Penmetsa Ram Gopal Varma, often referred to by his initials RGV, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer, known for his works in Telugu cinema in addition to Hindi, Kannada language films, and television. 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.1
Kshana Kshanam is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language road comedy heist film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film stars Venkatesh, Sridevi, Paresh Rawal, and Rami Reddy. The plot follows Satya (Sridevi), a young woman who is hounded by a gang of robbers headed by Nayyar (Rawal) and the police. With the help of a pickpocketer Chandu (Venkatesh), she escapes into the forests.
Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, or simply, Aag (transl. Fire) is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language action drama film produced and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film features Mohanlal, Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Prashant Raj Sachdev, Sushmita Sen, J. D. Chakravarthy, and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi in principal roles.
Yagnam is a 2004 Indian Telugu-language action film produced by Pokuri Babu Rao on the Eetharam Films banner, directed by A.S. Ravi Kumar Chowdary. It was released on 2 July 2004. It stars Gopichand and Moon Banerjee, with music composed by Mani Sharma. The film was remade in Tamil as Mannin Maindhan (2005) and in Odia as Mo Mana Khali Tori Pain (2005). The film won two Nandi Awards and was a blockbuster hit.
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.
Gulabi is a 1995 Telugu romantic thriller film starring J. D. Chakravarthy and Maheswari in the lead roles. The film was written and directed by debutant Krishna Vamsi, produced by Ram Gopal Varma and was co-produced by Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited. Upon release, the film received positive reviews and was declared a hit at the box office. The film was dubbed into Tamil as Idhayame Idhayame. The film was remade in Hindi as Aashiq (2001).
Josh (transl. zeal) is a 2009 Indian Telugu-language coming-of-age political action drama film directed by Vasu Varma in his debut, and produced Dil Raju. The film marks the debut of Akkineni Naga Chaitanya and major Telugu debutant Karthika in the lead roles, whilst prominent actor J. D. Chakravarthy played an antagonist role. The film's music is scored by Sandeep Chowta.
Anaganaga Oka Roju is a 1996 Indian Telugu-language comedy thriller film co-written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film stars J. D. Chakravarthy and Urmila Matondkar in lead roles. Raghuvaran, Brahmanandam and Kota Srinivasa Rao play other pivotal roles.
Mirapakay is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film directed by Harish Shankar and produced by Ramesh Puppala under Yellow Flowers. The film stars Ravi Teja in the lead role, alongside Richa Gangopadhyay, Deeksha Seth, Prakash Raj, Kota Srinivasa Rao and Nagababu in supporting roles. The music was composed by S. Thaman, while cinematography and editing were handled by C. Ram Prasad and Gautham Raju.
Bejawada or Bezawada is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language action crime film based on the Vijayawada Gang Warfare, directed by Vivek Krishna and produced by Ram Gopal Varma and Renny Johnson. The film stars Naga Chaitanya and Amala Paul. The movie was received negatively at the box office but positively at the television and OTT as it accurately depicted the historical gang war in Vijayawada. Later it was dubbed in Hindi as Hero: The Action Man (2013) and also in Tamil as Vikram Dhadha. It marked Amala’s Telugu debut.
Inthi Ninna Preethiya is a 2008 Indian Kannada-language drama film written, directed and produced by Duniya Soori. The film's plot revolves around a family which struggles due to the bad effects of alcohol addiction.
Madhyanam Hathya is a 2004 Telugu language Indian crime thriller film directed by Ram Gopal Varma, with cinematography by Chota K. Naidu. The films seems to closely follow the story of Horace William Manton, the main accused in the Luton Sack Murder case. The soundtrack of the film was arranged by Shailendra Swapnil. It was remade in Hindi as My Wife's Murder (2005) starring Anil Kapoor and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi.
Tammreddy Bharadwaja is an Indian film director and producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. Over his career, Bharadwaja directed more than 20 films and produced around 15 films. He also served as the president of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. He is known for his role as a liaison between film producers and workers' unions. Bharadwaja is the son of veteran producer Tammareddy Krishna Murthy, a recipient of the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award.
Seetayya is a 2003 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Y. V. S. Chowdary and written by Posani Krishna Murali. It stars Nandamuri Harikrishna as lead actor and Soundarya, Simran as co-stars. Music for the movie was well received and composed by M.M. Keeravani.
Hyper is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language action-comedy drama film directed by Santosh Srinivas and produced by 14 Reels Entertainment. The film features Ram Pothineni, Raashi Khanna, and Sathyaraj in the lead roles, while Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Naresh, Thulasi Shivamani, Sayaji Shinde, Posani Krishna Murali, and Brahmaji play supporting roles. The songs featured in the film are composed by Ghibran, while the background score is composed by Mani Sharma. The film was released worldwide on 30 September 2016.
Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi is a 2004 Telugu tragedy drama film directed by E. Srinivas. The film stars R. P. Patnaik playing the eponymous character of a blind village singer, along with Padmapriya and Navaneet Kaur in other prominent roles. The film is a remake of 1999 Malayalam film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum. The film score and soundtrack was composed by R. P. Patnaik. The film though a commercial failure at the time of release has over time attained cult status, through several re-runs on television.
Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa is a 2000 Indian Telugu-language comedy film directed by E. Sathibabu, an assistant to E. V. V. Satyanarayana. The film is a remake of the Tamil film Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa (1999) and stars Srikanth, Ravi Teja, Bramhanandam, Roja, Maheswari and Kovai Sarala. The film was produced by Chanti Addala and Sreenivasa Reddy and released on December 21, 2000. The original story itself is based on Shakespeare's play Taming of the Shrew.
Vidyardhi is a 2004 Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Balachari, who worked as an assistant director for S. Shankar and Bhagyaraj. The film stars newcomer Ramesh and Aditi Agarwal in the lead roles, with Prakash Raj and Rahul Dev in pivotal roles.
Maa Aavida Meeda Ottu Mee Aavida Chala Manchidi is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language drama film written, directed and produced by E. V. V. Satyanarayana. The film stars Srikanth, Raasi, Vadde Naveen, and Laya. In the film, two estranged lovers—Praveen (Naveen) and Subadra (Raasi)—meet unexpectedly after their respective marriages. Subadra intends to elope and remarry Praveen, leaving her husband Jagdeesh (Srikanth).
Ramma Chilakamma is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film directed by Tammareddy Bharadwaja and starring Sumanth and Laya. The title of the film is based on a song from Choodalani Vundi (1998). Ramma Chilakamma is a remake of the Tamil film Ennamma Kannu (2000). After being delayed, the film released on 13 July 2001 and was a box-office failure.
