| B. N. Reddi | |
| Birth Name: | Bommireddy Narasimha Reddi |
| Birth Date: | 1908 11, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Y.Kothapalli,Simhadripuram, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Andhra Pradesh, India) |
| Death Place: | Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Years Active: | 1939–1969 |
| Awards: | Padma Bhushan Doctor of Letters Dadasaheb Phalke Award National Film Awards |
BommiReddi Narasimha Reddi (16 November 1908 – 8 November 1977), professionally known as B. N. Reddi, was an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was an early figure in the Telugu cinema.[1] Many of his earlier films like Vande Mataram (1939), Devatha (1941) had V. Nagayya as the lead. His Malliswari (1951) starring N. T. Rama Rao and Bhanumathi is considered a timeless Indian film classic.[2] Reddi was the first film personality to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from South India the highest honorary award of Indian cinema.[3] He was awarded India's third highest civilian honor the Padmabhushan, and the Doctor of Letters.[4]
BommiReddi Narasimha Reddi was born on 16 November 1908 in a farmer family at Y.Kothapalli village in the present-day Kadapa district.[5] His father Narasimha Reddi used to export onions from Chennai to Rangoon (Yangoon) for a living. He was eldest of four brothers; others are Nagi Reddi, B. N. Konda Reddi and B. Ramalinga Reddi.
He was schooled in Proddatur and later continued the schooling in Madras. He enrolled in Pachaiyappa's College, but left without graduating. He later studies auditing and accounting and worked as an apprentice in an auditing firm.
When H. M. Reddi decided to turn a producer, B.N. Reddi and B. Nagi Reddi joined hands with him to form Rohini Pictures.[6]
B. N. Reddi directed 11 feature films.
| Year | Title | Direction | Screenplay | Story | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Vande Mataram | ||||
| 1940 | Sumangali | ||||
| 1941 | Devatha | ||||
| 1945 | Swarga Seema | ||||
| 1951 | Malliswari | ||||
| 1954 | Bangaru Papa | ||||
| 1957 | Bhagya Rekha | ||||
| 1959 | Raja Makutam | ||||
| 1964 | Pooja Phalam | ||||
| 1966 | Rangula Ratnam | ||||
| 1969 | Bangaru Panjaram | ||||