B.N. Reddi
Indian film director, producer and screenwriter (1908–1977)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bommireddi Narasimha Reddy (16 November 1908 – 8 November 1977), professionally known as B. N. Reddy, was an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was an early figure in the Telugu cinema.[1] Many of his earlier films like Vande Mataram (1939), Devatha (1941) had V. Nagayya as the lead. His Malliswari (1951) starring N. T. Rama Rao and Bhanumathi is considered a timeless Indian film classic.[2] Reddi was the first film personality to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from South India the highest honorary award of Indian cinema.[3] He was awarded India's third highest civilian honour the Padmabhushan, and the Doctor of Letters.[4]
16 November 1908
- Producer
- presenter
- story writer
- businessman
- philanthropy
B. N. Reddy | |
|---|---|
B. N. Reddy in a 2008 stamp | |
| Born | Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy 16 November 1908 |
| Died | 8 November 1977 (aged 68) Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1939–1969 |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan Doctor of Letters Dadasaheb Phalke Award National Film Awards |
Early life
BommiReddi Narasimha Reddi was born on 16 November 1908 in a farmer family at Y.Kothapalli village in the present-day Kadapa district.[5] His father Narasimha Reddi used to export onions from Chennai to Rangoon (Yangoon) for a living.[citation needed] He was eldest of four brothers; others are Nagi Reddi, B. N. Konda Reddi and B. Ramalinga Reddi.[citation needed]
He was schooled in Proddatur and later continued the schooling in Madras. He enrolled in Pachaiyappa's College, but left without graduating. He later studies auditing and accounting and worked as an apprentice in an auditing firm.[5]
Career
When H. M. Reddi decided to turn a producer, B.N. Reddi and B. Nagi Reddi joined hands with him to form Rohini Pictures.[6]
Awards
- Civilian honours
- National honours
- 1955 – President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Bangaru Papa[7]
- 1957 – Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Bhagya Rekha[8]
- 1966 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Rangula Ratnam
- 1974 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 22nd National Film Awards
- Best Feature Film - Gold - Rangula Ratnam (1966)
- Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - Bangaru Panjaram (1969)
- Best Story Writer - Pelli Kani Pelli (1976)
Filmography
B. N. Reddi directed 11 feature films.
| Year | Title | Direction | Screenplay | Story | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Vande Mataram | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 1940 | Sumangali | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 1941 | Devatha | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 1945 | Swarga Seema | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1951 | Malliswari | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 1954 | Bangaru Papa | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1957 | Bhagya Rekha | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 1959 | Raja Makutam | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1964 | Pooja Phalam | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 1966 | Rangula Ratnam | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1969 | Bangaru Panjaram | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Producer
- Bhakta Pothana (1942) - Production supervision