HYDERABAD: There’s a certain charisma about him — his presence on screen never fails to make us laugh out loud. Yet, off-screen, his life is guided by strict principles that resonate with the deeper meanings of life. His mere appearance in films, even for brief moments, is always eagerly anticipated. He has made us both laugh and cry with his versatile performances, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts. His life story is truly inspiring to many, and he is none other than the legendary Padma Shri Kanneganti Brahmanandam. An actor who has set high standards in Telugu cinema, Brahmanandam shares insights from his life, revealing how simplicity and adherence to easy, uncomplicated truths have shaped his journey. From comic to intense roles, working with budding artists, and his love for art, the genius opens up in an exclusive interview.
You’ve worked with some of the younger comedians in films like ‘Jathi Ratnalu’. What’s your perspective on these actors?
To be honest, I don’t watch films at all — not even my own. I know that might be hard for some to believe, but it’s the truth. Because of this, I can’t really offer opinions or judgments on them. For me, it’s not about what kind of comedian you are or how you perform; it’s about whether people laugh when they watch the comedy. A comedian is simply someone who makes others laugh—there’s no strict formula or method to it. Whatever we say or do can become comedy. I believe that anyone who can create laughter is a comedian, whether it’s someone like Naveen Polishetty, Vennela Kishore, or anyone else. Of course, I might think I’m doing something to make you laugh, but it’s up to the audience to accept it. If they do, then you’re called a comedian. Just thinking you make people laugh and calling yourself a comedian doesn’t mean much.
You are an artist. Can you explain that phase of your life?
Art has been a part of my life since childhood; it’s not something I picked up recently. I’ve been creating artworks for as long as I can remember. However, after pursuing my education and becoming a lecturer, I had little time for my art. The same was true when I started working in other fields. Even after entering the industry, there was no opportunity to continue with my art. But when COVID hit, I found myself returning to it — whether by fortunate or unfortunate circumstance, I was able to reconnect with my artistic side.
What is your favourite art piece that you worked on?
I cannot pick one, there are so many. But the masterpiece of Lord Balaji is close to my heart.
I see a lot of books around. Are you a book lover?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve always been passionate about books. I was a Telugu Literature student and completed my Post Graduation in MA Telugu Literature. I also worked as a Telugu lecturer, so my connection to books is deeply rooted. Fortunately, I’ve had the time to indulge in my love for reading. Whenever I get a moment, I pick up a book and dive in. Beyond that, painting, reading, and exploring thought-provoking ideas have fascinated me since childhood. Cinema, for me, was something I pursued more out of necessity than passion.
Can you tell us about one of the best books you’ve read?
I’ve read many incredible books, but a few that stand out include Maha Prastanam by Sri Sri, which is a collection of poems and Penkutillu and Balipeetam by Ranganayakamma. There’s so much profound literature out there, but certain works resonate deeply. For instance, Sri Sri wrote lines like, ‘Avineeti Bandupreeti Cheekati Bazaru, Alumukuna Ee Desham Etu Digajaru,’ which translates to ‘Corruption and caste are like a dark marketplace, and this nation is ensnared in it.’ He penned these words 50-60 years ago, yet they remain relevant today. That’s why I admire him so much. He captured the struggles of middle-class life and the harsh realities of caste differences with great insight. For me, true literature, or Sahityam, should do good, Hitamu. Whether it’s a poem, an essay, or any piece of writing, it should serve society in some meaningful way.
Most of your movies have showcased your comedic talent, but your recent film Ranga Maarthaanda revealed a different side of Brahmanandam. Can you share your experience working on this film?
I received my first Filmfare award for Best Supporting Actor for this movie, which means a lot to me. There are four key things I want to highlight about this experience. First, it’s all about the director’s vision in selecting the right artists. Brahmanandam is a household name known for comedy — when I appear on screen, the audience expects to laugh. My face itself has become synonymous with laughter after 1,250 films. But in Ranga Maarthaanda, from the first frame to the last, there’s no laughter. This transformation is entirely thanks to director Krishna Vamsi, who had the insight to cast me in a role that was so different from what I’m known for.
Secondly, the decision to cast a comedian like me in a serious role was a bold move by the director. Even though I might be a good actor, it’s the director who has the vision to see beyond the genre I’m typically associated with and believe that I could deliver in such a role.
Thirdly, acting alongside stalwarts like Ramya Krishna and Prakash Raj was an intense experience. They are seasoned and proven actors, and I had to step into their world. Imagine the pressure of performing alongside a five-time National Award winner like Prakash Raj and an artist like Ramya Krishna, who has starred in massive hits like Baahubali. I don’t undermine my abilities, but entering their arena was psychologically challenging. I had moments of doubt, wondering if I could pull it off. But Krishna Vamsi, he fondly calls me ‘dad,’ reassured me, saying, ‘You can do it, Daddy.’ After the film’s release, I received messages from across the globe, including from Telugu-speaking people, soldiers, and even an ambassador from Kazakhstan, praising my performance.
I truly believe in destiny. Who would have imagined that someone would think of casting Brahmanandam in such a role? And not just anyone, but a director of Krishna Vamsi’s caliber. When I recently received the Filmfare award, it felt special. I’ve won many awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri from the Indian government, but this one was unique because it was for a genre that’s not typically mine — Best Supporting Actor.
The director’s vision was remarkable. For instance, in the hospital scene, he told me that my character needed to die with a smile, without any pain. It’s an unusual request — how can someone die happily? But that’s what I had to portray, and it was a challenge. I’ve worked with over 450 directors, but none ever had such a thought. Yet, Krishna Vamsi saw that potential in me and made it happen.
Another example is the cremation scene, where my character’s wife passes away. The director asked me to convey the internal monologue, ‘Enni Natakalu Vesam, Eppudu Manamu Badapadam Kani... Ippudu Edupu... Kantlo Nundi Neelu Ravadam Ledu Enduku,’ the director wanted me to show the character’s turmoil without shedding a tear, focusing on what would happen to the character in the future. It was a different and unexpected approach to acting.
To prepare for this role, I even went without food for a day to fully immerse myself in the character’s emotions. We shot a scene in a single take that lasted two and a half minutes. After the director called ‘action,’ I focused entirely on the dialogue and completed the scene. When the shot ended, there was a moment of silence, followed by applause from everyone on set. It was a gratifying experience. Prakash Raj, who calls me Anna, even said, ‘Neelo Unna Natudni Mottamodati Sari Chusina Prekshakudini Nene,’ meaning he was the first spectator to see the actor in me. That was a huge compliment.
Wonders like this can’t be planned; they just happen. Ranga Maarthaanda with Brahmanandam is an example of that. The role could have been given to someone else, but it was destined for me, and it worked. I’ve often said that acting, whether it’s for a comedian, hero, or villain, is fundamentally the same — the character may change, but the essence of acting doesn’t.
In conclusion, Ranga Maarthaanda was a film where the credit truly goes to the director and the entire team, including Prakash Raj and the young producer, Madhu. Their hard work brought the film together. A poet once said, ‘Enno Bandavyalu Kutti .... Soodi La Jaripoyadu Nanna...,’ Many elements must come together to create something wonderful, and that’s what happened with this film.
Can you also share about your theatre life?
To be honest, I’m quite unique in my approach. I’ve never had a formal teacher or guru; I’ve learned everything on my own. It’s not a matter of ego but rather a fact. My biography, which I wrote in Telugu titled Nenu (Mee Brahmanandam), isn’t meant to boast about my achievements. I haven’t learned acting from anyone; I’ve been a self-taught individual in this regard.
In my book, you’ll find a detailed account of how everything unfolded. I feel blessed to have developed various talents, though I often don’t have a clear explanation for my accolades. Coming from a lower-middle-class family, with my father being a teacher and raising eight children, my focus has always been on doing my job well and loving my work. It’s a simple yet powerful principle. Respect comes from dedication and hard work. As the Bhagavad Gita states, ‘Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma Phaleshu Kada Chana’, which translates to, “You have the right to work, not to the fruits thereof.” There’s a complex Telugu saying, ‘Prayatnistu Maraniste, Adi Vijayam, Praytnam Viramiste Adi Maranam’, meaning “It is victory if you die trying, defeat if you give up.”
I’ve embraced these principles, persevered, and that’s why I am where I am today.
You have worked with some of the legendary artists. Can you share your experience working with them?
Art is universal, and it doesn’t change regardless of who you work with. Whether working with a legendary artist or a lesser-known actor, what matters is the power of acting and doing justice to your character. The underlying truth is that we perform because it’s our profession, and we’re compensated for our work. Some artists may claim they’ll act until their last breath, but often, these are just statements meant to enhance their public image.
Money plays a significant role in this industry—it can solve many problems and provide opportunities. As Karl Marx said, “Where there is economic equality, there is equality everywhere in the universe.”
How would you define comedy?
Comedy is straightforward—if you’re speaking or performing in a way that makes someone laugh, that’s comedy. Some people criticise modern comedy, claiming it’s not as good as it used to be. I don’t understand how comedy can be deemed bad. It’s not for anyone to dictate what comedy is or isn’t. Comedy doesn’t start or end with any individual; it’s a constantly evolving element of entertainment. People might think I’m being too frank, but these are the facts.
How would you define success?
To understand success, you also need to understand failure. Success and failure are not separate entities; they are interconnected. I didn’t work solely to achieve success, but the fear of failure and the desire to avoid it motivated me to work hard. I believe strongly that my success is a blessing from God.
Maintaining good health, such as through practices like Surya Namaskaram, promotes good thoughts. Good thoughts lead to good actions, and good actions yield positive results. If there is a higher power or God, then those good results will naturally come to you. Ultimately, such success and fulfillment lead to moksha, the ultimate goal.
Your memes are one of the highlights on social media today. People of this generation know you through the memes. What is your perception of this?
I don’t actively use social media myself, so I’m not very familiar with these platforms.
The credit for my presence in memes goes entirely to the people who create them. Just think about how many of my movies they must have watched to find the perfect scenes for memes. The effort they put in is, in my opinion, even more challenging than acting in the films. I don’t take any credit for this phenomenon; I consider those creators to be the real “Meme Gods.”
There’s a renowned psychiatrist in Rajahmundry named Karri Rama Reddy who has about 12 photographs of me displayed in his hospital. He uses these images to gauge his patients’ moods based on their expressions and how they relate to my pictures. They asked for my permission beforehand, and I see this as something even more significant than memes.
I recently met someone who mentioned that there are so many languages, and now there’s even a new one called Brahmi language. It’s fascinating to see how my work has been integrated into various aspects of culture.
You seem to be very spiritual. Can you explain that aspect of your life?
To me, spirituality is about truth. Some people view spirituality and truth as separate concepts, but I see them as one and the same. Let me give you an example. Kannada Rajkumar had a large house and family, but when he was taken by Veerappan to the forest instead of his palace, it’s seen by some as a philosophical or spiritual event, while others might interpret it as a matter of karma. Truth and philosophy are intertwined—what is considered philosophy can also be seen as truth, and vice versa.
People often say I look like a philosopher, but to me, if something needs to be done, it will find a way to be accomplished through you. I don’t believe being an atheist or a believer is inherently wrong. An atheist may have a sense of ego, feeling they’ve achieved everything on their own, while humility is the opposite. In my view, success and failure are two sides of the same coin, and they are inseparable.
What are your next projects?
To be frank, I’m nearing 70, and people often wonder what roles I can take on at this stage. While I could try to play younger characters by colouring my hair, it’s challenging to find roles for someone of my age, as audiences often see such roles as monotonous. For instance, A Nageswara Rao played a grandfather in Manam after a distinguished career as a hero, but repeating similar roles now might not be the best choice.
Despite this, I don’t feel bored. Life is a gift, and I find joy in simple things — whether it’s visiting a temple, spending time with family, or reading books. Home is a place of comfort and emotion, and I believe in enjoying it to the fullest.
Among the projects I’ve chosen, one is BrahmaAnandam, produced by Rahul Yadav. In this film, I play Anand Murthy, a grandfather, with my son as the hero and my grandson as BrahmaAnandam. We’ve already started shooting for this project. I’ll also appear in the movie Game Changer.