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(Appayya Panthulu / Outdated Priest)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