News Express Service
Popular Telugu actor Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy, popularly known as Superstar Krishna, breathed his last at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Tuesday. He was 79 and is survived by his children Manjula, Padmavathi, Priyadarshini and Mahesh Babu.
The virtuoso was admitted to the hospital after a cardiac arrest on Monday. died of multiple organ failurethe doctors announced on Tuesday.
Krishna walked the canvas of Telugu cinema like a colossus for more than six decades, not only as a great actor but also as a producer’s favorite and as an iconic director and producer. He acted in more than 350 films and was a leading man in Telugu cinema, such as starring in the first Cinemascope film. (Alluri Seetharama Raju, 1974), Eastman’s first color film (Eenadu1982), the first 70mm 4-track stereophonic sound (Simhasanam1986) and also with films like introducing the cowboy genre Mosagallaki Mosagadu (1971).
In recognition of his contribution to art and cinema, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan (2009) by the Government of India. The versatile personality was elected as a Member of Parliament of the Congress party in 1989. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Andhra University in 2008.
Born on 31 May 1942 in a middle-class family, Krishna had an insatiable love for films from his early days. His success story started on the silver screen in similar films Cool Gothralu (1961), Padandi Mundhuku (1962), and Paruvu Prathishta (1963). He then played a leading role in late director Adurthi Subbarao’s romantic drama. Then Manasulu (1965) and debuted as a solo protagonist Kanne Manasulu (1996).
Krishna became a household name with the huge success of the iconic Telugu spy film to the war 116 (1966). Andhra was also known as James Bond after bringing many James Bond style spy movies to the Telugu screen.
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Krishna also shared screen space with almost all the stalwarts of the time, including in films like NT Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Street Janma (1967), Niluvu Dopidi (1968), Manchi Kutumbam (1968), Vichithra Kutumbam (1969), Akka Chellellu (1970). Krishna became famous across the nation with his family drama Pandanti Kapuram (1972), which ran for over 175 days in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, won the highly competitive family hero league and the National Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
Krishna founded Padmayala Films in 1971 and had a break with the banner’s first film Mosagallaku Mosagadu.
Krishna’s portrayal in the eponymous film Alluri Seetarama Raju in 1974 won many awards. The biographical action film won the National Film Award for Best Song Lyrics.Telugu Veera LevaraIt was written by the late poet Sri Sri. The film also won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film and was screened at the International Film Festival of India and the Tashkent Film Festival. The film ran for 175 days and became the highest grossing Telugu film of the year.
It was such a success Alluri Seetarama Raju that none of his next 14 films could match the hype and craze for the classic, and hardly made a dent at the box office.
Krishna redeemed himself Paadi Pantalu (1976) and titled and financed a mythological film of the same title Kurukshetram. The announcement of the film has taken the Telugu film industry by storm, and has also paved the way for star wars with NT Rama Rao, who also produced the titled film. Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) along the same lines. After this, Krishna made a few films directly attacking NTR, sparking a rivalry among fans. His attitude has set him apart from his contemporaries and earned him the designation of “brave and brave hero”.
1979 was an eventful year for Krishna, with six of his films becoming blockbusters at the box office. 1982 marks another milestone for Krishna as he launched Padmalaya Studios and produced his 200th film. Eenadu. He was catapulted to the top league with such a successful film Mundhadugu, Kiraayi Kotigaadu, Adavi Simhaalu, Sakthiand Prajaarajyam. He made a successful transition with the stunning role of an angry young man Agniparvatham. Krishna’s youthful vitality and his powerful dialogueAggipetti unda?‘ became the line of the masses. Krishna was a part of successful films like Tollywood Pachani Kapuram, Simhaasanam, Khaidhi Rudrayya, Muddayi, Koduku Diddina Kapuram, Saahasamee Naa Oopiri, Gudachari 117 and Goondaarajyam.
At one time, between 1968 and 1986, Krishna was working on more than a dozen films a year to fulfill his commitments. Interestingly, Krishna was one of the highest paid actors of his time.
In the 90s, Krishna reinvented himself, playing avuncular and ruthless gangster, big brother and cameo roles in action dramas.
He also directed 16 films, including the Hindi remake of a Telugu film to Sampan the title Ishq Hai Tumse (2004).
In 1969, he married actress Vijaya Nirmala. Among all the big stars he has worked with, his chemistry with Sridevi, Jayaprada and Vijaya Shanti captivated the audience. Details of his larger off-screen personality surfaced regularly in newspapers and on social media. Krishna’s last major film was released Sri Sri After (2016) he said goodbye to films and stayed away from the limelight. He rarely made public appearances, mostly confined to the film events of his son and popular actor Mahesh Babu.
Krishna’s death has created a void in the hearts of his family, friends and fans, but he has left behind a great treasure in his impeccable work in Telugu cinema.
Meanwhile, tributes have poured in for Krishna from his fellow Tollywood actors and politicians on social media.