B. R. Panthulu

Budaguru Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu (26 July 1910 – 8 October 1974) was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is best known for directing films in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi. His most popular films are Karnan, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Sri Krishnadevaraya, School Master and Kittur Channamma, B. R. Panthulu, is a successful actor and converted Ma. Po. Si.'s biographic works Veerapandiya Kattabomman (a movie about a local chieftain who fought with the British in the 18th century in Tamil Nadu) and Kappalottiya Thamizhan (a movie about a lawyer who rebelled against the British rule that forbade Tamils operating shipping companies) to celluloid.

Early life Panthulu was born on 26 July 1910 in the village of Rallabudaguru of North Arcot in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of British India (in present-day Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India). He began his career as a teacher. Influenced by professional theatre during the time, he joined the troupe Chandrakala Nataka Mandali. He acted in plays Samsara Nouka, Sadarame and Guleba Kavali. He also worked for some time with Gubbi Veeranna's troupe and acted in Sri Krishna Garudi among others. Panthulu then formed his own Kannada professional theatre troupe, the Kalaseva Nataka Mandali, staging plays of his own choice.

Filmography

Awards

International Film Awards for his film "Veerapandia Kattapomman" AwardCeremonyCategoryNominee(s)OutcomeRef.Afro-Asian Film FestivalAfro-Asian Film Festival - 1960Best FilmB. R. PanthuluBest ActorSivaji GanesanBest Music DirectorG. Ramanathan

National Film Awards 1958: All India Certificate of Merit for Third Best Feature film – School Master 1959: Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Tamil – Veerapandiya Kattabomman 1961: Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Kannada – Kittur Chennamma 1961: President's silver medal for Best Feature Film in Tamil – Kappalottiya Thamizhan