Krishna

Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy, widely known as Krishna, was a prominent Indian actor, director, and producer who primarily worked in the Telugu cinema. His illustrious career spanned over five decades, during which he appeared in more than 350 films, showcasing his versatility in various roles. He earned the nickname “Superstar” in the Telugu media, a testament to his immense popularity and influence in the industry.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema, Krishna received the prestigious Padma Bhushan from the Government of India in 2009. He also ventured into politics and served as a Member of Parliament for the Congress party in 1989. In 1997, he was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South and received an honorary doctorate from Andhra University in 2008. Sadly, Krishna passed away on 15 November 2022 due to cardiac arrest.

Krishna’s cinematic journey began with minor roles in films like “Kula Gothralu” (1961), “Padandi Mundhuku” (1962), and “Paruvu Prathishta” (1963). He made his debut as a lead actor in “Thene Manasulu” in 1965 and subsequently starred in critically acclaimed films like “Sakshi” (1967), which received recognition at the Tashkent film festival in 1968. In 1972, his role in “Pandanti Kapuram” contributed to the film winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

Krishna was also known for his pioneering efforts in the Telugu film industry, producing several technological firsts, including the first Cinemascope film, “Alluri Seetarama Raju” (1974), and the first DTS film, “Telugu Veera Levara” (1995). He introduced the cowboy genre to Telugu cinema and directed several films, including those featuring his son, Mahesh Babu.

Throughout his career, Krishna collaborated with renowned directors such as Adurthi Subba Rao, V. Madhusudhana Rao, K. Viswanath, Bapu, Dasari Narayana Rao, and K. Raghavendra Rao. He also held the record for co-starring with the same actress in 48 films alongside Vijaya Nirmala and 47 films with Jaya Prada.

In his personal life, Krishna was born on 31 May 1943 in Burripalem, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, to parents Ghattamaneni Nagaratnamma and Veeraraghavayya Chowdary. He was married twice, first to Indira Devi and later to Vijaya Nirmala. Krishna had five children from his first marriage, including film producer Ramesh Babu and actor Mahesh Babu, as well as three daughters named Padmavathi, Manjula Ghattamaneni, and Priyadarshini. His association with Vijaya Nirmala, whom he met on the sets of “Sakshi” in 1967, extended to more than 40 films and marked a significant aspect of his personal and professional life. In December 2012, at the age of 69, Krishna announced his retirement from politics.