Dasari Kotiratnam

Dasari Kotiratnam was an Indian actress, singer, and film producer. She was the first female producer of Telugu cinema. She was also the first actress to set up a theatre group in Andhra.

She produced her first film, Sati Anasuya (1935) in collaboration with Aurora Film Corporation. in Prathipadu, Guntur district of present-day Andhra Pradesh. She was born in 1898 or 1910. After her mother died, she left Prathipadu and settled in Nakkabokkalapadu, her grandfather's village. There she founded a drama company. Thus she became the first female producer of Telugu film industry. She later acted in films like Lanka Dahanam (1936), Mohini Bhasmasura (1938), Vara Vikrayam (1939), Panduranga Vitala (1939), Paduka Pattabhishekam (1945), Varudhini (1946), Gollabhama (1947).

Filmography

Sathi Sakkubai (1935) Sati Anasuya (1935) Lanka Dahanam (1936) Mohini Bhasmasura (1938) Vara Vikrayam (1939) Panduranga Vitala (1939) Paduka Pattabhishekam (1945) Varudhini (1946) Gollabhama (1947) Radhika (1947) Chandravanka (1951) Agni Pariksha (1951) Bangaru Bhoomi (1954)