B. N. Reddy

Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy (16 November 1908 – 8 November 1977), professionally known as B. N. Reddy, was an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was an early figure in the Telugu cinema. 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. Reddy was the first film personality to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from South India the highest honorary award of Indian cinema. He was awarded India's third highest civilian honor the Padmabhushan, and the Doctor of Letters.

Early life
Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy was born on 16 November 1908 in a farmer family at Y.Kothapalli village in the present-day Kadapa district. His father Narasimha Reddy used to export onions from Chennai to Rangoon (Yangoon) for a living. He was eldest of four brothers; others are B. Nagi Reddy, B. N. Konda Reddy and B. Ramalinga Reddy.

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.

Career
When H. M. Reddy decided to turn a producer, B.N. Reddy and B. Nagi Reddi joined hands with him to form Rohini Pictures.

Awards

 * Civilian honours
 * Padmabhushan


 * National honours
 * Doctor of letters


 * 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 at the 22nd National Film Awards


 * Filmfare Awards
 * Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Bangaru Panjaram (1969)


 * Nandi Awards
 * Best Feature Film - Gold - Rangula Ratnam (1966)
 * Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - Bangaru Panjaram (1969)
 * Best Story Writer - Pelli Kani Pelli (1976)

Filmography
B. N. Reddy directed 11 feature films.

Producer

 * Bhakta Pothana (1942) - Production supervision