Tanikella Bharani

Acting

Tanikella Bharani

Born 1954-07-14 · Hyderabad, Telangana, India

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.

Acting credits

Raakaasa poster
6.2

Returning home after a decade, an NRI chasing romance inadvertently awakens an ancient darkness long feared by his village. As the threat intensifies, love turns deadly and life hangs in the balance.

Raakaasa

2026

Bāhubali: The Beginning poster
7.6

The young Shivudu is left as a foundling in a small village by his mother. By the time he’s grown up, it has become apparent that he possesses exceptional gifts. He meets the beautiful warrior princess Avanthika and learns that her queen has been held captive for the last 25 years. Shividu sets off to rescue her, discovering his own origins in the process.

Bāhubali: The Beginning

2015

Bāhubali: The Epic poster
6.4

When a mysterious child is found by a tribal couple near a roaring waterfall, they raise him as their own. As he grows, Sivudu is drawn to the world beyond the cliffs, where he discovers the ancient kingdom of Mahishmati, ruled by a cruel tyrant, haunted by rebellion, and bound to his past. What begins as a quest for love soon unravels a legacy of betrayal, sacrifice, and a forgotten prince.

Bāhubali: The Epic

2025

Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion poster
7.5

When Mahendra, the son of Bāhubali, learns about his heritage, he begins to look for answers. His story is juxtaposed with past events that unfolded in the Mahishmati Kingdom.

Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion

2017

Aadikeshava poster
6.2

A man battles criminals exploiting child labour.

Aadikeshava

2023

Mystery poster
NR

The scenes of the murder in a farm house are important to the movie on three aspects: how did it happen, who did it and why did it happen.

Mystery

2023

Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada poster
6.2

A visual effects artist gets possessed by an evil spirit and tries to get rid of it until he meets another innocent soul possessed by spirits.

Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada

2016

The Paradise poster
NR

In 1980s Secunderabad, a marginalized tribe battles discrimination and fights for citizenship under an unexpected leader's guidance, challenging systemic oppression.

The Paradise

2026

Nene Raju Nene Mantri poster
6.3

Nene Raju Nene Mantri is the story of Radha Jogendra and the love of his life, Radha. His whole world revolves around her and he can go to any lengths to make her happy. But what happens when such profound love takes the shape of cavernous ambition?

Nene Raju Nene Mantri

2017

Oosaravelli poster
5.3

A youngster, who does anything for money, avenges on those who killed the family of Niharika.

Oosaravelli

2011

Dhana 51 poster
NR

A man befriends a girl who is the daughter of a police commissioner. He becomes an undercover cop and gives the commissioner leads about gangsters but is shocked when he is arrested and booked.

Dhana 51

2005

Badrinath poster
3.8

Trained by a religious martial arts guru, Badri becomes the protector of Badrinath temple and tries to revive Alakananda's faith in God, unaware of the fact that she has fallen for him.

Badrinath

2011

Srirastu Subhamastu poster
4.3

Sirish belongs to a well to do family which is headed by Prakash Raj. Things in his family get disturbed when Srirish’s brother loves and marries a middle class girl against his father’s will. In this crunch situation, Sirish falls in love with a yet another middle class girl called Anu(Lavanya) and reveals about this to his father. An upset Prakash Raj, gives him a piece of his advice and asks him to back off from the relationship. An adamant Sirish, challenges his father that he will win his love by not using his family name. In this process, he woos Anu and right when the time things start getting positive, Anu’s father arranges her marriage with some one else.Rest of the story is as to how Sirish manages to convince both Anu’s parents and his and finally comes out victorious.

Srirastu Subhamastu

2016

Vijetha poster
5.5

Srinivasa Rao, who is a talented photographer sacrifices his passion and keeps his family before everything. But his son Ram doesn’t understand this and keeps wasting time by chilling with his friends. An unexpected twist creates a massive rift between the father and son. Rest of the story is as to how Ram becomes responsible in life and wins his father’s respect back.

Vijetha

2018

Raja the Great poster
5.9

Raja is a blind man who's trained by his head constable mother to use his disability to his advantage. Lucky is the pampered daughter of a police officer and they're each other's whole world. What happens when Lucky's world is shaken by a goon Deva? How does Raja fit into this picture?

Raja the Great

2017

Bruce Lee: The Fighter poster
5.9

When a stuntman is mistaken for a police officer, he begins fighting crime.

Bruce Lee: The Fighter

2015

1st Rank Raju poster
3.0

Raju, an engineering student is obsessed with academics until he is thrown into the real world where he stumbles and tries to learn some very important life lessons.

1st Rank Raju

2019

Sammohanam poster
6.8

A cartoonist, who detests films and movie stars, finds himself in an awkward situation when he falls in love with a film actress

Sammohanam

2018

Sogasu Chuda Taramaa poster
10.0

A couple's marriage begins to fall apart after their financial constraints come in the way of realising their dreams.

Sogasu Chuda Taramaa

1995

Thug Life poster
5.0

In a world ruled by crime and betrayal, mafia kingpin Sakthivel and his brother Manikkam rescue a young boy, Amaran, during a violent police shootout and raise him as their own. Years later, when an assassination attempt shakes Sakthivel's empire, suspicion turns inward. Consumed by vengeance, Sakthivel sets out to destroy the very family he once built.

Thug Life

2025

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo poster
6.6

After growing up enduring criticism from his father, a young man finds his world shaken upon learning he was switched at birth with a millionaire's son.

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo

2020

Ninnu Kori poster
6.3

Pallavi invites Uma, her ex-boyfriend, to stay with her and her husband to convince him that she is happy in her marriage. Uma tries to create a rift between the couple, hoping to win Pallavi back.

Ninnu Kori

2017

Student No. 1 poster
5.3

At his father's request, Aditya attends a law college in the coastal metropolis of Visakhapatnam, although he actually wanted to become an engineer. On the first day he meets the beautiful Anjali. Over time, the female student slowly begins to become interested in the strange newcomer, who acts nice and friendly but doesn't seem to be interested in anything else. The college is notorious for its disobediently and disorderly students. It's not the professors who are in charge on campus, but rather the student leader Satya. He is also in love with Anjali and sees Aditya as a competitor who needs to be put in his place. So Aditya faces multiple problems as he tries to reform the unruly students while dealing with his terrible past that everyone doesn't know about.

Student No. 1

2001

Munna poster
4.7

Munna (Prabhas) is a college student. His aim is to finish off mafia don Kakha (Prakash Raj) who keeps the entire city under his grip. Munna has personal vengeance to take on Kakha. An honest politician Srinivasa Rao (Kota Srinivasa Rao) relentlessly works to expose Kakha but gets killed. Meanwhile, Munna’s classmate Nidhi (Ileana D'Cruz) falls in love with him. The twist in the tale is that Kakha is none other than his estranged father who tries to sell off his mother and was responsible for the death of his mother and his kid sister. Another don in the city named Aatma, who is the opposition of Kakha (Rahul Dev) asks Munna to join him. But Munna refuses his proposal. Munna starts to beat Kakha and the mind game begins. Kakha's second wife and son-daughter left him and join Munna. After some incidents including the death of his best friend, Munna finds out that Aatma was working for Kakha all along.

Munna

2007

Behind the camera

Mithunam poster
7.2

An elderly couple live by themselves while their children are settled abroad; they take each day as special and enjoy their life.

Mithunam

2012

Mithunam poster
7.2

An elderly couple live by themselves while their children are settled abroad; they take each day as special and enjoy their life.

Mithunam

2012

Maharshi poster
8.0

After a college student becomes obsessed with a co-ed, she and her husband attempt to heal him, with dangerous consequences.

Maharshi

1987

Swara Kalpana poster
9.0

No synopsis available yet.

Swara Kalpana

1989

Ladies Tailor poster
7.3

Sundaram is a lazy tailor who believes that only luck will make him rich. However, the predictions of a soothsayer send him off on a rib-tickling journey, in pursuit of his fortune.

Ladies Tailor

1986

Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe poster
10.0

Gopalam and Sita work as dancers in the troupe. Gopalam is a naive and timid man, who loves Sita, but cannot muster enough courage to reveal his feelings to her.

Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe

1987

One by Two poster
NR

Comedy Movie starring JD Chakravarthy and Srikanth

One by Two

1993

Chevilo Puvvu poster
NR

The film begins on Prasad (Rajendra Prasad) an unemployed educated guy one that suffers from sleepwalking. During the time of his maternal uncle's (Sakshi Ranga Rao) daughter's wedding, Prasad unknowingly walks into the bride's room. At that moment, the bridegroom Paramatma (Tanikella Bharani) suspects them and demands Rs.20,000 as compensation. As a result, Prasad steps into the city to accumulate money and carry various petty jobs. Thereupon, he is acquainted with a beautiful girl Anupama (Seeta) who comforts him with a govt job and required amount.

Chevilo Puvvu

1990

Sira poster
NR

Sira meaning ink, depicts the inner turmoil of a writer at ,Conscious, Subconscious and Unconscious levels and his relationship with world, which is again inner and outer.

Sira

Sira poster
NR

Sira meaning ink, depicts the inner turmoil of a writer at ,Conscious, Subconscious and Unconscious levels and his relationship with world, which is again inner and outer.

Sira