About Padmanabham

Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao (20 August 1931 – 20 February 2010) Padmanabham born in Simhadripuram, Pulivendula, Kadapa, AP, India on 20 August 1931.His parents were Santham and Basavaraju Venkata Seshaiah.He was a comedian during the golden years of Telugu film and acted in more than 400 films as Hero, comedian and Comedy Villain. Padmanabham was essentially a theatre artist, although he also found success in films. He co-founded a theatre group with his friend Vallam Narasimha Rao, Rekha and Murali Arts with S. P. Kodandapani as their music director. He began his tryst with the tinsel world in 1943 when he was just 12, when the legendary director Gudavalli Ramabrahmam gave him a break in Maayalokam. He says if Ramabrahmam gave me a break in films, K.V. Reddy gave me some major hits. Shavukaaru in 1949 was my first major hit, and it also gave me a footing as a comedian. The very next year, Paatala Bhairavi came along and it helped me find a permanent place in the world of Telugu cinema. He worked with almost 80 directors in his long career, Padmanabham cherishes most his association with Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, Ghantasala Balaramayya, L.V. Prasad and K.V. Reddy.They were really great directors. Padmanabham, who directed Eight films in all, introduced S.P. Balasubrahmanyam (Play back Singer)to the film industry through Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. His memorable movies some are: Bhakta Prahlada(1967/I) .... Markudu Pandava Vanavasam (1965) .... Lakshmana Kumarudu Mooga Manasulu (1963) .... Radha's(Savitri) Husband Dakshayagnam (1962/I) .... Daksha's Younger son He was also a film producer and director. 1.Kathanayika Molla (1970) 2.Shri Rama Katha (1969) 3.Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967) 4.Potti Pleader (1966) 5.Devatha (1964) Kathaanayika Molla, which he directed in 1969 fetched him the A.P. Government's award. He most recently acted in Telugu movies Chakram and Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila. Padmanabham died in Chennai on 20 February 2010 from a heart attack, aged 78.