Krishna
Acting • Born 1943-05-31 – Died 2022-11-15
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
122 credits
Vintha Katha
Movie • 1973
Gudachari 117
Movie • 1989
Chandrakanth, Secret Agent 117
Agent Gopi
Movie • 1978
Agent Gopi, 113
Rahasya Gudachari
Movie • 1981
Agent Gopi, 116
Indradhanussu
Movie • 1978
Rajamahal
Movie • 1972
Gopi
Vidhi Vilasam
Movie • 1970
Nenu Manishine
Movie • 1971
Chuttalunnaru Jagrattha
Movie • 1980
Ramesh & Gangulu
Koduku Diddina Kapuram
Movie • 1989
Chakravarthy
Bhale Krishnudu
Movie • 1980
Krishna
Ravanna
Movie • 2000
Retired Army Major
Simhasanam
Movie • 1986
Vikrama Simha / Aditya Vardhana
Amma Donga!
Movie • 1995
Chakradhar
Jagadeka Veerudu
Movie • 1996
Iddaru Dongalu
Movie • 1984
Talli Kodukulu
Movie • 1973
Monagadostunnadu Jagratha
Movie • 1972
Raja
Manasaakshi
Movie • 1977
Todu Dongalu
Movie • 1981
Sultan
Movie • 1999
Ashok
Chal Mohana Ranga
Movie • 1978
Ave Kallu
Movie • 1967
Bhaskar
Kanthaswamy
Movie • 2009
Krishna Rao
Sri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
Movie • 1976
Ram Robert Rahim
Movie • 1980
Robert
Sakshi
Movie • 1967
Kishtaiah
Maa Voori Magaadu
Movie • 1987
Ravi
Kuzhanthaikkaga
Movie • 1968
Prabhakar
Pandanti Kapuram
Movie • 1972
Ravi
Kottapeta Rowdy
Movie • 1980
Kotta Alludu
Movie • 1979
Sri Sri
Movie • 2016
Sri Sri
Varasudu
Movie • 1993
Alluri Seetarama Raju
Movie • 1974
Alluri Seetarama Raju
Teri Talaash Mein
Movie • 1968
Lakshmi Nivasam
Movie • 1968
Chandram
Meena
Movie • 1973
Krishna Rao
Vishwanatha Nayakudu
Movie • 1987
Vishwanatha Nayakudu
James Bond 777
Movie • 1971
Kishore
Mosagallaku Mosagadu
Movie • 1971
Krishna Prasad
Osey Ramulamma
Movie • 1997
CBI officer Krishna
Naa Ille Naa Swargam
Movie • 1991
Goodachari 116
Movie • 1966
Gopi / Agent 116
Ramudochadu
Movie • 1996
Krishna Prasad (Cameo appearance)
Telugu Veera Levara
Movie • 1995
seeta rama raju
Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju
Movie • 1983
Bheemaraju / Krishna Raja Kumar
Rajakiya Chadurangam
Movie • 1988
S.P. Pratap
Dongalu Baboi Dongalu
Movie • 1984
Rama / Krishna
Jayam Manade
Movie • 1986
Aadambaralu Anubandhalu
Movie • 1974
Atha Mechina Alludu
Movie • 1989
Agni Parvatham
Movie • 1985
Chandram / Jamadagni
Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam
Movie • 1982
Eenadu
Movie • 1982
Private Master
Movie • 1967
Krishna
Neramu Siksha
Movie • 1973
Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu
Movie • 1982
Chinmababu Diwakar
Subhakankshalu
Movie • 1997
Special Appearance
Khaidi Rudrayya
Movie • 1986
Rudramaraju "Rudraiah"
Alludu Diddina Kapuram
Movie • 1991
Vamsi
Movie • 2000
Arjun
Takkari Donga
Movie • 2002
Special appearance
Baladur
Movie • 2008
Ramakrishna
Rajakumarudu
Movie • 1999
Krishnamurthy
Kurukshetram
Movie • 1977
Arjuna
Vajrayudham
Movie • 1985
Ooriki Monagadu
Movie • 1981
Ravi
Jathagadu
Movie • 1981
Gopi
Akka Chellelu
Movie • 1970
Venu
Gharana Donga
Movie • 1980
Krishna
Mallamma Katha
Movie • 1973
Krishnavataram
Movie • 1982
Kishtayya
Mundadugu
Movie • 1983
Balagangadhara Tilak
Poratam
Movie • 1983
Krishna Murthy
Mayadari Malligadu
Movie • 1973
Mallanna
Mugguru Kodukulu
Movie • 1988
Phanindra
Yamaleela
Movie • 1994
Special appearance
Kula Gotralu
Movie • 1962
Tene Manasulu
Movie • 1965
Basavaraju
Sankharavam
Movie • 1987
Vijay / Vikram
Padandi Munduku
Movie • 1962
Kaliyuga Karnudu
Movie • 1988
Burripalem Bullodu
Movie • 1979
Chittibabu
Devudichina Koduku
Movie • 1980
Guru Sishyulu
Movie • 1981
Gopi
Prema Nakshatram
Movie • 1982
Samajaniki Sawal
Movie • 1979
Mama Allulla Saval
Movie • 1980
Adrushtavanthudu
Movie • 1980
Bangaru Bava
Movie • 1980
Bhoga Bhagyalu
Movie • 1981
Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu
Movie • 1981
Bangaru Bhoomi
Movie • 1982
Ravi
Bangaru Koduku
Movie • 1982
Krishnarajunulu
Movie • 1982
Arjun
Shamsher Shankar
Movie • 1982
Kalavaari Samsaram
Movie • 1982
Vishnu
Oorantha Sankranthi
Movie • 1983
Gopi
Kirayi Kotigadu
Movie • 1983
Kotigadu
Adavi Simhalu
Movie • 1983
Krishna
Kanchu Kaagada
Movie • 1984
Vikram
Pachani Kapuram
Movie • 1985
Gopi
Makutamleni Maharaju
Movie • 1987
Pardhasaradhi
Maharajashri Mayagaadu
Movie • 1988
Rickshawala
Movie • 1989
Anna Thammudu
Movie • 1990
Raja Krishna Prasad
Nagastharam
Movie • 1990
Indra Bhavanam
Movie • 1991
Raktha Tharpanam
Movie • 1992
Pandanti Samsaram
Movie • 2001
Krishnamanaidu
Kanne Manasulu
Movie • 1966
Gangulu
Paruvu-Prathishtta
Movie • 1963
Hema Hemeelu
Movie • 1979
Knight King Raja
Marapurani Katha
Movie • 1967
Stree Janma
Movie • 1967
Kishore
Niluvu Dopidi
Movie • 1968
Krishna
Manchi Kutumbam
Movie • 1968
Mohan
Message of Peace
Movie • 2004
Jesus
Yuddham
Movie • 1984
Kishan / Krishna Rao
Mande Gundelu
Movie • 1979
Ramu
Siripuram Monagadu
Movie • 1983
Sridhar