Krishna Vamsi

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Krishna Vamsi
Born
Pasupuleti Venkata Bangarraju [1]

(1962-07-28) 28 July 1962 (age 62)
Andhra Pradesh, India
Occupations
  • Film director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
  • choreographer
Years active1995–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2003)​
Children1

Pasupuleti Venkata Bangarraju (born 28 July 1962), known professionally as Krishna Vamsi, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. [2] [3] Over a career spanning three decades, he has received three National Film Awards, nine Nandi Awards, and three Filmfare Awards South. [4] [5]

Contents

Krishna Vamsi began his career as an assistant director to Ram Gopal Varma and made his directorial debut with the 1995 romantic crime film Gulabi. In 1996, he directed Ninne Pelladata, which became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films at the time. He later directed the critically acclaimed Sindhooram (1997), under his production house Andhra Talkies. Both films won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. [6] [7] Other notable films directed by Krishna Vamsi include Anthahpuram (1998), Murari (2001), Khadgam (2002), Danger (2005), Chandamama (2007), Mahatma (2009), Govindudu Andarivadele (2014), and Rangamarthanda (2023).

Early life

Krishna Vamsi was born as Pasupuleti Venkata Bangarraju into a family that frequently relocated due to his father’s job in the Public Works Department, spending his childhood in various towns including Rayalaseema, Godavari, Vizag, and Ongole. He developed a passion for films early on, often watching multiple films a day during his school years. [8]

After completing his intermediate education, he aspired to join the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. However, his father insisted he complete his graduation. [9] He completed a B.Sc. degree from Tadepalligudem and an M.A. in Agricultural Economics from Agra University. [8]

Career

Distribution business

After returning from Agra, Krishna Vamsi and his friends ventured into film distribution, leasing theaters and distributing films like Khaidi (1983), starring Chiranjeevi, which proved highly profitable. However, subsequent ventures resulted in significant financial losses. [9]

Entry into film industry

Lacking his parents' support to pursue a career in cinema, Vamsi left home and moved to Madras (now Chennai) in 1986. [9] He initially worked as a light boy and later as an assistant cameraman, learning the craft through observation and hands-on experience. In 1987, he began working as an assistant director on a film produced by Silk Smitha. [9] Although the project faced financial challenges and production delays, Vamsi persevered, gaining valuable experience working with editor Goutham Raju and assistant director Siva Nageswara Rao. Siva Nageswara Rao, who was co-directing Siva (1989), introduced Vamsi to Ram Gopal Varma, then a debutant filmmaker. Vamsi joined Siva as an assistant director, marking the beginning of a significant collaboration with Ram Gopal Varma. [8]

After Siva, Krishna Vamsi continued working with Ram Gopal Varma on several films, including Kshana Kshanam (1991), Raat (1992), Antham (1992), and Gaayam (1993). [9] He later directed Money Money (1994), a sequel to Money (1993), under Varma’s banner but was not credited for his work. His next project, Anaganaga Oka Roju (1995), faced financial difficulties and creative differences with Ram Gopal Varma, leading to Varma taking over the direction. [8]

Directorial career

Krishna Vamsi’s subsequent film, Gulabi (1995), marked his directorial debut, though it faced challenges with its cast and production. Despite initial setbacks, the film caught the attention of actor Nagarjuna, who offered Vamsi the opportunity to direct a film for Annapurna Studios titled Ninne Pelladatha (1996), which became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films at the time. [8]

He later directed the critically acclaimed Sindhooram (1997), under his production house Andhra Talkies. The film examines the complexities of Naxalism in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on the societal and emotional factors driving educated individuals to join the movement. [10] [11] Although the film received critical acclaim for its portrayal of a sensitive subject, it was a commercial failure. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. [12]

Krishna Vamsi later directed notable films like Anthahpuram (1998), Murari (2001), Khadgam (2002), Danger (2005), Chandamama (2007), Mahatma (2009), Govindudu Andarivadele (2014), and Rangamarthanda (2023).

Krishna Vamsi also directed some songs for Okkadunnadu (2007) when director Chandra Sekhar Yeleti was unavailable. [13]

Personal life

Krishna Vamsi is married to South Indian actress Ramya Krishna. [14] [15] Before their marriage, Ramya Krishna appeared in his film Chandralekha (1998). [16]

Krishna Vamsi is an admirer of lyricist Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry, who wrote lyrics for several of Vamsi's films. Sitarama Sastry also adopted Krishna Vamsi in the traditional Hindu manner, though not legally.

Filmography

YearNameNotes
1995 Gulabi Nandi Award for Best First Film of a Director
1996 Ninne Pelladata National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu)
1997 Sindhooram National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (Producer & Director)
Nandi Award for Second Best Feature Film – Silver
1998 Chandralekha Remake of Chandralekha
1998 Anthahpuram Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu)
1999 Samudram
2001 Murari Nandi Award for Second Best Feature Film
2002 Shakti: The Power Hindi remake of Antahpuram
2002 Khadgam Nandi Award for Best Director

Sarojini Devi Award for a Film on National Integration
Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu)

2004 Sri Anjaneyam
2005 Chakram Nandi Award for Best Director
2005 Danger
2006 Rakhi
2007 Chandamama Nandi Award for Best Director
2009 Sasirekha Parinayam
2009 Mahatma
2011 Mogudu
2014 Paisa
2014 Govindudu Andarivadele Nandi Award for Best Story Writer
2017 Nakshatram
2023 Rangamarthanda Remake of Natsamrat

References

  1. ↑ Krishna (28 July 2019). "తెలుగు సినిమా సింధూరం 'కృష్ణవంశీ'". HMTV (in Telugu). Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  2. ↑ Chat with Telugu director Krishna Vamsi. Rediff.com (4 February 2009). Retrieved on 8 July 2012.
  3. ↑ Arts / Cinema : 'I wanted to do something real'. The Hindu (12 November 2011). Retrieved on 7 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "'Rangamarthanda' Shows How Money Has Infiltrated Our Sanity: Krishna Vamsi". 11 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Krishna Vamsi: Rangamarthanda is about an actor's life and psyche after his career is over". Cinema Express . 4 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals . Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "44th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals . Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Jeevi (16 July 1999). "Interview with Krishna Vamsi Part - 1". Idlebrain.com . Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Kumar, Sunil (17 November 1997). "I want to be a free bird". Rediff.com . Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  10. ↑ Kumar, Sunil (17 November 1997). "I want to be a free bird". Rediff.com . Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "I hated Slumdog Millionnaire". Rediff.com . 4 February 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  12. ↑ "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  13. ↑ "Press Meet - Okkadunnadu". Idlebrain.com. 20 February 2007. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  14. ↑ "Ramya weds Krishna Vamsi". Rediff.com . 11 June 2003.
  15. ↑ "Krishna Vamsi is jealous of Ramya Krishna". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 13 February 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "Krishna Vamsi to marry Ramyakrishna". The Times of India . 10 June 2003. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
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