H.M.Reddy – Director of First ever Telugu Full Lenght Talkie Movie

H. M. Reddy was an Indian film producer, and director known for his works in Telugu cinema. He directed the first south Indian talkie film Kalidas shot in Tamil and Telugu. He then produced and directed the first full length Telugu sound film, Bhakta Prahlada in 1932.

H. M. Reddy (Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy)
Born – June 12, 1892 In Andhra Pradesh, India
Died – 14 January 1960 (aged 67)
Occupation – Film Director, Film Producer

Early career:

Reddy worked as assistant director to Ardeshir Irani, who produced first Indian talkie film Alam Ara. Subsequently Reddy produced the first south Indian talkie.

Telugu people who got bored with non spoken movies have been freed by H.M.Reddy’s first Talkie film ‘Bhaktha Prahaladha’. Currently, Telugu cinema has been developed and it is our duty to remember the service of the first director of Telugu film industry, H.M.Reddy, who was pioneered the Telugu cinema to next level.

Born on 12 June 1892, H.M Reddy full name was Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy. He studied in Bangalore and has worked as Inspector of Police there. Later he left the job as he was not interested to work for the Britishers. With an interest in the field of cinema, he next turned to Mumbai to research on Telugu movies. There he worked as Reflector boy in a studio at Mumbai and observed every part in the production field. Next he worked as assistant to Ardeshir Irani, creator of the first Indian talkie Alam Ara. Later he got a golden chance to direct the “Vijay Kumar”, a silent movie, in the year 1930. In 1931 he has taken up a Talkie project “Bhaktha Prahaladha” under Ardeshir Irani Gane production and it was a big hit.

H.M Reddy had started Rohini pictures limited at Madras with the partnership of B.N Reddy and actress Kannamba. The first movie released from this banner was “Gruha Laxmi” that was based on the play of “Rangoon Rowdy”. The central theme of this movie revolves around the ban of liquor and arrack (సారాయి) and the film has become huge success at those times. Tamil’s first talkie film ‘Kalidasu’ (1931) is also directed by H.M Reddy itself.

The legendary filmmaker has introduced many famous personalities in TFI. He has given chance to LV Prasad in his movie ‘Tenali Ramakrishna’ and in ‘Gharana Donga’. BN Reddy, KV Reddy and Kamalakara Kameswara Rao have done their apprenticeship along with H M Reddy in various Film Making departments.

His philosophy was

 “Believe in you not the Stars”.

He had succeeded as director and also as producer as well as a great individual. H.M.Reddy finally died on Jan 14th 1960, during the making of ‘Gaja donga’.

Movies Produced by H.M.Reddy:

1. Bhakta Prahlada (1932)
2. Gruhalakshmi (1938)
3. Tenali Ramakrishna (1941)
4. Pratigya (1953)

Movies Directed by H.M.Reddy: