Krishna
Biography
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.
Movies 139
Kanthaswamy
as Krishna Rao
2009
Gharana Donga
as Krishna
1980
Sukumarudu
2013
Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju
as Bheemaraju / Krishna Raja Kumar
1983
Agni Pareeksha
1970
Mallamma Katha
1973
Vamsi
as Arjun
2000
Varasudu
1993
Sultan
as Ashok
1999
Lakshmi Nivasam
as Chandram
1968
Alluri Seetarama Raju
as Alluri Seetarama Raju
1974
Neramu Siksha
1973
Telugu Veera Levara
as seeta rama raju
1995
Koduku Diddina Kapuram
as Chakravarthy
1989
Ave Kallu
as Bhaskar
1967
Guru Sishyulu
as Gopi
1981
Maa Voori Magaadu
as Ravi
1987
Shamsher Shankar
1982
Kirayi Kotigadu
as Kotigadu
1983
Sri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
1976
Bangaru Koduku
1982
Adrushtavanthudu
1980
Maharajashri Mayagaadu
1988
Subhakankshalu
as Special Appearance
1997
Kottapeta Rowdy
1980
Mundhadugu
as Balagangadhara Tilak
1983
Takkari Donga
as Special appearance
2002
Rajakeeya Chadarangam
as S.P. Pratap
1988
Oorantha Sankranthi
as Gopi
1983
Makutamleni Maharaju
as Pardhasaradhi
1987
Sevakudu
as Krishna Prasad
2013
Eenadu
1982
Mama Allulla Saval
1980
Vishwanatha Nayakudu
as Vishwanatha Nayakudu
1987
Alludu Diddina Kapuram
1991
Akka Chellelu
as Venu
1970
Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodalu
1981
Mosagallaku Mosagadu
as Krishna Prasad
1971
Kalavaari Samsaram
as Vishnu
1982
Rajakumarudu
as Krishnamurthy
1999
Manchi Kutumbam
as Mohan
1968
Talli Kodukulu
1973
Devudichina Koduku
1980
Agni Parvatham
as Chandram / Jamadagni
1985
Kanchu Kaagada
as Vikram
1984
Anna Thammudu
as Raja Krishna Prasad
1990
Samajaniki Sawal
1979
Mande Gundelu
as Ramu
1979
Baladur
as Ramakrishna
2008
Iddaru Asadhyule
as Tiger Prakash
1979
Ravanna
as Retired Army Major
2000
Pandanti Kapuram
as Ravi
1972
Atha Mechina Alludu
1989
Bravo Satyam!
as Satyam
1969
Pandanti Samsaram
as Krishnamanaidu
2001
Burripalem Bullodu
as Chittibabu
1979
Ram Robert Rahim
as Robert
1980
Yamaleela
as Special appearance
1994
James Bond 777
as Kishore
1971
Yuddham
as Kishan / Krishna Rao
1984
Nenu Manishine
1971
Bangaru Bava
1980
Kurukshetram
as Arjuna
1977
Agent Gopi
as Agent Gopi, 113
1978
Bazaaru Rowdy
as Self
1988
Osey Ramulamma
as CBI officer Krishna
1997
Gudachari 117
as Chandrakanth, Secret Agent 117
1989
Pachani Kapuram
as Gopi
1985
Siripuram Monagadu
as Sridhar
1983
Krishnarajunulu
as Arjun
1982
Adavi Simhalu
as Krishna
1983
Khaidi Rudrayya
as Rudramaraju "Rudraiah"
1986
Niluvu Dopidi
as Krishna
1968
Devadasu
as Devadas
1974
Jayam Manade
1986
Satyabhama
as Psychiatrist
2007
Ooriki Monagadu
as Ravi
1981
Goodachari 116
as Gopi / Agent 116
1966
Mugguru Kodukulu
as Phanindra
1988
Devudu Chesina Manushulu
as Gopi
1973
Meena
as Krishna Rao
1973
Dongalu Baboi Dongalu
as Rama / Krishna
1984
Vichitra Kutumbam
as Krishna
1968
Private Master
as Krishna
1967
Stree Janma
as Kishore
1967
Marapurani Katha
1967
Ramudochadu
as Krishna Prasad (Cameo appearance)
1996
Krishnavataram
as Kishtayya
1982
Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka
as Gopi/Shyam
1969
Paruvu-Prathishtta
1963
Kanne Manasulu
as Gangulu
1966
Vidhi Vilasam
1970
Hema Hemeelu
as Knight King Raja
1979
Todu Dongalu
1981
Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam
1982
Manasaakshi
1977
Kaliyuga Karnudu
1988
Bhoga Bhagyalu
1981
Amma Donga!
as Chakradhar
1995
Bhale Abbayilu
1969
Vajrayudham
1985
Indradhanussu
1978
Rajamahal
as Gopi
1972
Captain Krishna
1979
Kotta Alludu
1979
Kula Gotralu
1962
Annadammula Savaal
1978
Aadambaralu Anubandhalu
1974
Iddaru Dongalu
1984
Bangaru Bhoomi
as Ravi
1982
Tene Manasulu
as Basavaraju
1965
Teri Talaash Mein
1968
Bhale Krishnudu
as Krishna
1980
Rahasya Gudachari
as Agent Gopi, 116
1981
Indra Bhavanam
1991
Simhasanam
as Vikrama Simha / Aditya Vardhana
1986
Raktha Tharpanam
1992
Vintha Katha
1973
Chuttalunnaru Jagrattha
as Ramesh / Gangulu
1980
Jathagadu
as Gopi
1981
Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu
as Chinmababu Diwakar
1982
Prema Nakshatram
1982
Jamadagni
1988
Poratam
as Krishna Murthy
1983
Shankaravam
as Vijay / Vikram
1987
Chal Mohana Ranga
1978
Padandi Munduku
1962
Dongala Dopidi
1978
Sakshi
as Kishtaiah
1967
Jagadeka Veerudu
1996
Sarvabhoumudu
1989
Amayakudu Kadhu Asadhyudu
1983
Monagadostunnadu Jagratha
as Raja
1972
Nagastharam
1990
Naa Ille Naa Swargam
1991
Sri Sri
as Sri Sri
2016
Message of Peace
as Jesus
2004
Rickshawala
1989
Mayadari Malligadu
as Mallanna
1973