Bapu (b.1933)
Telugu cartoonist, designer and director, also worked extensively in Hindi film. Born in Narsapur, West Godavari, AP, as Sattiraju Lakshminarayana. Graduated as a lawyer from Madras University (1955). Collaborated with comic writer Mullapoodi Venkataramana; political cartoonist for Andhra Patrika newspaper (1955) and illustrator. Worked in advertising in the early 60s. Début with Saakshi, a rare instance of late 60s New Indian Cinema aestheticism in Telugu. Occasionally resorted to painterly imagery in his otherwise realist approach (e.g. Muthyala Muggu). Transposed several mythological narratives into contemporary fables (Manavoori Pandavulu, remade in Hindi as Hum Paanch). Some early work invoked rationalist ideology and Hum Paanch was strongly defended by populist independent Left. Later films are unashamedly revivalist: e.g. Thyagayya, a remake of Nagaiah?’s 1946 film. His Hindi films are usually remakes of Telugu ones: Bezubaan is based on S.P. Muthuraman’s Mayangurikal Oru Madhu (1975) but with a modified role for Naseeruddin Shah; Radha Kalyanam is adapted from Bhagyaraj?’s Andha 7 Natkal (1981); he remade his adaptation in Hindi as Woh Saat Din. Remade B.R. Chopra’s notorious rape movie, Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1980), as Edi Nyayam Edi Dharmam.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1967: Saakshi; 1968: Bangaru Pichika; 1969: Buddhimanthudu; 1970: Inti Gauravam; Balaraju Katha; 1971: Sampoorna Ramayanam; 1973: Andala Ramudu; 1974: Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham; 1975: Muthyala Muggu; 1976: Seeta Kalyanam; Seeta Swayamvar; Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club; Bhakta Kannappa; 1977: Sneham; 1978: Manavoori Pandavulu; Gorantha Deepam; Anokha Shivbhakt; 1979: Thoorpu Velle Railu; Rajadhi Raju; 1980: Kaliyuga Ravana Surudu; Vamsha Vriksham; Hum Paanch; 1981: Bezubaan; Thyagayya; Radha Kalyanam; 1982: Edi Nyayam Edi Dharmam; Neethi Devan Mayangurigal; Pellidu Pillalu; Krishnavataram; 1983: Woh Saat Din; Mantrigari Viyyankudu; 1984: Seetamma Pelli; 1985: Mohabbat; Bullet; Jackie; Pyari Behna; 1986: Mera Dharam; Kalyana Tambulam; 1987: Diljala; 1989: Prem Pratigya; 1990: Pelli Pustakam; 1993: Mr Pellam; Shrinatha Kavi Sarvabhowma; 1994:Pelli Koduku; Parmatma; 1995: Rambantu.