K. Viswanath

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Family name hatnote Template:Infobox person Kasinadhuni Viswanath (19 February 1930 – 2 February 2023) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist and actor who predominantly worked in Telugu cinema. One of the greatest auteurs of Indian cinema,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk" /><ref name="auto" /> he received international recognition for his works, and is known for blending parallel cinema with mainstream cinema.Template:Efn He was honuored with the "Prize of the Public" at the "Besançon Film Festival of France" in 1981.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1992, he received the Andhra Pradesh state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and the civilian honour Padma Shri for his contribution to the field of arts. In 2016, he was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema.<ref name="Dadasaheb Phalke award">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="DC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is popularly known as "Kalatapasvi."

Viswanath started his film career as an audiographer and over sixty years, he has directed 53 feature films in a variety of genres, including central themes based on performing arts, visual arts, aesthetics, melodrama, and poetry.<ref name="The Hindu"/><ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/> Viswanath's filmography is known for addressing the issues of discrimination and socio-economic challenges<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> through liberal arts medium.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/>

Viswanath's classic blockbusters Sankarabharanam (1980) and Sagara Sangamam (1983) were featured among CNN-IBN's 100 greatest Indian films of all time.<ref>100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time|Movies News Photos-IBNLive. Ibnlive.in.com (17 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.</ref> His directorial works Sankarabharanam and Saptapadi (1981) fetched the National Film Awards for Best Popular Film for Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Feature Film on National Integration, respectively. Sankarabharanam, was featured at the 8th IFFI,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>aatapaatalu.net/2011/04/spl-interview-with-edida-nageswararao.January 2013.</ref> the Tashkent Film Festival, the Moscow International Film Festival,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Besançon Film Festival.<ref name="29NFA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Viswanath's Swathi Muthyam (1986) was India's official entry to the 59th Academy Awards. Swathi Muthyam, Sagara Sangamam and Sirivennela (1986), were featured at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Swayamkrushi (1987) was screened to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Sruthilayalu (1987), Swarnakamalam (1988), and Swathi Kiranam (1992) were featured in the Indian Panorama sections of IFFI,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>300 films during 11 days from 47 countries in IFFI-2009 Template:Webarchive. Literature India. Retrieved on 28 July 2013.</ref> Ann Arbor Film Festival,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and AISFM Film Festival respectively.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Viswanath is a recipient of five National Film Awards, seven state Nandi Awards, ten Filmfare Awards South, and a Filmfare Award in Hindi.<ref name=2005NFA>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His directorial works which are produced by Poornodaya Movie Creations were screened to special mention at the Moscow International Film Festival; such films were dubbed into Russian language and have been theatrically released in Moscow.<ref name="mirchi9.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Early life

Viswanath was born on 19 February 1930 in a Telugu family to Kasinadhuni Subramanyam and Kasinadhuni Saraswathy (Saraswathamma) in Repalle of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His ancestral roots come from Pedapulivarru, Andhra Pradesh, a small village on the banks of River Krishna.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Viswanath studied Intermediate from Guntur Hindu College, and holds a BSc degree from Andhra Christian College of Andhra University.<ref name="auto2">Template:Cite news</ref> He began his career as a sound recordist at Vauhini Studios in Madras, where his father was an associate. There, he apprenticed under the guidance of A Krishnan, who was the Head of Sound Engineering at Vauhini. Viswanath and A Krishnan developed a close rapport and later after the former made the transition into film direction, he would always bounce ideas off the latter. Viswanath made his entry into film direction at Annapurna Pictures under Adurthi Subba Rao and K. Ramnoth.<ref>rediff.com, Movies: Interview with K Viswanath. Rediff.com (3 May 2000). Retrieved on 2013-07-28.</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He wished to work as an assistant to director K. Balachander and Bapu.<ref name="auto2"/>

Career

During his early career, Viswanath was associated with Adurthi Subba Rao on National Award-winning films such as Mooga Manasulu (1964) and Doctor Chakravarty (1964).<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/> Viswanath scripted Sudigundalu (1968), and directed works such as Aatma Gowravam (1965), O Seeta Katha (1974) and Jeevana Jyothi (1975) which garnered the state Nandi Awards, and were screened at the Asian and African film Festival at Tashkent.<ref name=filmfare>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="The Hindu"/>

In 1951 he started as an assistant director in the Telugu-Tamil Film Pathala Bhairavi (1951). In 1965, Viswanath debuted as a director with Telugu film Aatma Gowravam (1965), which won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film of the year. Viswanath followed it up with drama films Chelleli Kapuram (1971), Sarada (1973), O Seeta Katha (1974) and Jeevana Jyoti (1975) which are women-centric films.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/> It was in Siri Siri Muvva (1976) that the artistic touch in his craft first became visible.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/>

Sankarabharanam (1980) highlights the neglect of traditional Indian music under the increasing influence of western music. The film brings out the grandeur of Carnatic music, the traditional South Indian music towards the end. Bhaskaran, a media and film researcher from Chennai has documented, in his study of South Indian music culture, how Sankarabharanam contributed to the revival of Carnatic music in a big way.<ref>Bhaskaran, S.T. 'Music for the masses: Film songs of Tamil Nadu' Economic and Political Weekly (annual number),11-12, March, 755-58</ref> The film broke many commercial records by running for over one year in cinemas. In a recent study published in Journal of Dance, Movements & Spiritualities published by "Intellect Group" of the United Kingdom, C. S. H. N. Murthy, a media and film studies scholar from India, has demonstrated how Viswanath's filmography embraces a wide spectrum of characters that include mentally and physically challenged subjects as well, like the film Sarada (1973), which exploits a psychologically deranged woman, Swathi Muthyam (1986), which exploits an autistic man's humanism, Sirivennela (1986) which revels in situations between deaf and dumb characters, and Kalam Marindi (1972), which dwells on characters stuck in a caste-based society.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="auto">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Film researcher, C. S. H. N. Murthy observed that Viswanath's films offer a pathway towards inclusiveness, affecting positive spiritual change at both personal and social levels. Situating the content in the broad arena of de-westernizing media studies, through immersive and culturally embedded perspectives, Murthy endeavoured to offer modern and postmodern dimensions in Viswanath's films.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/>

Films with social issues

Viswanath has made many films dealing with a wide range of human and social issues: Saptapadi, Sirivennela, Sutradharulu, Subhalekha, Sruthilayalu, Subha Sankalpam, Aapadbandhavudu, Swayam Krushi, and Swarnakamalam have lead characters representing different strata of society, meticulously etched to suit the larger picture.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/>

In Saptapadi, he decries the evils of untouchability and the caste system. In Subhodayam and Swayam Krushi he emphasizes the dignity and respectability of manual labor. In Subhalekha, he deals, in a humorous way, with the dowry system – one of the major evils in today's society. While Sutradharulu urges present-day society to recognize the need to adopt the ideals of non-violence, Swati Kiranam depicts the harm that can be caused by the basic instincts of envy and anger in a man, however accomplished he may be.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/>

In spite of the nature of these subjects, they are presented in a subtle manner with an imaginative storyline, with just the right amount of emphasis on the intended message. Yet Viswanath's films were never offbeat cinema, but wholesome entertainers those elevated the lead actors' image. He is a director with social-conscious mind and who believes cinema can bring out desirable changes in society if presented in a format liked by a cross-section of audience.<ref name="intellectbooks.co.uk"/><ref name="auto"/>

Association with Poornodaya Creations

Edida Nageswara Rao founded "Poornodaya Movie Creations", which encouraged Viswanath to make aesthetic films.<ref name="auto3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mirchi9.com"/> Poornodaya has produced several of Viswanath's films like Sankarabharanam, Swatimutyam, Saagarasangamam, Sutradharulu, and Aapadbandhavudu. Most of these films were dubbed into Russian and were screened at the Moscow Film Festival.<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hindi cinema

Viswanath has also directed Hindi language films such as Sargam (1979), Kaamchor (1982), Shubh Kaamna (1983), Jaag Utha Insan (1984), Sur Sangam (1985), Sanjog (1985), Eeshwar (1989), Sangeet (1992) and Dhanwan (1993). Some of these films (especially his collaboration with actress Jaya Prada) have been super hits at the box office.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Acting

In 1995, Viswanath debuted as an actor with Telugu film Subha Sankalpam. As a character actor, he has appeared in works such as Vajram (1995), Kalisundam Raa (2000), Narasimha Naidu (2001), Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu (2002), Santosham (2002), Seema Simham (2002), Tagore (2003), Lakshmi Narasimha (2004), Swarabhishekam (2004), Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule (2007), Athadu (2005), and Pandurangadu (2008), and Devasthanam (2012). He essayed characters in Tamil works such as Kuruthipunal (1995), Mugavaree (1999), Kakkai Siraginilae (2000), Bagavathi (2002), Pudhiya Geethai (2003), Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), Rajapattai (2011), Singam II (2013), Lingaa (2014) and Uttama Villain (2015).<ref name="DC"/>

Television

Viswanath had also acted in a few television serials; Siva Narayana Teertha on SVBC TV, Chellamay on Sun TV, and Suryiavamsam on Vendhar TV. He also endorsed brands such as GRT Jewellers and appeared in television commercials.<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref>

Biopic

Viswadarshanam is an official biopic of K Viswanath, written and directed by Janardhana Maharshi, which tells the story of a 90-year-old acclaimed director.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The film was telecast on ETV (Telugu) on 19 February 2023, his 93rd birthday.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal life and death

Viswanath was married to Kasinadhuni Jayalakshmi. Actor Chandra Mohan, and singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. P. Sailaja were his cousins.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Viswanath died on 2 February 2023, aged 92, in a private hospital in Hyderabad due to age-related issues.<ref name="Legendary director K Viswanath passes away">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Filmography

As director and screenwriter

Directed and screenwritten features

Year	Title	Director	Story	Screenwriter	Notes
1963	Chaduvukunna Ammayilu	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes
1965	Aatma Gowravam	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze); Debut as a director
1967	Private Master	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes
1968	Sudigundalu	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu Tashkent Film Festival
	Kalisochina Adrushtam	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Also Dialogue Writer
	Undamma Bottu Pedata	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
1969	Nindu Hrudayalu	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes
1971	Chelleli Kapuram	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
	Chinnanati Snehitulu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
	Nindu Dampathulu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
1972	Kalam Marindi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1973	Neramu Siksha	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes
	Sarada	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1974	Amma Manasu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
	O Seeta Katha	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Silver) Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1975	Chinnanati Kalalu	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
	Jeevana Jyothi	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1976	Mangalyaniki Maromudi	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>
	Siri Siri Muvva	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
	Prema Bandham	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
	Jeevitha Nouka	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
1978	Kalanthakulu	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
	Seetamalakshmi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
1979	President Peramma	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No
	Sargam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Hindi version of Siri Siri Muvva
1980	Sankarabharanam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Prize of the Public at the Besançon Film Festival of France Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
	Alludu Pattina Bharatam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
	Subhodayam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
1981	Saptapadi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu
1982	Kaamchor	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Hindi version of Subhodayam
	Subhalekha	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Filmfare Award for Best Direction
1983	Sagara Sangamam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze) Filmfare Award for Best Direction Dubbed into Tamil as Salangai Oli
	Shubh Kaamna	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Hindi version of Subhalekha
1984	Janani Janmabhoomi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
	Jaag Utha Insan	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Hindi version of Saptapadi
1985	Sanjog	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Hindi version of Jeevana Jyothi
	Sur Sangam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Hindi version of Sankarabharanam
	Swathi Muthyam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	India's Official Entry for Best Foreign Language film at the 59th Academy Awards National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) Nandi Award for Best Direction Filmfare Award for Best Direction Special Mention – Asia Pacific Film Festival Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival/ Also Lyricist
1986	Sirivennela	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
1987	Sruthilayalu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) Nandi Award for Best Direction Filmfare Award for Best Direction
	Swayamkrushi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival
1988	Swarnakamalam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu Cinema Express Award for Best Direction Ann Arbor Film Festival
1989	Eeshwar	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Hindi version of Swathi Muthyam Filmfare Award for Best Story
	Sutradharulu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze)
1992	Swathi Kiranam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
	Sangeet	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
	Aapadbandhavudu	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze) Filmfare Award for Best Direction<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1993	Dhanwaan	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes
1995	Subha Sankalpam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Filmfare Award for Best Direction<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1996	Aurat Aurat Aurat	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	<ref name="auto5">Template:Cite book</ref>
1997	Chinnabbayi	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2004	Swarabhishekam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	50th film/ Also lyricist National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
2010	Subhapradam	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

As an actor

Year	Film	Role	Language	Notes
1995	Subha Sankalpam	Raayudu	Telugu	Debut as an actor
	Kuruthipunal	Srinivasan	Tamil
	Vajram	Chakri's father	Telugu
1996	Drohi	Srinivasan	Telugu
1999	Mugavaree	Sridhar's father	Tamil
2000	Kalisundam Raa	Raghavayya	Telugu
	Manasu Paddanu Kaani	Venu's father	Telugu
	Kakkai Siraginilae	Sambasiva Iyer	Tamil
2001	Narasimha Naidu	Raghupathi Naidu	Telugu
2002	Seema Simham	Visweswara Rao	Telugu
	Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu	Ramachandrayya	Telugu
	Santosham	Ramachandrayya	Telugu
	Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo	Balaramayya Naidu	Telugu
	Kuchi Kuchi Koonamma	Sai's grandfather	Telugu
	Bagavathi	Chief Minister	Tamil
2003	Pudhiya Geethai	Swamy	Tamil	Cameo appearance
	Tagore	Chief Minister	Telugu
2004	Lakshmi Narasimha	Lakshmi Narasimha's father	Telugu
	Swarabhishekam	Srinivasachari	Telugu
2005	Athadu	CBI Officer	Telugu	Cameo appearance
	Andhrudu	Sangeetham Teacher/Surendra's father	Telugu
2006	Valliddari Vayasu Padahare	Judge	Telugu	Cameo appearance
2007	Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule	Keerti's grandfather	Telugu
2008	Yaaradi Nee Mohini	Keerti's grandfather	Tamil
	Pandurangadu	Pandurangadu's father	Telugu
2011	Mr. Perfect	Maggie's grandfather	Telugu
	Rajapattai	Dakshanamurthy	Tamil
2012	Devasthanam	Srimannarayana	Telugu
2013	Singam II	Chief Minister	Tamil
2014	Lingaa	Karunakara	Tamil
2015	Uttama Villain	Poornachandra Rao	Tamil
2016	Hyper	Chief Minister	Telugu
2018	Prema Baraha	Seenu	Kannada	Bilingual film
	Sollividava	Seenu	Tamil
2022	Oppanda	Rangaswamy	Kannada	Last film as an actor

Other roles

Year	Film	Language	Credits	Template:Abbr
1951	Pathala Bhairavi	Telugu Tamil	Assistant director
1957	Thodi Kodallu	Telugu	Audiographer
	Enga Veetu Mahalakshmi	Tamil	Audiographer
1959	Banda Ramudu	Telugu	Audiographer
1961	Iddaru Mitrulu	Telugu	Assistant director
1964	Mooga Manasulu	Telugu	Assistant director
1964	Doctor Chakravarty	Telugu	Assistant director

Awards

File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Dada Saheb Phalke Award to the Director Shri K. Vishwanath, at the 64th National Film Awards Function, in New Delhi.jpg

President Mukherjee presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Sh. Vishwanath at the 64th National Film Awards on 3 May 2017.

Year	Award	Notes
1992	Padma Shri Government of India	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1981	Prize of the Public at the Besançon Film Festival of France	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1982–87	Special Mention – Moscow International Film Festival	<ref name="iffi.nic"/>
2014	Gulf Andhra Award for Life Time Achievement in Cinema – U.A.E.	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2016	Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement in cinema.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref>
1986	India's official entry to the 59th Academy Awards - Swathi Muthyam
1980	National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Sankarabharanam
1982	Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration – Saptapadi
2013	CNN-IBNs List of the 100 Greatest Indian Films of All Time - Sankarabharanam and Sagara Sangamam
1987	Best Feature Film in Telugu – Swathi Muthyam
1990	Best Feature Film in Telugu – Sutradharulu
2005	Best Feature Film in Telugu – Swarabhishekam
1980	Second Best Story Writer - Sankarabharanam
1981	Best Screenplay Writer – Saptapadi
1982	Best Story Writer - Subhalekha
1986	Best Director – Swathi Muthyam
1987	Best Director – Sruthilayalu
1992	Raghupathi Venkaiah Award – Lifetime achievement for outstanding contributions to Telugu cinema
1995	Best Character Actor – Subha Sankalpam
2000	Best Supporting Actor – Kalisundam Raa
1988	Cinema Express Award for Best Director – Swarnakamalam	<ref name="newspaper">Template:Cite news</ref>
2008	CineMAA Award for lifetime achievement	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2022	2021: Lifetime Achievement Award
1989	Filmfare Best Story Award – Eeshwar
1974	Best Director – O Seeta Katha
1975	Best Director – Jeevana Jyoti
1982	Best Director – Subhalekha
1983	Best Director - Sagara Sangamam
1986	Best Director – Swathi Muthyam
1987	Best Director – Sruthilayalu	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1992	Best Director – Aapadbandhavudu
1995	Best Director – Subha Sankalpam
1994	Lifetime Achievement

Honorary doctorate

• Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University

Other honours

Year	Award	Notes
2012	Viswa Vikhyata Darsaka Sarvabhowma for achievement in direction.<ref name="Special Correspondent"/>
2012	Chittoor V. Nagayya Puraskaram for lifetime achievement in cinema.<ref name="The Hindu"/>
2017	Film Nagar Cultural Center – Hyderabad Award for achievement in cinema.	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2017	Telugu Film Director's Association Award for achievement in direction	citation	CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>
2017	Aathmeeya Sanmanam from Government of Andhra Pradesh for achievement in cinema at Vijayawada Thummalapalli Kalakshetram	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

External links

• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if: 0899649

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