Aswani Dutt

Chalasani Aswini Dutt (also spelled Aswani Dutt; born 15 September 1950) is an Indian film producer primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema. He is the founder of Vyjayanthi Movies, a major film production company established in 1974. Over a career spanning five decades, Aswini Dutt has produced over 40 films, predominantly in Telugu, along with a few in other languages. He is especially known for producing high-budget films featuring major stars.

He also contested for the Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency in the 2004 General Elections as a Telugu Desam Party candidate.

Early and personal life Aswini Dutt was born into a well-to-do family in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. His father was a contractor and the sole distributor for Kalinga Pipes in the state for many years. He completed his graduation. Jandhyala, who would later go on to become a noted film director and screenwriter, was Aswini Dutt's childhood friend. They were classmates from fourth standard till their graduation and lived in neighbouring houses.

He has three daughters Priyanka Dutt, Swapna Dutt and Sravanthi Dutt.

Film career

Dutt started his film career as an executive producer for the black-and-white film O Seetha Katha (1974) directed by K. Viswanath. He wanted to produce a film with his favourite actor N. T. Rama Rao and approached him. Named by Rama Rao after the garland which is in Lord Krishna’s neck, Vyjayanthi Movies commenced production, under the proprietorship of Aswini Dutt. The first film produced under Vyjayanthi Movies banner was Eduruleni Manishi (1975) starring Rama Rao and Vanisri. Many of the films produced by Vyjayanthi Movies were directed by K. Bapayya and K. Raghavendra Rao.

Vyjayanthi Movies also has subsidiary banners Three Angels Studio, Swapna Cinema run by Aswini Dutt's daughters Swapna Dutt and Priyanka Dutt. Of late, his daughters take care of the production part of the films produced by their production house, while the music is handled Aswini Dutt.

Vyjayanthi Movies had a successful run until it hit a rough patch with Sakthi in 2011. After this, Aswini Dutt took a seven-year hiatus. He produced Mahanati in 2018 which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year. However, after Sanjay Dutt was released, the production of Daud resumed, and Dutt realized that the storylines of both films were similar. Uncomfortable with the overlap, he chose to stall the project.

Filmography Films produced under Vyjayanti Movies banner.

Swapna Cinema

Raghavendra Movie Corporation and United Producers (Aswani Dutt, Allu Aravind, and K. Raghavendra Rao)

Siri Media Arts (Aswani Dutt and Allu Aravind)

Sri Priyanka Pictures

Roja Art Productions