Top Ten Women Directors of Telugu cinema
Despite women often saying that the film Industry is a man’s world, there are several successful lady actors, writers, producers and directors in Telugu cinema right from the Black and white era. Excelling in more than one craft a few women have enjoyed superstar status on par with the male superstars and have achieved a special identity for themselves and stood as an example for future generations. We have compiled a list of such successful female Tollywood directors have a look at them.
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Bhanumati Ramakrishna
She not just entertained the audience as a heroine on screen, but she made some noise behind the screen as well. From applying make-up to directing actors and producing movies she has excelled in almost all the departments. She made her directional debut with 'Chandirani' in 1953 and won civilian honours such as Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Padmasri besides winning the National film award for her book ‘Nalo Nenu’ in 1994.
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Savitri
This great actress Mahanati Savitri who was one of the highest-paid and most popular actresses of the 50s, 60s and 70s has directed several movies such as 'Chinnari Papalu' in 1968 (directional debut), 'Praptham' 1971, 'Mathru Devatha' 1969, 'Vintha Samsaram' 1971, 'Kuzhandai Ullam' 1969, 'Matru Devata' 1969 and others besides writing and producing a few films in Telugu and Tamil languages.
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Vijay Nirmala
This multi-talented late actress has not just acted in multi lingual films but is also a Guinness Book of world record holder for directing the most no.of movies as a female director in the world. She has directed more than 40 films in Telugu and one film each in Tamil ('Kungumachimizh') and Malayalam.
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Sudha Kongara
This Indian Telugu-Tamil film director is a former assistant to director Mani Ratnam, and has made her directional debut with ‘Andhra Andagadu’ in 2008. Who later went on to win several National film awards for her film making such as 'Irudhi Suttru', and 'Soorarai Pottru'. Currently, she is busy remaking her Tamil 'Soorarai Pottru' film in Hindi.
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B.V.Nandini Reddy
This professional screenwriter and director of Tollywood who made her directional debut with the 2011 blockbuster film ‘Ala Modalaindi’ went on to make successful films such as ‘Kalyana Vaibhogame’(2016) with Naga Shaurya, ‘Oh! Baby’ with Samantha, ‘Pitta Kathalu’ for OTT and now ‘Anni Manchi Sakunamule’ with Santosh Sobhan and Malavika Nair as the leads.
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B.Jaya
B.Jaya (Late) is an Indian Telugu film director journalist turned film director who made successful films such as ‘Chantigadu’, ‘Premikulu’, and ‘Lovely’. Her husband was a noted PRO BA Raju in the Indian Telugu film industry.
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Jeevitha Rajsekhar
She was not just a successful Tamil-Telugu actress but was also a successful director-producer in Tollywood who has directed superhit films like ‘Seshu’ 2002, and ‘Shekar’2022 with her husband Dr.Rajsekhar, besides producing films such as 'Evadaithe Nakenti', 'Aaptudu', and 'Mahankali' with him.
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Lakshmi Sowjanya
This 2021 Telugu romantic comedy film ‘Varudu Kavlenu’ written and directed by Lakshmi Sowjanya scored a super hit at the box-office with her sincere attempt with a light-hearted film. Currently, she is on her way to making her next film and the details of the same are yet to be announced.
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Gowri Ronanki
Female director Gowri Ronanki made her directional debut with the successful 2021 musical romantic comedy film ‘Pelli SandaD’ and she is on her way to making new films now…!
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Suchitra Chandrabose
This noted choreographer turned Tollywood lady director has directed a film called ‘Pallakilo Pellikuthuru’ that was not just commercially viable but was also critically acclaimed. Her husband is now nominated under the 'Best Original Song category' for Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards for penning the lyrics for 'Naatu Naatu' song for 'RRR'.
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