4.8
The Paradise
2026
Tanikella Bharani
Acting
Born July 14, 1954Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Biography
Tanikella Bharani (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, poet, playwright, and director who primarily works in Telugu cinema, with appearances in Tamil and Hindi films. He began his career as a stage actor and playwright in the mid-1970s before entering the film industry. Bharani made his film debut as a dialogue writer for *Kanchu Kavacham* (1984). He wrote dialogues for films including *Ladies Tailor* (1985), *Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe* (1987), and Ram Gopal Varma's gangster drama *Shiva* (1989), in which he also played Nanaji. He later appeared in villainous, comedic, and supporting roles. He won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for *Samudram* (1999) and the Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for *Nuvvu Nenu* (2001). Bharani has acted in more than 750 films and has written books, plays, and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva. He made his directorial debut with the Telugu drama *Mithunam* (2012), starring S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi, and received the CineMAA Special Jury Award for Best Direction. He played the priest Swamyji in S. S. Rajamouli's *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017). His Tamil film roles include appearances in *Ghilli* (2004) and *Vaathi* (2023). His 2024 releases include the political thriller *Prathinidhi 2*, the action film *Bhaje Vaayu Vegam*, Harish Shankar's *Mr. Bachchan*, the thriller *Kalinga*, and *Nindha*. His 2025 credits include Krish Jagarlamudi's period film *Hari Hara Veera Mallu*, Mohan Krishna Indraganti's comedy *Sarangapani Jathakam*, *Kishkindhapuri*, and Mani Ratnam's Tamil action-drama *Thug Life*. He has received three Nandi Awards and the Sahitya Puraskar for his literary work.
Movies
See All
0.0
Kiku Chiranjeevi
2026
5.5
Raakaasa
2026
6.5
Bāhubali: The Epic
2025
0.0
Andhela Ravamidhi
2025
6.0
Kishkindhapuri
2025
0.0
Meghalu Cheppina Prema Katha
2025
5.0
Thug Life
2025
5.7
Sarangapani Jathakam
2025
0.0
Madhushala
2025
0.0
Neeli Megha Shyama
2025
3.8
Kalinga
2024
2.8
Mr Bachchan
2024
7.0
Shivam Bhaje
2024
0.0
Nindha
2024
4.0
Honeymoon Express
2024
0.0
Manamey
2024
6.2
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam
2024
0.0
Vidya Vasula Aham
2024
6.0
Prathinidhi 2
2024
7.0
Sriranga Neethulu
2024
2.0
Karataka Damanaka
2024
0.0
Inti Number – 13
2024
0.0
Drill
2024
7.0
Sarkaaru Noukari
2024
6.2
Aadikeshava
2023
0.0
Mystery
2023
0.0
Mind Game
2023
7.2
Peddha Kapu - 1
2023
6.1
BRO
2023
4.6
Spy
2023
5.0
Raa Raa... Penimiti
2023
5.0
Kisi Ka Bhai... Kisi Ki Jaan
2023
0.0
Dochevaarevarura
2023
7.0
Mr. King
2023
6.8
Vaathi
2023
7.0
Premadesam
2023
4.2
Dhamaka
2022
7.0
Cheppalani Undhi
2022
6.8
HIT: The 2nd Case
2022
6.0
Andaru Bagundali Andulo Nenundali
2022
0.0
Geetha
2022
4.5
Alluri
2022
4.3
First Day First Show
2022
7.0
Wanted PanduGod
2022
5.5
Bimbisara
2022
5.5
Ramarao On Duty
2022
4.6
Godse
2022
3.7
F3: Fun and Frustration
2022
0.0
Shekar
2022
5.1
Sarkaru Vaari Paata
2022
3.8
Acharya
2022
5.6
Ghani
2022
5.7
Bheemla Nayak
2022
3.0
Son of India
2022
9.0
Super Machi
2022
8.2
Skylab
2021
6.9
Drushyam 2
2021
6.5
Raja Vikramarka
2021
7.2
Eakam
2021
4.0
Pelli SandaD
2021
7.1
Raja Raja Chora
2021
0.0
Ippudu Kaaka Inkeppudu
2021
5.8
SR Kalyanamandapam
2021
7.0
Jathi Ratnalu
2021
5.1
Gaali Sampath
2021
6.0
April 28th Em Jarigindi
2021
5.5
Bangaru Bullodu
2021
6.6
V
2021
6.0
Bombhaat
2020
5.8
Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma
2020
5.5
Pressure Cooker
2020
5.0
Entha Manchivaadavuraa
2020
6.6
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
2020
5.8
Sarileru Neekevvaru
2020
Madhanam
0.0
Madhanam
2019
0.0
Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
2019
3.0
Krishna Rao Supermarket
2019
6.2
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy
2019
5.0
2 Hours Love
2019
4.2
1st Rank Raju
2019
5.2
Sita
2019
6.6
Maharshi
2019
5.5
Vijetha
2018
5.5
Pantham
2018
5.2
Jamba Lakidi Pamba
2018
6.9
Sammohanam
2018
5.0
Naa Nuvve
2018
4.4
Nela Ticket
2018
3.0
Gayatri
2018
4.0
Agnyaathavaasi
2018
0.0
Prema Entha Madhuram Priyuraalu Antha Katinam
2017
5.8
Raja the Great
2017
0.0
Gulf
2017
10.0
Kathalo Rajakumari
2017
6.3
Nene Raju Nene Mantri
2017
6.5
Goutham Nanda
2017
5.4
Shamantakamani
2017
6.3
Ninnu Kori
2017
5.7
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham
2017
4.0
Ami Thumi
2017
5.4
Radha
2017
7.5
Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion
2017
4.5
Mister
2017
7.1
Guru
2017
4.5
Om Namo Venkatesaya
2017
Chandrullo Unde Kundelu
0.0
Chandrullo Unde Kundelu
2017
6.2
Shatamanam Bhavati
2017
5.4
Gautamiputra Satakarni
2017
6.3
Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada
2016
0.0
Naruda Donoruda
2016
5.6
Ism
2016
7.2
Jyo Achyutananda
2016
4.3
Srirastu Subhamastu
2016
6.8
Gentleman
2016
4.0
Okka Ammayi Thappa
2016
4.4
Brahmotsavam
2016
4.4
Brahmotsavam
2016
4.0
Sardaar Gabbar Singh
2016
7.2
Oopiri
2016
4.5
Garam
2016
4.7
Bengal Tiger
2015
5.3
Inji Iduppazhagi
2015
5.7
Bruce Lee: The Fighter
2015
4.1
Kick 2
2015
3.0
Mantra 2
2015
7.6
Bāhubali: The Beginning
2015
3.5
Tiger
2015
3.5
Rey
2015
4.2
Janda Pai Kapiraju
2015
6.4
Surya Vs Surya
2015
6.0
Bandipotu
2015
6.5
Temper
2015
5.1
Current Theega
2014
6.3
Karthikeya
2014
0.0
Exploring ''Shiva'' Movie After 25 Years
2014
4.7
Aagadu
2014
4.5
Rabhasa
2014
5.2
Alludu Seenu
2014
5.6
Ra Ra Krishnayya
2014
6.8
Race Gurram
2014
5.3
Rowdy
2014
3.0
Virattu
2014
7.0
Basanti
2014
0.0
Bhimavaram Bullodu
2014
4.4
Autonagar Surya
2014
Kalavaram
0.0
Kalavaram
2014
D for Dopidi
7.0
D for Dopidi
2013
3.9
Ramayya Vasthavayya
2013
5.0
Adda
2013
0.0
Alias Janaki
2013
4.5
Pavithra
2013
5.6
Iddarammayilatho
2013
3.7
Sukumarudu
2013
5.5
Baadshah
2013
7.2
Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
2013
4.8
Naayak
2013
4.5
Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu
2012
4.8
Shirdi Sai
2012
6.4
Julayi
2012
6.1
Gabbar Singh
2012
4.0
Dhammu
2012
7.0
Neeku Naaku Dash Dash
2012
5.7
Lovely
2012
5.8
Dhoni
2012
0.0
Kshetram
2011
5.9
Panjaa
2011
6.4
Oh My Friend
2011
5.3
Oosaravelli
2011
6.8
Dookudu
2011
Aakasame Haddu
0.0
Aakasame Haddu
2011
3.8
Dhada
2011
6.0
180
2011
3.9
Badrinath
2011
10.0
Kudirithe Kappu Coffee
2011
4.7
Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju
2011
4.8
Vastadu Naa Raju
2011
3.4
Wanted
2011
6.1
Once Upon a Warrior
2011
7.4
Golconda High School
2011
5.3
Ragada
2010
6.4
Rakht Charitra 2
2010
0.0
Collector Gari Bharya
2010
3.9
Baava
2010
7.0
Rakht Charitra
2010
6.5
Brindavanam
2010
7.4
Khaleja
2010
4.0
Drohi
2010
5.0
Gaayam 2
2010
Aunty Uncle Nanda Gopal
0.0
Aunty Uncle Nanda Gopal
2010
5.5
Jhummandi Naadam
2010
7.0
Sadhyam
2010
6.8
Leader
2010
4.4
Kedi
2010
7.0
Shambo Shiva Shambo
2010
6.2
Adhurs
2010
3.0
Om Shanti
2010
5.3
Saleem
2009
4.0
Kurradu
2009
3.7
A Aa E Ee
2009
5.1
Ek Niranjan
2009
5.0
Rechipo
2009
6.0
Snehituda
2009
0.0
Kalavaramaye Madilo
2009
6.4
Oy!
2009
Current
6.5
Current
2009
2.0
Boni
2009
0.0
Sontha ooru
2009
8.0
Nenu Meeku Telusa...?
2008
Kasipatnam Choodarababu
0.0
Kasipatnam Choodarababu
2008
6.0
Ashta Chamma
2008
6.2
Satyam
2008
0.0
Kathanayakudu
2008
4.6
Kuselan
2008
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
0.0
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
2008
0.0
Victory
2008
6.0
Ready
2008
5.2
Souryam
2008
5.0
Bommana Brothers Chandana Sisters
2008
3.0
Kalidasu
2008
6.9
Jalsa
2008
5.2
Krishnarjuna
2008
0.0
Mr. Medhavi
2008
5.5
Bheema
2008
6.0
Krishna
2008
7.0
Mee Sreyobhilashi
2007
6.0
Nava Vasantham
2007
5.4
Azhagiya Tamil Magan
2007
5.8
Thulasi
2007
5.1
Chirutha
2007
5.0
Raju Bhai
2007
Sri Mahalakshmi
0.0
Sri Mahalakshmi
2007
4.8
Munna
2007
Classmates
2.0
Classmates
2007
6.8
Dhee
2007
5.8
Jagadam
2007
7.0
Okkadunnadu
2007
6.0
Anumanaspadam
2007
5.0
Annavaram
2006
5.6
Rakhi
2006
0.0
Maayajaalam
2006
4.5
Bhagyalakshmi Bumper Draw
2006
3.5
Gopi – Goda Meeda Pilli
2006
0.0
Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila
2006
4.0
Boss
2006
6.8
Bommarillu
2006
3.0
Game
2006
5.0
Amma Cheppindi
2006
0.0
Bommalata
2006
7.2
Godavari
2006
0.0
Oka V Chitram
2006
5.8
Pournami
2006
6.2
Sri Ramadasu
2006
0.0
Kamli
2006
6.4
Happy
2006
6.0
Jai Chiranjeeva
2005
2.0
Allari Pidugu
2005
2.0
Political Rowdy
2005
4.2
Allari Bullodu
2005
0.0
Dhana 51
2005
7.8
Athadu
2005
0.0
Hungama
2005
4.2
Subash Chandra Bose
2005
5.4
Chakram
2005
3.0
Sada Mee Sevalo
2005
Youth
0.0
Youth
2005
7.2
Dhairyam
2005
7.1
Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana
2005
5.0
Balu
2005
10.0
Mr & Mrs Sailaja Krishnamurthy
2004
8.0
Grahanam
2004
6.4
Sye
2004
6.0
Gowri
2004
5.7
Arjun
2004
4.6
Samba
2004
4.6
Samba
2004
0.0
Oka Pellam Muddu Rendo Pellam Vaddu
2004
7.1
Ghilli
2004
6.0
Nenunnanu
2004
5.0
Gambeeram
2004
6.6
Venky
2004
0.0
Jai
2004
7.2
Malliswari
2004
Love Today
0.0
Love Today
2004
5.5
Enakku 20 Unakku 18
2003
6.8
Satyam
2003
0.0
Okariki Okaru
2003
Vishnu
4.5
Vishnu
2003
2.0
Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli
2003
5.4
Dongodu
2003
6.5
Vasantham
2003
7.0
Donga Ramadu and Party
2003
6.0
Oka Raju Oka Rani
2003
6.3
Ninne Ishtapaddanu
2003
8.0
Missamma
2003
4.4
Gangotri
2003
6.0
Kabaddi Kabaddi
2003
4.7
Ela Cheppanu
2003
0.0
Juniors
2003
3.5
Naaga
2003
7.5
Manmadhudu
2002
5.0
Dhanalakshmi I Love You
2002
6.7
Nuvve... Nuvve...
2002
0.0
Okato Number Kurradu
2002
5.3
Sontham
2002
7.4
Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru!
2002
6.6
Indra
2002
0.0
Sreeram
2002
7.0
Allari
2002
7.7
Santosham
2002
0.0
Mounamelanoye
2002
6.0
O Chinadaana
2002
6.4
Takkari Donga
2002
7.3
The Rite, a Passion
2002
5.3
Snehamante Idera
2001
7.2
Manasantha Nuvve
2001
8.5
Anandam
2001
5.2
Student No. 1
2001
5.9
Itlu Sravani Subramanyam
2001
7.5
Nuvvu Naaku Nachav
2001
6.3
Nuvvu Nenu
2001
0.0
Naa Manasistha Raa
2001
6.8
Sri Manjunatha
2001
8.0
Family Circus
2001
8.0
Ammo Bomma
2001
Time Pass
0.0
Time Pass
2001
8.0
Budget Padmanabham
2001
6.5
Priyamaina Neeku
2001
6.4
Mrugaraju
2001
7.2
Narasimha Naidu
2001
0.0
Chiranjeevulu
2001
0.0
Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa
2000
8.2
Devullu
2000
0.0
NTR Nagar
2000
6.2
Jayam Manadera
2000
5.2
Vamsi
2000
5.9
Azad
2000
5.3
Ninne Premistha
2000
Moodu Mukkalaata
0.0
Moodu Mukkalaata
2000
0.0
Goppinti Alludu
2000
6.7
Chitram
2000
6.2
Nuvvu Vasthavani
2000
3.3
Chala Bagundi
2000
3.0
Postman
1999
5.3
Samudram
1999
9.0
Pilla Nachindi
1999
7.5
Thammudu
1999
7.8
Raja
1999
0.0
Neti Gandhi
1999
Aavide Shyamala
0.0
Aavide Shyamala
1999
Aayanagaru
0.0
Aayanagaru
1998
0.0
Abhishekam
1998
0.0
Paape Naa Pranam
1998
0.0
O Panaipothundi Babu
1998
5.5
Chandralekha
1998
0.0
Pelli Peetalu
1998
0.0
Pandaga
1998
9.0
Maavidakulu
1998
0.0
Priyaraagalu
1997
0.0
Ugadi
1997
4.0
Pelli Chesukundaam
1997
6.2
Annamayya
1997
0.0
Mama Bagunnava
1997
0.0
Egire Paavurama
1997
Veedevadandi Babu
6.2
Veedevadandi Babu
1997
Pattukondi Chuddam
0.0
Pattukondi Chuddam
1997
Gunshot
7.0
Gunshot
1996
0.0
Family
1996
0.0
Bombay Priyudu
1996
4.4
Vinodham
1996
5.7
Deyyam
1996
Akka! Bagunnava?
0.0
Akka! Bagunnava?
1996
Mummy Mee Aayanochadu
0.0
Mummy Mee Aayanochadu
1996
9.0
Amma Donga!
1995
7.1
Sisindri
1995
0.0
Aunty
1995
5.7
Big Boss
1995
10.0
Sogasu Chuda Taramaa
1995
7.8
Money Money
1995
Gharana Bullodu
5.8
Gharana Bullodu
1995
7.0
Ghatotkachudu
1995
0.0
Pokiri Raja
1995
Desa Drohulu
0.0
Desa Drohulu
1995
9.0
Lingababu Love Story
1995
8.0
Aame
1994
8.5
Subhalagnam
1994
Allarodu
0.0
Allarodu
1994
6.0
Kishkinda Kaanda
1994
7.6
Yamaleela
1994
Veetla Visheshanga
0.0
Veetla Visheshanga
1994
9.0
Lucky Chance
1994
6.5
Pekata Paparao
1993
8.0
Mister Pellam
1993
Shabash Ramu
0.0
Shabash Ramu
1993
9.0
Matru Devo Bhava
1993
8.4
Money
1993
4.0
Varasudu
1993
7.4
Gaayam
1993
Rendilla Poojari
0.0
Rendilla Poojari
1993
7.2
Appula Appa Rao
1992
0.0
Jaitra Yatra
1991
7.4
Aditya 369
1991
10.0
Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
1991
6.7
Shiva
1990
8.0
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
1990
6.6
Siva
1989
9.0
Swara Kalpana
1989
7.0
Chettu Kinda Pleader
1989
0.0
Kallu
1988
8.0
Lawyer Suhasini
1987
10.0
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe
1987
7.5
Ladies Tailor
1986
0.0
Sira
0.0
Patta Pagalu
BharataVarsha - Saga of Shula
0.0
BharataVarsha - Saga of Shula
0.0
Paataku Praanam
0.0
