Padmanabham (actor)


Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao, popularly known as Padmanabham,
was an Indian film, character actor, comedian, director and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Padmanabham is regarded as one of the finest comic actors of India, noted particularly for his comic expressions, and dialogues during the golden age of Telugu cinema. Padmanabham was essentially a theatre artist, although he also found success in cinema, and has acted in over 400 feature films. He made his film debut in 1945 with Mayalokam. He co-founded a Theatre group with his friend Vallam Narasimha Rao, Rekha and Murali Arts with S. P. Kodandapani as their music director.
The veteran finds it hard to mention any particular comic role as his most memorable one, but makes a special mention of the role of a rickshaw puller that he played in Desoddhaarakudu. "It had ample measure of 'karuna rasa' in it and I could display the other shade of my talent," he says. The role became famous for the song 'Aakalayyi Annamadigithe Pichchodannaru Naayaallu'. Padmanabham, who directed eightfilms in all, introduced S.P. Balasubrahmanyam to the film industry through Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. Kathanayika Molla, which he directed in 1969 fetched him the Nandi Award.

Early life and career

He was born to Santham and Basavaraju Venkata Seshaiah in Simhadripuram, Pulivendula, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh on August 20, 1931.
Padmanabham started acting at the age of 12 when the legendary director Gudavalli Ramabrahmam gave him a break in "Maayalokam ". He worked with almost 80 directors and acted in more than 400 movies in his long career. Padmanabham cherishes most his association with Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, Ghantasala Balaramayya, L. V. Prasad and K. V. Reddy.

Death

Padmanabham died at his residence at Rangarajapuram, Kodambakkam, in Chennai at 8 a.m. on 20 February 2010 from a heart attack. He was 78 and is survived by wife, five daughters and a son.
The veteran actor had been a regular yoga practitioner and enjoyed good health till his death.

Selected filmography

Actor

  1. Bhadra
  2. Chakram
  3. Subhamasthu
  4. Bhairava Dweepam
  5. Mayalodu as Padmanabham
  6. Gandipeta Rahasyam
  7. Allulu Vasthunnaru
  8. Agent Gopi
  9. Indradhanusu
  10. Bu as Chillara Donga
  11. Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam
  12. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
  13. Vichitra Bandham as Chittibabu
  14. Dasara Bullodu
  15. Jeevitha Chakram
  16. Kathanayika Molla as Tenali Ramakrishna
  17. Dharma Daata
  18. Nirdoshi
  19. Akka Chellelu
  20. Adrushtavanthalu as Jackie
  21. Aatmiyulu
  22. Jatakaratna Midathambotlu as Midathambotlu
  23. Natakala Rayudu as Rajasekhar
  24. Buddhimanthudu
  25. Kathanayakudu
  26. Brahmachari
  27. Niluvu Dopidi
  28. Bagdad Gajadonga as Hero's friend
  29. Aada Paduchu
  30. Ave Kallu
  31. Bhakta Prahlada as Markudu
  32. Goodachari 116
  33. Grihalakshmi
  34. Poola Rangadu
  35. Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna as Maryada Ramanna
  36. Letha Manasulu as Sundaram
  37. Pidugu Ramudu
  38. Chilaka Gorinka
  39. Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha as Nandhi
  40. Potti Pleader
  41. Pandava Vanavasam as Lakshmana Kumarudu
  42. Tene Manasulu
  43. Bobbili Yudham
  44. Devatha
  45. Dr. Chakravarthy
  46. Velugu Needalu
  47. Kalavari Kodallu as Bheema Rao
  48. Chaduvukunna Ammayilu as Anand
  49. Mooga Manasulu as Radha's Husband
  50. Atma Bandhuvu as 3rd son
  51. Gulebakavali Katha
  52. Dakshayagnam as Daksha's Younger son
  53. Kula Gothralu
  54. Bharya Bharthalu as Anjaneyulu
  55. Iddaru Mitrulu
  56. Vagdanam as Padmanabham
  57. Krishna Leelalu
  58. Raja Makutam
  59. Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu as Panakala Rao
  60. Bhagya Rekha
  61. Kutumba Gauravam as Relangi's son
  62. Panduranga Mahatyam as Pundarika's brother
  63. Jayasimha ... Subuddhi
  64. Santanam as Sekhar
  65. Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam as Kaasi
  66. Patala Bhairavi as Dingiri
  67. Shavukaru
  68. Vindhyarani
  69. Bhakta Siriyala
  70. Yogi Vemana
  71. Narada Naradi
  72. Tyagayya
  73. Mayalokam

    Producer

  74. Kathanayika Molla
  75. Shri Rama Katha
  76. Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna
  77. Potti Pleader
  78. Devatha

    Director

  79. Pellikaani thandri
  80. Kathanayika Molla
  81. Shri Rama Katha
  82. Midatam Bottulu