Veteran producer and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee, B Nagi Reddy, died on Wednseday at a private hospital in Chennai after a brief illness. He was 91. He is survived by three sons and two daughters. All the great classics of Telugu and Tamil film industry – SHAUKAR, PATHALA BHAIRAVI, MAYABAZAR, MISSIAMMA, MANIDHANU MARAVILLAI, CID, were produced by him along with his friend Chakrapani.

Born in Pottimadi in Cuddapah district on December 2, 192, his career graph ran parallel to the growth of Tamil and Telugu cinema. After a brief stint at family business, he had started Chandamama, a children’s monthly magazine in 1947, with his close friend Chakrapani. Chandamama became a household name. 

In 1949, he had taken over the Vauhini Studios in Chennai and set up Vijaya productions. With their first film, SHAUKARU (1950), an era began – golden era- both in Telugu and Tamil cinema field. Though their first film was not commercially success, its heroine, Janaki, who made debut in the film, became famous and came to be called Shaukaru Janaki. Their next film was PATHALA BHAIRAVI, in the direction of K V Reddy, captured the imagination of Telugu and Tamil film audiences. 

They never had to look back again with this film. Soon followed MISSIMMA. With this film Savithri became a hit heroine and NTR and ANR have become real stars in Telugu while, the lead pair Savthri and ‘Gemini’ Ganeshan became quite a rage in Tamilnadu. MAYABAZAAR followed in 1957 by which time, Mr Nagi Reddy had established himself as a hit producer. He also directed MANIDHANU MARAVILLAI.

With MGR as the hero, he made ENGAVEETTU PILLAI in 1965. In recognition of his contribution to the growth of South Indian cinema, Indian government conferred Dada Saheb Phalke award on him in 1986. Tamilnadu government conferred on him the Kalaimamani Award in 1972. He also established Vijaya Colour Labs, Vijaya Hospitals in Chennai apart form Vijaya Vauhini Studio.

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