star. Pushpavalli later graduated to doing roles as an adult. Her biggest hit was the Telugu film Bala Nagamma (1942), where she played an important supporting role. Her 1947 film Miss Malini, where she played the lead role, received great critical acclaim from the intelligentsia, but flopped at the box office. She continued playing supporting roles well into the late 1960s.
Dharma Patni or Dharmapatni is a 1941 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced and directed by P. Pullayya under the Famous Films banner. It stars Santha Kumari, Bhanumathi, Uppuluri Hanumantha Rao and C. Hemalatha. The film marks the debut of Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who played a minor role as one of the ten school children in a song sequence, and also that of the writer Chakrapani.
Dr. Govindarajula Venkata Subba Rao was a famous Telugu drama and film actor.
Chittajallu Pullayya was an Indian film director and screenwriter. He is one of the earliest film personalities in Telugu cinema being associated with the industry right from the silent era.
Kanchanamala (1917–1981) was an Indian actress known for her works in Telugu cinema.
Apoorva Sagodharargal is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Acharya. The film which was adapted from Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novella The Corsican Brothers stars M. K. Radha and P. Bhanumathi, with Nagendra Rao and Suryaprabha playing supporting roles. It revolves around the two lookalike brothers who were separated during childhood by their cruel uncle who murdered his parents, rest of the film shows how two brothers join together in avenging the death of their parents.
Bala Nagamma is a 1981 Indian film, directed by K. Shankar. A Tamil-Telugu bilingual, the film stars Sarath Babu and Sridevi. It is a remake of the 1942 Telugu film of the same name. The Tamil version was released on 26 October 1981, and the Telugu version on 30 April 1982.
Grahasti also called Grihasti, is a 1963 Indian Hindi-language drama film, directed by Kishore Sahu. Produced by S. S. Vasan for Gemini Studios, its music director was Ravi and the lyrics were written by Shakeel Badayuni. Pandit Mukhram Sharma wrote the dialogues with cinematography by P. Ellappa. The film starred Ashok Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Rajshree, Nirupa Roy, Indrani Mukherjee, Bipin Gupta, Lalita Pawar and Gajanan Jagirdar.
Bahut Din Huwe is a 1954 Indian Hindi-language film directed by S. S. Vasan, produced by Gemini Studios and starring Madhubala. It is a remake of the Telugu film Bala Nagamma (1942).
Chakra Dhari is a 1948 Indian Tamil-language film produced by Gemini Studios. V. Nagayya and Pushpavalli star, while Gemini Ganesan who was a budding actor then, appeared in a minor role.
Samsaram (transl. Wife) is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Chandru and produced by S. S. Vasan. A remake of the 1950 Telugu film of the same name, it stars M. K. Radha, Pushpavalli, Kumari Vanaja, Sriram, M. S. Sundari Bai, T. R. Ramachandran, D. Balasubramaniam, R. Balasubramaniam, K. N. Kamalam, and Kamalaveni Ammal. The film was simultaneously filmed in Hindi as Sansar, which Vasan directed.
Naan Kanda Sorgam is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language fantasy comedy film directed and produced by C. Pullayya. The film stars K. A. Thangavelu and Sowcar Janaki. It is a remake of the 1958 Bengali film Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, and was simultaneously filmed in Telugu as Devanthakudu with a largely different cast. The film was released on 12 August 1960 and became a commercial success.
Bala Nagamma is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language fantasy swashbuckler film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi, and S. V. Ranga Rao with music composed by T. V. Raju. It is a remake of the 1942 Telugu film of the same name.
'Master Viswam was a child actor during the early era of Telugu Cinema during the British era of India. He shot to fame with the role of Balawardhiraju in 1942 Balanagamma movie produced by Gemini Studios.
