Nagi Reddi

Bommireddy Nagi Reddi (2 December 1912 – 25 February 2004[1]) was an Indian film producer and director mainly in Telugu cinema. He set up Vijaya Vauhini Studios in Chennai, which was then Asia's biggest film studio.[2] As his elder brother (who was also a director) had the same initials and was known as B. N. Reddi, Nagi Reddi was popularly known as B. Nagi Reddi. Some of the movies produced by Nagi Reddi include Patala Bhairavi (1951), Missamma (1955), Maya Bazaar (1957), Gundamma Katha (1962), Maduve Maadi Nodu (1965-Kannada), Enga Veetu Pillai (1965), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Nam Naadu (1969-Tamil), Shriman Shrimati (1982), Julie (1975), and Swarg Narak (1978), the latter two of which were in Hindi. Reddi has served as the president of Film Federation of India twice, in 1960–61 and 1962–63.[3]

For the politician, see Bhuma Nagi Reddy.

Nagi Reddi
Reddy on a 2018 stamp of India
Born
Bommireddy Nagi Reddy

(1912-12-02)2 December 1912
Pottipadu village, Madras Presidency, British India
Died25 February 2004(2004-02-25) (aged 91)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations
  • Film producer
  • editor
  • director
Years active1950–89

Film career

Nagi Reddi along with his friend and partner Aluri Chakrapani produced over fifty films in four decades in the four South Indian languages and also in Hindi.[1] He made mythological, devotional, and historical Telugu movies. Some of his more notable films include Pathala Bhairavi, Maya Bazaar, and Missamma. He made most of his films in association with screenwriter Chakrapani. Nagi Reddi closed down Vijaya-Vahini after the Telugu film industry moved out of studios in the 1970s, and started the Vijaya Hospital and Vijaya Health Centre.

A new award was incorporated, commemorating his 100th birth year, the Nagi Reddi, memorial Award for the best Telugu and Tamil family entertainers.[4][5]

Personal life

He was married and had 3 sons and a daughter and one of his son is a producer B. Venkatarama Reddi.[6]

Awards
National Film Awards
Filmfare Awards
Nandi Awards
  • The Government of Andhra Pradesh awarded him the Raghupathy Venkaiah award in 1987.
Tamil Nadu State Awards
Other Honours
  • He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Srikrishnadevaraya University and Sri Venkateswara University.[8]

Other businesses and philanthropy

Nagi Reddi served as chairman of the board of Trustees of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams between 1980 and 1983, and is credited for building the Vaikuntam Queue Complex that now serves to regulate pilgrims for darshan in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.[1] Nagi Reddi founded the Vijaya Medical & Educational Trust in 1972.[9] The trust runs the Vijaya Hospital (1972), Vijaya Health Center (1987) and Vijaya Heart Foundation (1996). Nagi Reddi headed the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce four times and the All-India Film Sammelan for two terms.

Nagi Reddi started the Andhra Jyothi newspaper in 1945.[1] He also established the children's magazine Chandamama in July 1947.[10] The magazine was eventually printed in nearly a dozen different languages.

He was the founder of Vijaya Hospitals in Vadapalani, Chennai.

Filmography

As producer

As Presenter
  • Shriman Shrimati (1982) (presenter) (as B. Nagi Reddi)
  • Swayamvar (1980) (presenter) (as B. Nagi Reddi)
  • Swarg Narak (1978) (presenter) (as B. Nagi Reddi)
  • Yehi Hai Zindagi (1977) (presenter) (as B. Nagi Reddi) a.k.a. Yehi Hai Zindagi (India: Hindi title: video box title)
  • Julie (1975) (presenter) (as B. Nagi Reddi)
  • Prem Nagar (1974) (presenter) (as B. Nagi Reddi)
  • Ram Aur Shyam (1967) (presenter) (as B. Nagi Reddi)

In Editorial Department

As director

Thankful

See also

References
  1. "TTD condoles B. Nagi Reddy". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 27 February 2004. Archived from the original on 18 September 2004. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
  2. "B.Nagi Reddy dead". 26 February 2004. Retrieved 26 February 2004.
  3. "Film Federation Of India". Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  4. Mr. Perfect wins Nagireddy award | 123telugu.com
  5. Eenadu daily, page 10, 2 April 2012, Dil Raju bags new Nagi Reddy Award
  6. The Hindu : Arts / Cinema : A true karma yogi
  7. "'Vijaya' NagiReddy passes away". 25 February 2004. Archived from the original on 19 November 2005. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
  8. B. Nagi Reddy – Biography
  9. "VIJAYA MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL TRUST – Overview". Archived from the original on 29 January 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
  10. "Investors revive Chandamama". 22 September 1999. Retrieved 17 April 2007.
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