Kadaru Nagabhushanam

Kadaru Nagabhushanam or K. B. Nagabhushanam (1902 – 18 October 1976) was a South Indian film producer and director of around 34 movies from the 1940s to 1960s, working in Telugu and Tamil cinema. He was the husband of the famous actress P. Kannamba, renowned for her roles in Telugu films Harischandra, Draupadi Vastrapaharanam (1936) and Tamil film Kannagi (1942). They established Sri Rajarajeshwari Film Co. & Varalakshmi Pictures and produced many Social and mythological films. In 1949 Kadaru Nagabhushanam was honored with an Award by the Govt. of Madras for his social awakening film Navajeevanam on untouchability, which got the recognition of Madras State and was chosen as the best feature film.

Film career Kadaru Nagabhushanam entered the south Indian film industry as producer in 1939 with telugu film Chandika under Bhavani Pictures banner with P. Kannamba and Late Bellary Raghavachary and followed by another telugu film Thalli Prema in 1941. Along with Kannamba , he also partnered with H. M. Reddy, B.N. Reddi and Moola Narayanaswami and produced Grihalakshmi under Rohini Pictures banner. His directorial debut film was Sumati, which greatly attracted women. His magnum opus film Paduka Pattabhishekam (1945) starred C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, Addanki and Kannamba. He took special care of the clothing, ornaments and make-up, which is noticeable in every scene. Later, he produced Harischandra and Tulasi Jalandhara in Tamil language which were successful. He came back to Telugu with Saudamini (1951). His movie Peda Rytu (Poor farmer), a social message based film on Agricultural laborers became a landmark film in Telugu film industry. It was also remade as a Tamil film Ezhai Uzhavan. His movie Sati Sakkubai (1954) ran for 100 days in Andhra Pradesh theaters. His subsequent production was the popular Naga Panchami (1956) starring Anjali Devi and V. Nagayya. Also in 1956 He directed Sati Savitri in which S. V. Ranga Rao acted as Yamadharmaraja and shot into fame for his effective portrayal of the character. Kadaru Nagabhushanam was previlaged to receive the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai to his Sati Savitri film set at Gemini Studios Chennai, India. Subsequently, he produced Sri Krishna Maya directed by C. S. Rao. His movie Dakshayagnam (1962) remembered as the film wherein N. T. Rama Rao portrayed as Lord Shiva for the first and last time. Kadaru Nagabhushanam Produced & Directed many films at Gemini Studios with renowned actors N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, M. G. Ramachandran and was one of the stalwarts of the south Indian film industry along with S. S. Vasan, B.N. Reddi and B. Nagi Reddi. In 1966 he produced his last telugu film Chaduvukunna Bharya and faced many problems in the production of a Tamil film Thalibhagyam starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi. He incurred heavy losses due to the failure of both the films at the box-office, which aggravated his financial conditions. After the death of his wife Kannamba in 1968, he declined mentally, physically and financially. He sold his properties, film rights and lived a sedate and quiet life, in contemplation, until his death in 1976 in Chennai, India. He was survived by his son, Kadaru Venkateswara Rao, two daughters and grand children.

Filmography Year Film Language Credits 1939 Chandika Telugu Producer 1940 Grihalakshmi Telugu Producer - Partner 1941 Talliprema Telugu Producer 1942 Sumati Telugu Producer and director 1944 Harishchandra Tamil Producer and Director 1945 Paduka Pattabhishekam Telugu Producer and director 1946 Bhakta Tulasidas Telugu Producer 1947 Thulasi Jalandar Tamil Producer and director 1949 Navajeevanam Tamil Producer and director 1949 Navajeevanam Telugu Producer and director 1951 Saudamini Tamil Producer and director 1951 Soudamini Telugu Producer and director 1952 Ezhai Uzhavan Tamil Producer and director 1952 Peda Rytu Telugu Producer and director 1953 Lakshmi Tamil Producer and director 1953 Lakshmi Telugu Producer and director 1954 Sati Sakkubai Telugu Producer and director 1955 Shri Krishna Thulabaram Telugu Producer and director 1956 Naga Panjami Tamil Producer and director 1956 Naga Panchami Telugu Producer and director 1957 Sati Anasuya Telugu Director 1957 Sati Savitri Tamil Director 1957 Sati Savitri Telugu Director 1958 Anna Thammudu Telugu Producer 1958 Sri Krishna Maya Telugu Producer 1959 Veera Bhaskarudu Telugu Producer and director 1960 Dharmame Jayam Telugu Producer and director 1961 Usha Parinayam (1961 film) Telugu Producer and director 1962 Dakshayagnam Tamil Producer and director 1962 Dakshayagnam Telugu Producer and director 1963 Apta Mithrulu Telugu Producer and director 1965 Chaduvukunna Bharya Telugu Producer and director 1966 Thaali Bhagyam Tamil Director 1966 Usha Kalyanam Telugu Director