Bhanumathi Ramakrishna

If ever there was a super woman in Telugu film industry, it was her. A woman who broke all conventions in an essentially male dominated industry, to carve her own space.

She acted, sang her own songs, composed music, directed movies, owned a studion, and on top of that had a good knowledge of astrology and philosophy. She wrote her own autobiography Naa Lo Nenu, a compilation of short stories called Attagari Kathalu.

There have been many great actresses in Telugu cinema right from Mahanati Savitri, Jamuna to Urvashi Sharada, Vanisri, Kanchana to Jayasudha, Sridevi, Jayaprada. But Bhanumathi Gaaru was in a league of her own, successful as an actress, star and a singer. While there have been other singer actresses like S.Varalakshmi, they were not as big a star as she was.

And Bhanumathi as the heroine called the shots, she did not care about reputation of the star, producer or director. She was the original choice for Missamma, and even shot some scenes, but due to a fight with the producer Chakrapani, she walked out and Savitri was taken in for the role. The movie became a huge success, and when she later watched it, she remarked that though she missed out on such a great role, the industry gained a talented actress.

But then that was Bhanumathi for you, fiercely individualistic, self respecting, a woman who lived life on her own terms, yet was always supportive of other actors in the industry. This is the reason why her co stars be it NTR, ANR in Telugu or Shivaji Ganesan, MGR in Tamil had nothing but respect for her. She was not the one to sign a role, just because of the star name. One of the few actresses, who could match scene to scene with both NTR and ANR at their peak. Her counterparts Savitri, Jamuna cited her as an inspiration to enter movies.

She had no reservations in doing a negative role, like that of Nayakurala Nagamma, in the period epic Palnati Yuddham, as the wily manipulative power behind the throne, whose machinations lead to the fatal conflict. Her performance is a masterclass in acting, the way she depicts the arrogance, cunning nature, and her face off scenes with NTR.

Or in Tenali Ramakrishna, where she plays a female spy cum courtesan, attempting to lure Krishnadeva Raya into a trap.

One memorable performance was in the 1992 movie Peddarikam, remake of the Malayalam movie Godfather as the head of a family, who has a rivalry with the hero's family. As the manipulative, ruthless family head, was just brilliant.

Also she could successfully move from one genre to another, be it love stories like Malliswari.

Folk dramas like Chandirani where she played a dual role.

Or serious dramas like Batasari, based on a Sarat Chandra novel, where she plays a widow who falls for ANR.

Incidentally after the tiff with Chakrapani, she produced a satirical movie on him with the same title,a good comedy. The title character is actually played by CSR Anjaneyulu, a miserly old man, who declares a gift of 1 lakh rupees to his great grandson, setting off a fight between his granddaughters, one of whom is Bhanumati. She also composed the music for the movie.

She was also equally succesful in Tamil movies, then CM Annadurai, called her Nadippukku Ilakkanam meaning "Grammar for Acting" after watching her performance in the Tamil movie Rangoon Radha.

Bhanumathi Garu was a legend in her own right, rightly called Ashtavadhani for her prowess in various fields, a great actress, and an equally great singer. A woman who made a mark in the movie industry on her own terms and left an impact.

She truly deserves the Dadasaheb Phalke award, considering her immense contribution as an actress, singer, writer, director. There will never be another like her.