Paruchuri Gopala Krishna
Dr. Paruchuri Gopala Krishna is an Indian film screenwriter, story writer, dialogue writer, actor, director, poet, playwright, novelist, and orator predominant in Telugu cinema. Dr. Gopala Krishna is the younger of the Paruchuri Brothers, a writing duo in the film industry who have worked on more than 350 films since 1978.
Early life and education
Dr. Paruchuri Gopala Krishna was the youngest child of his parents Paruchuri Raghaviah and Hymavathamma. He has one elder sister and two elder brothers Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao and Paruchuri Kutumba Rao.Dr. Gopala Krishna received his BSc from the Government City Science College and an MA Telugu from the Arts College, both affiliated with Osmania University. Later he earned his PhD from Osmania University in Telugu Cinema Literature, concentrating on the research topic: ‘Telugu Cinema Sahityam – Katha- Kathanam – Silpam’ in the year 2003. Dr. Gopala Krishna submitted his thesis to obtain a Doctor of Literature from Berhampur University, Orissa for the research topic: ‘Telugu Cinema Story – Social Outlook’ in the year 2015 and is waiting on viva. He has also done ‘Rashtra Bhasha’ in Hindi. He is fluent in Hindi, English and is familiar with Tamil.
Personal life
Dr. Gopala Krishna is married to his first cousin, Vijaya Lakshmi. The couple has three children, Paruchuri Hima Bindu, Gottimukkala Naga Sushma who is married to TV and Film Artist, Gottimukkala Jaya Prakash and Kodali Hari Priya who is married to entrepreneur, Kodali Kalyan Prasad. He has two grandsons Pinnamaneni Bhuvana Sai Krishna, Gottimukkala Karthik and three granddaughters Gottimukkala Vujjaini, Kodali Tanvi and Kodali Medha.Career
Lecturer, Head of the Department and Vice Principal (1975–1983)
Dr. Gopala Krishna worked as a Telugu lecturer at Lal Bahdoor Shastri Oriental College, Chinanindra Kolanu, West Godavari from 7 August 1971 to 1 September 1975. Later, he worked as the Head of the Department of Telugu and Vice Principal in Adusumilli Gopala Krishna & Sugar Cane Growers College, Vuyyuru, Krishna District from 2 September 1975 to April 1983.Writing and acting (1971–present)
Initially, he started writing small stories, playlets and detective novels which were published in weekly magazines. He acted in more than one hundred playlets in Indian theater. In 1978, his brother Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, who was already in the film industry, advised Gopala Krishna to join him in film writing. As a result, they both started scripting the films as Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao and Paruchuri Gopala Krishna. In 1982, Sri. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao proposed the screen name Paruchuri Brothers and since then the writing-duo have been established as successful writers. In 1983, Dr. Gopala Krishna first starred in the film Ee Piilaku Pellavuthunda, for which the Paruchuri brothers wrote the storyline and dialogues. He continued to appear in 47 films as an artist and also continued writing for more than 350 films; to name a few E Charithra Ye Siraatho, Naa Desam, Khaidi, Eenadu, Mundadugu, Bobbili Brahmanna, Prajaswamyam, Karthavyam, Varsham, Sarpayagam, Major Chandrakanth Samarasimha Reddy, Narasimha Naidu, Okkadu, Indra, Tagore, Manasantha Nuvve, Nee Sneham, Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, Shankardada MBBS, Drushyam, Khaidi No. 150, Rudrama Devi and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.Direction (1984–present)
In 1984, both the brothers decided to direct film. Their first film as directors, under Srinadh movies, was Kai Raja Kai. Later they directed a total of 9 films, Bhale Thammudu, Sreekrishnaleelalu, Repati Swarajyam, Praja Swamyamyam, Maa Telugu Talli, Maro Quit India, Sarpayagam and Singanna.Other work
Television
Dr. Gopala Krishna contributed his services to television as a host, co-host, actor, writer, and director. He hosted the Gemini TV reality show Chilaka Gorinka in 1996. He then hosted 200 episodes of Praja Vedika—a Gemini TV talk show from 2008 to 2013. He also co-hosted the Maa TV reality show Andhamina Jeevitham in 2015 and the Maa TV reality show Samsaram oka Chadarangam in 2016.In 2001, he scripted Mattimanishi, an ETV tele serial for Sri. Akkineni Nageswara Rao. In 2013, he directed Sati Savitri, an ETV mythological tele film. In the year 2004, he acted in Thulabharam, a ZEE Telugu tele film and in 2013 he acted as Neelakanta Sastri in Yogi Vemana historical serial which telecasted in ABN.
Mentor
Dr. Gopala Krishna always had a passion for teaching and continues to be an Hon. Professor and has conducted screenplay classes at Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Telugu Cine Writers Association and Telugu Film Directors Association since 2008.Social media
In 2017, he began sharing his knowledge by teaching film script writing classes through his YouTube channel for all aspiring writers. These interactive lessons are shared on his other social media accounts, like Facebook and Twitter.Services
- Served as the chairman for "Official Language Commission", Andhra Pradesh from Feb 2003 to May 2004
- Served as an Executive Council Member from 1997 to 2005 for "Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University"
- Served as an Executive Council Member in 2002 for "Movie Artist Association "
- Served as a Director from 2002 to 2004 for "Film Development Corporation", Andhra Pradesh
- Served as a Honorable President for "A.P. Film Industry Employees Federation" in 2002
- Served as a Honorable President from 2008 to 2010 for "A.P. Film Industry Employees Federation"
- Served as a Co-ordination Committee chairman, "A.P. Film Industry Employees Federation" in 2012
- Served as a Co-ordination Committee chairman from 2008 to 2010 for "A.P. Film Directors Association"
- Served as a Judge for "A.P. State Nandi Drama Competition" in 2006
- Served as a "Hamsa and Ugadi Purskara Selection Committee member" in 2015
- Continues to serve as Honorable Professor, "Sri Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University" since 2008
- Continues to serve as the Co-Ordination Committee chairman, "Movie Artist Association " since 2010
- Continues to serve as the President of "Telugu Cine Writers Association" since 2007
- Continues to serve as the Life Member to "Tyagaraya Ganasabha" since 1991
- Continues to serve as Convener and Trustee to the "Paruchuri Raghubabu Memorial Trust" since 1991
- Continues to serve as the chairman to the "Smt. Paruchuri Hymavathy Raghaviah Memorial Trust" since 2012
- Continues to serve as Chief Advisor of "Shri Rajarajeswari Devi Temple", Film nagar, Hyderabad since 1998
- Serving as General Secretary to "Film Nagar Daiva Sannidhanam" trust board, Hyderabad since 2018
Literary
Literary essays
- In 1997, on 1 and 22 September, "Stree Patralu" and "Samagica Prabhavam" published in "Andhra Jyothi" daily.
- From Nov. 95 to Jan. 97, "Chitramlo Citralu" essay published in "Rachana" monthly.
Literary books
- Telugu Cinema Sahityam – "Katha-Kathanam-Silpam"
- "11th Hour"
- "Memu ‘Maa’ Herolu"
Novels
- Bharatakhandam Bhaggumantondi
- Nallapusalu
- Asambhavami Yuge Yuge
- Strinam…. Buddhischapi Charturgunaha
Playlets
- Socialism in 1971
- Patta Bhadrula Phalaharasala in 1979
- Ee Charitra Erra Siratho in 1980
- Ariche Kukka Karicindi in 1995 TANA festival at USA in Chicago and Detroit
- Telugu Vijayam in 2007 TANA festival at USA in Washington DC and L.A., enacted by Sri. Nandamuri Balakrishna
- Sambhavami Pade Pade in 2009
- Budhhim Saranam Gachhami in 2010
- Raja Raja Narendrudu in 2011 TANA festival at USA in Santa Clara, L.A. and Dallas, enacted by Sri. Nandamuri Balakrishna
- Sri Krishna Vuvacha and Dabba Palu in 2012 Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu in Tirupathi
- Revised version of Dabba Palu in 2013 TANA festival at USA in Dallas
- Bhuvana Vijayam in 2016 at Lepakshi Utsav, Hindupur, enacted by Sri. Nandamuri Balakrishna
Short stories and essays
- First short story Vidheyadu in Swathi monthly in January 1975
- Kukka Viswasamgala Janthuvu and Vimananam Noruleni Yantram short stories in Hasam weekly
- 11th Hour Episodes on Cinema in Andhra Jyothi Daily from July 2004 to Dec. 2004
- Memu Maa Herolu ‘Hrudya lekhanam’ in Super Hit Film Magazine in 2004–2005
Awards, honors and recognitions
Best Story Writer
- Second Best Story Writer in 1986 for Pratidhwani, A.P. State Nandi Award
- Best Story Writer in 1990 for Karthavyam, A.P. State Nandi Award
- Best Story Writer in 1990 for Karthavyam, Kalasagar, Madras
- Best Story Writer in 1993 for Aasayam, A.P. State Nandi Award
- Best Story Writer in 1993 for Aasayam, Cinegoers association, Hyderabad
- Best Screenplay Writer in 1990 for Kodama Simham, Vamsi Berkley Awards
Best Dialogue Writer
- 1982 Eenadu Sitara Award, Hyderabad
- 1988 Prajaswamyam, Rasamayi,Tenali
- 1990 Karthavyam, Kala Sagar Award, Madras
- 1991 People's Encounter, Kala Sagar, Madras
- 1992 Sundarakanda, Lalita Kala Sagar, Chittoor
- 1992 Peddarikam, Lyrics Award, Madras
- 1993 Kunthi Puthrudu, Vamsi Berkley Award, Hyderabad
- 1993 Major Chandrakanth, Kalasagar, Madras
- 1996 Nayudugari Kutumbam, A.P. State Nandi Award
- 1998 Ganesh, A.P. State Nandi Award
- 1998 Ganesh, A.P. Cinegoers Award
- 1998 Bavagaru Bagunnara, Vamsi Berkley Award
- 1999 Samarasimha Reddy, AFJA Award
- 1999 Samarasimha Reddy, Yuvakala Vahini Award
- 1999 Samarasimha Reddy, A.P. Cinegoers Award
- 2000 Azad, A.P. Cinegoers Award
- 2001 Narasimha Naidu, Vamsi Directors Specials
- 2002 Indra, A.P. Cinegoers Award
- 2003 Tagore, A.P. Cinegoers Award
- 2003 Tagore, Santosham Award
- 2003 Tagore, Maa T.V. Award
- 2003 Tagore, Bharatha Muni Award
- 2004 Varsham, Santhosham Award
- 2004 Sankardada MBBS, MAA T.V. Award
- 2005 Suryam, Vamsi Berkley Award
- 2006 Stalin, Santhosham Award
Best Film Director
- Third Best Film Director in 1987 for Prajaswamyam, A.P. State Nandi Award
Special Jury Award
- Paruchuri Brothers were awarded with Special Jury Award for the year 2016, A.P. State Nandi Award
TV Awards
- Best Playlet writer award in A.P. State Nandi Drama Competition for the playlet "Sambhavami Pade Pade" in 2009
- Best Villain in comedy role for Sasirekha Parinayam movie in 2010, Gemini TV Film Awards
- Best Social Program Presenter award received for "Prajavedika" in 2011, Padmamohana TV awards
- Best Talk Show award for "Praja Vedika" in 2012, Gemini TV Awards
- Best Anchor award for "Praja Vedika" in 2012, Yuvakala Vahini
- Best Director award for Tele film "Sati Savitri" in 2014, Aradhana srikari ETV
- Second Best Tele Film "Sathi Savithri", Copper Nandi and Commendation certificate to the director award for 2013 given in 2017 by AP State Government.
Honors and felicitations
- Celebrate award in 2007 at "Telugu Chalana Chitra Vajrotsavam"
- "Sensational Star Writers of the Decade" Award by Super Hit Magazine in 2010
- "Tv9 TSR Lalitha Kala Parishat" Best Story Dialogue Writers Award in 2010
- "Vishala Bharati Gaurav Satkar" award by Delhi Telugu Academy in 2007 for Script Writing
- "NTR Smaraka Purskara" Award for Contribution towards cinema in 2011, Hyderabad
- For completion of 200 films with the title ‘’’200 Not Out’’’ in 1992 at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad
- For completing ‘’’Silver Jubilee’’’ in film writing successfully by "Singapore Telugu Association", Singapore in 2002
- For completing 25 years in film writing successfully by "TANA " at San Jose, USA in 2003
- For completing 25 years in film writing successfully by "ETA " at Birmingham, UK in 2003
- Aatreya Award title by "Abhinandhana Cultural Association"
- Visista Sodharulu title by "Padma Mohana" in 2004
- Visista Dampatulu title by "Padma Mohana" in 2009
- Gangi Reddy Memorial International Spiritual Award, Vishakapatnam in 2009
- Viswa Vikhyata Rachana Sarwabhoumulu title by "T. Subba Rami Reddy Lalitha Kala Parishath" on the occasion of completing 333 films in 33 years for 3 Generations in 2011
- 100 years of SIFCC film festival at Chennai in 2013
- Dr. Allu Ramalingaiah National Award at Vijayawada in 2014
- Dasari Writer Award by Santotsham awards at Hyderabad in 2017
- Life Time Achievement Award by Kakatiya Kala Sevasamithi, Hyderabad in 2017
- TAAI Award In recognition of services to Telugu Language by Telugu Association of Australia, Melbourne in 2017
- Life Time Achievement Award by Telugu Association Inc, Sydney in 2017
Filmography