Draft:P. C. Reddy (Film Director)

P. Chandrasekhara Reddy (P. C. Reddy) P. Chandrasekhara Reddy (October 15, 1933 – January 3, 2022) was a prominent Telugu film director who made significant contributions to the Telugu cinema industry over five decades. He is best known for directing over 80 films and frequently collaborating with superstar Krishna, as well as legendary actors such as N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Sobhan Babu

Early Life and Education Born in Anumasamudrampeta Mandal (now part of Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh) on October 15, 1933 (or 1935, sources vary)

Educated in Chennai at Pachiayappa’s institutions, where he completed up to a Master’s degree. Early exposure to cinema and literature fostered his observational and creative sensibilities

Career Beginnings Entered film industry in 1959 as assistant and associate director under notable filmmakers V. Madhusudhana Rao and Adurthi Subba Rao, working for around 11 years on projects such as Srikrishnarayabaram and Poolarangadu

Learned from these masters before debuting as an independent director in 1971 with Attalu‑Kodallu (Krishna–Vanisri) and Vichitra Dampathyam (Sobhan Babu), both released the same day and both box‑office successes. His third release Anuradha (Krishna–Vijaya Nirmala) also solidified his reputation

Rise to Prominence From early successes, Reddy directed five major hits within two years, including the critically acclaimed Badipantulu (1972) with NTR and Anjali Devi, which earned NTR his first Filmfare Best Actor award in Telugu

Developed a long-running actor‑director partnership with Krishna, directing approximately 20 films together such as Paadipantalu, Peddalu Marali, Patnavasam, Bangaru Kapuram, Gauri, and Sneha Bandham. Their collaboration became a fixture, especially during festival seasons (e.g., Sankranti)

Notable Films Manavudu Danavudu (1972): Dual‑role drama with Sobhan Babu, later remade in multiple languages including Hindi and Malayalam

Rajakeeya Chadarangam (1989): Starred ANR and Krishna; an action thriller adaptation of the Malayalam film August 1 and loosely the novel The Day of the Jackal

Pagabattina Simham (1982): Popular double/triple‑role entertainer with Krishna, received generally positive reviews Wikipedia

A partial list of his other successful films includes Bhale Alludu, Kodukulu, Vichitra Dampathyam, Navodayam, Anna Vadina, Anna Chellu, Rajakeeya Chadarangam, Muttayiduvu, Bhogabhagyalu, and Paga Battina Simham

Later Career and Legacy Continued working into the 1990s and 2000s; directed the biopic Jagannayakudu in 2014—a film based on Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, his final project, starring debut actor Raja and others; it failed to perform well

Though his pace slowed after the early 1990s, he remained respected and many of his former assistants (e.g., B. Gopal, Muthyala Subbayya, P. N. Ramachandra Rao, Sharath, V. Nageswara Rao) became successful directors themselves .

Personal Life & Death Known for his observant, detail‑oriented nature—skills attributed to his early habit of studying people and environments closely, a trait that influenced his filmmaking style .

Passed away at the age of 86, at his residence in Chennai on January 3, 2022 at around 8:30 AM due to age‑related ailments .

Filmography (selected highlights) Year Film Lead Actor(s) Notes 1971 Attalu‑Kodallu Krishna, Vanisri Directorial debut; one of two simultaneous releases 1971 Vichitra Dampathyam Sobhan Babu Dual‐release with debut film; immediate success 1971 Anuradha Krishna, Vijaya Nirmala Established his directorial standing 1972 Badipantulu NTR, Anjali Devi Social drama hit; NTR won Filmfare Best Actor 1972 Manavudu Danavudu Sobhan Babu Character‑dual role drama; remade in multiple languages 1982 Pagabattina Simham Krishna Triple‑role action drama film 1989 Rajakeeya Chadarangam ANR, Krishna Political‑thriller, remake of Malayalam hit 2014 Jagannayakudu Raja, Mamatha, et al. Biopic of Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy; his final release

Legacy and Significance P. C. Reddy is remembered for his strong command over family and social dramas combined with mainstream commercial appeal. His consistent collaboration with Krishna made them one of the most prolific director–actor teams in Telugu cinema history . He helped shape several popular narrative formulas of the 1970s–80s era and mentored future filmmakers.

References External links [1]

Official interviews or archive articles about his films