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.
Sri Purandara Dasaru is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by C. V. Raju and produced by Smt Jayalakshmi. The film stars K. S. Ashwath, R. Nagendra Rao, Udaykumar and Rajashankar. The film has musical score by C. N. Pandurangan. This was the third Kannada movie on the life of Purandara Dasa after the 1937 movie Purandaradasa and the 1964 movie Navakoti Narayana.
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.
Chakrapani was an Indian film producer, screenwriter, and director known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He won two Filmfare Awards for Telugu films. He was also notable for his association with Vijaya Vauhini Studios, one of the largest studios in Asia at that time. Chakrapani was also a partner of Vijaya Productions along with B. Nagi Reddy and founder of Chandamama children magazine.
Bommireddy Nagi Reddi was an Indian film producer and director mainly in Telugu cinema. He set up Vijaya Vauhini Studios in Chennai, which was then Asia's biggest film studio. As his elder brother had the same initials and was known as B. N. Reddi, Nagi Reddi was popularly known as B. Nagi Reddi. Some of the movies produced by Nagi Reddi include Patala Bhairavi (1951), Missamma (1955), Maya Bazaar (1957), Gundamma Katha (1962), Maduve Maadi Nodu (1965-Kannada), Enga Veetu Pillai (1965), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Nam Naadu (1969-Tamil),Shriman Shrimati (1982), Julie (1975), and Swarg Narak (1978), the latter two of which were in Hindi. Reddi has served as the president of Film Federation of India twice, in 1960–61 and 1962–63.
Pelli Chesi Choodu is a 1952 Indian satirical comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad and produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their company Vijaya Productions. The film was made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil, the latter titled Kalyanam Panni Paar. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, G. Varalakshmi, Yandamuri Joga Rao and Savitri. S. V. Ranga Rao, Sivarama Krishnayya, Doraswamy, and Suryakantham play supporting roles in the Telugu version while C. V. V. Panthulu replaced Krishnayya in Tamil.
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by L. V. Prasad. The film was produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani of Vijaya Productions; the latter co-wrote its script with Prasad and Vempati Sadasivabrahmam. It is the Telugu version of Prasad's Tamil film Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam (1958). Starring N. T. Rama Rao, Relangi and Savitri, Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu features Jaggayya, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, S. V. Ranga Rao, and Jamuna in supporting roles. The conflict between two older men with different mindsets—Ramadasu and Mukundarao —is the film's centrepiece.
Gaali Gopura is a 1962 Kannada-language film directed and produced by B. R. Panthulu. The film starred Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Leelavathi and R. Nagendra Rao. Actor Udaya Kumar made a brief guest appearance. Acclaimed director Puttanna Kanagal had assisted Panthulu for this film.
Devara Gedda Manava is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy and produced by Y. V. Rao. The film stars Rajkumar, M. P. Shankar, Narasimharaju and Mikkilineni. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. Rao and Krishnamurthy shot the movie simultaneously in Telugu as Devuni Gelichina Manavudu starring Kanta Rao.
Sandhya Raga is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by A. C. Narasimha Murthy and co-produced by him along with A. Prabhakara Rao. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and K. S. Ashwath. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh.
Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari Kathe is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film, directed and produced by Hunsur Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajkumar, B. M. Venkatesh, Nagendra Rao and H. R. Shastry. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. H. R. Bhargava was the associate director of this movie.
Malli Maduve is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by G. R. Nathan. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Rajashankar and K. S. Ashwath. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh. The film was a remake of Tamil film Velaikaari (1949). Rajkumar played dual role in a small portion of the movie where the second character appears only for three seconds on-screen in an important plot twist.
Veera Kesari is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by B. Vittalacharya and produced by Sundarlal Nahatha and Doondi. The film stars Rajkumar, T. N. Balakrishna, Udaykumar and R. Nagendra Rao. The film has musical score by Ghantasala. S. Siddalingaiah was the assistant director of this movie. B. Vittalacharya shot the movie simultaneously in Telugu as Bandipotu, with N. T. Rama Rao.
Swarna Gowri is a 1962 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by D. R. Naidu. The film stars Rajkumar, Krishna Kumari, Udaykumar and Narasimharaju. The film has musical score by M. Venkataraju. The movie was simultaneously shot in Telugu with the same name by the same producer and director with Kanta Rao and Krishna Kumari in the lead roles.
Sathi Sukanya is a 1967 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by D. Puttaswamy. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Rajashankar. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra.
Chandra Kumara is a 1963 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by N. S. Varma and produced by T Madar. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Rajashankar and Narasimharaju. The film has musical scores by T. Chalapathi Rao and M. Venkataraju.
Chandrahasa is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by B. S. Ranga and produced by B. S. Ranga. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, K. S. Ashwath and Narasimharaju. The film had musical score by S. Hanumantha Rao.
Preethi Madu Thamashe Nodu is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy film, directed by C. V. Rajendran and produced by Dwarakish. The film stars Srinath, Shankar Nag, Dwarakish and Manjula and Padmapriya. It is a remake of the 1964 Tamil film Kadhalikka Neramillai.
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.
K. Rani was an Indian playback singer who has sung songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Sinhalese, Hindi, Bengali and Uzbek. Rani was the first female singer from India to sing in Sinhalese and Uzbek, and sang the national anthem of Sri Lanka.
