Brahmanandam

Biography

Kanneganti Brahmanandam (born 1 February 1956), known mononymously as Brahmanandam, is an Indian actor, comedian, impersonator, and voice actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He is particularly known for his comic performances.

He holds the Guinness World Record for the most screen credits for a living actor, appearing in over 1000 films to date.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Acharya Nagarjuna University. In 2009, he was honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, for his contribution to Art. Brahmanandam is one of the highest-paid comic actors in India.

After completing his Master of Arts degree, Brahmanandam worked as a Telugu lecturer in Attili of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Simultaneously, he also worked in theatre and as a mimicry artist.

He made his television debut in 1985 with DD Telugu's Pakapakalu which received appreciation from the audience. After watching his performance in the show, director Jandhyala cast him in the film Aha Naa Pellanta! (1987), which became his breakthrough role.

In a career spanning over 35 years, he has garnered six state Nandi Awards, one Filmfare Award South, and six CineMAA Awards.

Brahmanandam was born on 1 February 1956 in Chaganti Vari Palem village, Sattenapalli, Andhra Pradesh. His parents are Nagalingachari and Lakshmi Narsamma. His father was a carpenter and Brahmanandam was one of eight children.

He completed his Master of Arts degree and joined as a Telugu lecturer in Attili of West Godavari district.

While working as a lecturer, Brahmanandam also worked in theatre and as a mimicry artist. Novelist and playwright Adi Vishnu introduced him to NCV Sashidhar of Doordarshan (DD). Soon after, he made his television debut in 1985 with DD Telugu's Pakapakalu.

His performance in the show received a good response from the audience. After watching his performance in the show, director Jandhyala cast him in the film Aha Naa-Pellanta! (1987), which became a breakthrough role for him.

In the same year, he appeared in the successful films Pasivadi Pranam and Swayam Krushi. The first film he acted in was Sri Tatavataram, the second film was Satyagraham, and the third film was Aha Naa Pellanta! Sri Tatavataram was released later in 1988.

In the following years, he appeared in several Telugu films, of which, his performance in the films Vivaha Bhojanambu (1988), Choopulu Kalisina Shubhavela (1988), Bandhuvulostunnaru Jagratha (1989), Muddula Mavayya (1989), Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari (1990), Bobbili Raja (1990) and Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata (1990) was well praised.

Brahmanandam married Lakshmi and has two sons, Raja Gautham and Siddharth. Gautham is also an actor who starred in films such as Pallakilo Pellikoothuru (2004), and Manu (2018). Gautham is married and has a son born in 2017.

In January 2019, Brahmanandam underwent a successful heart bypass surgery at Asian Heart Institute (AHI) in Mumbai.

Apart from acting, Brahmanandam is also an amateur sculptor and a sketch artist. He also reads the philosophical writings of Swami Vivekananda and Jiddu Krishnamurthi in his free time.