Superstar Krishna - A Star that remains glittering forever

HYDERABAD: In a 100 Year history of Indian Cinema, the people of Telugu States & Telugu audiences across the globe have witnessed many greatest actors across generations. Right from Chittor V. Nagaiah to Pawan Kalyan, there are many stars and political heroes who have not only made a name and market but also influenced and built the industry. Among those, there is one hero who has not only built the industry but also expanded the name and brought International glory to Telugu Cinema. He's the only Superstar of Telugu Cinema, Sri Ghattamaneni Krishna.

And with a heavy heart, we inform our scribes that he left us today. The actor suffered a mild cardiac arrest at midnight on Sunday, and he was immediately rushed to the hospital by family members. Later, he was kept on a ventilator for treatment. His body failed to respond to the treatment and resulting in multi-organ failure. On Monday morning, the doctors confirmed that the star had fallen into the abyss!

Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy is the original name of Superstar. Born into a farmer family of 5, Krishna is the elder son of Ghattamaneni Raghavayya Chowdary and Nagaratnamma. He has two younger brothers, Adi Sesha Giri Rao & Hanumantha Rao.

Being born with glamour & charm, he was always a kid of attention & attraction. Regardless of opposition from his family & friends, he just took a step to pursue his dream career of being an actor. This probably is his first daring step of many that followed.

Inspired by the Telugu Lengendary personality N.T. Rama Rao, Krishna was very much clear about him being a film hero rather than a stage play artist or any other actor. He started by doing very tiny roles in films such as Kula Gothralu (1961), Padandi Mundhuku (1962), and Paruvu Prathishta (1963), and after a lot of struggle, he got an opportunity to play the lead actor with Thene Manasulu (1965) which was directed by the most respected filmmaker Sri Adurti Subba Rao.

Krishna got his breakthrough with 'Gudachari 116', a native adaptation of James Bond, a first-of-a-kind Spy thriller for Telugu Cinema. Needless to say, the film went on to become a huge hit and became an instant classic.

Since then, he went on to make Saakshi, Marapurani Katha, Ave Kallu, Undamma Bottu Pedata, and many other blockbusters.

Krishna was also the first to make action films, as action was still a part of Telugu cinema but not as a genre. He also went on to maintain a healthy rivalry with his contemporaries NTR, ANR, Sobhan Babu and many such. His passion for acting & making films has kept surprising the whole industry. He also went on to start his own production house Padmalaya Arts and also built a studio, Padmalaya Studios, which is a major sector of the Telugu Industry.

As an actor, Krishna created & still holds the record for releasing 17 movies in 1972. Krishna is the care of address for many 'Firsts' in the film industry. He introduced the First Eastman color film, First Cinemascope Film, the First 70MM film, First DTS Film, the First Cowboy film, and the First Spy film to the Telugu film industry.

All the films ended up becoming big hits at the box office.

First Cow Boy – Mosagallaki Mosagadu (1971)

First Cinemascope Film – Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974)

First Eastman Color Film – Eenadu (1982)

First 70MM – Simhasanam (1986)

First DTS Film – Telugu Veera Levara (1995)

First Spy Film – Goodachari 116 (1966)

Krishna produced multiple sequels for his spy film series, 'Goodachari 116'. Even his last film as the lead, 'Sri Sri,' was the first Telugu film to release online simultaneously with theatres, which also marked the golden jubilee year of Krishna as he completed 50 years as an actor that year (2016).

Krishna also holds the record of collaborating with the same actress in the highest number of films. He paired up with his second wife, a filmmaker and actress Vijayanirmala, in 48 films and 47 films with Jayaprada.

Even in the age of late 70s, he was so active he expressed his wish to remake the classic 'Pathala Bharavi' with Hrithik Roshan. He stated the same in an interview given in August 2021.

His magnanimity of work & contribution to Cinema was acknowledged by the Government of India for a very long time. To name a few, he was awarded Doctorate from Andhra University, Nandi Award for Best Actor - Alluri Sita Rama Raju - 1974, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South in 1997, NTR National Award for the year 2003, and Padma Bhushan in 2009.

Even the mightiest of stars shall set down, and so did our own superstar. We express our deep condolences to every fan of Krishna & audience of Telugu Cinema.

Rest in Peace, Superstar!