Dharmavarapu Subramanyam

Biography

Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam (20 September 1954 – 7 December 2013) was an Indian actor, comedian, and film director who worked in Telugu cinema.

He was established as one of the highly paid and top leading comedians in the Telugu film industry. Dharmavarapu had a huge fan following among the Telugu audience for his unique style and dialogue modulation. He hosted several popular television shows.

Being close to Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Dharmavarapu was a member of the Indian National Congress and worked as chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Cultural Association. Dharmavarapu has received two state Nandi Awards for best male comedian for his roles in Alasyam Amrutham (2010) and Yagnam (2004).

Dharmavarapu was born in a Telugu Brahmin family at Komminenivaripalem in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. Dharmavarapu originally worked as a government employee. He became popular through his comedy serial "Anando Brahma" which he both acted in and directed.

It was aired on Doordarshan in the 1980s becoming a sensational hit show in Andhra Pradesh changing the trend of Television media in entertainment. His first film appearance was in the Jandhyala-directed Jayammu Nischayammu Raa in 1989. He was renowned for his comedy roles and flawless dialogue delivery.

Later, he went on to act in various films with star heroes like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan, Prabhas, Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, Ravi Teja. He also directed a Telugu film, Thokaleni Pitta, starring Naresh in the lead produced by Kona Venkat.

Dharmavarpu was close-knit to the then Chief Minister Late Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and has been active in the Congress party. He hosted a political satire program 'Ding Dong' on Sakshi TV in 2011. Dharmavarapu died on 7 December 2013, after fighting liver cancer for several months.