Chalam

Chalam Biography

Chalam was a noted character artist, film producer and art director associated with Telugu film industry during the golden era - 1950s to the 1980s. As a versatile actor, he portrayed numerous roles onscreen including leading actor role and a comedian. Often named as Dileep Kumar of Telugu film industry, he has worked with almost all leading artists of Telugu cinema for the 4 decades since 1950s.

Sambarala Rambabu in 1970 and Mattilo Manikyam in 1971 are his noted films as a film producer and actor. Mattilo Manikyam earned him National Film Award for Regional Film for the year 1971. Chalam was married to National award winning actress of South Indian Cinema – Sharada, who was the leading actress of Malayalam cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. However they got divorced. Actors Shoban Babu and Chandra Mohan were his close friends.

His real name is Korada Simhachalam and he is also known by the name Ramana Chalam. He was born on 18 May 1929 in Palakollu, West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Naa Chellelu in 1953 marked his acting debut. He married Ramana Kumari and changed his name to Ramana Chalam. Unfortunately his wife died in a fire accident in 1964. His second marriage was with leading and talented south Indian actress Sharada to end in a divorce. He was his co-star in her debut film Tandrulu Kodukulu.

As a character artist/comedian, some of his noted appearances include – Kalam Marindhi, Sudigundalu, Sri Krishna Vijayam, Sardar Paparayudu, Amma yevarikaina Amma, Mayadari Krishnudu, Pavithra Hrudayalu, Devudu Chesina Manushulu and Maaya Maschindra. He was equally verse as a comedian and character artist. He died at a comparatively young age, a few days before his 50^th birthday.

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Updated: December 30, 2015