Tanikella Bharani
Born: 1954-07-14 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Known For: Acting
Biography
Tanikella Bharani (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, poet, playwright, and director who primarily works in Telugu cinema, with appearances in Tamil and Hindi films. He began his career as a stage actor and playwright in the mid-1970s before entering the film industry. Bharani made his film debut as a dialogue writer for *Kanchu Kavacham* (1984). He wrote dialogues for films including *Ladies Tailor* (1985), *Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe* (1987), and Ram Gopal Varma's gangster drama *Shiva* (1989), in which he also played Nanaji. He later appeared in villainous, comedic, and supporting roles. He won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for *Samudram* (1999) and the Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for *Nuvvu Nenu* (2001). Bharani has acted in more than 750 films and has written books, plays, and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva. He made his directorial debut with the Telugu drama *Mithunam* (2012), starring S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi, and received the CineMAA Special Jury Award for Best Direction. He played the priest Swamyji in S. S. Rajamouli's *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017). His Tamil film roles include appearances in *Ghilli* (2004) and *Vaathi* (2023). His 2024 releases include the political thriller *Prathinidhi 2*, the action film *Bhaje Vaayu Vegam*, Harish Shankar's *Mr. Bachchan*, the thriller *Kalinga*, and *Nindha*. His 2025 credits include Krish Jagarlamudi's period film *Hari Hara Veera Mallu*, Mohan Krishna Indraganti's comedy *Sarangapani Jathakam*, *Kishkindhapuri*, and Mani Ratnam's Tamil action-drama *Thug Life*. He has received three Nandi Awards and the Sahitya Puraskar for his literary work.
Filmography
2026
- The Paradise
- Raakaasa as Chari
- Kiku Chiranjeevi
2025
- Bāhubali: The Epic as Swami
- Katha Sudha
- Thug Life as Sivaguru
- Kishkindhapuri as Bhushan Verma
- Meghalu Cheppina Prema Katha
- Sarangapani Jathakam as Ahobila Rao
- Andhela Ravamidhi
- Neeli Megha Shyama
- Madhushala
2024
- Bench Life
- Mr Bachchan as Ramgarh Thakur
- Shivam Bhaje
- Manamey as Mahendra
- Karataka Damanaka
- Vidya Vasula Aham as Spiritual Preacher
- Kalinga
- Nindha as Satyanand
- Bhaje Vaayu Vegam
- Prathinidhi 2
- Honeymoon Express as Bala
- Drill
- Inti Number – 13
- Sriranga Neethulu
- Sarkaaru Noukari as Sarpanch
2023
- Dhootha as Raghavayya
- Vaathi as Thanigachalam
- Mystery
- Kisi Ka Bhai... Kisi Ki Jaan as Rameshwar Kodathi
- BRO as Singinadham
- Mr. King
- Spy as Subhash and Jai's father
- Aadikeshava
- Premadesam
- Peddha Kapu - 1
- Mind Game as Appa Rao
- Raa Raa... Penimiti as (Voice Only)
- Dochevaarevarura
2022
- HIT: The 2nd Case as Ramu, Sanjana's Father
- Acharya as Priest
- F3: Fun and Frustration as Police Officer
- Bheemla Nayak as MLA
- Dhamaka as Vasudeva Rao
- Sarkaru Vaari Paata as Master
- Wanted PanduGod
- Super Machi
- Andaru Bagundali Andulo Nenundali
- Bimbisara as The Priest
- Ramarao On Duty
- First Day First Show as Sreenu's Father
- Godse
- Son of India
- Ghani
- Shekar
- Cheppalani Undhi
- Geetha
- Alluri
2021
- Pelli SandaD as Vashishta's Uncle
- Jathi Ratnalu as Govindu
- Raja Vikramarka
- Gaali Sampath
- Drushyam 2 as Vinay Chandra
- Eakam as Appayya Panthulu / Outdated Priest
- April 28th Em Jarigindi as Producer of Movie
- Ippudu Kaaka Inkeppudu
- Skylab as Sadasivam, Anand's Grandfather
- SR Kalyanamandapam
- Raja Raja Chora as Ganapthi
- Bangaru Bullodu
2020
- Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo as Anjaneya Prasad
- V as IG Y. V. Narendra
- Sarileru Neekevvaru as Venkateshwar Anandaraju
- Pressure Cooker
- Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma
- Entha Manchivaadavuraa as Rama Sharma
- Bombhaat as Varaha Murthy
2019
- Maharshi as Ravi's father
- Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy as Govindayya Sharma
- 1st Rank Raju
- Sita
- Madhanam
- Krishna Rao Supermarket
- 2 Hours Love
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
2018
- Sammohanam as Shyam Prasad
- Agnyaathavaasi as Abhi's uncle
- Vijetha
- Naa Nuvve
- Gayatri
- Jamba Lakidi Pamba
- Pantham as Trust chairman Tilak
- Nela Ticket as C.M.
2017
- Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion as Swami (voice) (uncredited)
- DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham as Duvvada Subrahmanya Sastry
- Ninnu Kori as Murthy
- Raja the Great as Mailaramgadda
- Nene Raju Nene Mantri as Chief Minister
- Shatamanam Bhavati as Chalaram (Cameo)
- Mister as Gundappa Naidu
- Radha as Radhakrishnan's Father
- Kathalo Rajakumari
- Om Namo Venkatesaya as Rama's Father
- Goutham Nanda as Waiter
- Ami Thumi as Janardhan
- Guru
- Gautamiputra Satakarni as Deva Dattudu
- Shamantakamani as A.K.Ganapathi Sastry
- Gulf
- Prema Entha Madhuram Priyuraalu Antha Katinam as Jai's Dad
- Chandrullo Unde Kundelu
2016
- Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada as Amala's Father
- Oopiri as Kaalidasu
- Sardaar Gabbar Singh as Gabbar Singh's Guardian
- Brahmotsavam
- Okka Ammayi Thappa
- Srirastu Subhamastu as Anu's would-be father in law
- Jyo Achyutananda as Sudoku Murthy
- Ism as Sathya's father
- Gentleman as Mohan
- Garam
- Naruda Donoruda as Dr. Anjeneyulu
2015
- Bāhubali: The Beginning as Swamiji
- Bruce Lee: The Fighter as Ravi's Father and Rama Chandra Rao's Big Brother
- Temper as Venkata Rao
- Janda Pai Kapiraju
- Kick 2 as Venkatratnam
- Bengal Tiger as RMP Doctor
- Inji Iduppazhagi as Doctor
- Bandipotu as Makrandam
- Surya Vs Surya as Ersam
- Tiger as Orphanage Principal
- Rey
- Mantra 2 as Ramarao
2014
- Race Gurram as Dasaradh Prasad
- Bhimavaram Bullodu
- Rabhasa as Lawyer
- Aagadu as Adi Keshava
- Kalavaram as Adi Moolam
- Karthikeya as Valli's Father
- Autonagar Surya as Jailor
- Basanti
- Virattu
- Ra Ra Krishnayya
- Exploring ''Shiva'' Movie After 25 Years
- Alludu Seenu as Narasimha's friend
- Current Theega
- Rowdy as Vedam
2013
- Sukumarudu
- Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu as Kondala Rao
- Naayak as judge
- Iddarammayilatho as Shankarabharanam
- Baadshah as Pilli Gopi Krishna Simha
- Alias Janaki
- Ramayya Vasthavayya as Ammullu's Father
- Pavithra
- D for Dopidi
- Adda
2012
- Julayi as Narayana Murthy
- Gabbar Singh as Mavayya
- Neeku Naaku Dash Dash
- Dhammu
- Mithunam ... (Director)
- Shirdi Sai as Bhooti
- Dhoni
- Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu
- Lovely
2011
- Badrinath as Badri's Father
- Oosaravelli as Rakesh's Father
- Dookudu as Ramachandra
- Panjaa as Guruvayya
- Once Upon a Warrior as Kaksheera
- Oh My Friend as Chandu's Father
- Wanted as Voice Over
- Golconda High School as Viswanath
- Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju as Y. Venkat
- Aakasame Haddu
- 180 as Narayanan
- Vastadu Naa Raju
- Dhada as Preethi's Father
- Kshetram
- Kudirithe Kappu Coffee
2010
- Adhurs as Chari's Adoptive Father
- Khaleja as Durga Prasad
- Collector Gari Bharya
- Rakht Charitra as Ram Murthy
- Rakht Charitra 2 as Ram Murthy
- Ragada
- Aunty Uncle Nanda Gopal
- Brindavanam as Ajay's Father
- Shambo Shiva Shambo
- Gaayam 2 as Lawyer Saab
- Leader as Sharma C.S.
- Baava
- Kedi
- Drohi as Nanaji
- Jhummandi Naadam
- Om Shanti
- Sadhyam
2009
- A Aa E Ee
- Kurradu as Varun's Father
- Oy! as Telugu Teacher
- Ek Niranjan as Veeraiah
- Saleem
- Rechipo
- Kalavaramaye Madilo
- Snehituda
- Current
- Boni
- Sontha ooru as Devudu Babu
2008
- Ready as Raghava /"Dallas" Nageswara Rao
- Jalsa as Bulli reddy
- Nenu Meeku Telusa...?
- Bommana Brothers Chandana Sisters as Bommana brothers' father
- Krishnarjuna
- Krishna
- Kathanayakudu as School Teacher
- Bheema
- Ashta Chamma as Sarva Sarma
- Satyam as Deiva's Father
- Mr. Medhavi
- Kalidasu as Principal of College
- Kuselan as School Teacher
- Victory
- Souryam
- Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
- Kasipatnam Choodarababu
2007
- Chirutha
- Azhagiya Tamil Magan as Guru's Father
- Nava Vasantham as Raja's Father
- Munna
- Jagadam
- Raju Bhai as Anjali's father
- Dhee as Corporator Krishna
- Thulasi
- Okkadunnadu as RBI Official
- Mee Sreyobhilashi
- Classmates
- Anumanaspadam as Forest officer
- Sri Mahalakshmi
2006
- Gopi – Goda Meeda Pilli as Gopi's father
- Happy as Subba Rao
- Bommarillu as Aravind's Friend
- Rakhi as Criminal Lawyer Sachidanandam
- Godavari as Captain Chintamani
- Annavaram as Lallu
- Bommalata
- Kamli
- Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila as Gajapati
- Oka V Chitram
- Pournami as Mallika's father
- Bhagyalakshmi Bumper Draw as Paala Pullayya
- Boss
- Sri Ramadasu
- Amma Cheppindi as Paparao
- Game
- Maayajaalam
2005
- Political Rowdy as Vithal's uncle
- Athadu as Naidu
- Dhana 51
- Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana as Kantepudi Srinivasa Rao
- Chakram
- Jai Chiranjeeva
- Subash Chandra Bose
- Balu
- Dhairyam
- Allari Pidugu
- Hungama
- Sada Mee Sevalo as Suryakantam's Father
- Allari Bullodu as Raju's father
2004
- Sye as Prudhvi's Father
- Malliswari as Murthy
- Love Today
- Ghilli as Muthupandi's Father
- Venky as Venky's Father
- Arjun as Roopa's father
- Gowri
- Mr & Mrs Sailaja Krishnamurthy
- Grahanam as Narayana Swamy
- Nenunnanu
- Oka Pellam Muddu Rendo Pellam Vaddu
- Gambeeram as Minister Rajendran
- Samba as Father of Nandu
- Jai as Farah's father
2003
- Oka Raju Oka Rani
- Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli
- Juniors
- Ela Cheppanu
- Gangotri as Anjaneya Shastri
- Naaga as Subramanyam
- Enakku 20 Unakku 18 as Preeti's Father (Telugu version)
- Kabaddi Kabaddi
- Vishnu
- Dongodu as Naidu
- Missamma as Nanda Gopal's neighbor
- Ninne Ishtapaddanu
- Vasantham
- Satyam as Chakradhar
- Okariki Okaru as Kamesh's Father
- Donga Ramadu and Party
2002
- Allari
- Mounamelanoye
- Manmadhudu as Prasad
- Dhanalakshmi I Love You
- The Rite, a Passion
- Indra as Valmiki
- Sontham as Shyam Prasad
- Takkari Donga as Doobey
- Nuvve... Nuvve... as Abu, Vishwanath's friend
- Santosham as Narayana Murthy
- Sreeram
- Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru! as Anil's Maternal Uncle
- O Chinadaana
- Okato Number Kurradu as Swapna's Father
2001
- Nuvvu Naaku Nachav as Ashok
- Student No. 1 as Jailor
- Nuvvu Nenu
- Mrugaraju
- Manasantha Nuvve
- Narasimha Naidu as Papanashanam
- Ammo Bomma
- Family Circus as Fishing Inspector
- Sri Manjunatha as Bhrungi
- Anandam
- Priyamaina Neeku as Ganesh's father
- Itlu Sravani Subramanyam
- Time Pass
- Naa Manasistha Raa
- Snehamante Idera
- Budget Padmanabham
- Chiranjeevulu
2000
- NTR Nagar
- Nuvvu Vasthavani
- Vamsi
- Goppinti Alludu
- Devullu as TV Anchor
- Jayam Manadera
- Ninne Premistha
- Moodu Mukkalaata
- Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa
- Azad as Kanaka Raju
- Chitram as Ramana's father
- Chala Bagundi
1999
- Raja
- Postman
- Neti Gandhi
- Thammudu
- Aavide Shyamala
- Pilla Nachindi
- Samudram as Chepala Krishna
1998
- Paape Naa Pranam
- Maavidakulu
- O Panaipothundi Babu
- Pandaga as Sai Babu
- Pelli Peetalu as Tatabbai
- Chandralekha
- Abhishekam as G. K. Naidu
1997
- Priyaraagalu
- Veedevadandi Babu
- Annamayya
- Egire Paavurama as Simhachalam
- Pelli Chesukundaam
- Mama Bagunnava
- Ugadi
- Pattukondi Chuddam as Sub Inspector Gottam Gopala Krishna
1996
- Family
- Deyyam as Psychologist
- Mummy Mee Aayanochadu as Inspector Extra Venkat Rao
- Vinodham
- Bombay Priyudu
- Gunshot
- Akka! Bagunnava?
1995
- Big Boss
- Sogasu Chuda Taramaa
- Ghatotkachudu as Thota Ramudu
- Sisindri
- Pokiri Raja as Inspector Prem Chand
- Aunty as Khan
- Lingababu Love Story as Pakir Dada
- Amma Donga! as Sattipandu
- Gharana Bullodu
- Money Money as Manikyam
- Desa Drohulu
1994
- Allarodu
- Kishkinda Kaanda
- Subhalagnam as Doctor
- Lucky Chance
- Yamaleela as Thota Ramudu
- Aame as Pattabhi
- Veetla Visheshanga as Inspector Sennimalai
1993
- Shabash Ramu
- Gaayam as Lawyer Saab
- Varasudu
- Matru Devo Bhava
- Mister Pellam as Bank Manager
- Money as Manikyam
- Rendilla Poojari
- One by Two ... (Writer)
- Pekata Paparao as Harichandra
1992
- Balarama Krishnulu ... (Dialogue)
- Appula Appa Rao
1991
- Aditya 369 as Raja Varma's Henchman
- Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
- Jaitra Yatra
1990
- Shiva as Nanaji
- Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari as Dasu
- Chevilo Puvvu ... (Writer)
1989
- Swara Kalpana
- Siva as Nanaji
- Chettu Kinda Pleader as Paata Samanlavaadu
1988
1987
- Maharshi ... (Writer)
- Lawyer Suhasini
- Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe as Dorababu
- Sankeertana ... (Dialogue)
1986
- Ladies Tailor as Police