M. S. Reddy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mallemala Sundara Rami Reddy (1924-08-15)15 August 1924 nearNellore,British India |
| Died | 11 December 2011(2011-12-11) (aged 87) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1962–2011 |
| Children | Shyam Prasad Reddy |
Mallemala Sundararami Reddy (15 August 1924 – 11 December 2011), popularly known asM. S. Reddy andMallemala, was an Indian film producer, lyricist, and screenwriter inTelugu cinema. Over his career, he produced more than 25 films, several of which receivedNandi andNational Awards. He penned over 5,000 songs and poems, earning the title "Sahaja Kavi" (The Natural Poet) for his simple and accessible writing style. In recognition of his significant contributions to cinema, he was honoured with theRaghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2005.[1]
M. S. Reddy established the Kaumudi Pictures and M. S. Arts banners, under which he produced notable films likeSri Krishna Vijayam (1971),Kode Nagu (1974),Muthyala Pallaki (1977),Palnati Simham (1985),Aahuthi (1987),Ankusam (1989),Ammoru (1995),Baala Ramayanam (1997), andArundhati (2009).Baala Ramayanam, featuring 3,000 child artistes, won theNational Film Award forBest Children's Film.[2]
M. S. Reddy played a key role in the relocation of the Telugu film industry fromMadras toHyderabad and founded Sabdalaya Studios, a prominentrecording studio inBanjara Hills, Hyderabad. In addition to his contributions to filmmaking, Reddy held several leadership positions within the industry, including President of the Telugu Film Producers Council, the South Indian Film Writers Association, theFilm Nagar Cooperative Housing Society, and as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation.[1]
Mallemala Sundararami Reddy was born in the village of Alimili, nearNellore. His date of birth is usually given as 15 August 1924.[3][1] He was known for his outspoken nature. Aside from his work, M. S. Reddy was also a campaigner for various social causes and hadGandhian views.[4] Film and television producerShyam Prasad Reddy is his son.[5]
M. S. Reddy began his career at a photographic studio in Madras (now Chennai). His first production was the Telugu-dubbed version of the Tamil filmKumari Penn (1966), released asKanne Pilla in the same year. He also dubbed two other Tamil films,Parakkum Pavai (1966) andPanam Padaithavan (1965), asKontepilla andKalachakram respectively, both released in 1967.
He made his debut as a film producer with the 1968 Telugu filmBharya, starringSobhan Babu, under the Kaumudi Pictures banner.[3] Reddy went on to produce a series of notable films, includingSri Krishna Vijayam (1971) featuringN. T. Rama Rao,Kodenaagu (1974) with Sobhan Babu, andMutyala Pallaki (1977), starring Narayana Rao andJayasudha. His collaborations with actorKrishna resulted in films likeEkalavya (1982) andPalnati Simham (1985). Other significant productions includedAahuthi (1987),Ankusam (1989), andBaala Ramayanam (1997).[6][3]
M. S. Reddy was instrumental in launching the career ofJr. NTR through the filmBaala Ramayanam and contributed to the success of actorRajasekhar by producing several of his films, includingAnkusam, in which Reddy also portrayed the role of a chief minister.[7]
As a lyricist, M. S. Reddy used his surname Mallemala as hispen name. He wrote over 5,000 songs and poems, earning the title "Sahaja Kavi" (The Natural Poet) for his simple and accessible writing style.[2]
In 1984, theAndhra Pradesh government allotted M. S. Reddy half anacre of land on Road No. 2,Banjara Hills, specifically for developing a recording and re-recording theatre.[8] Reddy utilized this opportunity to establish Sabdalaya Studios, a prominent recording studio in the Telugu film industry.[6]
M. S. Reddy’s autobiography,Idhi Naa Kadha, caused a stir in the Telugu film industry with its critical remarks about prominent stars, leading to backlash, particularly from fans ofN. T. Rama Rao (NTR) andN. T. Rama Rao Jr (Jr. NTR).[9]
In the book, M. S. Reddy described N. T. Rama Rao's on-set tantrums during the filming ofSri Krishna Vijayam (1971), including an incident where Rama Rao was upset with actorNagabhushanam’s costume, which resembled his own asLord Krishna. Reddy explained that it took considerable effort to convince Rama Rao that Nagabhushanam was playing the role of Poundrika Vasudeva, a character who imitates Krishna.[10]
M. S. Reddy also criticized Jr. NTR, whom he had introduced asLord Rama in the filmBala Ramayanam (1997). Reddy recalled that Jr. NTR had initially promised to debut as a lead actor under his production house but instead debuted withUsha Kiran Movies. Despite this, Reddy continued to seek a collaboration, and Jr. NTR eventually agreed to work on his ninth film under Reddy’s banner. However, during a script meeting at M. S. Reddy’s office,T. Subbarami Reddy arrived unexpectedly. When M. S. Reddy asked Jr. NTR to wait while he met with Subbarami Reddy, Jr. NTR left, reportedly saying, "Who is M. S. Reddy to make me wait?"[10]
The book also detailed a dispute between actressesJamuna andJayalalithaa on the set ofSri Krishna Vijayam. M. S. Reddy accused directorGunasekhar of betraying a promise to make the filmOkkadu (2003) under Reddy’s banner. Gunasekhar responded by holding a press conference, dismissing the allegations as fabrications. Following the uproar, it was decided to withdraw the limited copy edition of the book.[10]
M. S. Reddy died on 11 December 2011 at his residence inFilm Nagar,Hyderabad, after a prolonged illness. He was 87 years old.[2][4]
Source:[11]
Dubbed films