Krishna Vamsi | |
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Born | Pasupuleti Venkata Bangarraju [1] 28 July 1962 |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1995–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
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]
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).
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]
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]
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]
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 is married to actress Ramya Krishna, a South Indian actress. [13] [14] Before their marriage, Ramya Krishna appeared in his film Chandralekha (1998). [15]
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.
Year | Name | Notes |
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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 |
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 |
Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry was an Indian poet and lyricist known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He acquired the stage name Sirivennela after writing the lyrics for the 1986 film of same name. Sastry has garnered several awards including eleven Nandi Awards and six Filmfare Awards South for his work the most by any other south Indian lyricist. He had penned lyrics for over 3,000 songs until 2020. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, for his contributions to the field of arts and aesthetics.
Penmetsa Ram Gopal Varma, often referred to by his initials RGV, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer, primarily known for his work in Hindi and Telugu films. Varma has directed films across multiple genres, including parallel cinema and docudrama noted for their gritty realism, technical finesse, and craft. Regarded as one of the pioneers of new age Indian cinema, he was featured in the BBC World series Bollywood Bosses in 2004. In 2006, Grady Hendrix of Film Comment, published by the Film at Lincoln Center cited Varma as "Bombay's Most Successful Maverick" for his works on experimental films. He is known for introducing new talents, who eventually become successful in the Indian film industry.
Ninne Pelladata is a 1996 Indian Telugu-language romantic family drama film written and directed by Krishna Vamsi and produced by Nagarjuna under the Annapurna Studios banner. The film stars Nagarjuna and Tabu, with music composed by Sandeep Chowta, marking his debut in Telugu cinema.
Sindhooram (transl. Vermilion) is a 1997 Indian Telugu-language crime drama film written and directed by Krishna Vamsi. The film stars Brahmaji and Sanghavi, with Ravi Teja and Soundarya (Geeta) in supporting roles. The film examines the complexities of Naxalism in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on the societal and emotional factors driving educated individuals to join the movement.
Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao, known mononymously as Nagarjuna, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Telugu cinema, along with a few Hindi films and Tamil films. One of the highest paid South Indian actor, Nagarjuna has appeared in over 90 films. He is a recipient of two National Film Awards for Ninne Pelladata (1996) and Annamayya (1997), ten state Nandi Awards and three Filmfare Awards South.
Bhupatiraju Ravi Shankar Raju, known professionally as Ravi Teja, is an Indian actor and film producer who mainly works in Telugu cinema. Known for his roles in action comedy films, he is popular by the moniker Mass Maharaja. One of the highest-paid Telugu film actors, Teja has won three state Nandi Awards and one Filmfare Award South. He was featured by Forbes India in the list of top 100 Celebrities in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Nagulapati Srinivasa Chakravarthy, known professionally as J. D. Chakravarthy, is an Indian actor, filmmaker, screenwriter and musician known for his work primarily with Telugu cinema in addition to Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam films. Chakravarthy made his screen debut with the Telugu film, Siva, an action blockbuster directed by Ram Gopal Varma, featured at the 12th IFFI. He subsequently made his Bollywood debut with the remake of the same film titled Shiva (1990). He then starred in the blockbuster Satya, featured in the Indian panorama section at the 29th IFFI, and was listed among CNN-IBN's 100 greatest Indian films of all time. Chakravarthy received the Screen Award Special Jury Award.
Chandamama is a 2007 Indian Telugu film. It was directed by Krishna Vamsi, and it was produced by C. Kalyan and S. Vijayanand. The film stars Navdeep, Kajal Aggarwal, Siva Balaji, and Sindhu Menon, while Nagababu, Satyam Rajesh, and Ahuti Prasad play supporting roles. The musical score is provided by K. M. Radha Krishnan and the base story by Akula Venkat. The film was released on 6 September 2007 to highly positive reviews and also garnered five Nandi Awards. The film was remade in Tamil as A Aa E Ee (2009) and in Kannada as Chellidaru Sampigeya (2009).
Gulabi is a 1995 Telugu romantic crime film written and directed by debutant Krishna Vamsi. Produced by Ram Gopal Varma and Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, the film stars J. D. Chakravarthy and Maheswari in the lead roles. Dialogues were written by Nadiminti Narsinga Rao.
Chandralekha is a 1998 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film co-written and directed by Krishna Vamsi. It stars Nagarjuna, Ramya Krishna and debutant Isha Koppikar, with music composed by Sandeep Chowta. The film was produced by Nagarjuna and V. Ram Prasad under Great India Enterprises banner.
Anaganaga Oka Roju is a 1995 Indian Telugu-language comedy thriller film produced and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Starring J. D. Chakravarthy and Urmila in the lead roles, the film features Raghuvaran, Brahmanandam, and Kota Srinivasa Rao in pivotal roles. Music was composed by Sri.
Money Money is a 1994 Indian Telugu-language comedy film written and directed by Siva Nageswara Rao and produced by Ram Gopal Varma under his banner, Varma Creations. The film is a sequel to the 1993 film Money, making it one of the earliest sequels in Telugu cinema. Krishna Vamsi is believed to have directed the film, though he was not credited in the titles.
Uttej is an Indian actor and screenwriter who works in Telugu films. He won the Nandi Award for Best Male Comedian for the film Chandamama (2007).
Anthahpuram (transl. Palace) is a 1998 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Krishna Vamsi. The film stars Soundarya, Prakash Raj, Sai Kumar and Jagapathi Babu with music composed by Ilayaraja. Inspired from 1991 American film Not Without My Daughter (1991), the plot follows an Indian-origin woman from Mauritius who, along with her young son, becomes trapped in a patriarchal and feudal household in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.
Chinna is an Indian actor and director, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Bollywood and Television. He made his Telugu film debut with Ram Gopal Varma's Siva in 1989. His debut movie as hero is Kalyanamaala (1997).
Brahmaji is an Indian who works in Telugu cinema. He is a regular actor in director Krishna Vamsi's films. Brahmaji appeared in an important role in Krishna Vamsi's debut film as a director, Gulabi.
Govindudu Andarivadele, also known by the acronym GAV, is a 2014 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Krishna Vamsi. Produced by Bandla Ganesh for Parameswara Art Productions, the film stars Ram Charan Teja, Kajal Aggarwal, Srikanth, Kamalinee Mukherjee, Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Rahman and Adarsh Balakrishna. Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the film's soundtrack and score while Sameer Reddy worked as the cinematographer, and Naveen Nooli was the film's editor.
Aadarsh Balakrishna is an Indian actor, primarily known for his negative roles in Telugu films. He is also the runner-up of Telugu reality TV show Bigg Boss 1.
Govindudu Andarivadele is the feature film soundtrack composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja for the 2014 Telugu-language action film of the same name directed by Krishna Vamsi. The soundtrack consists of 6 songs whose lyrics were written by Suddala Ashok Teja, Sri Mani, Sirivennela Sitaramasastri, Ramajogayya Sastry, Chandrabose and Lakshmi Bhoopal each. It was released by Aditya Music label on 1 September 2014 in a promotional event held at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad.
Nagarjuna is an Indian actor and producer who works in the Telugu cinema. He has acted in over 90 films as a lead actor as well as playing supporting and cameo roles, including Hindi and Tamil cinema. He has received nine state Nandi Awards, three Filmfare Awards South, and one Special Mention at the National Film Awards. The 1996 film Ninne Pelladata which he produced, was declared the Best Telugu film of the year at the National Film Awards.