B. R. Panthulu

Boodgur Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu (26 July 1910 – 8 October 1974), better known as B. R. Panthulu, was an Indian film director, producer, and actor. He is best known for directing movies in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. His most popular films are Sri Krishna Deva Raya, Karnan, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, and Aayirathil Oruvan.B.R.Panthulu converted Ma. Po. Si.'s biography works 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' (வீர பாண்டிய கட்டபொம்மன் – a movie about a local chieftain who fought with the British in the 18th century in Tamil Nadu) and 'Kappolotiya Tamizhan' (கப்பலோட்டிய தமிழன் – a movie about a Tamil merchant who rebelled against the British rule that forbade Tamils operating shipping companies) to celluloid.

Before coming into the film industry, he worked as a teacher. He made his debut as an actor in the 1936 Kannada movie Samsara Nauka. Samsara Nauke was produced by Devi Films based in Chennai. Directed by H. L. N. Simha, the film starred B.R. Panthulu, M.V. Rajamma, Dikki Madhava Rao, S.K. Padmadevi, and M.S. Madhava Rao. The hero marries against his grandfather's wishes and is cast out. His troubles do not end here – he finds no favour with his in-laws, loses his job, and finds himself accused of murdering the bride his grandfather had chosen for him.The film was adapted from a play by the Chadrakala Natak Mandali, and remained true to the original's reformist ideal. He made his directional debut in the 1957 movie Thangamalai Ragasiyam (1957), which he produced himself.He directed many remarkable Kannada movies like School master, Sri Krishna deva Raya.