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 musical score was composed by C. N. Pandurangan. This film is the third Kannada film based on the life of Purandara Dasa, following the 1937 film Purandaradasa and the 1964 film 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.
Aluru Venkata Subbarao, popularly known by his pen name Chakrapani, was an Indian screenwriter, film producer, studio owner, and director in Telugu cinema. He received two Filmfare Awards and was notable for his association with Vijaya Vauhini Studios, one of Asia's largest studios at the time. Chakrapani was also a partner at Vijaya Productions alongside B. Nagi Reddi and co-founded Chandamama, the children's magazine.
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 and co-written 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 stars Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Leelavathi and R. Nagendra Rao, with Udaya Kumar making a brief guest appearance. Acclaimed director Puttanna Kanagal served as an assistant to Panthulu during this film's production.
Sandhya Raga is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film directed by A. C. Narasimha Murthy and co-produced by him alongside A. Prabhakara Rao. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and K. S. Ashwath. The musical score was composed 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 and has a musical score composed by G. K. Venkatesh. The film was a remake of Tamil film Velaikaari (1949). Rajkumar plays a dual role, with the second character making a brief appearance of just three seconds on-screen, contributing to an important plot revelation.
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 musical score was composed by Ghantasala. S. Siddalingaiah served as the assistant director. B. Vittalacharya also shot the film simultaneously in Telugu as Bandipotu, starring 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 musical score was composed 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 musical score was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and M. Venkataraju.
Simha Swapna is a 1968 Indian Kannada-language swashbuckler film directed by W. R. Subba Rao and produced by S. Bhavanarayan. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and Dikki Madhavarao. The film has musical score by G. K. Venkatesh. This is the only film in which Rajkumar lip-synced to the voices of T. M. Soundararajan and Pithapuram Nageswara Rao.
Navajeevana is a 1964 Indian Kannada film, directed by P. S. Murthy and produced by Vadiraj and Jawahar. The film stars K. S. Ashwath, R. N. Sudarshan, Narasimharaju and Rathnakar in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra.
Sathi Savithri is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by P. R. Kaundanya and produced by N. Vishweshwariah. The film stars Rajkumar, Udaykumar, Narasimharaju and K. S. Ashwath. The musical score for the film was composed by G. K. Venkatesh.
Chandrahasa is a 1965 Indian Kannada-language film directed 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 romantic-comedy film Kadhalikka Neramillai.
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.
