Ghantasala Venkateswararao, known mononymously by his surname as Ghantasala, was an Indian playback singer and film composer known for his works predominantly in Telugu and Kannada cinema and also in Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu and Hindi language films. He is considered one of the greatest singers of Telugu cinema. In 1970, he received the Padma Shri award, India's fourth highest civilian award for his contribution to Indian cinema. According to The Hindu and The Indian Express, Ghantasala was 'such a divine talent and with his songs he could move the hearts of the people'. 'Ghantasala's blending of classical improvisations to the art of light music combined with his virtuosity and sensitivity puts him a class apart, above all others in the field of playback singing'. Gifted with what Indian film historian V. A. K. Ranga Rao called 'the most majestic voice', Ghantasala helped Telugu film music develop its own distinct character which remains unparalleled. He is referred to as the 'Gaana Gandharva' for his mesmerising voice and musical skills.
Missamma is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad. It was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani on Vijaya Productions banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jamuna. The script was adapted by Chakrapani from Rabindranath Maitra's Bengali play Manmoyee Girls' School. It revolves around two unemployed people — M. T. Rao and Mary — who pose as a married couple to obtain employment in a high school founded by Gopalam, a zamindar. As Rao and Mary fall in love, Gopalam's nephew A. K. Raju learns that Mary is Gopalam's missing elder daughter Mahalakshmi; she is unaware of her true identity.
Devadasu is a 1953 Indian romantic drama film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya and produced by D. L. Narayana for Vinodha Pictures. Chakrapani wrote the script based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, Devdas. C. R. Subbaraman composed the film's music. The film was edited by P. V. Narayanan, while B. S. Ranga provided the cinematography.
Donga Ramudu is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film co-written and directed by K. V. Reddy. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, Jamuna, and Jaggayya with music composed by Pendyala. The film was produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner.
Mooga Manasulu is a 1964 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao who co-wrote the film with Acharya Aatreya and Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri and Jamuna, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. It is based on the concept of reincarnation.
Andala Ramudu is a 1973 Telugu-language comedy drama film, film produced by N. S. Murthy under the Chitra Kalpana banner and directed by Bapu. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Latha and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film is based on Mullapudi Venkata Ramana's Janata Express (novel). The film is the debut to veteran artists Nutan Prasad and Latha. The film won two Nandi Awards. The film has given enthusiastically drawing atmosphere and spirit to the movie Godavari (2006), directed by Sekhar Kammula.
Ummadi Kutumbam is a 1967 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by N. Trivikrama Rao under the NAT & Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by T. V. Raju.
Prema Pasam is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language film, produced by V. L. Narasu and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. It is a remake of the Hindi film Kismet (1943). The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Savitri, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Bhale Ramudu (1956). The film was released on 23 March 1956.
Ardhangi is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by P. Pullayya under the Ragini Pictures banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Santha Kumari, Savitri. Music is composed by Master Venu and B. Narasimha Rao. Acharya Aatreya scripted the film based on Maddipatla Suri's Telugu translation of the Bengali novel Swayamsidda written by Manilal Banerjee. The film was successful at the box office. It has received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu and the Filmfare Award for Best Film - Telugu. The film was remade in Tamil as Pennin Perumai and in Hindi as Bahurani (1963).
Nammina Bantu is a 1960 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Savitri, with music jointly composed by S. Rajeswara Rao and Master Venu. The film was simultaneously made in Tamil as Pattaliyin Vetri, under the same banner and director, and some of the scenes and artists are the same in both versions. Upon release Nammina Bantu received critical acclaim. The film was featured at the 8th San Sebastián International Film Festival. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
Missamma is the soundtrack of the 1955 Indian Telugu-language film of the same name directed by L. V. Prasad. Composed by S. Rajeswara Rao, the soundtrack contains 11 songs with lyrics by Pingali. The film was written by Chakrapani, who co-produced it with B. Nagi Reddi for Vijaya Productions. N. T. Rama Rao and Savitri played the lead roles the Telugu version, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rushyendramani, Relangi and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.
Devadasu Malli Puttadu is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisri, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It is produced by Srinivasulu and Pandurangappa. The film is a sequel to Devadasu (1953), with Nageswara Rao reprising his role.
Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu is a 1983 Telugu-language drama film, produced by N. R. Anuradha Devi under the Lakshmi Films Combines banner, and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jayasudha, Radhika and music composed by Chakravarthy. The film was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office.
Bhale Rangadu is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by N. N. Bhatt and directed by T. Rama Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Vanisri and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Released on 14 August 1969, the film was a critical and commercial success.
Jay Jawan is a 1970 Telugu-language drama film produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under the Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by D. Yoganand. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Bharati, Krishnam Raju and music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
Amayakuralu is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Kanchana, Sharada and music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film won the Nandi Award for Third Best Feature Film.
Suputhrudu (transl. Son) is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Jagarlamudi Subba Rao, Gorantla Rajendra Prasad on Madhavi Combines banner and directed by T. Rama Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Lakshmi and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.
Charana Daasi (transl. Wife) is a 1956 Indian Telugu-language drama film written by Vempati Sadasivabrahmam and directed by T. Prakash Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and Savitri, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film is based on Rabindranath Tagore's 1906 Bengali novel Noukadubi. It was simultaneously made in Tamil as Mathar Kula Manikkam (1956)
Aada Pettanam is a 1958 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by M. Narayana Swamy and M. Venkata Ramadasu and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi and music jointly composed by S. Rajeswara Rao & Master Venu. Anisetty was announced as the director initially, but Adurthi Subba Rao took over later.
Circus Ramudu is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language action drama film, produced by Kovai Chezhiyan on K. C. Films banner and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Jaya Prada and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan.
