Gangaraju Gunnam

Gunnam Gangaraju is an Indian producer, screenwriter, and director known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu television. He is best known as the creator and co-producer of the TV sitcom Amrutham (2001–2007), widely considered to be the greatest Telugu comedy TV series of all time.

He received a National Film Award for the film Aithe (2003) he produced. He also won five state Nandi Awards. His other notable works include Little Soldiers (1996), Anukokunda Oka Roju (2005), and Amma Cheppindi (2006). Along with his friend Venkat Dega, he founded the company Just Yellow, which started off as an IT services firm and later ventured into TV and film production.

Early life Gunnam Gangaraju is born and brought up in Kakinada. He was put up in a boarding school at the age of five. He studied up to sixth standard in St. Josephs Convent in Kakinada. He moved to Hyderabad along with his family at the age of ten. It is widely considered to be the greatest Telugu comedy TV series of all time.

Other work Along with his friend Venkat Dega, a doctor in Canterbury, UK, he founded the company 'Just Yellow' which started off as an IT services firm and later ventured into TV and film production.

Reed launched the Telugu translation of Leonard E. Read's 1958 essay I, Pencil, the first translation of Leonard's work in the Asian subcontinent. I, Pencil was translated by Raghavendar Askani of the Swatantrata Center, Youth Parliament Program, for the promotion of liberal thought in India. Lawrence Reed praised the Vihangam Book by Gangaraju Gunnam, a noted Indian film producer and screenwriter. calling it like an Indian Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, Reed has commented on the advancement of liberal thought in India, highlighting the novel Reed described Vihangam as akin to an Indian version of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, emphasizing its alignment with free-market and individualist principles.

Personal life Chandra Sekhar Yeleti who directed Aithe and Anukokunda Oka Roju in his production house is his maternal cousin. Rama did various small roles in Amrutham sitcom in its initial episodes. Gangaraju is also a relative of director S. S. Rajamouli. Rajamouli mentioned that he learnt about the practical aspect of filmmaking from Gangaraju.

Gangaraju is an atheist. The Fountainhead (1943) is his favourite book.

Nandi Awards Second Best Feature Film - Silver - Little Soldiers (1996) Best Screenplay Writer - Little Soldiers (1996) Best Director - Little Soldiers (1996) Second Best Feature Film - Silver - Anukokunda Oka Roju (2005) Special Jury Award - Amma Cheppindi (2006) Nandi TV Award for Second Best Mega Serial - Amrutham (2007)

Filmography

As writer Aithe - Dialogues (2003) Anukokunda Oka Roju - Dialogues (2005) Amrutham - Story & Dialogues (2007) Katha - Dialogues (2009) Laya TV Serial - Story (2008–2010) Edureetha TV Serial - Story (2011) Ghazi - Screenplay, Dialogues (2017) Amrutham Dhvitheeyam (2020)

As director Little Soldiers (1996) Amma Cheppindi (2006) Amrutham Chandamamalo (2014)

As producer Little Soldiers (1996) Aithe (2003) Anukokunda Oka Roju (2005) Amma Cheppindi (2006) In a Day (2006) Katha (2009)

As art director Little Soldiers (1996)

Television Amrutham (2001–2007; 313 episodes) Nanna (2003–2004; 89 episodes) Radha Madhu (2006–2008; 450 episodes) Ammamma.com (2007–2008; 200 episodes) Laya (2008–2010; 321 episodes) Adagaka Ichina Manasu (2011; Stopped after 60 episodes) Edureetha (2011) Prathibinbam (2014–2015)