Birth name : Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna
Stage Name: Krishna
Date of Birth: May 31, 1944
Place of Birth: Burripalem, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Parents: Gaddam Venkata Narayana (father) and Subbamma (mother)
Family: Krishna came from a modest agricultural background. His early years were spent in his hometown before he moved to Chennai (then Madras) to pursue a career in the film industry.
Stardom and Iconic Films:
Key Milestones in Krishna’s Career:
- First Superstar of Telugu Cinema: Krishna earned the title of “Superstar” due to his acting prowess, charisma, and mass appeal. His rise to stardom started with the film “Alluri Seetharama Raju” (1974), which became a massive hit and solidified his status as a star. He played the role of the legendary freedom fighter Alluri Seetharama Raju, which made him a hero to the masses.
Major Achievements:
- Introduction of Technological Advancements: Krishna was instrumental in bringing new technologies to the Telugu film industry. In 1979, he became the first Telugu actor to own a color television. He was also a pioneer in using advanced filming techniques and equipment in Telugu cinema.
- First Indian Actor to Drive a Car on Screen: Krishna is famously known for being the first actor to drive a car in an Indian film, breaking from traditional norms of cinematic portrayal.
Filmography – Year-wise (1961–1970)
| Year | Film Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Kula Gothralu | — | |
| 1962 | Padandi Mundhuku | — | |
| 1963 | Paruvu Prathishta | — | |
| 1965 | Thene Manasulu | Basavaraju | First lead role |
| Gudachari 116 | Gopi (Agent 116) | Solo lead breakthrough | |
| 1966 | Kanne Manasulu | Gangulu | |
| 1967 | Iddaru Monagallu | — | |
| Adavi Manishi | (Tarzan) | ||
| Saakshi | Kishtayya | ||
| Marapurani Katha | Raghu | ||
| Stree Janma | Kishore | ||
| Private Master | Krishna | ||
| Ave Kallu | Bhaskar | ||
| 1968 | Manchi Kutumbam | Mohan | |
| Asadhyudu | Raju | ||
| Niluvu Dopidi | Krishna | ||
| Circar Express | — | ||
| Amayakudu | Raju | ||
| Lakshmi Nivasam | Chandram | ||
| Nenante Nene | Ravi | ||
| Undamma Bottu Pedata | Krishna | ||
| Chelleli Kosam | — | ||
| Vintha Kapuram | Rajasekharam | ||
| 1969 | Manchi Mitrulu | Gopi | |
| Love in Andhra | — | ||
| Bhale Abbailu | Ravi | ||
| Bommalu Cheppina Katha | Mangu | ||
| Mahabaludu | Pratapasimha | ||
| Sabash Satyam | Satyam | ||
| Astulu Anthastulu | Sankar | ||
| Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka | Gopi & Syam (Dual Role) | ||
| Jarigina Katha | Raghu | ||
| Jagath Kiladeelu | Anand | ||
| Annadammulu | Ramu | ||
| Bandipotu Bheemanna | Mohan |
Filmography – Year-wise (1971–1975)
| Year | Film Title | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Pavitra Hrudayalu | — |
| Manasu Mangalyam | — | |
| Parivartana | — | |
| Vasthade Maa Baava | — | |
| Mosagallaku Mosagadu | First Indian cowboy film | |
| Jebu Donga | — | |
| Oke Kutumbam | — | |
| Akka Chellelu | — | |
| Dhanama? Daivama? | — | |
| C.I.D. | — | |
| 1972 | Pandanti Kapuram | National Award-winning film |
| Bala Mitrula Katha | — | |
| Desoddarakulu | — | |
| Kanne Vayasu | — | |
| Hema Hemeelu | — | |
| Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu | — | |
| Bharya Biddalu | — | |
| Bangaru Babu | — | |
| Allari Rodulu | — | |
| Devudulanti Manishi | — | |
| Tirugubatu | — | |
| Bangaru Panjaram | — | |
| Manavudu Danavudu | Dual role | |
| Vichithra Bandham | — | |
| Hantakudu | — | |
| Yedanthasthula Meda | — | |
| Badi Panthulu | With NTR | |
| 17 Films total in 1972 🔥 | Record-setting year! | |
| 1973 | Devudu Chesina Pelli | — |
| Puttinillu Mettinillu | — | |
| Sarada | — | |
| Dorababu | — | |
| Jeevitam | — | |
| Ganga Manga | — | |
| Nippulanti Manishi | — | |
| Tatamma Kala | — | |
| 1974 | Alluri Seetarama Raju | Played Alluri Sitarama Raju |
| Krishnaveni | — | |
| Kodalu Diddina Kapuram | — | |
| Andala Ramudu | — | |
| Bantrothu Bharya | — | |
| Amma Kosam | — | |
| Dattaputhrudu | — | |
| 1975 | Kurukshetram | Played Arjuna |
| Yeduruleni Manishi | — | |
| Ide Naa Modati Prema Katha | — | |
| Teerpu | — | |
| Radhamma Pelli | — | |
| Justice Chowdary | — |
Filmography – Year-wise (1976–1980)
| Year | Film Title | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Agent Gopi | Spy thriller |
| Bhakta Kannappa | Dual role (Arjuna, Kannappa) | |
| Devudee Gelichaadu | — | |
| Aatmiyulu | — | |
| Samsaram Oka Chadarangam | Family drama | |
| Kurukshetram | Re-release or rerun noted | |
| Cheekati Velugulu | — | |
| 1977 | Daana Veera Soora Karna | Guest role |
| Ram Robert Rahim | Krishna as Robert | |
| Eduruleni Manishi | — | |
| Allari Bullodu | — | |
| Simha Garjana | — | |
| Tiger | — | |
| 1978 | Annadammula Savaal | Multi-starrer with Rajinikanth |
| Kumkuma Rekha | — | |
| Pandanti Kapuram | Re-release | |
| Dongalaku Donga | — | |
| Soorya Vamsam | — | |
| 1979 | Veta Kapuram | — |
| Singhaasanam | — | |
| Andaman Ammayi | — | |
| Mugguru Muggure | — | |
| Kotha Neeru | — | |
| Dorikithe Dongalu | — | |
| Puli Bebbuli | — | |
| 1980 | Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam | — |
| Gharana Donga | — | |
| Adavi Simhalu | — | |
| Raktham Chindina Raatri | — | |
| Mosagadu | — | |
| Prema Kanuka | — |
Filmography – Year-wise (1981–1985)
| Year | Film Title | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Rowdy Raajyam | — |
| Rama Lakshmanaulu | — | |
| Prema Mandiram | — | |
| Rakshasudu | — | |
| Gurudevudu | — | |
| Adavi Ramudu | Guest appearance or similar name | |
| Andagaadu | — | |
| 1982 | Agnipariksha | — |
| Dongalu Baboi Dongalu | — | |
| Pratighatana | — | |
| Vivaha Bandham | — | |
| Praja Nayakudu | — | |
| Chattaniki Kallu Levu | — | |
| Kaliyuga Ramudu | — | |
| 1983 | Mundadugu | Multi-starrer |
| Bhale Krishnudu | — | |
| Gudachari 117 | Spy sequel | |
| Justice Chakravarthy | — | |
| Bangaru Bhoomi | — | |
| Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju | — | |
| 1984 | Simhapuri Simham | — |
| Hantakudu | — | |
| Dongalu Baboi Dongalu | Re-release or similar title | |
| Vamsa Vruksham | — | |
| Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swamy Charitra | Mythological/Historic | |
| 1985 | Vajrayudham | — |
| Mugguru Kodukulu | — | |
| Agni Parvatam | With NTR, Krishnam Raju, Shoban Babu | |
| Simham Navvindi | — | |
| Sardar Krishnama Naidu | — |
Filmography – Year-wise (1986–1990)
| Year | Film Title | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Sardar Dharmanna | — |
| Jayam Manade Raa | — | |
| Aadi Dampatulu | — | |
| Aatmabalam | — | |
| Rakshasudu | — | |
| Marana Mrudangam | Action film | |
| 1987 | Aswaddhama | Mythological |
| Samrat Ashoka | Historical | |
| Prajaswamyam | — | |
| Dongalu Baboi Dongalu | Possible re-use of title | |
| Simhasanam | High-budget action film | |
| Pachani Kapuram | — | |
| 1988 | Inspector Rudra | — |
| State Rowdy | Superhit, action-oriented | |
| Yamudiki Mogudu | Guest role (Chiranjeevi film) | |
| Rowdy No.1 | — | |
| Raktha Tilakam | — | |
| 1989 | Gudachari 117 | Spy sequel |
| Koduku Diddina Kapuram | — | |
| Sahasa Samrat | — | |
| Mukhyamantri | Political drama | |
| Mugguru Ammayila Mogudu | Comedy | |
| 1990 | Sarpayagam | — |
| Agni Pariksha | Action drama | |
| Number One | — | |
| Rowdy Gari Pellam | — | |
| Lanke Bindelu | — |
Filmography – Year-wise (1991–1995)
| Year | Film Title | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Rowdy Inspector | Popular police role |
| Pachani Samsaram | — | |
| Brahmarshi Viswamitra | Directed by Krishna | |
| Raktha Nethram | — | |
| Inspector Pratap | — | |
| 1992 | Mugguru Monagallu | Triple role! |
| Alludu Diddina Kapuram | — | |
| Mandaveli | — | |
| Police Lockup | — | |
| Bhale Thammudu | — | |
| 1993 | S. P. Parasuram | Guest role (Chiranjeevi starrer) |
| Top Hero | — | |
| Jailor Gaari Abbayi | — | |
| Police Brothers | — | |
| 1994 | Number One Inspector | — |
| Vamsanikokkadu | Supporting/elder role with Balayya | |
| Criminals | — | |
| 1995 | Amma Donga | — |
| Alluda Majaka | Cameo appearance | |
| Punyasthree | — | |
| Sthree | — |
Filmography – Year-wise (1996–2016)
| Year | Film Title | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Sardar | — |
| Vamshoddharakudu | With Nandamuri Balakrishna | |
| Ugadi | — | |
| Orey Rickshaw | — | |
| 1997 | Pandaga | — |
| Goppinti Alludu | Comedy-drama | |
| 1998 | Ravanna | Guest role |
| Rowdy Durbar | — | |
| 1999 | Prema Tarangalu | — |
| Collector Gari Bharya | — | |
| 2000 | Police | — |
| Vajra | — | |
| 2002 | Neeke Manasichaanu | — |
| 2004 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | Elder/supporting role |
| 2006 | Sri Ramadasu | Cameo as Kabir |
| Asthram | Guest role | |
| 2008 | Parugu | Cameo role with Allu Arjun |
| 2010 | Mahatma Gandhi | Voice-over / Elder statesman |
| 2011 | Balakrishnudu | — |
| 2013 | Sri Jagadguru Aadi Shankara | As Govinda Bhagavatpada |
| 2016 | Sri Sri | Lead role, final film appearance |
Political Career:
Political Entry: Krishna also ventured into politics in the late 1980s. He joined the Indian National Congress and became actively involved in the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh.
- MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly): Krishna served as an MLA for a brief period, though his political career did not achieve the same level of success as his film career.
- Role in Regional Politics: Despite being a popular actor, Krishna’s involvement in politics was short-lived, with his focus primarily remaining on his film career.
Personal Life:
- Marriage and Family:
- Krishna married Indira Devi in 1961, and they had three sons: Mahesh Babu, Ramesh Babu, and Naresh.
- Krishna’s son Mahesh Babu became one of the biggest stars in Telugu cinema, carrying forward the Akkineni-Krishna legacy. Mahesh Babu is often referred to as one of the most successful and popular actors of the current generation in Telugu cinema.
- Philanthropy: Krishna has also contributed significantly to various charitable causes, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare. He founded the Krishna Family Trust to support social causes.
Awards and Recognition:
Krishna’s contribution to Telugu cinema has been widely recognized, and he has received several prestigious awards for his acting and contributions:
Notable Awards:
- Padma Bhushan (2009): The Government of India awarded Krishna the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to Indian cinema.
- Nandi Awards (Best Actor): Krishna received several Nandi Awards for his outstanding performances in various films.
- Filmfare Award (South): He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performances in several films.
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award (2008): Krishna was honored with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for his lifetime achievements in Telugu cinema.
- Honorary Doctorates: Krishna was conferred with honorary doctorates from various universities for his contributions to Telugu cinema and his charitable work.
Major Awards:
- Padma Bhushan (2009)
- Nandi Awards (Best Actor)
- Filmfare Award (South)
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award (2008)
- Honorary Doctorates
- Lifetime Achievement Awards
Death:
- Date of Death: November 15, 2022
- Cause of Death: Krishna passed away at the age of 79 due to a cardiac arrest. His death marked the end of an era for Telugu cinema, and fans and industry figures mourned the loss of a true legend.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgYuPu17wvs&pp=ygUca3Jpc2huYSAgaW50ZXJ2aWV3IGluIHRlbHVndQ%3D%3D
