Krishna Vamsi

Pasupuleti Venkata Bangarraju (born 28 July 1962), known professionally as Krishna Vamsi, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his work in Telugu cinema. In a career spanning three decades, he has received three National Film Awards, nine Nandi Awards, and three Filmfare Awards South.

Krishna Vamsi began his career as an assistant director to Ram Gopal Varma and made his directorial debut with the 1995 romantic crime film Gulabi. In 1996, he directed Ninne Pelladata, which became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films at the time. He later directed the critically acclaimed Sindhooram (1997), under his production house Andhra Talkies. Both films won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. Other notable films directed by Krishna Vamsi include Anthahpuram (1998), Murari (2001), Khadgam (2002), Danger (2005), Chandamama (2007), Mahatma (2009), Govindudu Andarivadele (2014), and Rangamarthanda (2023).

Early life Krishna Vamsi was born as Pasupuleti Venkata Bangarraju into a family that frequently relocated due to his father’s job in the Public Works Department, spending his childhood in various towns including Rayalaseema, Godavari, Vizag, and Ongole. He developed a passion for films early on, often watching multiple films a day during his school years. He completed a B.Sc. degree from Tadepalligudem and an M.A. in Agricultural Economics from Agra University.

Career

Distribution business After returning from Agra, Krishna Vamsi and his friends ventured into film distribution, leasing theaters and distributing films like Khaidi (1983), starring Chiranjeevi, which proved highly profitable. However, subsequent ventures resulted in significant financial losses. Although the film received critical acclaim for its portrayal of a sensitive subject, it was a commercial failure. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

Krishna Vamsi later directed notable films like Anthahpuram (1998), Murari (2001), Khadgam (2002), Danger (2005), Chandamama (2007), Mahatma (2009), Govindudu Andarivadele (2014), and Rangamarthanda (2023).

Krishna Vamsi also directed some songs for Okkadunnadu (2007) when director Chandra Sekhar Yeleti was unavailable.

Personal life Krishna Vamsi is married to South Indian actress Ramya Krishna. Before their marriage in 2003, Ramya Krishna had appeared in his film Chandralekha (1998).

Krishna Vamsi is an admirer of lyricist Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry, who wrote lyrics for several of Vamsi's films. Sitarama Sastry also adopted Krishna Vamsi in the traditional Hindu manner, though not legally.

Filmography