V. S. R. Swamy

Biography:

V. S. R. Swamy is a multi-tasker who exploded in the Telegu industry due to his sheer talent and brilliance as a cinematographer and a director. He was born to his parents at Valliwartipadu, Gudivada Mandal which is in the Krishna district. However, he migrated to Chennai to dedicate all his time and energy to his work. He made his debut into the film industry as a supporting person working in the camera and electrical department on the sets of Far. However, his first film as the head of photography was Asadhyudu. The industry knew him as a cinematographer who relished doing different experiments with the camera.

In an era when film shootings used to wrap up after six in the evening due to unavailability of proper equipment and camera to shoot the scenes in the yellow lights which would affect the quality of the video. However, V. S. R. Swamy shot a scene for his movie Bhakta Kannappa, in which he worked as a cinematographer, post six with finesse. Since no one had witnessed such a thing before, everyone applauded and appreciated his efforts. He was also an expert in shooting scenes which had artists playing double roles in it. After this success, he went on to work in more than two hundred and fifty films.

He also directed a movie named Maha Shaktimaan in the year 1985, and Apadhbandhuvulu. Some of his noted works include Katha Nayakudu, Pataal Bhairavi, Mosagallaku Mosagadu, Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Andala Ramudu, Bhakta Tukaram, Indra, Samarasimha Reddy, Lakshmi Narasimha, Bhalevadivi Basu, Chattamtho Porattam, Kondaveeti Simhasanam, Siri Siri Muvva, and much more. He had also directed a film with actor Srikant, but the film had to be stopped midway due to unforeseeable reasons. He has a son from his marriage whose name is Aravind. Unfortunately, at the age of seventy, when he had traveled to Machilipatnam to attend a wedding, he suffered a cardiac arrest.

The other guests rushed him to the hospital but he breathed his last even before the doctors could treat him. Before his death, his final project was Adavi Ramudu which released in the year 2004 and had mega superstar Prabhas as the leading hero. The film, however, performed poorly at the box office. A man who loved taking on challenges and being different V. S. R. Swamy dedicated his entire life to the Telugu film industry and worked relentlessly as a cinematographer.