Brahmanandam
Brahmanandam at the World Telugu Conference, 2017
Born
Kanneganti Brahmanandam

(1956-02-01) 1 February 1956
Sattenapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • director
Years active1976–present
SpouseLakshmi
Children2
HonoursPadma Shri (2009)

Kanneganti Brahmanandam (born 1 February 1956), known mononymously as Brahmanandam, is an Indian actor, comedian, impersonator, and voice actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema.[1] He is particularly known for his comic performances.[2][3] He holds the Guinness World Record for the most screen credits for a living actor, appearing in over 1000 films to date.[4][5][6] He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Acharya Nagarjuna University.[7] Regarded as one of the finest and highest-paid comic actors of India,[8][9] he was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, for his contribution to Film Art.[10]

After completing his Master of Arts degree, Brahmanandam worked as a Telugu lecturer in Attili of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Simultaneously, he also worked in theatre and as a mimicry artist. He made his television debut in 1985 with DD Telugu's Pakapakalu which received appreciation from the audience.[11][12][13] After watching his performance in the show, director Jandhyala cast him in the film Aha Naa Pellanta! (1987), which became his breakthrough role.[14][15] In a career spanning over 35 years, he has received six state Nandi Awards, one Filmfare Award South, and six CineMAA Awards.[16][17]

Early life

Brahmanandam was born on 1 February 1956 in Chaganti Vari Palem village, Sattenapalli, Andhra Pradesh.[18][19] His parents are Nagalingachari and Lakshmi Narsamma.[15] His father was a carpenter and Brahmanandam was one of eight children. He completed his Master of Arts degree and joined as a Telugu lecturer in Attili of West Godavari district.[12]

Career

While working as a lecturer, Brahmanandam also worked in theatre and as a mimicry artist. Novelist and playwright Adi Vishnu introduced him to NCV Sashidhar of Doordarshan (DD). Soon after, he made his television debut in 1985 with DD Telugu's Pakapakalu.[11][12] His performance in the show received good response from the audience.[13] After watching his performance in the show, director Jandhyala cast him in the film Aha Naa-Pellanta! (1987), which became a breakthrough role for him.[20] The same year he appeared in the successful films Pasivadi Pranam and Swayam Krushi. The first film he acted in was Sri Tatavataram, second film was Satyagraham, and the third film was Aha Naa Pellanta!.[12] Sri Tatavataram released later in 1988.

The following years he appeared in several Telugu films, of which, his performance in the films Vivaha Bhojanambu (1988), Choopulu Kalisina Shubhavela (1988), Bandhuvulostunnaru Jagratha (1989), Muddula Mavayya (1989), Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari (1990), Bobbili Raja (1990) and Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata (1990) was well praised.[21]

Beginning from 1991, Brahmanandam has appeared in variety of comedic roles and a few intense roles. In 1991, he starred in major films such as Kshana Kshanam (1991) and Rowdy Alludu (1991).[22] The Times of India considered the films Chitram Bhalare Vichitram (1991), Jamba Lakidi Pamba (1992), and Yamaleela (1994) as the films that one can never get bored of. Brahmanandam has appeared in each of these, with him being considered as one of the main reasons for these films to be successful.[23] In 1992, he has played the lead role in Babai Hotel for the first time.[24]

He won his first major award—Nandi Award for Best Male Comedian for his performance as Khan Dada in the film Money (1993).[25] Following the success of the film, a sequel to it, Money Money (1994) was also produced, in which Brahmanandam reprised his role. Griddaluru Gopalrao of Zamin Ryot in his review of the film Hello Brother (1994) praised Brahmanandam's role and his performance.[26] His further successful films of the following years include Alluda Majaka (1995), Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu (1996), Bombay Priyudu (1996), Anaganaga Oka Roju (1997), Muddula Mogudu (1997), Bavagaru Bagunnara? (1998), Aavida Maa Aavide (1998), Thammudu (1999), Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi (2000), Jayam Manade Raa (2000), Kalisundam Raa (2000), and Ammo! Okato Tareekhu (2000).

At a felicitation ceremony in January 2008, he listed the following films as his top 11 films — Aha Naa Pellanta! (1987), Vivaha Bhojanambu (1988), Chitram Bhalare Vichitram (1991), Pattukondi Chuddam (1997), Money (1993), Anaganaga Oka Roju (1997), Anna (1994), Amma (1991), Bavagaru Bagunnara? (1998), Manmadhudu (2002), Dhee (2007).[12]

Personal life

Brahmanandam married Lakshmi and has two sons, Raja Gautham and Siddharth. Gautham is also an actor who starred in films such as Pallakilo Pellikoothuru (2004), and Manu (2018).[27] Gautham is married and has a son born in 2017.[28] In January 2019, Brahmanandam underwent a successful heart bypass surgery at Asian Heart Institute (AHI) in Mumbai.[29]

Apart from acting, Brahmanandam is also an amateur sculptor and a sketch artist.[30] He also reads the philosophical writings of Swami Vivekananda and Jiddu Krishnamurthi in his free time.[14]

Awards and honours

Civilian honors
  • In January 2009, the government of India bestowed the title of Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, on Brahmanandam for his contributions to art.[31]

Guinness Book

Filmfare Awards
Nandi Awards
CineMAA Awards
South Indian International Movie Awards
Other

Filmography

Brahmanandam acted in more than 1,000 films.[5]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ↑ Rajpal, Roktim (1 February 2022). "Birthday Special: 4 Reasons Why Brahmanandam is Telugu Cinema's Undisputed 'Comedy King'". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ↑ Narasimham, M.L. (22 August 2011). "It's a mad mad comedy". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  3. ↑ "Brahmanandam felicitated". The Times of India. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Most screen credits for a living actor more than 950". Guinness World Records. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  5. 1 2 Brahmanandam breaks 1000 film record Archived 2 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine - The Times of India Dated 29 January 2015 Retrieved 10 February 2015
  6. ↑ Anjali Muthanna (5 December 2013). "Guinness World Record holder Brahmanandam in Ninnindale". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  7. ↑ "Smile, here's Brahmanandam". The New Indian Express. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "This Telugu comedian has assets over Rs 320 crore: reports". The Indian Express. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Check Out: Brahmi's Remuneration Per Movie". Sakshi. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Front Page : List of Padma awardees 2009". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 26 January 2009. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  11. 1 2 "A funny bone of contention". Deccan Herald. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "AP Film critics association felicitates Brahmanandam - Telugu cinema function". Idlebrain.com. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  13. 1 2 P, Sekhar Reddy (13 November 2021). "బ్రహ్మానందంకు సినిమాల్లో ఆఫర్లు రావడానికి కారణమైన షో ఏంటో తెలుసా?". TeluguStop.com (in Telugu). Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Rediff On The NeT: An interview with Telugu comedian Brahmanandam". Rediff. 6 August 1999. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Birthday Special! Brahmanandam: Tracing the journey of the popular comedian in Tollywood so far". The Times of India. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Brain teasers with Brahmanandam". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 14 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  17. ↑ "Actor Brahmanandam gets paid Rs.3Lakhs as his daily payment..." www.jointscene.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  18. ↑ "Birth village explained by Brahmandam garu". Youtube (in Telugu). 1 February 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  19. ↑ "Birthday Special: Unknown Facts about 'Brahmanandam'". Sakshi Post. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  20. ↑ "Telugu lecturer to Guinness World Record holder". The Times of India. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  21. ↑ Gopalrao, Griddaluru (13 May 1988). "వివాహ భోజనం కాదు చౌకబారు ప్లేటు భోజనం" [Not a wedding feast but a budget plate meal] (PDF). Zamin Ryot (in Telugu). p. 9.
  22. ↑ Mannath, Malini (16 October 1992). "Sridevi sizzles". The Indian Express. p. 7. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  23. ↑ "5 Telugu movies that you can never get bored, no matter how many times you watch them". The Times of India. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  24. ↑ Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (4 January 2017). "Should they or shouldn't they?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 13 September 2020.(in Telugu)
  26. ↑ Gopalrao, Griddaluru (6 May 1994). "సరదా సరదా హాస్యం నరాలు మెలిపెట్టె శృంగారం: హలో బ్రదర్" (PDF). Zamin Ryot (in Telugu). p. 9.
  27. ↑ "Brahmanandam's son Raja Goutham opts for a family entertainer with yet another short filmmaker". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  28. ↑ "Brahmanandam is now a grandfather". Deccan Chronicle. 15 April 2017. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  29. ↑ "Iconic Telugu comedian Brahmanandam undergoes bypass surgery in Mumbai; stable now". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  30. ↑ "Happy Birthday Brahmanandam: Not just an ace comedian, he is also a fantastic portrait artist". The Times of India. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  31. ↑ "Padmasri for Brahmanandam". IndiaGlitz.
  32. ↑ "Manikchand Filmfare Awards: Sizzling at 50". BSNL. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  33. ↑ "Nandi Film Awards G.O and Results 2014". APSFTVTDC.
  34. ↑ "The Hyderabad Times Film Awards 2011". The Times of India. 24 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
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