Shyam Prasad Reddy

Last updated

Shyam Prasad Reddy addressing the gathering at the success meet of Mahanati Shyam Prasad Reddy.jpg
Shyam Prasad Reddy addressing the gathering at the success meet of Mahanati

Mallemala Shyam Prasad Reddy is an Indian film and television producer known for his work in the Telugu entertainment industry. [1] He founded Mallemala Entertainments, a production company behind many successful films and TV shows. He is particularly acclaimed for pioneering the use of visual effects (VFX) in Telugu cinema.

Contents

Reddy produced several notable films on M. S. Art Movies banner, including Thalambralu (1986), Aahuthi (1987), Ankusam (1989), Ammoru (1995), Anji (2004), and Arundhati (2009). His collaborations with director Kodi Ramakrishna, especially on Ammoru, Anji, and Arundhati, are celebrated for advancing visual effects in Telugu cinema.

In later years, Shyam Prasad Reddy has shifted focus to television, producing popular shows like Jabardasth, Star Mahila , Dhee , Cash, and Genes.

Early life

Shyam Prasad Reddy is the son of the noted film producer and lyricist M. S. Reddy. [2] He completed his education in the United States before returning to India to pursue a career in film. Despite his lineage, Reddy underwent formal training in filmmaking, learning production techniques alongside family friend Ramoji Rao and studying directing under Kodandarami Reddy and P. N. Ramachandra Rao.

Career

Film

Shyam Prasad Reddy made his debut as a producer with the film Vastad in 1985, [3] followed by notable productions such as Thalambralu (1986), Aahuthi (1987), and Ankusam (1989). However, his 1991 film Aagraham did not achieve commercial success. [4]

Disappointed by the response to Aagraham, Shyam Prasad Reddy sought decided to make a film in Telugu with extensive use of visual effects after watching Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). He produced Ammoru which released in November 1995. [4] This film, which combined VFX with Indian mythology, set a new trend in Telugu cinema and became both a critical and commercial success. Ammoru also played a pivotal role in launching actress Soundarya's career, and its Tamil dubbed version, Amman, was similarly successful. [5]

After the success of Ammoru, Reddy embarked on an ambitious project, Anji , which took over six years to complete due to production delays. [6] Released on 15 January 2004, the film was praised for its visual effects and Chiranjeevi's performance but struggled commercially because of its high budget. [7] However, it won two Nandi Awards and the National Film Award for Best Special Effects, becoming the first Telugu film to receive a National Award in this category. It was also recognized in the Limca Book of Records as the first Indian film to use 3D digital graphics. [8]

Following Anji, Reddy conceived the idea for Arundhati while celebrating Anji's national award win. [9] Shyam Prasad Reddy drew inspiration for Arundhati from childhood stories told by his aunt about mystic happenings in Gadwal Samsthanam, which formed the core story idea for the film. [10] He envisioned Arundhati as a female-centric film with broad appeal, focusing on the battle between good and evil. Initially budgeted at ₹3 crore, the film's production costs grew to ₹13.5 crore, reflecting Reddy's commitment to delivering a visually impressive experience. [9] Released on 16 January 2009, Arundhati became a major commercial success, grossing ₹70 crore at the box office and becoming one of the highest-grossing Telugu films at the time. [11]

Reddy's collaborations with director Kodi Ramakrishna on films like Ammoru, Anji, and Arundhati are celebrated for their innovative use of VFX, significantly raising the standard of visual effects in Telugu cinema.

Television

In later years, Shyam Prasad Reddy successfully transitioned to television production, where he continued to make a significant impact. Mallemala Entertainments, the production company he founded in 1992, became known for producing popular television shows. Among these, the comedy show Jabardasth, which premiered on ETV in February 2013, stands out as one of the most widely viewed programs. Directed initially by Sanjeev K Kumar and later by his associates Nithin and Bharat, the show gained widespread popularity, despite occasionally courting controversy. [12]

Other notable television productions by Mallemala Entertainments include Star Mahila , Dhee , Manasu Mamata , Cash, Genes, Sridevi Drama Company, Adhurs and Suma Adda .

Digital media

Mallemala Entertainments also operates the entertainment website 123Telugu.com, which provides film news, reviews, interviews, and updates in both Telugu and English. [13]

Filmmaking style

Shyam Prasad Reddy's filmmaking was influenced by international cinema, particularly Japanese and European independent films. [10] His work is characterized by its thematic and visual grandeur, which often leads to increased budgets and extended production timelines, as seen in films like Anji and Arundhati. Reddy is recognized for his meticulous approach, paying close attention to details such as set design and costumes. He intentionally avoids certain genre conventions, like excessive gore, to focus on creating more immersive and compelling narratives. His filmmaking process is iterative, involving ongoing revisions and refinements; this was particularly evident in Arundhati, where he developed two major versions to achieve the desired quality. [10] [9]

Personal life

Shyam Prasad Reddy was married to Vara Lakshmi, the daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy. [14] Vara Lakshmi died in August 2024 at the age of 62 after battling cancer. The couple had two daughters, Deepthi and Maithri. [15]

Reddy is a passionate movie enthusiast, having watched multiple films daily in his earlier years. He also has a keen interest in Google Earth, enjoying virtual exploration of regions such as Andhra Pradesh and other areas. [10]

Filmography

Films produced
YearFilmNotes
1985Vastad
1986 Thalambralu
1987 Aahuthi
1989 Ankusam Nandi Award for Second Best Story Writer [16]
1991 Aagraham Nandi Award for Best National Integration Film
1995 Ammoru Nandi Special Jury Award
2004 Anji National Film Award for Best Special Effects
2009 Arundhati

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telugu cinema</span>

Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Based in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, Telugu cinema has become the largest film industry in India by box-office revenue as of 2021. Telugu films sold 23.3 crore tickets in 2022, the highest among all Indian film industries. As of 2023, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of movie screens in India.

<i>Nuvvu Naaku Nachav</i> 2001 Telugu film by K. Vijaya Bhaskar

Nuvvu Naaku Nachav is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar who co-wrote the film with Trivikram Srinivas. It is produced by Sravanthi Ravi Kishore under the Sri Sravanthi Movies studio. The film stars Venkatesh and Aarthi Agarwal which also marks the latter's debut. The music was composed by Koti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annapurna Studios</span> Indian film studio and production company

Annapurna Studios is an Indian film studio facility founded in 1976 by the Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. It is located on a 22-acre (8.9 ha) site in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. The studio provides comprehensive production and post-production services.

<i>Anji</i> (film) 2004 Indian film

Anji is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language fantasy action-adventure film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna and produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy under the M. S. Art Movies banner. The film stars Chiranjeevi in the title role, alongside Namrata Shirodkar, Tinnu Anand and Nagendra Babu. The film has music composed by Mani Sharma with cinematography by Chota K. Naidu. Anji was produced on an estimated budget of ₹25–30 crore, making it the most expensive Telugu film at the time of its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharwanand</span> Indian film actor

Sharwanand Myneni, known mononymously as Sharwanand, is an Indian actor and producer who primarily works in Telugu films alongside a few Tamil films. He made his acting debut in 2004 with the film Aidho Tareekhu.

Kadiri Venkata Reddy, commonly known as K. V. Reddy, was an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema. Renowned as one of the most influential filmmakers in South Indian cinema, he directed 14 feature films during his career. His contributions earned him several prestigious accolades, including three National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodi Ramakrishna</span> Indian film director and screenwriter (1949–2019)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vishnu Manchu</span> Indian actor (born 1981)

Manchu Vishnu Vardhan Babu is an Indian actor and film producer known for his works in Telugu cinema and television. Manchu had a brief stint as a child artist with the 1985 film Ragile Gundelu. Years later, he starred in the 2003 Telugu action film Vishnu, for which he won the Filmfare Best Male Debut. He is currently serving as the president of the Movie Artists Association since 2021.

Vijay C. Kumar is an Indian cinematographer, who works in the Telugu cinema. Some of his notable films include Vivaha Bhojanambu (1988), Ammoru (1995), Aagraham (1991), Dollar Dreams (2000), Anand (2004) and Happy Days (2007). He won the Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer for the film Godavari (2006).

<i>Arundhati</i> (2009 film) 2009 Indian film

Arundhati is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language horror fantasy film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, and produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy, under his banner, Mallemala Entertainments. The film stars Anushka Shetty in the title role with Sonu Sood, Arjan Bajwa, Sayaji Shinde, Manorama, and Kaikala Satyanarayana. The music is composed by Koti with cinematography by K. K. Senthil Kumar and editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh.

<i>Gundamma Katha</i> 1962 film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao

Gundamma Katha is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao and co-produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their banner Vijaya Productions. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Jamuna, with S. V. Ranga Rao, Suryakantham, and Ramana Reddy in supporting roles.

<i>Ammoru</i> 1995 Indian film

Ammoru (transl. Goddess) is a 1995 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological fantasy film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film is produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy, under M. S. Arts Unit. It stars Ramya Krishna in the title role and Soundarya, Suresh, Rami Reddy, Baby Sunaina, Vadivukkarasi, Kallu Chidambaram, and Babu Mohan in supporting roles. In the film, goddess Ammoru descents to Earth and protects her devotee Bhavani from evil forces.

<i>Damarukam</i> 2012 Indian film

Damarukam is a 2012 Indian Telugu-language action fantasy film written and directed by Srinivasa Reddy, and produced by R. R. Venkat on R. R. Movie Makers. It stars Nagarjuna, Anushka Shetty, Prakash Raj, and P. Ravishankar. The music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad with cinematography by Chota K. Naidu.

Mallemala Sundararami Reddy, popularly known as M. S. Reddy and Mallemala, was an Indian film producer, lyricist, and screenwriter in Telugu cinema. Over his career, he produced more than 25 films, several of which received Nandi and National Awards. He penned over 5,000 songs and poems, earning the title "Sahaja Kavi" for his simple and accessible writing style. In recognition of his significant contributions to cinema, he was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2005.

<i>Ride</i> (2009 film) 2009 Indian film

Ride is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language action romance film directed by Ramesh Varma and produced by Bellamkonda Suresh. The film stars Nani, Tanish, Aksha Pardasany, and Shweta Basu Prasad. The music was composed by Hemachandra with cinematography by Shyam K. Naidu and editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh. The film released on 5 June 2009 and was a box office success.

<i>Ankusam</i> 1989 Indian film

Ankusam is 1989 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna and produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy. The film stars Dr. Rajashekar and Jeevitha, with Rami Reddy and M. S. Reddy in supporting roles. It was a box-office blockbuster and marked a major breakthrough in Rajasekhar's career. The film won three Nandi Awards.

Mallemala Entertainments is an Indian media and entertainment company which produces films and television programs. Its television productions include reality TV shows, comedy shows, game shows, entertainment and factual programming in Telugu.

<i>Aahuthi</i> 1988 Telugu film by Kodi Ramakrishna

Aahuthi is a 1988 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film stars Rajasekhar and Jeevitha in the lead roles. It was produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy on M. S. Art Movies banner. The music for the film was composed by Satyam. The film was a commercial success. It is a remake of Malayalam film Rajavinte Makan (1986), which itself was based on the 1980 novel Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon.

Talambralu is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film stars Rajasekhar, Jeevitha, and Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy in the lead roles. It was produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy under the banner of M. S. Art Movies. The music for the film was composed by Satyam. The film was a commercial success. Rajasekhar's portrayal in the film was well received by audiences. He won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for his performance.

References

  1. ↑ "T-Town moves into 3D space". The Times of India . 12 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  2. ↑ "Telugu film producer MS Reddy passes away". NDTV . 12 December 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Vastadh (1985)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Ammoru (1995)". iQlik Movies. 25 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019.
  5. ↑ "Nostalgia – Ammoru (1995)". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2001. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  6. ↑ "When Tollywood tunes didn't mesmerise box-office". Business Standard India. 1 January 2005. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2022. The Rs 28-crore film, which took nearly six years to complete .....
  7. ↑ "'Lakshmi Narasimha' VS 'Anji' in 2004". The Times of India. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  8. ↑ Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Limited. 2006. p. 107. ISBN   978-81-902837-2-4.
  9. 1 2 3 "Arundhati Postmortem by M Shyam Prasad Reddy - Part 1". Idlebrain.com . 18 February 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Arundhati Post mortem by M Shyam Prasad Reddy - Part 2". Idlebrain.com. 18 February 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "Arundhati's success". The New Indian Express. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "జబర్దస్త్ పై మరో వివాదం!". Neti Telugu (in Telugu). 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "About Us". 123telugu.com. 11 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Shyam Prasad Reddy Wife Passed Away!". Tupaki.com. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  15. ↑ "Producer Shyam Prasad Reddy's Wife, 62, Dies Battling Cancer". News18. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  16. ↑ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)](PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh . Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.