Krishna
Krishna is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Krishna began their career in 1983 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 43 years. With 30 credits to their name, Krishna remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 40+ years, Krishna's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
Biography
Krishna Ghattamaneni Popularly Known as Superstar Krishna is an Indian film actor, director and producer known for his works in Telugu Cinema. He acted in more than 350 films, as one of the leading actors in his career spanning over five decades in the 70's and 80's. In 2008, he got an honorary doctorate from Andhra University. In 2009, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian Cinema. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Congress party in 1989. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →Highest rated: Vamsi (7.6)
View film →Iconic Roles
Vamsi
Played a pivotal role in this family drama.
Defining Moments
Founding Padmalaya Studios
Established his own film studio, becoming the first Telugu actor to do so, which gave him greater creative control.
Padma Bhushan Award
Received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →
Did You Know?
Krishna is credited with introducing the cowboy genre to Telugu cinema with his film 'Mosagallaku Mosagadu' (1971).
He was the first Telugu actor to own a private film studio, Padmalaya Studios, established in 1979.
Krishna was the first Telugu actor to act in a full-length 70mm film, 'Alluri Seetharama Raju' (1974).
He is the father of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu.
Krishna holds the record for starring in the highest number of Telugu films as a solo lead actor.
Legacy & Influence
Krishna Ghattamaneni, popularly known as Superstar Krishna, is a monumental figure in Telugu cinema whose career redefined the industry's technical and stylistic boundaries. Emerging as a leading actor in the 1970s and 1980s, he starred in over 350 films, becoming synonymous with the mass hero archetype and pioneering new genres. His most significant contribution lies in his role as a technological innovator. Through his production house, Padmalaya Studios, he introduced several firsts to Indian cinema, including the first Cinemascope film in Telugu ('Alluri Seetharama Raju'), the first 70mm film ('Simhasanam'), and the first film with DTS sound ('Telugu Veera Levara'). He was also among the earliest to experiment with cowboy and spy thriller genres, bringing a distinct pan-Indian and international flair to regional storytelling. His on-screen persona, characterized by a unique style, dialogue delivery, and daring stunts, influenced a generation of actors and expanded the commercial appeal of Telugu films. Beyond acting, his work as a producer and director helped modernize production values and narrative pacing. His career trajectory, spanning more than five decades, showcases a relentless drive to push cinematic envelopes, cementing his legacy not just as a superstar but as a visionary who propelled Telugu cinema into a new era of technical sophistication and mass appeal.