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Tanikella Bharani
Acting
Biography
Tanikella Bharani (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, poet, playwright, and director who primarily works in Telugu cinema, with appearances in Tamil and Hindi films. He began his career as a stage actor and playwright in the mid-1970s before entering the film industry.
Bharani made his film debut as a dialogue writer for *Kanchu Kavacham* (1984). He wrote dialogues for films including *Ladies Tailor* (1985), *Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe* (1987), and Ram Gopal Varma's gangster drama *Shiva* (1989), in which he also played Nanaji. He later appeared in villainous, comedic, and supporting roles. He won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for *Samudram* (1999) anβ¦
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Tanikella Bharani (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, poet, playwright, and director who primarily works in Telugu cinema, with appearances in Tamil and Hindi films. He began his career as a stage actor and playwright in the mid-1970s before entering the film industry. Bharani made his film debut as a dialogue writer for *Kanchu Kavacham* (1984). He wrote dialogues for films including *Ladies Tailor* (1985), *Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe* (1987), and Ram Gopal Varma's gangster drama *Shiva* (1989), in which he also played Nanaji. He later appeared in villainous, comedic, and supporting roles. He won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for *Samudram* (1999) and the Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for *Nuvvu Nenu* (2001). Bharani has acted in more than 750 films and has written books, plays, and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva. He made his directorial debut with the Telugu drama *Mithunam* (2012), starring S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi, and received the CineMAA Special Jury Award for Best Direction. He played the priest Swamyji in S. S. Rajamouli's *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017). His Tamil film roles include appearances in *Ghilli* (2004) and *Vaathi* (2023). His 2024 releases include the political thriller *Prathinidhi 2*, the action film *Bhaje Vaayu Vegam*, Harish Shankar's *Mr. Bachchan*, the thriller *Kalinga*, and *Nindha*. His 2025 credits include Krish Jagarlamudi's period film *Hari Hara Veera Mallu*, Mohan Krishna Indraganti's comedy *Sarangapani Jathakam*, *Kishkindhapuri*, and Mani Ratnam's Tamil action-drama *Thug Life*. He has received three Nandi Awards and the Sahitya Puraskar for his literary work.
Biography expanded
BODY OF WORK
Tanikella Bharani's Filmography
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The Paradise
Kiku Chiranjeevi
Raakaasa
as Chari
BΔhubali: The Epic
as Swami
Andhela Ravamidhi
Kishkindhapuri
as Bhushan Verma
Meghalu Cheppina Prema Katha
Thug Life
as Sivaguru
Sarangapani Jathakam
as Ahobila Rao
Madhushala
Neeli Megha Shyama
Kalinga
Mr Bachchan
as Ramgarh Thakur
Shivam Bhaje
Nindha
as Satyanand
Honeymoon Express
as Bala
Manamey
as Mahendra
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam
Vidya Vasula Aham
as Spiritual Preacher
Prathinidhi 2
Sriranga Neethulu
Karataka Damanaka
Inti Number β 13
Drill
Sarkaaru Noukari
as Sarpanch
Aadikeshava
Mystery
Mind Game
as Appa Rao
Peddha Kapu - 1
BRO
as Singinadham
Spy
as Subhash and Jai's father
Raa Raa... Penimiti
as (Voice Only)
Kisi Ka Bhai... Kisi Ki Jaan
as Rameshwar Kodathi
Dochevaarevarura
Mr. King
Vaathi
as Thanigachalam
Premadesam
Dhamaka
as Vasudeva Rao
Cheppalani Undhi
HIT: The 2nd Case
as Ramu, Sanjana's Father
Andaru Bagundali Andulo Nenundali
Geetha
Alluri
First Day First Show
as Sreenu's Father
Wanted PanduGod
Bimbisara
as The Priest
Ramarao On Duty
Godse
F3: Fun and Frustration
as Police Officer
Shekar
Sarkaru Vaari Paata
as Master
Acharya
as Priest
Ghani
Bheemla Nayak
as MLA
Son of India
Super Machi
Skylab
as Sadasivam, Anand's Grandfather
Drushyam 2
as Vinay Chandra
Raja Vikramarka
Eakam
as Appayya Panthulu / Outdated Priest
Pelli SandaD
as Vashishta's Uncle
Raja Raja Chora
as Ganapthi
SR Kalyanamandapam
Ippudu Kaaka Inkeppudu
Jathi Ratnalu
as Govindu
Gaali Sampath
April 28th Em Jarigindi
as Producer of Movie
Bangaru Bullodu
Bombhaat
as Varaha Murthy
Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma
V
as IG Y. V. Narendra
Pressure Cooker
Entha Manchivaadavuraa
as Rama Sharma
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
as Anjaneya Prasad
Sarileru Neekevvaru
as Venkateshwar Anandaraju
No Poster
Madhanam
Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
Krishna Rao Supermarket
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy
as Govindayya Sharma
2 Hours Love
1st Rank Raju
Sita
Maharshi
as Ravi's father
Vijetha
Pantham
as Trust chairman Tilak
Jamba Lakidi Pamba
Sammohanam
as Shyam Prasad
Naa Nuvve
Nela Ticket
as C.M.
Gayatri
Agnyaathavaasi
as Abhi's uncle
Prema Entha Madhuram Priyuraalu Antha Katinam
as Jai's Dad
Raja the Great
as Mailaramgadda
Gulf
Kathalo Rajakumari
Nene Raju Nene Mantri
as Chief Minister
Goutham Nanda
as Waiter
Shamantakamani
as A.K.Ganapathi Sastry
Ninnu Kori
as Murthy
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham
as Duvvada Subrahmanya Sastry
Ami Thumi
as Janardhan
Radha
as Radhakrishnan's Father
BΔhubali 2: The Conclusion
as Swami (voice) (uncredited)
Mister
as Gundappa Naidu
Guru
Om Namo Venkatesaya
as Rama's Father
No Poster
Chandrullo Unde Kundelu
Shatamanam Bhavati
as Chalaram (Cameo)
Gautamiputra Satakarni
as Deva Dattudu
Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada
as Amala's Father
Naruda Donoruda
as Dr. Anjeneyulu
Ism
as Sathya's father
Jyo Achyutananda
as Sudoku Murthy
Srirastu Subhamastu
as Anu's would-be father in law
Gentleman
as Mohan
Okka Ammayi Thappa
Brahmotsavam
Brahmotsavam
as Sathyaraj's Friend
Sardaar Gabbar Singh
as Gabbar Singh's Guardian
Oopiri
as Kaalidasu
Garam
Bengal Tiger
as RMP Doctor
Inji Iduppazhagi
as Doctor
Bruce Lee: The Fighter
as Ravi's Father and Rama Chandra Rao's Big Brother
Kick 2
as Venkatratnam
Mantra 2
as Ramarao
BΔhubali: The Beginning
as Swamiji
Tiger
as Orphanage Principal
Rey
Janda Pai Kapiraju
Surya Vs Surya
as Ersam
Bandipotu
as Makrandam
Temper
as Venkata Rao
Current Theega
Karthikeya
as Valli's Father
Exploring ''Shiva'' Movie After 25 Years
Aagadu
as Adi Keshava
Rabhasa
as Lawyer
Alludu Seenu
as Narasimha's friend
Ra Ra Krishnayya
Race Gurram
as Dasaradh Prasad
Rowdy
as Vedam
Virattu
Basanti
Bhimavaram Bullodu
Autonagar Surya
as Jailor
No Poster
Kalavaram
as Adi Moolam
No Poster
D for Dopidi
Ramayya Vasthavayya
as Ammullu's Father
Adda
Alias Janaki
Pavithra
Iddarammayilatho
as Shankarabharanam
Sukumarudu
Baadshah
as Pilli Gopi Krishna Simha
Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
as Kondala Rao
Naayak
as judge
Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu
Shirdi Sai
as Bhooti
Julayi
as Narayana Murthy
Gabbar Singh
as Mavayya
Dhammu
Neeku Naaku Dash Dash
Lovely
Dhoni
Kshetram
Panjaa
as Guruvayya
Oh My Friend
as Chandu's Father
Oosaravelli
as Rakesh's Father
Dookudu
as Ramachandra
No Poster
Aakasame Haddu
Dhada
as Preethi's Father
180
as Narayanan
Badrinath
as Badri's Father
Kudirithe Kappu Coffee
Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju
as Y. Venkat
Vastadu Naa Raju
Wanted
as Voice Over
Once Upon a Warrior
as Kaksheera
Golconda High School
as Viswanath
Ragada
Rakht Charitra 2
as Ram Murthy
Collector Gari Bharya
Baava
Rakht Charitra
as Ram Murthy
Brindavanam
as Ajay's Father
Khaleja
as Durga Prasad
Drohi
as Nanaji
Gaayam 2
as Lawyer Saab
No Poster
Aunty Uncle Nanda Gopal
Jhummandi Naadam
Sadhyam
Leader
as Sharma C.S.
Kedi
Shambo Shiva Shambo
Adhurs
as Chari's Adoptive Father
Om Shanti
Saleem
Kurradu
as Varun's Father
A Aa E Ee
Ek Niranjan
as Veeraiah
Rechipo
Snehituda
Kalavaramaye Madilo
Oy!
as Telugu Teacher
No Poster
Current
Boni
Sontha ooru
as Devudu Babu
Nenu Meeku Telusa...?
No Poster
Kasipatnam Choodarababu
Ashta Chamma
as Sarva Sarma
Satyam
as Deiva's Father
Kuselan
as School Teacher
Kathanayakudu
as School Teacher
No Poster
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Victory
Ready
as Raghava /"Dallas" Nageswara Rao
Souryam
Bommana Brothers Chandana Sisters
as Bommana brothers' father
Kalidasu
as Principal of College
Jalsa
as Bulli reddy
Krishnarjuna
Mr. Medhavi
Bheema
Krishna
Mee Sreyobhilashi
Nava Vasantham
as Raja's Father
Azhagiya Tamil Magan
as Guru's Father
Thulasi
Chirutha
Raju Bhai
as Anjali's father
No Poster
Sri Mahalakshmi
Munna
No Poster
Classmates
Dhee
as Corporator Krishna
Jagadam
Okkadunnadu
as RBI Official
Anumanaspadam
as Forest officer
Annavaram
as Lallu
Rakhi
as Criminal Lawyer Sachidanandam
Maayajaalam
Gopi β Goda Meeda Pilli
as Gopi's father
Bhagyalakshmi Bumper Draw
as Paala Pullayya
Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila
as Gajapati
Boss
Bommarillu
as Aravind's Friend
Game
Amma Cheppindi
as Paparao
Bommalata
Godavari
as Captain Chintamani
Oka V Chitram
Pournami
as Mallika's father
Sri Ramadasu
Kamli
Happy
as Subba Rao
Jai Chiranjeeva
Allari Pidugu
Political Rowdy
as Vithal's uncle
Allari Bullodu
as Raju's father
Dhana 51
Athadu
as Naidu
Hungama
Subash Chandra Bose
Chakram
Sada Mee Sevalo
as Suryakantam's Father
No Poster
Youth
Dhairyam
Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana
as Kantepudi Srinivasa Rao
Balu
Mr & Mrs Sailaja Krishnamurthy
Grahanam
as Narayana Swamy
Sye
as Prudhvi's Father
Gowri
Arjun
as Roopa's father
Samba
as Father of Nandu
Samba
as Nandu's father
Oka Pellam Muddu Rendo Pellam Vaddu
Ghilli
as Muthupandi's Father
Nenunnanu
Gambeeram
as Minister Rajendran
Venky
as Venky's Father
Jai
as Farah's father
Malliswari
as Murthy
No Poster
Love Today
Enakku 20 Unakku 18
as Preeti's Father (Telugu version)
Satyam
as Chakradhar
Okariki Okaru
as Kamesh's Father
No Poster
Vishnu
Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli
Dongodu
as Naidu
Vasantham
Donga Ramadu and Party
Oka Raju Oka Rani
Ninne Ishtapaddanu
Missamma
as Nanda Gopal's neighbor
Gangotri
as Anjaneya Shastri
Kabaddi Kabaddi
Ela Cheppanu
Juniors
Naaga
as Subramanyam
Manmadhudu
as Prasad
Dhanalakshmi I Love You
Nuvve... Nuvve...
as Abu, Vishwanath's friend
Okato Number Kurradu
as Swapna's Father
Sontham
as Shyam Prasad
Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru!
as Anil's Maternal Uncle
Indra
as Valmiki
Sreeram
Allari
Santosham
as Narayana Murthy
Mounamelanoye
O Chinadaana
Takkari Donga
as Doobey
The Rite, a Passion
Snehamante Idera
Manasantha Nuvve
Anandam
Student No. 1
as Jailor
Itlu Sravani Subramanyam
Nuvvu Naaku Nachav
as Ashok
Nuvvu Nenu
Naa Manasistha Raa
Sri Manjunatha
as Bhrungi
Family Circus
as Fishing Inspector
Ammo Bomma
No Poster
Time Pass
Budget Padmanabham
Priyamaina Neeku
as Ganesh's father
Mrugaraju
Narasimha Naidu
as Papanashanam
Chiranjeevulu
Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa
Devullu
as TV Anchor
NTR Nagar
Jayam Manadera
Vamsi
Azad
as Kanaka Raju
Ninne Premistha
No Poster
Moodu Mukkalaata
Goppinti Alludu
Chitram
as Ramana's father
Nuvvu Vasthavani
Chala Bagundi
Postman
Samudram
as Chepala Krishna
Pilla Nachindi
Thammudu
Raja
Neti Gandhi
No Poster
Aavide Shyamala
No Poster
Aayanagaru
Abhishekam
as G. K. Naidu
Paape Naa Pranam
O Panaipothundi Babu
Chandralekha
Pelli Peetalu
as Tatabbai
Pandaga
as Sai Babu
Maavidakulu
Priyaraagalu
Ugadi
Pelli Chesukundaam
Annamayya
Mama Bagunnava
Egire Paavurama
as Simhachalam
No Poster
Veedevadandi Babu
No Poster
Pattukondi Chuddam
as Sub Inspector Gottam Gopala Krishna
No Poster
Gunshot
Family
Bombay Priyudu
Vinodham
Deyyam
as Psychologist
No Poster
Akka! Bagunnava?
No Poster
Mummy Mee Aayanochadu
as Inspector Extra Venkat Rao
Amma Donga!
as Sattipandu
Sisindri
Aunty
as Khan
Big Boss
Sogasu Chuda Taramaa
Money Money
as Manikyam
Ghatotkachudu
as Thota Ramudu
No Poster
Gharana Bullodu
Pokiri Raja
as Inspector Prem Chand
Lingababu Love Story
as Pakir Dada
No Poster
Desa Drohulu
Aame
as Pattabhi
Subhalagnam
as Doctor
No Poster
Allarodu
Kishkinda Kaanda
Yamaleela
as Thota Ramudu
No Poster
Veetla Visheshanga
as Inspector Sennimalai
Lucky Chance
Pekata Paparao
as Harichandra
Mister Pellam
as Bank Manager
No Poster
Shabash Ramu
Matru Devo Bhava
Money
as Manikyam
Varasudu
Gaayam
as Lawyer Saab
No Poster
Rendilla Poojari
Appula Appa Rao
Jaitra Yatra
Aditya 369
as Raja Varma's Henchman
Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
Shiva
as Nanaji
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
as Dasu
Siva
as Nanaji
Swara Kalpana
Chettu Kinda Pleader
as Paata Samanlavaadu
Kallu
Lawyer Suhasini
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe
as Dorababu
Ladies Tailor
as Police
Paataku Praanam
No Poster
BharataVarsha - Saga of Shula
Patta Pagalu
Hide & Silk
