Krishna (Telugu actor)

Krishna
Krishna in 2014
Born
Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy

(1943-05-31)31 May 1943
Burripalem, Madras Province, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died15 November 2022(2022-11-15) (aged 79)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Other namesNata Sekharudu, Superstar Krishna
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Film producer
  • Film director
  • Politician
Spouses
Children5, including Ramesh Babu, Manjula, and Mahesh Babu
Relatives
In this Telugu name, the surname is Ghattamaneni.

Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy[1] (31 May 1943 – 15 November 2022), known mononymously as Krishna, was an Indian actor, film director and film producer known for his work predominantly in Telugu cinema.[2] In a career spanning more than five decades, he starred in over 350 films in a variety of roles.[3] He is referred to as "Superstar" in the Telugu media.[4] In 2009, for his contributions to Indian cinema the Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in the country.[5][6] He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Congress party in 1989.[7] In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South in addition to Honorary doctorate from Andhra University in 2008. He died on 15 November 2022 due to cardiac arrest.[8][9]

Krishna began his film career with minor roles in films such as Kula Gothralu (1961), Padandi Mundhuku (1962), and Paruvu Prathishta (1963). He debuted as a lead actor with the 1965 film Thene Manasulu and went on to star in films such as Sakshi (1967), which won critical acclaim at the Tashkent film festival in 1968.[10] In 1972, he starred in Pandanti Kapuram, which garnered the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year. He has essayed roles across different genres including mythological, drama, western, fantasy, action, spy and historical films.[11]

Krishna was credited with producing many technological firsts in the Telugu film industry such as the first Cinemascope film – Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974), the first Eastmancolor film – Eenadu (1982), the first 70mm film – Simhasanam (1986), the first DTS film – Telugu Veera Levara (1995) and introducing the cowboy genre to the Telugu screen.[12] He uniquely starred in the spy films Gudachari 116 (1966), James Bond 777 (1971), Agent Gopi (1978), Rahasya Gudachari (1981) and Gudachari 117 (1989). Krishna directed Sankharavam (1987), Mugguru Kodukulu (1988), Koduku Diddina Kapuram (1989), Bala Chandrudu (1990) and Anna Thammudu (1990), casting his son Mahesh Babu in pivotal roles.

Krishna directed 17 feature films and produced many films under his Padmalaya Studios production company along with his brothers Adiseshagiri Rao and Hanumantha Rao. Krishna was one of the highest-paid Telugu actors during his time.[13]

He is also noted for pairing up with the same leading actress on scores of productions. He worked with Vijaya Nirmala on 48 films and with Jaya Prada on 47. He worked with major directors including Adurthi Subba Rao, V. Madhusudhana Rao, K. Viswanath, Bapu, Dasari Narayana Rao and K. Raghavendra Rao.[14]

  1. ^ "Super Star Krishna Biography: Age, Personal life, Career, Political entry, Movies, Death". www.thehansindia.com. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Superstar Krishna bids goodbye to films & politics". 123 Telugu. 25 December 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Tollywood Superstar Krishna's Rare Record Difficult For Any Telugu Star To Achieve". News18. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference it was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Awards for 5 persons from State". The Hindu. 26 January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Australian stamp in honour of Krishna". The Times of India. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Celluloid to politics: Superstar took '84 poll plunge, won Eluru". The Times of India. 16 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  8. ^ Gabbeta Ranjith Kumar (15 November 2022). "Krishna: An icon whose contribution to Telugu cinema is unparalleled". Indian Express.
  9. ^ "Veteran Telugu actor Krishna passes away". The Hindu. 15 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Archive News". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  11. ^ "James Bond of Telugu Cinema is no more; film fraternity slips into shock". newsmeter.in. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  12. ^ Jain, Vaishali (15 November 2022). "Superstar Krishna's life in photos: Tollywood legend, Mahesh Babu's father gave many firsts to Telugu cinema". Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Happy Birthday Ghattamaneni Krishna: Interesting facts about the super star of Tollywood". The Times of India. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  14. ^ Frater, Patrick (15 November 2022). "Krishna, Telugu Film Star of the 1980s, Dies at 79". Variety. Retrieved 19 April 2024.