Paruchuri Gopala Krishna is an Indian screenwriter, actor, and director known for his works in Telugu cinema. Gopala Krishna is the younger of the Paruchuri brothers (Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao and Paruchuri Gopala Krishna), a writing duo in the film industry who have worked on more than 350 Telugu films since 1978.[1][2]
Early life and education
Paruchuri Gopala Krishna with his wife at Megastar Chiranjeevi's 60th birthday party in 2015
Paruchuri Gopala Krishna (born 10 June 1946[3] in Meduru, Gannavaram Taluq, Krishna District) was the youngest child of his parents Paruchuri Raghavayya and Hymavathamma. He has one elder sister and two elder brothers Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao and Paruchuri Kutumba Rao.
Gopala Krishna received his BSc from the Government City Science College and an MA Telugu from the Arts College, both affiliated with Osmania University. Later he earned his PhD from Osmania University in Telugu Cinema Literature, concentrating on the research topic: ‘Telugu Cinema Sahityam – Katha- Kathanam – Silpam’ in the year 2003. Gopala Krishna earned Doctor of Literature from Berhampur University, Orissa for the research topic: ‘Telugu Cinema Story – Social Outlook’ in the year 2021. He has also done ‘Rashtra Bhasha’ in Hindi.
Personal life
Gopala Krishna is married to his first cousin, Vijaya Lakshmi. The couple has three children, Paruchuri Hima Bindu, Gottimukkala Naga Sushma who is married to TV and Film Artist, Gottimukkala Jaya Prakash (Screen name Varun) and Kodali Hari Priya who is married to entrepreneur, Kodali Kalyan Prasad.[4] He is fluent in Telugu, English and Hindi.[3]
Career
Lecturer, Head of the Department and Vice Principal (1975–1983)
Gopala Krishna worked as a Telugu lecturer at Lal Bahdoor Shastri Oriental College, Chinanindra Kolanu, West Godavari from 7 August 1971 to 1 September 1975. Later, he worked as the Head of the Department of Telugu and Vice Principal in Adusumilli Gopala Krishna & Sugar Cane Growers College, Vuyyuru, Krishna District from 2 September 1975 to April 1983.
Initially, he started writing small stories, playlets[5] and detective novels which were published in weekly magazines. He acted in more than one hundred playlets in Indian theater. In 1978, his brother Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, who was already in the film industry, advised Gopala Krishna to join him in film writing. As a result, they both started scripting the films as Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao and Paruchuri Gopala Krishna. In 1982, Sri. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao proposed the screen name Paruchuri Brothers and since then the writing-duo have been established as successful writers. In 1983, Gopala Krishna first starred in the film Ee Piilaku Pellavuthunda, for which the Paruchuri brothers wrote the storyline and dialogues. He continued to appear in 47 films as an artist and also continued writing for more than 350 films; to name a few E Charithra Ye Siraatho, Naa Desam, Khaidi, Eenadu, Mundadugu, Bobbili Brahmanna, Prajaswamyam, Karthavyam, Varsham, Sarpayagam, Major ChandrakanthSamarasimha Reddy, Narasimha Naidu, Okkadu, Indra, Tagore, Manasantha Nuvve, Nee Sneham, Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, Shankardada MBBS, Drushyam, Khaidi No. 150, Rudrama Devi and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy.
Direction (1984–present)
In 1984, both the brothers decided to direct film. Their first film as directors, under Srinadh movies, was Kai Raja Kai. Later they directed a total of 9 films, Bhale Thammudu, Sreekrishnaleelalu, Repati Swarajyam, Praja Swamyamyam, Maa Telugu Talli, Maro Quit India, Sarpayagam and Singanna.
Other work
Television
Gopala Krishna contributed his services to television as a host, co-host, actor, writer, and director. He hosted the Gemini TV reality show Chilaka Gorinka in 1996. He then hosted 200 episodes of Praja Vedika—a Gemini TV talk show from 2008 to 2013. He also co-hosted the Maa TV reality show Andhamina Jeevitham in 2015 and the Maa TV reality show Samsaram oka Chadarangam in 2016.
In 2001, he scripted Mattimanishi, an ETV tele serial for Sri. Akkineni Nageswara Rao. In 2013, he directed Sati Savitri, an ETV mythological tele film. In the year 2004, he acted in Thulabharam, a ZEE Telugu tele film and in 2013 he acted as Neelakanta Sastri in Yogi Vemana historical serial which telecasted in ABN.
Mentor
Gopala Krishna always had a passion for teaching[6][7] and continues to be an Hon. Professor and has conducted screenplay classes at Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Telugu Cine Writers Association and Telugu Film Directors Association since 2008.
Social media
In 2017, he began sharing his knowledge by teaching film script writing classes through his YouTube channel (#ParuchuriPalukulu and #ParuchurPaataalu) for all aspiring writers. These interactive lessons are shared on his other social media accounts, like Facebook and Twitter.
Services
Served as the chairman for "Official Language Commission", Andhra Pradesh from Feb 2003 to May 2004
Served as an Executive Council Member from 1997 to 2005 for "Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University"
Served as an Executive Council Member in 2002 for "Movie Artist Association (MAA)"
Served as a Director from 2002 to 2004 for "Film Development Corporation", Andhra Pradesh
Served as a Honorable President for "A.P. Film Industry Employees Federation" in 2002
Served as a Honorable President from 2008 to 2010 for "A.P. Film Industry Employees Federation"
Served as a Co-ordination Committee chairman, "A.P. Film Industry Employees Federation" in 2012
Served as a Co-ordination Committee chairman from 2008 to 2010 for "A.P. Film Directors Association"
Served as a Judge for "A.P. State Nandi Drama Competition" in 2006
Served as a "Hamsa and Ugadi Purskara Selection Committee member" in 2015
Continues to serve as Honorable Professor, "Sri Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University" since 2008
Continues to serve as the Co-Ordination Committee chairman, "Movie Artist Association (MAA)" since 2010
Continues to serve as the President of "Telugu Cine Writers Association" since 2007
Continues to serve as the Life Member to "Tyagaraya Ganasabha" since 1991
Continues to serve as Convener and Trustee to the "Paruchuri Raghubabu Memorial Trust" since 1991
Continues to serve as the chairman to the "Smt. Paruchuri Hymavathy Raghaviah Memorial Trust" since 2012
Continues to serve as Chief Advisor of "Shri Rajarajeswari Devi Temple", Film nagar, Hyderabad since 1998
Serving as General Secretary to "Film Nagar Daiva Sannidhanam" trust board (Affiliated to 'VISAKHA SRI SARADAPEETHAM'), Hyderabad since 2018
Literary
Literary essays
In 1997, on 1 and 22 September, "Stree Patralu" and "Samagica Prabhavam" published in "Andhra Jyothi" daily.
From Nov. 95 to Jan. 97, "Chitramlo Citralu" essay published in "Rachana" monthly.
Third Best Film Director in 1987 for Prajaswamyam, A.P. State Nandi Award
Special Jury Award
Paruchuri Brothers were awarded with Special Jury Award for the year 2016, A.P. State Nandi Award
TV Awards
Best Playlet writer award in A.P. State Nandi Drama Competition for the playlet "Sambhavami Pade Pade" in 2009
Best Villain in comedy role for Sasirekha Parinayam movie in 2010, Gemini TV Film Awards
Best Social Program Presenter award received for "Prajavedika" in 2011, Padmamohana TV awards
Best Talk Show award for "Praja Vedika" in 2012, Gemini TV Awards
Best Anchor award for "Praja Vedika" in 2012, Yuvakala Vahini
Best Director award for Tele film "Sati Savitri" in 2014, Aradhana srikari ETV (Telecasted in 2013)
Second Best Tele Film "Sathi Savithri", Copper Nandi and Commendation certificate to the director award for 2013 given in 2017 by AP State Government.
Honors and felicitations
Celebrate award in 2007 at "Telugu Chalana Chitra Vajrotsavam" (Diamond Jubilee)
"Sensational Star Writers of the Decade" Award by Super Hit Magazine in 2010
"Tv9 TSR Lalitha Kala Parishat" Best Story Dialogue Writers Award in 2010
"Vishala Bharati Gaurav Satkar" award by Delhi Telugu Academy in 2007 for Script Writing
"NTR Smaraka Purskara" Award for Contribution towards cinema in 2011, Hyderabad
For completion of 200 films with the title ‘’’200 Not Out’’’ in 1992 at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad
For completing ‘’’Silver Jubilee’’’ in film writing successfully by "Singapore Telugu Association", Singapore in 2002
For completing 25 years in film writing successfully by "TANA (Telugu Association of North America)" at San Jose, USA in 2003
For completing 25 years in film writing successfully by "ETA (European Telugu Association)" at Birmingham, UK in 2003
Aatreya Award title by "Abhinandhana Cultural Association"
Visista Sodharulu title by "Padma Mohana" in 2004
Visista Dampatulu title by "Padma Mohana" in 2009
Gangi Reddy Memorial International Spiritual Award, Vishakapatnam in 2009
Viswa Vikhyata Rachana Sarwabhoumulu title (Birudu) by "T. Subba Rami Reddy Lalitha Kala Parishath" on the occasion of completing 333 films in 33 years for 3 Generations in 2011
100 years of SIFCC (South India Film Centenary Celebrations) film festival at Chennai in 2013
Dr. Allu Ramalingaiah National Award at Vijayawada in 2014
