Kasinadhuni Viswanath was an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist and actor who predominantly worked in Telugu cinema. One of the greatest auteurs of Indian cinema, he received international recognition for his works, and is known for blending parallel cinema with mainstream cinema. He was honuored with the "Prize of the Public" at the "Besançon Film Festival of France" in 1981. In 1992, he received the Andhra Pradesh state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and the civilian honour Padma Shri for his contribution to the field of arts. In 2016, he was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema. He is popularly known as "Kalatapasvi."
Veturi Sundararama Murthy, known mononymously by his surname Veturi, was an Indian poet and lyricist who is known for his works in Telugu literature and cinema. Veturi is a recipient of the National Film Award, various Nandi Awards, Filmfare Awards, and other state honors. His career in Telugu cinema spanned more than four decades.
Dhulipala Sitarama Sastry, known mononymously by the surname Dhulipala, was an Indian actor and thespian, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was noted for playing mythological roles, particularly the role of Shakuni. He began his acting career at the young age of 13 and went on to work in about 300 films. He shot to fame with Bhishma and Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam, acting alongside N. T. Rama Rao.
Kodi Ramakrishna was an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor. One of the most prolific directors of Telugu cinema, he directed over 100 feature films in a variety of genres. He is known as a celluloid visionary who introduced high-end visual effects to the South Indian film industry through his supernatural fantasy films. In 2012, he received the state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for his lifetime contribution to Telugu cinema.
Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, known mononymously by his surname as Rajanala, was an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and a few Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. In a film career spanning more than four decades, Rajanala acted in more than 1400 feature films in a variety of characters. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rajanala was known for his gruesome portrayals of lead antagonist roles during the Golden age of Telugu cinema. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and the film industry felicitated him for his achievements and contribution to Indian Film Industry. He won several Filmfare Awards South and Nandi Award.
Jeeva is an Indian actor who works primarily in Telugu and Hindi films. He has been working in films since 1978 and is well known for his negative roles in various Ram Gopal Varma films, particularly Satya, Ab Tak Chhappan and Sarkar. He has acted in around 250 films in Telugu and Hindi languages.
Peela Mallikarjuna Rao was an Indian actor and comedian who worked in Telugu films. Rao, popularly known as Battala Satti for his role in the movie Ladies Tailor. He has acted in many movies in Telugu. Over his career, he acted in at least 375 Telugu movies.
Thotakura Somaraju and Saluri Koteswara Rao, popularly known as Raj–Koti, were a duo of Indian film music composers, singer-songwriters, record producers, musicians and multi-instrumentalist in Telugu cinema. In a notable career spanning a decade, the duo has garnered particular acclaim for redefining contemporary Telugu film music. They composed music for about 180 films. Out of their 3,000 songs, about 2,500 songs were sung by singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.
Sakshi Ranga Rao was an Indian character actor who worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He appeared in about 450 films over a career spanning four decades, majority of which were comedies. Rao made his film debut in 1967 with Sakshi from which he derived his stage name. He then went onto to appear in successful films like Sirivennela, Swarna Kamalam, April 1st Vidudhala, Joker and Swarabhishekam.
Gundu Hanumantha Rao was an Indian actor and comedian who worked in Telugu films, theatre, and television. He first appeared in Jandhyala's film Aha Naa Pellanta in 1987 and gained popularity in comedian roles in S. V. Krishna Reddy's films. He is known for his roles in Rajendrudu Gajendrudu,Mayalodu, Yamaleela, Srivariki Premalekha,Pellaniki Premalekha Priyuraliki Subhalekha (1992), Apparao Driving School, and the TV serial Amrutham. He won three TV Nandi Awards from Andhra Pradesh Government, one of them for Amrutham serial. He was a renowned stage artist before entering into cinema, his first drama being "Ravana Bramha" at the age of 18. He acted in over 600 movies in Telugu and was a popular TV artist.
Allari Alludu is a 1993 Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy. It stars Nagarjuna, Meena, Nagma, Vanisri and music composed by M. M. Keeravani. The film was recorded as a Blockbuster at the box office. The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as Galatta Maappillai and in Malayalam as Hey Madam. The film was remade in Kannada as Gadibidi Aliya (1995).
Chalapathi Rao was an Indian actor and producer known for comedy and villainous roles in Telugu cinema. He acted in different roles in more than 600 films.
Gunupudi Viswanath Sastri, popularly known by his screen name Ironleg Sastri, was an Indian comedian who predominantly worked in Telugu-language films. He acted in more than 150 films. E. V. V. Satyanarayana introduced him to Telugu Cinema.
Swara Veenapani is a lyricist and Telugu cinema music director. He holds a Guinness world record for longest church organ marathon.
Dattha is a 2006 Indian Kannada-language comedy drama film directed by Chi Guru Dutt and written by Janardhana Maharshi. The film stars Darshan and Ramya whilst Keerthi Chawla, Srinath, and Vinaya Prasad play other pivotal roles.
Krishnam Raju (1940–2022) was an Indian actor who acted in more than 190 films. Krishnam Raju entered Tollywood in 1966 with the film Chilaka Gorinka, directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma alongside Krishna Kumari. The film won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film - Silver for that year. Later he acted in the mythological film Shri Krishnavataram, which also stars N. T. Rama Rao. He acted in many films with the established actors N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. He also acted in many films with the established actresses Krishna Kumari, Rajasulochana, Jamuna and Kanchana.
Naanu Nanna Hendthi is a 1985 Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by D. Rajendra Babu and written by K. S. Satyanarayan. The film stars V. Ravichandran, Urvashi and Leelavathi. The core plot of the film was loosely based on the 1981 Telugu film Nenu Maa Aavida. The soundtrack and score composition was by Shankar–Ganesh and the film was produced by N. Veeraswamy. D. Rajendra Babu made his Bollywood debut in 1987, with the remake version of this movie, titled as Pyaar Karke Dekho. The song Akkipete Lakkamma was retained in the Hindi version as Haki Petai Lakamma- both sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The film was also remade in Tamil as Kanna Thorakkanum Saami. The film was a box office success.
Sudha is an Indian actress who predominantly played character roles in Telugu films. Born and brought up in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, she has acted in more than 500 Telugu films. She was felicitated on 31 January 2014, in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, for her work in Telugu films.
Maa Aavida Meeda Ottu Mee Aavida Chala Manchidi is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language drama film written, directed and produced by E. V. V. Satyanarayana. The film stars Srikanth, Raasi, Vadde Naveen, and Laya. In the film, two estranged lovers—Praveen (Naveen) and Subadra (Raasi)—meet unexpectedly after their respective marriages. Subadra intends to elope and remarry Praveen, leaving her husband Jagdeesh (Srikanth).
Pattukondi Chuddam is a 1997 Indian Telugu-language comedy thriller film directed by Siva Nageswara Rao from a story by Janardhana Maharshi. The film stars Suresh, Sudhakar, Sanghavi, Jayasudha, Nizhalgal Ravi and Brahmanandam in key roles, with music composed by Veenapaani. The film marked the debuts of dialogue writer Madhava Reddy and music director Veenapani.
