Mullapudi Venkata Ramana was an Indian writer known for his work in Telugu language. Noted for his humorous and metaphorical style of writing, Mullapudi received Raghupathi Venkaiah Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1986 for his contributions to Telugu cinema and he also won six Nandi Awards.
Veturi Sundararama Murthy, known mononymously by his surname Veturi, was an Indian poet, lyricist and journalist who is popular for writing Telugu songs. His career in Telugu cinema spanned more than four decades.
Sattiraju Lakshminarayana, known professionally as Bapu, was an Indian film director, painter, illustrator, cartoonist, screenwriter, music artist, and designer known for his works in Telugu cinema, and Hindi cinema. In 2013, he was awarded the Padma Shri, for his contribution to Indian art and cinema. He has garnered two National Honors, two National Film Awards, seven state Nandi Awards, two Filmfare Awards South, a Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.
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.
Sakshi (transl. Witness) is a 1967 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Bapu. The film stars Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala and Vijaya Lalitha, with Ramana Panthulu, Raja Babu, Chalapathi Rao, Allu Venkateswarlu, Jagga Rao and R. Ranga Rao in supporting roles. It is based on Mullapudi Venkata Ramana's 1959 story of the same name which itself was inspired by the 1952 American film High Noon. In Sakshi, a naïve and bucolic boatman is exploited by society and turns into a hard-hearted person.
Radha Gopalam is a 2005 Telugu-language film directed by Bapu and written by Ramana. It stars Srikanth and Sneha in lead roles. The music was composed by Mani Sharma and lyrics were penned by Veturi, Jonnavittula, Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. It is based on the Hollywood film Adam's Rib (1949). The performances of Srikanth and Sneha were critically applauded. The film won three Nandi Awards and was successful at the box office.
Seetha Kalyanam is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed by Bapu from a screenplay written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. Based on the Bala Kanda, the ensemble cast film relates events from the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, up to his wedding to Seetha, incarnation of Lakshmi.
Manavoori Pandavulu is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, dealing with the struggle against the feudal system in their own unique way. The film is remake of Kannada movie Paduvaaralli Pandavaru directed by Puttanna Kanagal. In 1980, he also remade it in Hindi as Hum Paanch starring Mithun Chakraborty.
The culture of Andhra Pradesh embodies some very exclusive and special entities.
Poola Rangadu is a 1967 Indian Telugu-language crime thriller film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao and produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna, Sobhan Babu, Vijaya Nirmala, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. The film, loosely based on A. J. Cronin's novel Beyond This Place, was released on 24 November and became a box office success. It was remade in Tamil in 1970 as En Annan and in Hindi in 1972 as Jeet.
Pelli Pustakam is a 1991 Telugu-language romantic comedy film, produced by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana under the Sri Seetarama Films banner and directed by Bapu. It stars Rajendra Prasad, Divyavani and music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film won three Nandi Awards, and was premiered in Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India. This movie has a resemblance to the 1955 classic movie Missamma.
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.
Rushyendramani was an Indian actress, singer, dancer, and playback singer from Andhra Pradesh. She had more than 150 movies to her credit and acted in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films from 1935 to 1986. Her notable films include Sri Seetarama Jananam (1944), Malliswari (1951), Vipra Narayana (1954), Chintamani (1956). Her last film was Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam (1986).
Balaraju Katha is a 1970 Indian Telugu-language drama film written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana and directed by Bapu. It is a remake of the 1969 Tamil film Vaa Raja Vaa, and has won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (bronze).
Rakta Sambandham is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao and produced by Sundarlal Nahata and Doondi. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Kanta Rao, Savitri and Devika, with Relangi, Ramana Reddy, M. Prabhakar Reddy and Suryakantham in supporting roles. A remake of A. Bhimsingh's Tamil-language film Pasamalar (1961), it narrates the story of bonding between Rajasekhar "Raju" and his sister Radha, who lose their parents at an early age. Radha falls in love with Raju's friend Anand and they marry. The rest of the film focuses on the impact made by Anand's aunt Kanthamma on their lives post marriage.
Pelleedu Pillalu is a Telugu-language drama film released in 1982 and directed by Bapu. Suresh and Vijayashanti play the leads in this film, with Sangeetha, Sarath Babu, Sumalatha and J. V. Somayajulu in the supporting cast. M. S. Viswanatham scored the music, while the lyrics were written by Sri Sri and Aathreya.
Tatamma Kala is a 1974 Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by N. T. Rama Rao under his Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna and debutant Nandamuri Balakrishna and has music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
Raavi Kondala Rao was an Indian actor, screenwriter, playwright, and journalist who worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He acted in over 400 films. He won Nandi Award for Best Story Writer for Pelli Pusthakam (1991) and won Nandi Award for Best Book on Telugu Cinema for Black and White.
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.
