Bommireddi Narasimha Reddi (16 November 1908 – 8 November 1977), professionally known as B. N. Reddi, 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]
B. N. Reddi | |
|---|---|
 B. N. Reddy in a 2008 stamp | |
| Born | Bommireddy Narasimha Reddi 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
editBommiReddi 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
editWhen 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
edit- 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
editB. 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
edit- Bhakta Pothana (1942) - Production supervision
References
edit- ^ Rangula Ratnam (1967) Awards | Award Winners Of Rangula Ratnam Telugu Movie. gomolo.com
- ^ Friday Review Chennai / Tribute : Tale of a celluloid poet. The Hindu (28 November 2008). Retrieved on 2018-11-12.
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Tale of a celluloid poet". The Hindu. 28 November 2008. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ Narasimham, M. L. (5 February 2011). "Gruhalakshmi (1938)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "3rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ^ "5th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
External links
edit- B.N. Reddi at IMDb