Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy

Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy (16 November 1908 – 8 November 1977) was an Indian film director and an early figure in the Telugu cinema.

He was eldest of the three brothers; others are B. Nagi Reddy and B. N. Konda Reddy. He was popularly known as B. N. Reddy. He is the director who balances artistic values and business needs in the right proportion. Many of his earlier films like Vande Mataram, Devatha had Chittor V. Nagaiah as lead.

His Malliswari (1951 film) starring N T Rama Rao and Bhanumathi is considered a timeless Indian film classic. He was the first person to receive the prestigious ‘Dada Saheb Phalke Award’ from South India. He was the first Indian film personality to receive the Doctor of Letters honor.

He was born on 16 November 1908 in a farmer family at Kothapalli village, Pulivendula, Kadapa district. His father Narasimha Reddy Rangoon(Yangoon)used to export onions from Chennai for a living.

Awards

National Film Awards

• 1955 – President’s Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Bangaru Papa
• 1957 – Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Bhagya Rekha
• 1966 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Rangula Ratnam
• 1974 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Filmfare Awards

• Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Bangaru Panjaram (1969)

Civilian Honours

Padmabhushan

Other Honours

Doctor of letters