Tanikella Bharani
Tanikella Bharani (born July 14, 1954) is a highly respected Indian actor, screenwriter, poet, playwright, and director who primarily works in Telugu cinema, alongside notable appearances in Tamil and Hindi films. Born in Secunderabad, Telangana, into a family with a rich literary lineage, he completed his graduation in Commerce from Railway Degree College. Passionate about the stage, he subsequently earned a post-graduate diploma in Theatre Arts from Osmania University. He began his career in the mid-1970s as a prolific stage actor and playwright before relocating to Chennai on the advice of veteran actor Rallapalli to pursue a career in the film industry. Bharani made his cinematic debut as a dialogue writer for *Kanchu Kavacham* (1984). He quickly established himself as a highly sought-after writer, penning memorable dialogues for critically acclaimed hit films like *Ladies Tailor* (1985), *Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe* (1987), and Ram Gopal Varma's path-breaking gangster drama *Shiva* (1989). Simultaneously, he transitioned into acting, making a striking on-screen impression in *Shiva* as the cunning antagonist Nanaji. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he evolved into one of Tollywood's most versatile character actors, effortlessly shifting between menacing villains, comedic roles, and poignant supporting characters. He won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for his powerful performance in *Samudram* (1999) and the Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for *Nuvvu Nenu* (2001). In addition to his prolific acting career, which spans over 750 films, Bharani is a celebrated literary figure. He has authored multiple books, plays, and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva. In 2012, he made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Telugu drama *Mithunam*, starring S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi, which earned him the CineMAA Special Jury Award for Best Direction. His massive pan-Indian acting footprint expanded further when he portrayed the priest Swamyji in S. S. Rajamouli's global blockbusters *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017). He has also made a successful mark in Tamil cinema with notable roles in films ranging from *Ghilli* (2004) to *Vaathi* (2023). Continuing his legacy as an indispensable pillar in contemporary cinema, Bharani remains highly active. His 2024 theatrical releases include prominent roles in the political thriller *Prathinidhi 2*, the actioner *Bhaje Vaayu Vegam*, Harish Shankar's *Mr. Bachchan*, the thriller *Kalinga*, and *Nindha*. His robust upcoming slate extending through 2025 and 2026 features a diverse array of major projects. In 2025, he is set to appear in Krish Jagarlamudi's period epic *Hari Hara Veera Mallu*, Mohan Krishna Indraganti's comedy *Sarangapani Jathakam*, *Kishkindhapuri*, and Mani Ratnam's highly anticipated Tamil action-drama *Thug Life* starring Kamal Haasan. Slated for 2026, he features in the Telugu films *Raakaasaa*, *BharataVarsha*, and *The Paradise*. A recipient of three Nandi Awards and the Sahitya Puraskar for his lifetime literary achievements, Bharani remains a towering cultural icon in Telugu cinema.
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
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
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
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
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)