Krishna was an Indian actor, film director and film producer who worked predominantly in Telugu cinema. He has appeared in over 350 feature films in a career spanning 5 decades. Krishna made his debut in 1965 with Adurthi Subba Rao Thene Manasulu. His third film Gudachari 116 gave him much needed recognition and he went on to appear in successful films such as Mosagallaku Mosagadu, Pandanti Kapuram, Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Alluri Seetarama Raju, Manchi Kutumbam, Ram Robert Rahim, Mundadugu, and Simhasanam among others.[1]
Between 1964 and 1995, Krishna on an average appeared in 11 films per year.[2] He established his production house Padmalaya Studios in 1970. In addition to acting, Krishna has directed 16 films and produced several films.[3]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Kula Gothralu | |||
| 1962 | Padandi Mundhuku | |||
| 1963 | Paruvu Prathishta | |||
| 1965 | Thene Manasulu | Basavaraju | ||
| 1966 | Kanne Manasulu | Gangulu | ||
| Gudachari 116 | Gopi (Agent 116) | |||
| 1967 | Iddaru Monagallu | Adavi Manishi (Tarzan) | ||
| Saakshi | Kishtaiah | |||
| Marapurani Katha | Raghu | |||
| Stree Janma | Kishore | |||
| Upayamlo Apayam | Anand | |||
| Private Master | Krishna | |||
| Ave Kallu | Bhaskar | |||
| 1968 | Asadhyudu | Raju | ||
| Niluvu Dopidi | Krishna | |||
| Manchi Kutumbam | Mohan | |||
| Circar Express | ||||
| Amayakudu | Raju | |||
| Attagaru Kothakodalu | Gopi | |||
| Lakshmi Nivasam | Chandram | |||
| Nenante Nene | Ravi | |||
| Undamma Bottu Pedata | Krishna | |||
| Chelleli Kosam | ||||
| Vintha Kapuram | Rajasekharam | |||
| 1969 | Manchi Mitrulu | Gopi | ||
| Love in Andhra | ||||
| Bhale Abbailu | Ravi | |||
| Bommalu Cheppina Katha | Mangu | |||
| Mahabaludu | Pratapasimha | |||
| Sabash Satyam | Satyam | |||
| Astulu Anthastulu | Sankar | |||
| Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka | Gopi & Syam | Dual Role | ||
| Vichitra Kutumbam | Krishna | |||
| Muhrutha Balam | Venu | |||
| Jarigina Katha | Raghu | |||
| Jagat Kiladilu | Anand | |||
| Annadammulu | Ramu | |||
| Karpoora Harathi | Ranganna | |||
| Bandipotu Bheemanna | Mohan | |||
| 1970 | Akka Chellelu | Venu | ||
| Maa Nanna Nirdhoshi | Krishna | |||
| Malli Pelli | Venu | |||
| Vidhi Vilasam | Krishna | |||
| Amma Kosam | Gangu | |||
| Thaali Bottu | Murali | |||
| Pelli Sambandham | Raghurama Rao (Raghu) | |||
| Pelli Koothuru | ||||
| Maa Manchi Akkayya | Suryam | |||
| Paga Sadista | Gopal | |||
| Agni Pariksha | ||||
| Akhandudu | Sekhar | |||
| Pachhani Samsaram | Ravi | |||
| Rendu Kutumbala Katha | Raju | |||
| Allude Menalludu | ||||
| Andarki Monagadu | Gopi | |||
| 1971 | Prema Jeevulu | Babu | ||
| Master Kiladi | ||||
| Athalu Kodallu | Raghu | |||
| Pattukunte Laksha | Raju | |||
| Nammaka Drohulu | Sekhar | |||
| Anuradha | Gopi | |||
| Bangaru Kutumbam | ||||
| Mosagallaku Mosagadu | Krishna Prasad | |||
| Nenu Manishine | Gopinath (Gopi) | |||
| Chalaki Rani Kiladi Raja | Krishna | |||
| James Bond 777 | Kishore | |||
| 1972 | Monagadostunnadu Jagartta | Raja | ||
| Raj Mahal | Gopi | |||
| Antha Mana Manichike | Raghu | |||
| Maa Oori Monagallu | ||||
| Guduputani | Vijay | |||
| Hantakulu Devanthakulu | Rajesh | |||
| Kodalupilla | Bhaskar | |||
| Menakodalu | ||||
| Bale Mosagadu | Kumar Raja | |||
| Pandanti Kapuram | Ravi | |||
| Nijam Nirupista | Mohan | |||
| Inspector Bharya | Sridhar | |||
| Abbaigaru Ammaigaru | Sundar | |||
| Kattula Rattayya | Anand | |||
| Maa Inti Velugu | Kishore & Gopi | Dual Role | ||
| Praja Nayakudu | Ramu | |||
| Marapurani Talli | Madhu | |||
| Illu Illalu | Satyam | |||
| 1973 | Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu | Ranga | ||
| Mallamma Katha | Vengalayya | |||
| Talli Kodukulu | Sekhar | |||
| Nindu Kutumbam | Ramu | |||
| Srivaru Maavaru | Ramesh | |||
| Puttinillu Mettinillu | Gopinath (Gopi) | |||
| Sneha Bandham | ||||
| Neramu Siksha | Vijay (Vinay/Devudaiah/Picchaiah) | [4] | ||
| Devudu Chesina Manushulu | Gopi | |||
| Mamatha | Prakash | |||
| Mayadari Malligadu | Malli | |||
| Pasi Hrudayalu | Venu | |||
| Vintha Katha | Krishna | |||
| Ganga Manga | Koti | |||
| Meena | Krishna Rao (Krishna) | |||
| 1974 | Galipatalu | Sathyam | ||
| Peddalu Marali | Madhav | |||
| Utthama illalu | Ravi | |||
| Alluri Seetharama Raju | Alluri Sitarama Raju | 100th film | [5] | |
| Manushulu Matti Bommalu | ||||
| Radhamma Pelli | Murthy | |||
| Gowri | ||||
| Adambaralu Anubandhalu | Bhaskaram | |||
| Deergha Sumangali | Ramachandra Rao & Prakash | Dual Role | ||
| Dhanavanthulu Gunavanthulu | Ananad | |||
| Intiniti Katha | ||||
| Satyaniki Sankellu | ||||
| Devadasu | Devadas | |||
| 1975 | Abhimanavathi | Ramu & Sreenivas | Dual Role | |
| Kothakapuram | Chandram | |||
| Soubhagyavathi | Krishna | |||
| Chikativelugulu | Krishna Prasad / Venugopal | |||
| Rakthasambandhalu | ||||
| Santanam Soubhagyam | Madhu | |||
| Gajula Kishtayya | Kishtayya | |||
| Devudulanti Manishi | Madhu | |||
| 1976 | Padi Pantalu[6] | Venu Gopal Rao aka Gopi | ||
| Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club | Matthew/Mutthayya | |||
| Manavoori Katha | ||||
| Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam | Venu & Gopi | Dual Role | ||
| Kolleti Kapuram | Chandram | |||
| Bhale Dongalu | Sekhar | |||
| Devude Gelichadu | Vijay | |||
| 1977 | Kurukshetram | Arjuna | ||
| Savasagallu | Ramu | |||
| Eenatibandham ye Natido | Ranga | |||
| Janmajanmala Bandham | Venu/Krishna | |||
| Panchaithi | Gopi | |||
| Dongalaku Donga | Gopi | |||
| Manushulu Chesina Dongalu | Prasad | |||
| Manassakshi | Ravi | |||
| 1978 | Indradhanasu | Prathap | ||
| Patnavasam | Gopi | |||
| Allari Bullodu | ||||
| Annadammula Savaal | Kishore | |||
| Agent Gopi | Gopi | |||
| Dongala Dopidi | Sathyam | |||
| Mugguru Muggure | Vijay | |||
| Chalmohana Ranga | Mohan | |||
| Dongala Veta | Ramesh | |||
| Simha Garjana | Siva Varma | |||
| Cheppindi Chestha | Gopi Krishna | |||
| Kumara Raja | Rajasekharam (Vijayaraghava Bhupathi), Kumar & Raja | Triple Role | ||
| Athani Kante Ghanudu | Gopi | |||
| 1979 | Moodu Puvvulu Aaru Kayalu | Gopi | ||
| Iddaru Asadhyule | Tiger Prakash | |||
| ViyyalavariKayyalu | Sekhar | |||
| Hema Hemeelu | Knight king raja | |||
| Dongalaku Savaal | Raju | |||
| Kotta Alludu | Hari | |||
| Yevadabbasommu | Vijay | |||
| Mandegundelu | Ramu | |||
| Muthaiduva | Ravi | |||
| Sanku Teertham | Chakradhar | |||
| Burripalem Bullodu | Chittibabu | |||
| Captain Krishna | Krishna | |||
| Samajaniki Savaal | Vijay | |||
| 1980 | Bhale Krishnudu | Krishna | ||
| Devudichina Koduku | Gopi | |||
| Kottapeta Rowdy | Krishna | |||
| Gharana Donga | Krishna | |||
| Mama Allulla Savaal | Rajesh | |||
| Adhrustavanthudu | Gopi | |||
| Ram Robert Rahim | Robert | |||
| Sirimalle navvindi | Prasad | |||
| Chuttalunnaru Jagratha | Ramesh & Gangulu | Dual Role | ||
| Ragile Hrudayalu | Ramu | |||
| Kiladi Krishnudu | Gopi Krishna | |||
| Bandodu - Gundamma | Anjaneyulu & Raghava | Dual Role | ||
| Hare Krishna - Hallo Radha | Krishna | |||
| Maa Inti Devatha | Murali | |||
| Ammaiki Mogudu-Mamaki Yamudu | Babulu | |||
| Allari Bava | Raja | |||
| Bangaru Bava | Bangaru | |||
| 1981 | Ooruki Monagadu | Ravi | ||
| Thodu Dongalu | Krishna | |||
| Guru Sishyulu | Gopi | |||
| Rahasya Gudachari | Gopi | |||
| Bhogi Mantalu | Ramu | |||
| Bhoga Bagyalu | Krishna | |||
| Gadasari Atha-Sogasari Kodalu | Suryam | |||
| Jathagadu | Gopi | |||
| Antham Kaadidi Aarambham | Kanwarlal & Vijay | Dual Role | ||
| Mayadari Alludu | ||||
| Nayudu gari Abbai | Chandram | |||
| 1982 | Bangaru Bhumi | Ravi | ||
| Bangaru Koduku | Gopi | |||
| Krishnaarjunulu | Arjun | |||
| Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam? | Military Officer | Guest Appearance | ||
| Doctor Cine Actor | Madhu, Raju & Prabhakar | Triple Role | ||
| Nivuru Gappina Nippu | Gopi | |||
| Prema Nakshathram | Phanindra | |||
| Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu | Chinnababu Diwakar | |||
| Jagannatha Radhachakralu | Krishna | |||
| Pagabattina Simham | Harikrishna (Lion), Mohan Krishna & Muddu Krishna | Triple Role | ||
| Krishnavataram | Kandula Krishnvatharam | |||
| Ekalavya | Ekalavya | |||
| Shamshare Shankar | Shankar | |||
| Kalavari Samsaram | Vishnu | |||
| Eenadu | Ramaraju | 200th film | [7] | |
| 1983 | Bezawada Bebbuli | Venu | ||
| Oorantha Sankranthi | Gopi | |||
| Mundadugu | Balagangadhara Tilak | |||
| Kirayi Kotigadu | Koti | |||
| Chattaniki Veyi Kallu | Prathap Kumar & Anandh | Dual Role | ||
| Adavi Simhalu | Krishna | |||
| Siripuram Monagadu | Lion, Sridhar & Anandh | Triple Role | ||
| Amayakudu Kaadhu Asadhyudu | Prasad | |||
| Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju | Bheemaraju / Krishna Raja Kumar | |||
| Shakthi | Ramu & Krishna | Dual Role | ||
| Prajarajyam | Gopi | |||
| Lankebindelu | Gopi | |||
| Poratam | Krishna Murthy | |||
| 1984 | Iddaru Dongalu | Krishna | ||
| Yuddham | Kishan & Krishna Rao | Dual Role | ||
| Raktha Sambandham | Chakravarthy, Krishna & Vijay | Triple Role | ||
| Pulijoodam | ||||
| Mukhyamanthri | ||||
| Nayakulaku Saval | Bharath | |||
| Kirai Alludu | ||||
| Bangaru Kapuram | Gopi, Krishna & Raja Ravindra | Triple Role | ||
| Uddhandudu | ||||
| Kanchu Kagada | Vikram | |||
| Dongalu Baboi Dongalu | Ramu & Krishna | Dual Role | ||
| 1985 | Agni Parvatam | Jamadagni & Chandram | Dual Role | |
| Maha Sangramam | Ravindra | |||
| Andharikante Monagadu | Ravi & Raja | Dual Role | ||
| Palnati Simham | Krishnamanaidu | |||
| Vajrayudham | Prathap / Kireeti | |||
| Pachani Kapuram | Gopi | |||
| Surya Chandra | Surya Chandra | |||
| Maha Manishi | Sambhu Prasad & Raja | Dual Role | ||
| 1986 | Krishna Garadi | Nagaraju & Krishna | Dual Role | |
| Brahmasthram | Vidya Sagar | |||
| Simhasanam | Vikrama Simha & Aditya Vardhana | Dual Role | ||
| Jayam Manade | Pinnamaneni Bose Babu | |||
| Prathibhavanthudu | Vijay | |||
| Khaidi Rudraiah | Rudramaraju "Rudrayya" | |||
| Krishna Paramathma | ||||
| Naa Pilupe Prabahanajam | Prathap | |||
| Parasuramudu | Ramu/Parasuramudu | |||
| Santhi Nivasam | Ravindra (Ravi) | |||
| 1987 | Thandri Kodukula Challenge | Raja | ||
| Dongodochhadu | Krishna (Kisthayya) | |||
| Makutamleni Maharaju | Pardhasaradhi | |||
| Tene Manasulu | Krishnamohan (Krishna) | |||
| Sardar Krishnama Naidu | Krishnamanaidu & Vijay | Dual Role | ||
| Muddayi | Nagendra | |||
| Shankharavam | Vijay & Vikram | Dual Role | ||
| Vishwanatha Nayakudu | Viswanatha Nayak | 250th film | ||
| Maa Voori Magadu | Ravi | |||
| Muddu Bidda | Ravi | |||
| Donga Garu Swagatham | Rambabu | |||
| 1988 | Kaliyuga Karnudu | Sarath Chandra Prasad | ||
| Chuttalabbayi | Kishtayya | |||
| Dorakani Donga | Ravi Teja | |||
| Rowdy No.1 | Bhagawan | |||
| Jamadagni | Jamadagni | |||
| Aswaddhama | Aswaddhama | |||
| Maharajasri Mayagadu | Krishna | |||
| Agni Keratalu | Suryam & Kranthi Kumar | Dual Role | ||
| Mugguru Kodukulu | Phanindra | |||
| Praja Prathinidhi | Krishna Chaitanya | |||
| 1989 | Rajakeeya Chadarangam | Prathap | ||
| Atha Mechina Alludu | Bhavani Prasad & Kishtayya | Dual Role | ||
| Manchi Kutumbam | Ashok | |||
| Goonda Rajyam | Raja | |||
| Parthudu | Parthasaradhi | |||
| Gudachari 117 | Chandrakanth | |||
| Sahasame Naa Oopiri | Prathap | |||
| Ajatha Satruvu | Gopi Krishna | |||
| Sarvabhoumudu | Sarvabhouma | |||
| Koduku Didina Kapuram | Chakravarthy | |||
| Jayammu Nischayammu Raa | ||||
| Rikshawala | ||||
| 1990 | Inspector Rudra | Rudra | ||
| Aayudham | Kalyan kumar | |||
| Prajala Manishi | Bhargav | |||
| Anna Thammudu | Raja Krishna Prasad | |||
| Vishnu | Sri Vishnu | |||
| Nagastram | Sekhar | |||
| 1991 | Parama Sivudu | Sivayya | ||
| Indra Bhavanam | Krishna | |||
| Alludu Diddina Kapuram | Gowtham | |||
| Naa Ille Naa Swargam | Sekharam | |||
| 1992 | Raktha Tarpanam | Ravindra | ||
| 1993 | Pachani Samsaram | Ramam | ||
| Varasudu | Dharma Teja | |||
| Rowdy Annayya | Kistayya / Sivaramakrishna | |||
| Kirayi Gunda | Krishna | |||
| 1994 | Number One | Vijay | ||
| Raitu Bharatam | Ramu | |||
| Gharana Alludu | Krishna Prasad | |||
| Yamaleela | Himself | Special Appearance in the song "Jumbare" | ||
| Doragariki Donga Pellam | Raju | |||
| Yes Nenante Nene | Sriharsha & Chandram | Dual Role | ||
| Police Alludu | Prathap | |||
| 1995 | Amma Donga | Chakradhar | ||
| Super Mogudu | Sathyam | |||
| Dear Brother | ||||
| Real Hero | Pandu | |||
| Telugu Veera Levara | Rama Raju | 300th film | ||
| Bharata Simham | Sivaji | |||
| 1996 | Sampradayam | Kumaraja | ||
| Puttinti Gowravam | Siddhartha | |||
| Jagadeka Veerudu | Raraju / Jagadeka Veerudu | |||
| Pellala Rajyam | ||||
| Akkum Bakkum | ||||
| Rendu Kutumbala Katha | Kishore & Ramesh Chandra | Dual Role | ||
| Ramudochadu | Krishna Prasad | Cameo Appearance | ||
| 1997 | Bobbili Dora | Harishchandra Prasad, Sarath Chandra Prasad & Krishna Prasad | Triple Role | |
| Osey Ramulamma | Krishna Mohan | Cameo Appearance | ||
| Adhirindhi Guru | Malli | |||
| Encounter | Krishnanna (Comrade Krishnanna) | |||
| 1998 | Sambhavam | Harsha | ||
| Vaibhavam | ||||
| Prathista | Ravi | |||
| Vareva Moguda | Chakrapani | |||
| 1999 | Maanavudu Daanavudu | Durga & Guna | Dual Role | |
| Sultan | Ashok | |||
| Raja Kumarudu | Krishnamurthy | Cameo Appearance | ||
| 2000 | Ravanna | Major Chowdary | ||
| Yee Taram Nehru | Nehru | |||
| Vamsi | Arjun | |||
| 2001 | Dadagiri | Dada | ||
| Pandanti Samsaram | Krishnamanaidu & Rudramanaidu | Dual Role | [8] | |
| 2002 | Takkari Donga | Special appearance | [9] | |
| Chandravamsam | Dharma Raju | |||
| Vachina Vaadu Suryudu | Chief Minister | Guest appearance | [10] | |
| 2003 | Fools | Deepti's father | Guest appearance | |
| Taarak | Jagadish Prasad | |||
| 2004 | CBI Officer | |||
| Santhi Sandesam | Jesus Christ | |||
| 24 Gantalu | ||||
| 2005 | Evaru Nenu? | |||
| Sravanamasam | Krishna Rao | |||
| Ayodhya | Ram Prasad | |||
| 2006 | Sardar Papanna | |||
| 2007 | Amma Nanna Lekunte | |||
| Sri Satyanarayana Swamy | Inuganti Venkata Rama Raja Bahaddur | [11] | ||
| Gundamma Gaari Manavadu | Guest appearance | |||
| Chandrahas | Chatrapati Shivaji | Guest appearance | ||
| Shirdi | Krishna | [12] | ||
| Satyabhama | Psychiatrist | Guest appearance | ||
| 2008 | Baladur | Ramakrishna | ||
| 2009 | Neramu Siksha | Bhargav | ||
| Soldier | [13] | |||
| Kanthaswamy | R. Krishna Rao | Tamil movie | ||
| 2013 | Sevakudu | Krishna Prasad | Cameo appearance | |
| Sukumaarudu | Cameo appearance | |||
| 2016 | Sri Sri | Sripada Srinivasa Rao (Sri Sri) | ||
See main article: Padmalaya Studios.