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1-21 of 21
- Vanisri was born as Ratna Kumari in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1948. Her early life was marred with tragic losses: three members of her family, including her father, died of tuberculosis in a span of one month. When her father was dying, he told her mother to give young Ratna and her older sister a good education before marriage. Her mother kept a farm and sold goats milk to support the family. She sent young Ratna and her older sister to Andhra Mahila Sabha in Madras to be educated. While her older sister did well enough to go onto college, Ratna's interest wasn't in her studies, but only in her bharat natyam dancing class. When she was 12 years old, she participated in a dance function at her school. In the audience was a Kannada film director, who thought she resembled actress Savithri Ganesh, then the top female star in South India. He offered Ratna the lead role in his Kannada film, and she took it despite her mother's initial objections. The film became a hit, and she was offered more Kannada and Tamil films. As her visibility grew, Telugu film offers came to but only for small roles. Nevertheless, she took them and acted in her first Telugu film "Bheeshma" (1962). Soon, S.V. Ranga Rao changed her name from Ratna Kumari to Vanisri, an inverse name of his company "Sri Vani Films." She continued with supporting roles and comedy roles in Telugu films, and she finally made an impact in a sister role in "Sukha Dukhalu" (1967), a film written by the important filmmaker K. Balachander. It was a tragedienne role, and she looked beautiful, especially in the song "Idi Mallela velayani." The song became a hit, the film became a hit, and she landed her first heroine role in "Marapurani Katha" (1967). She continued with Tamil and Kannada films and had a hit with the Tamil film "Paal Polave Vaan Meedhile " (1969) and the song "naalai intha velai paarthu" that was picturized on her won a National Award. She was now consistently landing heroine roles in all South Indian films with top leading men. She was confident when she turned down the sister role in "Aatmiyulu" (1969) and opted for the heroine role opposite ANR. The producer and director relented after a couple of months and gave into her, and "Aatmiyulu" became a hit. She became the topmost heroine in the 1970's with more hits like "Dasara bolludu," and Prem Nagar." Around this time, the South Indian film industry was gradually converting from black-and-white to color films, and Vanisri took full advantage of her appearance in color films. She wore bright costumes and applied heavy pancake makeup to cover up her dark complexion. She applied variety of lipsticks and bhindis. She experimented with different hairstyles, and her striking appearance soon caught on and she became the trendy, glamorous star. Even though, she was taken into films because of her facial resemblance to Savitri, she decided she wanted to be a completely different star than her. To do so, she slimmed down, even if the producers had favored a heavier, curvier look. However, her greatest asset was her highly photogenic face, and she was friendly with all her cameramen who made sure she looked her very best onscreen. But, she never sacrificed the substance of her roles for her decorative appearance. She played dramatic roles and title roles, including double roles in "Vani Rani," "Ganga Manga," Iddaru ammayulu" and Secretary. She won acting awards for her superlative performances in "Krishnaveni" and Jeevana Jyothi. Her fame had reached its peak in 1976, when Filmfare magazine decided to do a special feature on the Telugu film industry and put Vanisri on the cover. However, another shift was occurring within the film industry as well as within Vanisri herself. She was working 16 hours a day and working in 14 films a year without any time off. The filmmaker on "Edurelini Manishi" (1975) wanted her to dance and dress more provocatively, and she objected, and although he relented, Vanisri saw the writing on the wall. Newer filmmakers like K. Raghavendra Rao were opting for newer, younger heroines, and he made permanent stars out of three younger heroines: Jaya Prada and Jayasudha in the blockbuster 'Adavi Ramudu' (1977), and 'Sridevi' in "Padaharale Vayausu' (1978). All three were vying for the top spot, the spot that Vanisri had held for nearly a decade. She knew her time was up, and she married her family doctor in 1979 and left films. Even then, she bend society's norms. She was 30, at a time when the average marrying age for a girl was in her early 20's. And she married someone who was slightly younger than her. Nevertheless, it was a lasting marriage, and she gave birth to a daughter Anupama, and son Abinaya Venkatesha Kartik. When she was pregnant with her son, she developed a thyroid problem and gained a lot of weight. Apart from her health problem, she also suffered from a longstanding court battle with her older sister and brother-in-law over property. They had handled her financial affairs when she was in films, and she had no knowledge of how much she earned and how much was spent. After a 12-year battle, the parties all reached a compromise and she and her sister's family reconciled. In 1989, Vanisri returned to films with "Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogodu," where she had a supporting role as an arrogant mother-in-law. The film became a hit, and the audience welcomed her in more senior roles. Although, she continued with such roles, she kept her children away from films, and they both became doctors. Her son Abinaya died in his sleep of cardiac arrest, when he was only 36 years old in 2020. He left behind his wife, also a doctor, and a four-year-old son. Thus, Vanisri's later life was marred with losses, just as early life was. She used her name and money for humanitarian causes, such as contributing to schools and setting up senior center. She is also involved in politics.
- Jayamalini was born on 22 December 1958 in Sullurpeta, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. She is an actress, known for Mera Rakshak (1978), Yugandhar (1979) and Puthiya Velicham (1979).
- Ravi Krishna was born on 2 March 1983 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. He is an actor, known for 7/G Rainbow Colony (2004), Aaranya Kaandam (2010) and Sukran (2005).
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Sampath Raj was born on 15 January 1976 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. He is an actor and director, known for Mirchi (2013), Saroja (2008) and Srimanthudu (2015).- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao was born on 21 September 1931 in Udayagiri, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He is a director and writer, known for Pushpaka Vimana (1987), Mayuri (1984) and Little John (2001).- Writer
- Director
Swaroop Rsj was born on 9 June 1984 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. He is a writer and director, known for Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya (2019), Mishan Impossible (2022) and Vibe (2025).- Director
- Writer
- Actor
A. Kodandarami Reddy was born on 1 July 1950 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. He is a director and writer, known for Veta (1986), Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989) and Jebu Donga (1987).- Producer
- Actor
Adipudi Padmanabha Reddy is an Indian filmmaker. He is considered as one of the founding pioneers of the Tollywood era and one of the most influential personalities in the Telugu film(Tollywood) industry . He was a software professional turned as a producer.
He owns a popular movie production company U&I Entertainments and movie production studio U&I Studios with his partner Nalla Ayyanna Naidu. He started film-making since 2016.
Padmanabha Reddy has been extremely active in films and simultaneously involved in many other works related to the film industry. He produced feature films and supports new teams and new producers by supporting equipment. With all of this to Reddy's credit, it's no wonder that he's looked at as one of the greatest ever figures in entertainment.- Actor
- Stunts
Ramana Reddy was born on 1 October 1921 in Jagadevipeta, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was an actor, known for Goodachari 116 (1967), Aatma Balam (1964) and C.I.D (1965). He died on 11 November 1974.- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Naga Sai was born on 8 September 2002 in Nellore Andhra Pradesh, India. He is a writer and director, known for Happy Ending (2024) and National Indian (2017).- Additional Crew
Snazzy Star was born in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. Snazzy is known for Tanu (2016).- Director
- Writer
- Editor
K.S.R. Das was born on 5 January 1936 in Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India. K.S.R. was a director and writer, known for Rani Aur Jaani (1973), Kiladi Kittu (1978) and Shivanaga (1992). K.S.R. died on 8 June 2012 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.- Director
- Producer
Pattabhi Rama Reddy was born in February 1919 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. Pattabhi Rama was a director and producer, known for Samskara (1970), Devara Kaadu (1994) and Sringara Masa (1984). Pattabhi Rama was married to Snehlata Reddy. Pattabhi Rama died on 6 May 2006 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.- Actor
- Producer
Vamsi Yakasiri, is an Indian film actor who appears in Telugu feature films. He is born in Nellore a municipal corporation in Andhra Pradesh, India. Though he is from a middle class family with retail business background, Vamsi Yakasiri always used to dream to become an actor, after completing his graduation though his family is not willing/interested in him to become an actor, he came to Hyderabad, Telangana, India in order to per-sue his dream to become an actor
After coming to Hyderbad. He initially went to some acting and dance classes to learn method acting and later He acted in some short films and later on in the year 2013 he started doing supporting roles in some films by name Pranaya Veedhullo, Calling Bell and Kamarkat (Tamil) till 2017. After that he started his career as lead actor in the film Ninnu Thalachi, produced by Nedurumalli Ajith Kumar under Nedurumalli productions which got theatrically released in 2019.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
P. Pullaiah was born on 2 May 1911 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. P. was a director and producer, known for Pennin Perumai (1956), Sri Venkateswara Mahathyam (1960) and Rechukka (1954). P. was married to Shanta Kumari. P. died in 1985.- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Vennelakanti was born on 30 November 1957 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. He is known for Aditya 369 (1991), Viswasam (2019) and Kshana Kshanam (1991). He was married to Pramilakumari. He died on 5 January 2021 in Chennai, India.- Producer
- Music Department
- Writer
M.S. Reddy was born on 15 August 1924 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, British India [now Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India]. He was a producer and writer, known for Ramayanam (1996), Ramaiah Thandri (1975) and Palnati Simham (1985). He died on 11 December 2011 in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.- Cinematographer
- Director
- Editor
J.V.L. Narayana was born on 28 May 1965 in Nagaraju Thopu, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. J.V.L. is a cinematographer and director, known for Bang Bang Bangkok (2013) and Unseen to Be Seen (2005). J.V.L. was previously married to Gangaraju Chandra Kala.- Francis Chamier was born on 17 April 1862 in Nellore, Madras Presidency, British India. Francis was an actor, known for Henry VIII (1911). Francis was married to Hilda Wookey and Violetta Maxwell. Francis died on 14 January 1952 in Forest Hill, Lewisham, London, England, UK.
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Y.V. Rao was born on 30 May 1903 in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, British India [now India]. He was a director and actor, known for Satyabhama (1942), Malli Pelli (1939) and Tahsildar (1944). He was married to Kumari Rukmini and Rajam. He died in 1973 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.- Swami Sundarananda was born in April 1926 in Nellore, Madras Presidency, British India. He died on 23 December 2020 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.