Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth14 July 1954
Age70 Years
BirthplaceSecunderabad, Hyderabad (now Telangana)
ProfessionActor, Theatre Artist, Screenwriter, Film Director, Playwright, Poet
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
SpouseDurga Bhavani
FamilySon - Teja Tanikella; Daughter - Bhavani Tanikella; Father - T. V. S. Srithanikella Ramalingeswara Rao; Mother - Lakshmi Narasamma
Tanikella Bharani Biography
Veteran Telugu theatre artist, actor, writer and director Tanikella Bharani has built a multifaceted career across stage, cinema and literature. Known for扎
Early life and backgroundTanikella Bharani was born on 14 July 1954 in Secunderabad, Hyderabad (now in Telangana). He grew up in a family with strong literary connections: his extended relatives include noted Telugu writers and poets. He attended a railway school in Hyderabad and completed a commerce degree at Railway Degree College in Secunderabad. He later took a diploma in drama from Osmania University, training that helped shape his lifelong engagement with theatre and storytelling.
Career
Bharani’s professional life spans theatre, film, literature and music. He began writing and performing for stage groups while still a student, producing winning work for his college theatre troupe. In the mid-1970s he linked up with associates of the actor Rallapalli and began writing scenes and dialogues for stage plays. Rallapalli invited him to contribute to the Sri Murali Kalanilayam theatre group, for which Bharani wrote multiple plays and established himself as a playwright and performer.
His move from Hyderabad to Chennai expanded his opportunities. On stage he acted in plays such as Jambu Dweepam, Chal Chal Gurram, Naalugo Kothi, Kokkorokko and Gaardhabhaandam, and wrote and performed many short playlets including Gaardhabhanda, Grahanam Pattina Ratri and Hulakki. One of his stage works, Gograhanam, received recognition from the Sahitya Akademi.
Transitioning into cinema, Bharani’s first Telugu film credit as a dialogue writer was for Kanchu Kavacham (1985). He made his acting debut the same year in the Telugu film Ladies Tailor, appearing as a policeman. Over subsequent decades he built a prolific film career as a character actor and writer. His film writing credits include titles such as Aalapana, Pralayam, Ladies Tailor and several popular Telugu films through the late 1980s and 1990s, including Varasudochadu, Maharshi, Chinnari Sneham, Aadarsam and Pattukondi Chuddam.
As an actor, Bharani featured in significant Telugu films across the 1990s and 2000s, appearing in Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu, Money Money, Big Boss, Pellichesukundam and Samudram among others. He increased his screen presence in the 2000s, averaging more than ten films a year at times, and continued appearing in notable productions into the 2010s and 2020s, with roles in Ramayya Vasthavayya, Baahubali: The Beginning, Nela Ticket, Saaho and Acharya.
His work is not limited to Telugu cinema. He has acted in Tamil films such as Veetla Visheshanga (1994) and later Mazhai, Bheemaa, Nootrenbadhu, Kalavaram and Thozha. He has also appeared in Hindi-language projects, including Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega and the Rakht Charitra films.
Bharani has directed Telugu cinema as well, with his feature film directorial credit for Mithunam (2012). He has produced award-winning short films and served as a dubbing artist on a variety of projects across languages.
Writing, music and spirituality
Beyond stage and screen, Bharani is an author of Telugu books and spiritual works. His published titles include Parikini, Nakshatra Darsanam, Maathralu and Endaro Mahanubavulu, along with spiritual writings such as Aata Gadaraa Siva and Shabbash Ra Shankara.
He has composed and sung devotional songs and released music albums including Nalona Sivudu Galadu, Shabhash Ra Shankara and Naa Manasu Kothi Ra Rama. Bharani performs Harikatha and other spiritual presentations, drawing on his knowledge of the Bhagavata Purana and following the teachings of his spiritual guru Sri Sannidhanam Taraka Brahmasastri. He has organized spiritual events in India and abroad and presented literary programs internationally.
Awards and recognition
Over his career Bharani has received multiple awards across cinema and literature. His Nandi Awards include Best Villain (2000), Best Character Actor (2002) and Best Dialogue Writer (2013). He earned the CineMAA Special Jury Award for directing Mithunam in 2013. His literary recognitions include several regional awards and fellowships, and he has been honored by film festivals for short film work.
Public profile
Tanikella Bharani is known for his fluency in multiple languages—Telugu, Tamil, English and Hindi—and for an active public presence that encompasses theatre, film, writing and spiritual discourse. He is a devotee of Lord Shiva and maintains a visible involvement in devotional and literary activities. In his personal life he is married to Durga Bhavani since 30 November 1988 and they have two children, a son Teja and a daughter Bhavani. He is also connected by family ties to prominent Telugu literary figures.
Latest updates
In recent years Bharani continued to work across film and theatre, appeared in high-profile Telugu films into the 2020s, and remained active as an author and devotional performer. He has received literary awards and fellowships as recently as 2022 and continues to present spiritual and literary programs domestically and overseas.
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Recent Work
Telugu feature film directed by Tanikella Bharani (2012); also earned Nandi Award for Best Dialogue Writer and CineMAA Special Jury Award for Best Director.
2012Career Highlights
- Debuted as a dialogue writer in Telugu cinema with Kanchu Kavacham (1985)
- Acting debut in Ladies Tailor (1985)
- Directed the Telugu film Mithunam (2012)
- Recipient of multiple Nandi Awards and regional literary honors
- Published author of Telugu books and composer of devotional music
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tanikella Bharani born?
Tanikella Bharani was born on 14 July 1954.
What is Tanikella Bharani known for?
Tanikella Bharani is known for actor, Theatre Artist, Screenwriter, Film Director, Playwright, Poet.
What is Tanikella Bharani’s marital status?
Tanikella Bharani's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Tanikella Bharani married to?
Tanikella Bharani is publicly listed as married to Durga Bhavani.
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