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Actor
Tanikella Bharani
Active Telugu cinema
- FromJagannathapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Based inYousufguda, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Ageover–65
- Active1984 – present
- Updated
Tanikella Bharani Biography
Tanikella Bharani – Full Information
- Full Name: Tanikella Bharani
- Date of Birth: 14 July — English Wikipedia gives 1954, while Wikidata records 1956; the year is not settled
- Birthplace: Jagannathapuram, Andhra State (present-day Andhra Pradesh), India
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: Actor, screenwriter, dialogue writer, poet, playwright and director
- Years Active: 1984 – present (stage work from the mid-1970s)
- Industry: Telugu cinema, with credits in Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films
- Education: Andhra University; diploma in theatre arts
- Body of Work: More than 750 films as an actor and 52 films as a screenwriter
Family Background
- Literary Lineage: Telugu poets Diwakarla Venkatavadhani and Viswanatha Satyanarayana were his grand-uncles; Divakarla Tirupati Sastry of the Tirupati Venkata Kavulu duo was his great-granduncle
- Wife: Durga Bhavani, married in 1988
- Children: Two — son Teja, who made his acting debut in Mr Lavangam (2012), and daughter Soundarya Lahari
- Residence: Yousufguda, Hyderabad
Career Highlight
| Year | Career Highlight |
|---|---|
| Mid-1970s | Began performing in Telugu stage plays; later took a diploma in theatre arts |
| 1984 | Entered films as a dialogue writer with Kanchu Kavacham |
| 1986 | Acting breakthrough with Ladies Tailor |
| 1987 | Played Dora Babu in Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe |
| 1989 | Wrote dialogues for and appeared in Ram Gopal Varma’s Siva as Nanaji, the role that brought him wide recognition |
| 1993 | Appeared in the comedy Money |
| 1999 | Won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for Samudram |
| 2005 | Played a key role in the blockbuster Athadu |
| 2010 | Acted in the political drama Leader |
| 2012 | Directed the critically acclaimed film Mithunam, starring S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi |
| 2012 | Appeared in the blockbuster Gabbar Singh |
| 2020 | Appeared in the Telugu hit Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo |
| 2025 | Appeared in the Tamil gangster drama Thug Life, directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan |
Writing and Other Work
- Wrote dialogues for films including Ladies Tailor (1986), Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe (1987), Varasudochhadu (1988), Chettu Kinda Pleader (1989), Swara Kalpana (1989), Siva (1989) and Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi (2004).
- Published books include Parikini, Nakshatra Darsanam, Maathralu and Endaro Mahanubavulu, along with the spiritual works Aata Gadaraa Siva and Sabhashuraa Sankara.
- Wrote plays such as Jambu Dweepam, Kokkorokko, Chal Chal Gurram, Gaardhabhaandam, Gograhanam and Naalugo Kothi.
- Wrote and sang devotional compositions in praise of Shiva, including the seven-song album “Naalona Shivudu Galadu” and “Sabhash Raa Sankara”.
Awards List
| Year | Award Category | Award Name | Film / Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Best Villain | Nandi Awards | Samudram | Won |
| 2001 | Best Character Actor | Nandi Awards | Nuvvu Nenu | Won |
| 2012 | Best Dialogue Writer | Nandi Awards | Mithunam | Won |
| 2013 | Special Jury Award for Best Director | CineMAA Awards | Mithunam | Won |
| — | Best Antiterrorist Message Award | Idaho Panhandle International Film Festival | Sira – The Ink (short film) | Won |
| — | Festival Award | Hyderabad International Film Festival | Sira – The Ink (short film) | Won |
| — | Festival Award | Mumbai International Film Festival (10th) | Short film direction | Won |
| — | Achievement in Telugu Cinema (25 years) | Sangam Academy Awards | Contribution to Telugu cinema | Won |
| — | Literary Award | Sri Pada Subhramanya Sastry Literary Award | Literary contribution | Won |
| — | Literary Award | Bhanumathi Award | Literary contribution | Won |
| — | Literary Award | Sri Vanamamalai Varadacharyulu Literary Award | Literary contribution | Won |
| — | Fellowship | Fellowship Jawahar Bharathi | Literary contribution | Won |
| — | National Honour | Allu Ramalingayyiah National Award | Contribution to cinema | Won |
| — | Cultural Honour | Akkineni Swarna Kankanam | Contribution to the arts | Won |
| — | Literary Award | Nagabhairava Koteswara Rao Literary Award | Literary contribution | Won |
| — | Sahitya Puraskar | Lok Nayak Foundation Sahitya Puraskar | Literary contribution | Won |
Years are shown only where the awarding year is documented; the literary and cultural honours above are recorded without dates.
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About Tanikella Bharani
Who is Tanikella Bharani?
He is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and poet mainly known for his work in Telugu cinema.
When was Tanikella Bharani born?
Sources differ on his birth year. English Wikipedia gives 14 July 1954, while Wikidata records 14 July 1956.
How many movies has Tanikella Bharani acted in?
He has acted in more than 750 films, mainly in Telugu, with some Tamil, Kannada and Hindi credits, and has written screenplays or dialogue for 52 films.
Which film did Tanikella Bharani direct?
He directed the critically acclaimed film Mithunam in 2012.
What awards has Tanikella Bharani won?
He has won multiple Nandi Awards along with several literary and cultural honors.
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