Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao(Padmanabham) was born on 20th of August 1931 at Simhadripuram Village of Kadapa District in Andhra Pradesh. Basically a theater artist with more interest in action entered the celluloid world as a child artist in the year 1945 with the film Mayalokam, directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam.. He is one of the founders of Rekha&Murali arts for stage performances with S P Kodanda Pani as music director. Padmanabham has settled in Telugu cinema as a comedian. He played a villain role in ANR’s hit movie Bharya Bhathalu. He acted as a innocent guy in the film Poola Rangadu. He has produced and acted as hero in the films Potti Pleader,Jathakaratna Midathambotlu,Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna . In the films Aajanma Brahmachari and Pellikani Thandri in tittle roles. His first film as producer on the banner Rekha&murali Arts was Devatha released in the year 1964. It was a box office hit. It was also a musical hit. Music Director S P Kodandapani provided melodious music for the film. “Allayana velasina aa devuni reethee illale ee jagathiki jeevana jyothi” is still remembered by music lovers.(film- DEVATHA) “Maa vooru madarasu naa peru ramdas ” is the song for which playback voice provided by Padmanabham for the first time(film-DEVATHA) “Harihara narayano aadinarayana Karuninchi mammelu kamalalochanuda Chebithe saana vundi inte entho vundi chebutha innukora yenkatasamy ” is the song by Singer T M Soudararajan introducing Padmanabham’s character in the film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. Padmanabham has introduced the popular playback singer S P Balasubramanyam through his film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna through music director S P Kodandapani. S P B has lent his voice for the first time for a poem and another song Yemi Eevintha Moham along with P B Srinivas,Rghurammaiah in this film.
List of Padmanabham acted popular films:-
1. Thyagayya(1946)
2. Yogi Vemana(1947)
3. Shavukaru(1950)
4. Pathala Bhairavi(1951)
5. Santhanam(1955)
6. Jayasimha(1955)
7. Panduranga Mahathyam(1957)
8. Kutumba Gauravam(1957)
9. Bhagyarekha(1957)
10. Appu chesi pappu koodu(1958)
11. Rajamakutam(1959)
12. Vaghdanam(1961)
13. Iddaru Mithrulu(1961)
14. Bharya Bharthalu(1961)
15. Kulagothralu(1962)
16. Dakshayagyam(1962)
17. Gulebakavali Katha(1962)
18. Chaduvukunna Ammayilu(1963)
19. Velugu Needalu(1963)
20. Moogamanasulu(1964)
21. Bobbili Yuddham(1964)
22. Devatha(1964)
23. Dr.Chakravarthi(1964)
24. Pandavavanavasam(1965)
25. Potti Pleader(1966)
26. Chilaka Gorinka(1966)
27. Letha Manasulu(1966)
28. SRI SRI SRI Maryada Ramanna(1967)
29. Poola Rangadu(1967)
30. Gruhalakshmi(1967)
31. Bhaktha Prahlada(1967)
32. Avve Kallu(1967-song “Maa voollo oka paduchundi-playback-Pithapuram Is still remembered by cine goers.
33. Aadapaduchu(1967)
34. Brahmachari(1968)
35. Potti Pleader(1966)
36. Buddhimanthudu(1969)
37. Jathakaratna Midathambotlu(1969)
38. Adrushtavanthulu(1969)
39. Kathanayika Molla(1970)
40. Dharmadatha(1970)
41. Dasarabullodu(1971)
42. Vichitrabandham(1972)
43. Aajanma Brahmachari(1973)
44. Pellikani Thandri(1976-In Hindi..Mehmoods”Kuwara Baap)
45. Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club(1976)
46. Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam(1976)
47. Indra Dhnnussu(1977)
48. Mayalodu(1993)
49. Subhamasthu(1995)
50. Bhadra(2005)
Padmanabham as Producer:-
1. Devatha(1964)
2. Potti Pleader(1966)
3. Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna(1967)
4. Sri Ramakatha(1969)
5. Kathanayaki Molla(1970)
6. Jathaka Ratna Midathambotlu(1971)
Padmanabham as Director:-
1. Srirama Katha
2. Kathanayaki Molla
3. Jathakaratna Midathambotlu
4. Pellikani Thandri
5. Aajanma Brahmachari.
S P Kodandapani was music director for all the films produced and directed by padmanabham K Hemambharadara Rao was director for padmanabham produced films Devatha, Potti Pleader and Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna. This multi talented actor died of cardiac arrest on 20th February 2010 at his residence in Chennai. Businessoftollywood.com salutes this comedian actor on his 80th birth anniversary.
