Tanikella Bharani is an Indian actor, theater artist, screenwriter, film director, playwright and poet. He mainly worked in Telugu and Tamil films. In 2022, he was honored with Sahitya Puraskar from Lok Nayak Foundation held at Kala Bharathi Auditorium, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Wiki/Biography
Tanikella Bharani was born on Wednesday, 14 July 1954 (age 68; in 2022) in Secunderabad, Hyderabad (now Telangana). His zodiac sign is Cancer. His family hails from Jagannadhapuram village in Andhra Pradesh. He attended a railway school in Hyderabad. He then graduated in commerce from the Railway Degree College, Secunderabad, Telangana. Later, he got a diploma in drama from Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana.
Old photo collage of Tanikella Bharani
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Eye Color: Black
Family
Tanikella belongs to a Hindu Brahmin Telugu family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is TVS Srithanikella Ramalingeswara Rao, and his mother’s name is Lakshmi Narasamma. His father used to donate rice, pulses, and other food to people in need during natural disasters in their village. Tanikella has three older brothers and three younger brothers.
Tanikella Bharani with his parents and wife
Wife & Children
On 30 November 1988, he married Durga Bhavani, and the couple had a son named Teja Tanikella, and a daughter named Bhavani Tanikella. His son, Teja, works as an actor.
Old picture of Tanikella Bharani with her family
Tanikella Bharani with her family
Other Brothers
Telugu poet and orator Diwakarla Venkatavadhani and Telugu writer Viswanatha Satyanarayana were his uncles. Famous Telugu poet duo Tirupati Venkata Kavulu were his ancestors.
Address
8-3-678/6, Soundarya Lahari, Pragathi Nagar, Yousufguda, Hyderabad – 500 045, Telangana State, India
Career
Theater
While he was in college, he wrote a play titled ‘Adde Kompa.’ The play was liked by the audience, and he won the first prize for the play. In the mid-70s, he met an acquaintance of the Telugu actor Rallapalli. With his help, Tanikella began writing stage scenes and dialogues for plays. Later, on Rallapalli’s advice, he moved to Chennai. He later played the role of a 70-year-old man in a theater play titled ‘Mugimpi Lai Katha’ written by Rallapalli. He became the center of attention with theater performances. Later, when Rallapalli needed a playwright for his theater company ‘Sri Murali Kalanilayam,’ he asked Tanikella to work for him as a playwright. He agreed with her and worked as a playwright for 10 plays for the theater company. One of his plays ‘Gograhanam,’ won the Sahitya Akademi Award. Apart from writing plays, he has also performed in many theater plays. Some of his popular plays are Jambu Dweepam, Chal Chal Gurram, Naalugo Kothi, Kokkorokko and Gaardhabhaandam. He has also worked in many Telugu playlets including Gaardhabhanda, Grahanam Pattina Ratri, Sani Grahalu, Goyyi, Panjaram Lo Elaka, and Hulakki.
Tanikella Bharani in a theater play
Dialogue Writer
He then started working as a dialogue writer for Doordarshan TV shows. In 1985, he made his debut as a writer with the Telugu film ‘Kanchu Kavacham.’
Kanchu Kavacham (1985)
In the same year, he worked as a writer in Telugu films like ‘Aalapana,’ ‘Pralayam,’ and ‘Ladies Tailor.’ In the late 1980s, he worked as a writer in Telugu films ‘Lawyer Suhasini’ (1986), ‘Varasudochadu’ (1987), ‘Maharshi’ (1988), ‘Chinnari Sneham’ (1988), and ‘Siva’ (1989). Some of his popular Telugu films as a writer in the 90s were ‘Nari Nari Naduma Murari’ (1990), ‘One By Two’ (1991), ‘Aadarsam’ (1993), ‘Lingababu Love Story’ (1995), and ‘Pattukondi Chuddam’ (1999).
Actor
Telugu
In 1985, Tanikella made her acting debut in the Telugu film ‘Ladies Tailor,’ in which she played the role of a police officer. After almost two years, she appeared in her second Telugu film ‘Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe.’ In 1989, he acted in three Telugu films ‘Siva,’ ‘Swarakalpana,’ and ‘Chettu Kinda Pleader.’ In the 1990s, he appeared in many popular Telugu films such as ‘Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu’ (1991), ‘Money Money’ (1994), ‘Big Boss’ (1995), ‘Pellichesukundam’ (1997), and ‘Samudram’ (1999).
Tanikella Bharani photo collage from her various movies
In 2001, she acted in more than 10 Telugu films including ‘Ammo Bomma,’ ‘Jaabili,’ ‘Family Circus,’ ‘Nuvvu Nenu,’ and ‘Snehamante Idera.’ In 2002, he acted in 17 Telugu films, and in 2003, he appeared in 14 Telugu films. Tanikella later appeared in many more Telugu films including ‘Oka Pellam Muddu Rendo Pellam Vaddu’ (2004), ‘Political Rowdy’ (2005), ‘Chirutha’ (2007), ‘Rakta Charitra’ (2010), and ‘Dhada’ (2011). Some of his other popular Telugu films are ‘Ramayya Vasthavayya’ (2013), ‘Baahubali: The Beginning’ (2015), ‘Nela Ticket’ (2018), ‘Saaho’ (2019), and ‘Acharya’ (2022).
Tanikella Bharani in the movie Baahubali- The Beginning (2015)
Tamil language
He made his Tamil debut with ‘Veetla Visheshanga’ (1994) where he played the role of an inspector.
Veetla Visheshanga (1994)
He has acted in many Tamil films including ‘Mazhai’ (2005), ‘Bheemaa’ (2008), ‘Nootrenbadhu’ (2011), ‘Kalavaram’ (2014), and ‘Thozha’ (2016).
Hindi
Tanikella has also acted in several Hindi films. Her debut Bollywood film was ‘Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega’ (2001) in which she played the role of Dakshina Murthy.
Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001)
He has also appeared in several Hindi versions of the Telugu films ‘Rakht Charitra’ (2010), ‘Rakht Charitra 2’ (2010), and ‘Saaho’ (2019).
film director
In 2012, he directed the Telugu film ‘Mithunam’ starring SP Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi. He has also directed several Telugu short films.
Mithunam (2012)
Dub artist
Tanikella has also named several Telugu and Tamil films such as ‘Bhamane Satyabhamane’ (Tamil; 1996), ‘Donga Dongadi’ (Telugu; 2004), ‘Aparitchitudu’ (Tamil; 2005), ‘Himsinche Raju 23rd Pulikesi’ (Tamil; ‘2006’) (Tamil; 2006).
Tamil movie poster Ponniyin Selvan: I (PS1)
Song creator
Tanikella has composed songs for various devotional albums such as ‘Nalona Sivudu Galadu’ (2005), ‘Shabhash Ra Shankara’ (2014), and ‘Naa Manasu Kothi Ra Rama’ (2017).
Author
He has written Telugu books Parikini, Nakshatra Darsanam, Maathralu, and Endaro Mahanubavulu.
Parikini
He has also written several spiritual books such as Aata Gadaraa Siva, Sabhashuraa Sankara, and Shabbash Ra Shankara.
Book of Aata Gadaraa Siva
Singer
He has sung many spiritual songs such as “Enta Mosagadivayya Siva” (2005), “Nalona Sividu Galadu” (2005), “108 Shiva Tatvaalu” (2012), and “Votu Veyyakandi Naku” (2019).
Controversy
Controversial Worship Song Lyrics
In 2021, one of his song lyrics received great criticism. The lyrics of the song are “Gappal goddaru gadde kodukulu .. nuvvundanga levantaru .. unnavo levo chevula jeppipora shabbashra Shankara” which means “Gappal is a colt Don’t wake up when you are! Zepipora ears whether you are Shabbash Ra Shankara or not.” Tanikella received rave reviews for his song. Later, he uploaded an apology video on his Facebook account. In the video, he said,
I am not against anyone.. The video was released without any apology. For the past few days I posted on Facebook saying ‘Shabash Ra Shankara..’ However.. unfortunately some of those comments are known to have hurt some people’s hearts.. hurtful. I don’t want to explain anymore. Because whatever is said is like wearing a veil.. I join hands in apologizing unconditionally. Also deleted that post.. I don’t object if all rationalists.. humanity misses the respect. Also no one has the right or power to hurt any man. I want to apologize again for the mistake.. Greetings everyone.”
Award
Nandi Award
- 2000: Best Villain for Samudhram
- 2002: Best Character Actor for Nuvvu Nenu
- 2013: Nandi Award for Best Dialogue Writer for Mithunam
CineMAA Awards
- 2013: Special Jury Award for Best Director– Mithunam
Literary Award
- Sri Pada Subhramanya Sastry Literary Award for Polamuru
- Bhanumathi Award for Hyderabad
- Sri Vanamamalai Varadacharyulu Literary Award for Adilabad
- Jawahar Bharathi Federation for Kavali
- Allu Ramalingayyiah National Award for Hyderabad
- Akkineni Swarna Kankanam for Hyderabad
- Nagabhairava Koteswara Rao literary award for Nellore
Other Awards
- Sangam Academy Award for completing 25 years in Telugu Cinema
- Tenth Mumbai International Film Festival Awards (2008)
- International Film Festival Award for Sira-The Ink (short film)
- Lok Nayak Foundation Sahitya Puraskar (2022)
Tanikella Bharani’s collage received an award
Facts/Trivia
- Tanikella was a devoted devotee of Lord Shiva. Since childhood, he often visited nearby temples to perform Harikatha.
- He did his spiritual teaching under his guru Sri Sannidhanam Taraka Brahmasastri.
- Since childhood, he often sang bhajans and prayers.
- He has organized ‘Ata Kadara Shiva’ spiritual events in various countries such as Dubai, Kuwait, and the United States. Later, he presented a literary program called Sahiti Panchamritham in the United States.
Tanikella Bharani at Telugu Kala Samiti, Kuwait
- He is proficient in various languages like Tamil, Telugu, English and Hindi.
- He supports the BJP, and in one of his spiritual events, he praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting Hindus in India.
- Tanikella is well versed in one of the Hindu Puranas ‘Bhagavata Purana.’
- In his spare time, he likes to read books and spend time in peaceful places.
Tanikella Bharani reads a book
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
