Krishna | |
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| Born | Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy (1943-05-31)31 May 1943 |
| Died | 15 November 2022(2022-11-15) (aged 79)[1] Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
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| Occupations |
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| Works | Full list |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 5, includingMahesh Babu |
| Family | Ghattamaneni family |
| Honours | Padma Bhushan |
Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy[2] (31 May 1943 – 15 November 2022), knownmononymously asKrishna, was an Indian actor, director, and producer known for his work inTelugu cinema.[3] In a career spanning more than five decades, he starred in over 350 films in a variety of roles.[4] He is referred to as "Superstar" and "Nata Sekhara" in the media.[5] In 2009, for his contributions toIndian cinema the Indian government awarded him thePadma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in the country.[6][7] He was elected as a Member of Parliament for theCongress party in 1989.[8] In 1997, he received theFilmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South in addition to Honorary doctorate fromAndhra University in 2008.
Krishna began his film career with minor roles in films such asKula Gothralu (1961),Padandi Mundhuku (1962), andParuvu Prathishta (1963). He debuted as alead actor with the 1965 filmThene Manasulu and went on to star in films such asSakshi (1967), which won critical acclaim at the Tashkent Film Festival in 1968.[9] In 1972, he starred inPandanti Kapuram, which garnered theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year. He has essayed roles across different genres includingmythological,drama,western,fantasy,action,spy, andhistorical films.[10]
Krishna is recognised for contributing to several technological advancements in Telugu cinema, including the first full-lengthCinemascope film,Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974), and the first70 mm film,Simhasanam (1986). He also introduced the spy genre withGudachari 116 (1966) and thewestern genre withMosagallaku Mosagadu (1971).[11] Notably,Mosagallaku Mosagadu is considered the first true western genre film inIndian cinema.[12] FollowingGudachari 116, Krishna also featured in several spy films.
Krishna directed 17 feature films and produced many films under hisPadmalaya Studios banner along with his brothers Adiseshagiri Rao and Hanumantha Rao.[13] As a director, his works includeSankharavam (1987),Mugguru Kodukulu (1988),Koduku Diddina Kapuram (1989),Bala Chandrudu (1990), andAnna Thammudu (1990), with his son,Mahesh Babu, playing key roles in these films.
He is also noted for pairing up with the same leading actress on scores of productions. He worked withVijaya Nirmala on 48 films and withJayaprada on 47. He worked with major directors includingAdurthi Subba Rao,K. S. R. Das,V. Madhusudhana Rao,K. Viswanath,Bapu,Dasari Narayana Rao, andK. Raghavendra Rao.[14] He died on 15 November 2022 due to cardiac arrest.[15][16]
Krishna was born on 31 May 1943 in aTelugu family to Ghattamaneni Raghavayya Chowdary and Ghattamaneni Nagaratnamma inBurripalem,Guntur district,Andhra Pradesh.[17][18]
Krishna was married to Indira Devi. They had five children: two sons, film producerRamesh Babu and actorMahesh Babu; and three daughters, Padmavathi,Manjula, and Priyadarshini.[19] Krishna later marriedVijaya Nirmala.[20]
His career began with minor roles in films such asPadandi Munduku (1962),Kula Gotralu (1962) andParuvu-Prathishta (1963). He then acted inThene Manasulu (1965) which changed his career.[21] There was pressure to remove Krishna from the film owing to concerns expressed by buyers, thoughAdurthi was adamant about his decision.Thene Manasulu ultimately hit screens and was a resounding box office success.[22]
Krishna became a household name with the runaway success of the iconic Telugu spy filmGudachaari 116 (1966). He was also known as the AndhraJames Bond after he brought many James Bond-stylespy movies to the Telugu silver screen.[23]
Thoughaction films were his forte, Krishna also acted in family drama films such asMarapurani Katha (1967),Atthagaaru Kotthakodalu (1968) andUndamma Bottu Pedatha (1968).
He also worked with established actors, such asN. T. Rama Rao andAkkineni Nageswara Rao, in films such asStree Janma (1967),Niluvu Dopidi (1968),Manchi Kutumbam (1968),Vichitra Kutumbam (1969),Akka Chellelu (1970) during this period.
Krishna andVijaya Nirmala complimented each other in the 48 films they did together. In addition toSakshi (1967), Krishna and Vijaya Nirmala collaborated onManchi Kutumbam (1968),Vichitra Kutumbam (1969),Akka Chellelu (1970),Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971) andPandanti Kapuram (1972). Krishna became famous across the nation when his family dramaPandanti Kapuram, which ran for over 175 days in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, earned him a slot in the highly competitive family hero league and aNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
At this time, Krishna established his production house,Padmalaya Movies and produced several big-budget films such asAgni Pariksha (1970),Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971),Pandanti Kapuram (1972) andDevudu Chesina Manushulu (1973). With his second wife Vijaya Nirmala, Krishna set up another production house called Vijaya Krishna movies, and produced some critically acclaimed films, includingMeena (1973) andDevadasu (1974).
Krishna broke many records with his 100th filmAlluri Seetarama Raju (1974) under his home banner Padmalaya Studios. The biographical action film won theNational Film Award for Best Lyrics for the song 'Telugu Veera Levara' penned by the late poetSri Sri. The film also won theNandi Award for Best Feature Film and was screened at theInternational Film Festival of India and the Tashkent Film Festival. The film ran in theatres for 175 days and emerged as the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year. Such was the success ofAlluri Seetarama Raju that none of his next 14 films could match the hype for the classic, and they hardly made a mark at the box office.[24]
With star heroineJaya Prada, Krishna worked in about 47 movies. They were paired for the first time on screen with the 1976 filmShri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club. He then worked with her onEenati Bandham Yenatido (1977),Kurukshetram (1977),Agent Gopi (1978),Kotta Alludu (1979),Rahasya Gudachari (1981),Ooruki Monagadu (1981),Jataadu (1981), andNivuru Gappina Nippu (1982) among others.
Krishna andSridevi were among the most successful on-screen couples in Tollywood, having acted in about 31 films together. Some of their most memorable works areBurripalem Bullodu (1979),Gharana Donga (1980),Maama Allulla Sawaal (1980),Ram Robert Rahim (1980),Chuttalunnaru Jagratha (1980), andMaharajasri Mayagadu (1988).
Krishna redeemed himself withPaadi Pantalu (1976) and went on to headline and bankroll the mythological film titledKurukshetram (1977). The film's announcement took the Telugu film industry by storm and also paved way for a star war withN. T. Rama Rao, who went on to makeDaana Veera Soora Karna (1977) along the same lines. Following this, Krishna made a few films that directly attacked NTR, setting off the rivalry between their respective fans. His personality set him apart from his contemporaries and earned him the sobriquet ‘daring and dashing hero’.[23]
1979 turned out to be an eventful year for Krishna, with six of his films becoming money spinners at the box office. 1982 was yet another milestone year for Krishna as he launchedPadmalaya Studios and produced his 200th filmEenadu.[25]
Krishna andVijayashanti starred together in some hit films such asKrishnavataram (1982),Agni Parvatam (1985),Brahmastram (1986),Sardar Krishnama Naidu (1987),Donga Garu Swagatham (1987),Aswaddhama (1988) andGoonda Rajyam (1989).[26]
Krishna was also part of super hit films likePachani Kapuram (1985),Simhasanam (1986),Khaidi Rudrayya (1986),Muddayi (1987),Goonda Rajyam (1989),Gudachari 117 (1989),Sahasame Naa Oopiri (1989) andKoduku Diddina Kapuram (1989).
In the 90's, Krishna reinvented himself, playing the roles of theavuncular and ruthless gangster, big brother, and cameos in action dramas.
In 1993, he came back strongly with the unexpected super-success ofPacchani Samsaaram. But it wasVarasudu, his second release in the year, which made him the cynosure of the film fraternity again. With the filmsNumber 1 (1994) andAmma Donga (1995) he had thumping successes. Krishna produced and directed the 2004Hindi filmIshq Hai Tumse, a remake of the Telugu filmSampangi.[27] The same year, he played the role ofJesus inShanti Sandesham.[28]
Andhra University felicitated Krishna with an honorary doctorate in 2008. In recognition of his contribution to Telugu film industry as an actor, director, producer and writer, the government of India awarded himPadma Bhushan in 2009.[29]
Krishna’s last major movie to be released wasSri Sri in 2016 after which he bid adieu to films and had stayed away from the limelight.[26]
Krishna joined theCongress Party under the leadership ofRajiv Gandhi. He ran in the 1989 elections from the Parliament constituency inEluru and won the seat. At the same time,NTR was leading the National Front and was at the pinnacle of his political career. By a margin of 71,000 votes, he defeated Bolla Bulliramaiah, the TDP's incumbentMP. However, Krishna was defeated by Bulliramaiah in the ensuing 1991 election by a margin of 47,000 votes.[30]
On 14 November 2022, Krishna suffered a heart attack and was rushed to a hospital in Hyderabad. His health deteriorated and he was put on a ventilator. He died in the early hours of 15 November 2022, at the age of 79.[31][32][33][34] On 16 November 2022, Krishna was cremated with full state honours.[35]
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