Kotayya Pratyagatma

Kotayya Pratyagatma Biography

Kotayya Pratyagatma was a film maker and journalist who has received 3 national awards. He has directed many movies in Hindi and Telugu. He made his directorial debut through Telugu movie - Bharya Bhartalu in 1961. Later he directed 30 films belonging to Telugu and Hindi languages. Actor Krishnam Raju, popularly called 'Rebel Star' was introduced by this film maker through the movie, Chilaka Gorinka in 1966. Raja Aur Runk (1968) and Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971) are his popular Bollywood movies. Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari with Jeetendra and Mumtaz in the pivot roles, has inspired many Indian directors like Priyadarshan to make movies later. Malayalam blockbuster Minnaram (1994), starring Mohanlal and Shobana in the pivot roles is heavily inspired from this Bollywood comedy.  Director K. Vasu is his son.  

He was on 31 October 1925 in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh. He was married to Satyavati, and the couple had three children including film director K. Vasu. He had a brief stint in journalism and media before fully switching on to film career. He served as a journalist for Prajashakti magazine in 1952 and also served as an editor of the magazine Jwala. He made his directorial debut through Bharya Bhartalu in 1961 which earned President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

Three of his directorial ventures have earned National film awards. Apart from his debut movie, Kula Gothralu managed to earn second best regional film in the following year and Manushulu Mamathalu earned National award for the Third Best Feature Film in Telugu for the year 1965. He was active throughout 1960s and 1970s delivering many classic movies like Manashulu Mamatalu, Palletoori Bava, Mugguru Ammyilu, Gadusu Ammayi and Stree.

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Updated: June 26, 2014