Krishna
Born: 1943-05-31 in Burripalem, Madras Presidency, British India (Now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died: 2022-11-15
Known For: Acting
Biography
Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy (31 May 1943 – 15 November 2022), known mononymously as Krishna, was a prolific Indian actor, director, and producer who transformed the landscape of Telugu cinema. Over a career spanning five decades, he starred in more than 350 films in a variety of roles, earning acclaim for his extensive work and fearless creative risks. Krishna began his film career in 1961 with minor roles before achieving his breakthrough with his first lead role in Thene Manasulu (1965). He later starred in several landmark films, including the critically acclaimed Sakshi (1967) and the family drama Pandanti Kapuram (1972), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. More than just a leading man, Krishna is celebrated as the industry’s foremost technological trailblazer who dared to reshape the cinematic experience. He portrayed the revolutionary lead in the first film to be entirely made in CinemaScope, the historical epic Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974), and later produced, directed, and headlined the first 70 mm feature, Simhasanam (1986), greatly expanding the visual scale and ambition of regional filmmaking. He also introduced the spy genre to South India with Gudachari 116 (1966) and the Western genre with Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971), notably regarded as the first true Western in Indian cinema. In addition to his acting career, Krishna directed 17 feature films and produced numerous projects through the production company he founded, Padmalaya Studios. For his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema and his pioneering role in modernizing the industry, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2009. In 1989, he was also elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Congress party. His final major release was Sri Sri (2016), after which he retired from films. Krishna passed away on November 15, 2022, following a cardiac arrest.
Filmography
2016
- Sri Sri as Sri Sri
2013
- Sevakudu as Krishna Prasad
2009
- Kanthaswamy as Krishna Rao
2008
- Baladur as Ramakrishna
2007
- Satyabhama as Psychiatrist
2005
- Sravana Masam as Krishna Rao
2004
- Ishq Hai Tumse ... (Writer)
- Message of Peace as Jesus
2002
- Takkari Donga as Special appearance
2001
- Pandanti Samsaram as Krishnamanaidu
1999
- Sooryavansham ... (Producer)
- Rajakumarudu as Krishnamurthy
- Sultan as Ashok
1997
- Subhakankshalu as Special Appearance
- Osey Ramulamma as CBI officer Krishna
1996
- Ramudochadu as Krishna Prasad (Cameo appearance)
- Jagadeka Veerudu
1995
- Telugu Veera Levara as seeta rama raju
- Amma Donga! as Chakradhar
1994
- Yamaleela as Special appearance
1993
1992
1990
- Anna Thammudu as Raja Krishna Prasad
- Balachandrudu ... (Director)
- Nagastharam
1989
- Koduku Diddina Kapuram as Chakravarthy
- Gudachari 117 as Chandrakanth, Secret Agent 117
- Atha Mechina Alludu
- Rickshawala
1988
- Mugguru Kodukulu as Phanindra
- Rajakiya Chadurangam as S.P. Pratap
- Kaliyuga Karnudu
- Maharajashri Mayagaadu
1987
- Vishwanatha Nayakudu as Vishwanatha Nayakudu
- Maa Voori Magaadu as Ravi
- Makutamleni Maharaju as Pardhasaradhi
- Sankharavam as Vijay / Vikram
1986
- Singhasan ... (Director)
- Khaidi Rudrayya as Rudramaraju "Rudraiah"
- Simhasanam as Vikrama Simha / Aditya Vardhana
- Jayam Manade
1985
- Agni Parvatham as Chandram / Jamadagni
- Vajrayudham
- Pachani Kapuram as Gopi
1984
- Iddaru Dongalu
- Yuddham as Kishan / Krishna Rao
- Dongalu Baboi Dongalu as Rama / Krishna
- Kanchu Kaagada as Vikram
1983
- Mundhadugu as Balagangadhara Tilak
- Poratam as Krishna Murthy
- Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju as Bheemaraju / Krishna Raja Kumar
- Siripuram Monagadu as Sridhar
- Adavi Simhalu as Krishna
- Oorantha Sankranthi as Gopi
- Kirayi Kotigadu as Kotigadu
1982
- Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu as Chinmababu Diwakar
- Krishnavataram as Kishtayya
- Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam
- Eenadu
- Krishnarajunulu as Arjun
- Prema Nakshatram
- Kalavaari Samsaram as Vishnu
- Shamsher Shankar
- Bangaru Koduku
- Bangaru Bhoomi as Ravi
1981
- Ooriki Monagadu as Ravi
- Rahasya Gudachari as Agent Gopi, 116
- Todu Dongalu
- Jathagadu as Gopi
- Guru Sishyulu as Gopi
- Bhoga Bhagyalu
- Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu
1980
- Ram Robert Rahim as Robert
- Bhale Krishnudu as Krishna
- Kottapeta Rowdy
- Chuttalunnaru Jagrattha as Ramesh & Gangulu
- Mama Allulla Saval
- Adrushtavanthudu
- Gharana Donga as Krishna
- Devudichina Koduku
- Bangaru Bava
1979
- Kotta Alludu
- Mande Gundelu as Ramu
- Hema Hemeelu as Knight King Raja
- Burripalem Bullodu as Chittibabu
- Samajaniki Sawal
1978
- Indradhanussu
- Chal Mohana Ranga
- Agent Gopi as Agent Gopi, 113
1977
- Kurukshetram as Arjuna
- Manasaakshi
1974
- Alluri Seetarama Raju as Alluri Seetarama Raju
- Aadambaralu Anubandhalu
1973
- Talli Kodukulu
- Neramu Siksha
- Mallamma Katha
- Meena as Krishna Rao
- Vintha Katha
- Mayadari Malligadu as Mallanna
1972
- Pandanti Kapuram as Ravi
- Monagadostunnadu Jagratha as Raja
- Rajamahal as Gopi
1971
- Nenu Manishine
- James Bond 777 as Kishore
- Mosagallaku Mosagadu as Krishna Prasad
1970
- Akka Chellelu as Venu
- Vidhi Vilasam
1968
- Kuzhanthaikkaga as Prabhakar
- Teri Talaash Mein
- Lakshmi Nivasam as Chandram
- Manchi Kutumbam as Mohan
- Niluvu Dopidi as Krishna
1967
- Ave Kallu as Bhaskar
- Private Master as Krishna
- Stree Janma as Kishore
- Marapurani Katha
- Sakshi as Kishtaiah
1966
- Goodachari 116 as Gopi / Agent 116
- Kanne Manasulu as Gangulu
1965
- Tene Manasulu as Basavaraju