Krishna
Known for: Acting
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
Film
Kanthaswamy
Krishna Rao
2009
Film
Gharana Donga
Krishna
1980
Film
Sukumarudu
2013
Film
Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju
Bheemaraju / Krishna Raja Kumar
1983
Agni Pareeksha
1970
Film
Mallamma Katha
1973
Film
Vamsi
Arjun
2000
Film
Varasudu
1993
Film
Sultan
Ashok
1999
Film
Lakshmi Nivasam
Chandram
1968
Film
Alluri Seetarama Raju
Alluri Seetarama Raju
1974
Film
Neramu Siksha
1973
Film
Telugu Veera Levara
seeta rama raju
1995
Film
Koduku Diddina Kapuram
Chakravarthy
1989
Film
Ave Kallu
Bhaskar
1967
Film
Guru Sishyulu
Gopi
1981
Film
Maa Voori Magaadu
Ravi
1987
Film
Shamsher Shankar
1982
Film
Kirayi Kotigadu
Kotigadu
1983
Film
Sri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
1976
Film
Bangaru Koduku
1982
Adrushtavanthudu
1980
Film
Maharajashri Mayagaadu
1988
Film
Subhakankshalu
Special Appearance
1997
Film
Kottapeta Rowdy
1980
Film
Mundhadugu
Balagangadhara Tilak
1983
Film
Takkari Donga
Special appearance
2002
Film
Rajakeeya Chadarangam
S.P. Pratap
1988
Oorantha Sankranthi
Gopi
1983
Makutamleni Maharaju
Pardhasaradhi
1987
Film
Sevakudu
Krishna Prasad
2013
Film
Eenadu
1982
Film
Mama Allulla Saval
1980
Film
Vishwanatha Nayakudu
Vishwanatha Nayakudu
1987
Film
Alludu Diddina Kapuram
1991
Film
Akka Chellelu
Venu
1970
Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu
1981
Film
Mosagallaku Mosagadu
Krishna Prasad
1971
Film
Kalavaari Samsaram
Vishnu
1982
Film
Rajakumarudu
Krishnamurthy
1999
Manchi Kutumbam
Mohan
1968
Film
Talli Kodukulu
1973
Devudichina Koduku
1980
Film
Agni Parvatham
Chandram / Jamadagni
1985
Film
Kanchu Kaagada
Vikram
1984
Film
Anna Thammudu
Raja Krishna Prasad
1990
Film
Samajaniki Sawal
1979
Film
Mande Gundelu
Ramu
1979
Film
Baladur
Ramakrishna
2008
Iddaru Asadhyule
Tiger Prakash
1979
Film
Ravanna
Retired Army Major
2000
Film
Pandanti Kapuram
Ravi
1972
Film
Atha Mechina Alludu
1989
Bravo Satyam!
Satyam
1969
Film
Pandanti Samsaram
Krishnamanaidu
2001
Burripalem Bullodu
Chittibabu
1979
Film
Ram Robert Rahim
Robert
1980
Film
Yamaleela
Special appearance
1994
Film
James Bond 777
Kishore
1971
Yuddham
Kishan / Krishna Rao
1984
Film
Nenu Manishine
1971
Film
Bangaru Bava
1980
Film
Kurukshetram
Arjuna
1977
Agent Gopi
Agent Gopi, 113
1978
Film
Bazaaru Rowdy
Self
1988
Film
Osey Ramulamma
CBI officer Krishna
1997
Film
Gudachari 117
Chandrakanth, Secret Agent 117
1989
Pachani Kapuram
Gopi
1985
Siripuram Monagadu
Sridhar
1983
Krishnarajunulu
Arjun
1982
Film
Adavi Simhalu
Krishna
1983
Film
Khaidi Rudrayya
Rudramaraju "Rudraiah"
1986
Film
Niluvu Dopidi
Krishna
1968
Devadasu
Devadas
1974
Film
Jayam Manade
1986
Film
Satyabhama
Psychiatrist
2007
Film
Ooriki Monagadu
Ravi
1981
Film
Goodachari 116
Gopi / Agent 116
1966
Film
Mugguru Kodukulu
Phanindra
1988
Devudu Chesina Manushulu
Gopi
1973
Film
Meena
Krishna Rao
1973
Dongalu Baboi Dongalu
Rama / Krishna
1984
Film
Vichitra Kutumbam
Krishna
1968
Film
Private Master
Krishna
1967
Stree Janma
Kishore
1967
Marapurani Katha
1967
Film
Ramudochadu
Krishna Prasad (Cameo appearance)
1996
Film
Krishnavataram
Kishtayya
1982
Film
Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka
Gopi/Shyam
1969
Film
Paruvu-Prathishtta
1963
Film
Kanne Manasulu
Gangulu
1966
Film
Vidhi Vilasam
1970
Film
Hema Hemeelu
Knight King Raja
1979
Film
Todu Dongalu
1981
Film
Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam
1982
Film
Manasaakshi
1977
Film
Kaliyuga Karnudu
1988
Film
Bhoga Bhagyalu
1981
Film
Amma Donga!
Chakradhar
1995
Bhale Abbayilu
1969
Film
Vajrayudham
1985
Film
Indradhanussu
1978
Film
Rajamahal
Gopi
1972
Captain Krishna
1979
Film
Kotta Alludu
1979
Film
Kula Gotralu
1962
Annadammula Savaal
1978
Film
Aadambaralu Anubandhalu
1974
Film
Iddaru Dongalu
1984
Bangaru Bhoomi
Ravi
1982
Film
Tene Manasulu
Basavaraju
1965
Film
Teri Talaash Mein
1968
Film
Bhale Krishnudu
Krishna
1980
Film
Rahasya Gudachari
Agent Gopi, 116
1981
Film
Indra Bhavanam
1991
Film
Simhasanam
Vikrama Simha / Aditya Vardhana
1986
Film
Raktha Tharpanam
1992
Film
Vintha Katha
1973
Film
Chuttalunnaru Jagrattha
Ramesh / Gangulu
1980
Jathagadu
Gopi
1981
Film
Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu
Chinmababu Diwakar
1982
Film
Prema Nakshatram
1982
Jamadagni
1988
Film
Poratam
Krishna Murthy
1983
Film
Shankaravam
Vijay / Vikram
1987
Film
Chal Mohana Ranga
1978
Film
Padandi Munduku
1962
Dongala Dopidi
1978
Film
Sakshi
Kishtaiah
1967
Film
Jagadeka Veerudu
1996
Sarvabhoumudu
1989
Amayakudu Kadhu Asadhyudu
1983
Film
Monagadostunnadu Jagratha
Raja
1972
Nagastharam
1990
Film
Naa Ille Naa Swargam
1991
Sri Sri
Sri Sri
2016
Film
Message of Peace
Jesus
2004
Rickshawala
1989
Series
Telugu Cinema Vajrotsavam
Self
2007
Film
Mayadari Malligadu
Mallanna
1973