Mallemala Sundara Rami Reddy

Mallemala Sundara Rami Reddy was an Indian film producer, director, screen writer, lyricist, poet, artist and author who worked in the Telugu film industry and wrote Telugu books. He was born on 15th August 1924 in the Allimili village near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and died on 11th December 2011 in Film Nagar in Hyderabad. He was known as Sahaja Kavi for the simplicity of his lyrics, having written about a few thousand songs like Haayi Haayi, Vennello Vinnanu and others. He held Gandhian views and campaigned for various social causes.

Mallemala was the husband of Sowbhagyamma and the father of the filmmaker Shyam Prasad Reddy Shyam Prasad Reddy is an Indian film producer. He >> Read More... , Bhatgavi and Sharada. Mallemala started his career as a photographer in Chennai but moved to Hyderbad to pursue a career in Telugu cinema by establishing the Shandalaya Recording Studio, MS Arts Production and MS Entertainments.

Mallemala made his debut with the dubbing of Kanne Pilla in 1966. He produced about twenty five films including Konte Pilla in 1967, Hantakuni Hatya in 1967, Bharya in 1968, Kabrasila Manasulu in 1968, Sri Krishna Vijayam in 1971, Kode Naagu in 1974, Mutyala Padaki in 1976, Rama Banam in 1979 Tattaya Prema Leelalu in 1980, Eklavya in 1982, Palnati Simham in 1985 and many others. Mallemala produced the mythological Telugu film Ramayanam directed by Gunasekhar. All the characters in the historic flick were portrayed by about three thousand child artists.For this reason, the film is also known as Bala Ramayanam. The Telugu feature film hit the silver screens on 14th April 1996. Mallemala won the National Film Award under the Best Children’s Film category. The children’s movie received critical acclaim and commercial success. It also introduced N. T. Rama Rao to the audiences.

Mallemala made a cameo appearance in the Telugu movie Ankusham directed by Kodi Ramakrishna Rama Krishna more familiarly known as Kode Rama Kr >> Read More... in 1990. The crime drama flick is also known as Iduthanda Police. Mallemala played the role of Chief Minister in the movie. Mallemala wrote a book called Idee Naa Katha, which was an exposé on the dark side of the Tollywood cinema personalities based on fifty years of his personal experience. The book drew media controversy and criticism for taking pot shots at various film industry personalities both new and old. He was forced to withdraw the book. Mallemala won the Raghupati Venkaiah Award in 2005 for his contribution towards the growth of the Telugu cinema franchise.