Raghupati Venkaiah Award for Mallemela

Noted poet, producer Mallemala Sundararami Reddy, popular as MS Reddy, was selected for the coveted Raghupati Venkaiah Award for the year 2005. A three-member committee headed by TL Kantha Rao appointed by the government has unanimously him as the the award. Rs 50,000 cash, a golden Nandi and a medal would be awarded to the recipient. MS Reddy was born on August 15, 1924 at Alimili in Nellore district. He is not only a producer but also a great director, story writer and lyricist apart from being a good actor. As a writer, he is well known as Mallemala.

He made his entry into the films with a dubbing film Kannepilla in 1966. However, his first straight film is Bharya. He made the audiences to turn their heads with his performance as Chief Minister in Ankusham. His film Ramayanam with all children won the State government's Nandi award and also a national award. MS Reddy had strived hard in bringing the Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad. Noted producer Shyam Prasad Reddy is the son of MS Reddy. When asked for his comments on the announcement of his name for the award, Mallemala says, 'I am one among who fought with the State government to institute one such award long ago on the name of Raghupati Venkaiah. The announcement of my name for that award denotes that the State government is trying to tell the film industry that I am still alive. I thank those who announced the award. I never worked for awards. I never felt bad for not getting any awards and at the same time, I am not elated over the conferring the award on me. Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce general secretary KC Sekharbabu expressed his happiness over the announcement.