Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy (16 November 1908 – 8 November 1977), professionally known as B. N. Reddy, was an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was an early figure in the Telugu cinema.[1] Many of his earlier films like Vande Mataram (1939), Devatha (1941) had V. Nagayya as the lead. His Malliswari (1951) starring N. T. Rama Rao and Bhanumathi is considered a timeless Indian film classic.[2] Reddy was the first film personality to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from South India the highest honorary award of Indian cinema.[3] He was awarded India's third highest civilian honor the Padmabhushan, and the Doctor of Letters.[4]
Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy was born on 16 November 1908 in a farmer family at Y.Kothapalli village in the present-day Kadapa district.[5] His father Narasimha Reddy used to export onions from Chennai to Rangoon (Yangoon) for a living.[citation needed] He was eldest of four brothers; others are B. Nagi Reddy, B. N. Konda Reddy and B. Ramalinga Reddy.[citation needed]
He was schooled in Proddatur and later continued the schooling in Madras. He enrolled in Pachaiyappa's College, but left without graduating. He later studies auditing and accounting and worked as an apprentice in an auditing firm.[5]
When H. M. Reddy decided to turn a producer, B.N. Reddy and B. Nagi Reddi joined hands with him to form Rohini Pictures.[6]
B. N. Reddy directed 11 feature films.