Tanikella Bharani
Acting
- Born:
- 1954-07-14
- Place of birth:
- Hyderabad, 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.
Known For
Filmography
The Paradise
Kiku Chiranjeevi
Raakaasa
Bāhubali: The Epic
Andhela Ravamidhi
Kishkindhapuri
Meghalu Cheppina Prema Katha
Thug Life
Sarangapani Jathakam
Katha Sudha
Madhushala
Neeli Megha Shyama
Kalinga
Bench Life
Mr Bachchan
Shivam Bhaje
Nindha
Honeymoon Express
Manamey
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam
Vidya Vasula Aham
Prathinidhi 2
Sriranga Neethulu
Karataka Damanaka
Inti Number – 13
Drill
Sarkaaru Noukari
Dhootha
Aadikeshava
Mystery
Mind Game
Peddha Kapu - 1
BRO
Spy
Raa Raa... Penimiti
Kisi Ka Bhai... Kisi Ki Jaan
Dochevaarevarura
Mr. King
Vaathi
Premadesam
Dhamaka
Cheppalani Undhi
HIT: The 2nd Case
Andaru Bagundali Andulo Nenundali
Geetha
Alluri
First Day First Show
Wanted PanduGod
Bimbisara
Ramarao On Duty
Godse
F3: Fun and Frustration
Shekar
Sarkaru Vaari Paata
Acharya
Ghani
Bheemla Nayak
Son of India
Super Machi
Skylab
Drushyam 2
Raja Vikramarka
Eakam
Pelli SandaD
Raja Raja Chora
Ippudu Kaaka Inkeppudu
SR Kalyanamandapam
Jathi Ratnalu
Gaali Sampath
April 28th Em Jarigindi
Bangaru Bullodu
Bombhaat
Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma
V
Pressure Cooker
Entha Manchivaadavuraa
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
Sarileru Neekevvaru
Madhanam
Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
Krishna Rao Supermarket
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy
2 Hours Love
1st Rank Raju
Sita
Maharshi
Vijetha
Pantham
Jamba Lakidi Pamba
Sammohanam
Naa Nuvve
Nela Ticket
Gayatri
Agnyaathavaasi
Prema Entha Madhuram Priyuraalu Antha Katinam
Raja the Great
Gulf
Kathalo Rajakumari
Nene Raju Nene Mantri
Goutham Nanda
Shamantakamani
Ninnu Kori
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham
Ami Thumi
Radha
Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion
Mister
Guru
Om Namo Venkatesaya
Chandrullo Unde Kundelu
Shatamanam Bhavati
Gautamiputra Satakarni
Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada
Naruda Donoruda
Ism
Jyo Achyutananda
Srirastu Subhamastu
Gentleman
Okka Ammayi Thappa
Brahmotsavam
Sardaar Gabbar Singh
Oopiri
Garam
Bengal Tiger
Inji Iduppazhagi
Bruce Lee: The Fighter
Kick 2
Mantra 2
Bāhubali: The Beginning
Tiger
Rey
Janda Pai Kapiraju
Surya Vs Surya
Bandipotu
Temper
Current Theega
Karthikeya
Exploring ''Shiva'' Movie After 25 Years
Aagadu
Rabhasa
Alludu Seenu
Ra Ra Krishnayya
Race Gurram
Rowdy
Virattu
Basanti
Bhimavaram Bullodu
Autonagar Surya
Kalavaram
D for Dopidi
Ramayya Vasthavayya
Adda
Alias Janaki
Pavithra
Iddarammayilatho
Sukumarudu
Baadshah
Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
Naayak
Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu
Shirdi Sai
Julayi
Gabbar Singh
Dhammu
Neeku Naaku Dash Dash
Lovely
Dhoni
Kshetram
Panjaa
Oh My Friend
Oosaravelli
Dookudu
Aakasame Haddu
Dhada
180
Badrinath
Kudirithe Kappu Coffee
Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju
Vastadu Naa Raju
Wanted
Once Upon a Warrior
Golconda High School
Ragada
Rakht Charitra 2
Collector Gari Bharya
Baava
Rakht Charitra
Brindavanam
Khaleja
Drohi
Gaayam 2
Aunty Uncle Nanda Gopal
Jhummandi Naadam
Sadhyam
Leader
Kedi
Shambo Shiva Shambo
Adhurs
Om Shanti
Saleem
Kurradu
A Aa E Ee
Ek Niranjan
Rechipo
Snehituda
Kalavaramaye Madilo
Oy!
Current
Boni
Sontha ooru
Nenu Meeku Telusa...?
Kasipatnam Choodarababu
Ashta Chamma
Satyam
Kathanayakudu
Kuselan
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Victory
Ready
Souryam
Bommana Brothers Chandana Sisters
Kalidasu
Jalsa
Krishnarjuna
Mr. Medhavi
Bheema
Krishna
Mee Sreyobhilashi
Nava Vasantham
Azhagiya Tamil Magan
Thulasi
Chirutha
Raju Bhai
Sri Mahalakshmi
Munna
Classmates
Dhee
Jagadam
Okkadunnadu
Anumanaspadam
Annavaram
Rakhi
Maayajaalam
Bhagyalakshmi Bumper Draw
Gopi – Goda Meeda Pilli
Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila
Boss
Bommarillu
Game
Amma Cheppindi
Bommalata
Godavari
Oka V Chitram
Pournami
Sri Ramadasu
Kamli
Happy
Jai Chiranjeeva
Allari Pidugu
Political Rowdy
Allari Bullodu
Dhana 51
Athadu
Hungama
Subash Chandra Bose
Chakram
Sada Mee Sevalo
Youth
Dhairyam
Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana
Balu
Mr & Mrs Sailaja Krishnamurthy
Grahanam
Sye
Gowri
Arjun
Samba
Oka Pellam Muddu Rendo Pellam Vaddu
Ghilli
Nenunnanu
Gambeeram
Venky
Jai
Malliswari
Love Today
Enakku 20 Unakku 18
Satyam
Okariki Okaru
Vishnu
Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli
Dongodu
Vasantham
Donga Ramadu and Party
Oka Raju Oka Rani
Ninne Ishtapaddanu
Missamma
Gangotri
Kabaddi Kabaddi
Ela Cheppanu
Juniors
Naaga
Manmadhudu
Dhanalakshmi I Love You
Nuvve... Nuvve...
Okato Number Kurradu
Sontham
Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru!
Indra
Sreeram
Allari
Santosham
Mounamelanoye
O Chinadaana
Takkari Donga
The Rite, a Passion
Snehamante Idera
Manasantha Nuvve
Anandam
Student No. 1
Itlu Sravani Subramanyam
Nuvvu Naaku Nachav
Nuvvu Nenu
Naa Manasistha Raa
Sri Manjunatha
Family Circus
Ammo Bomma
Time Pass
Budget Padmanabham
Priyamaina Neeku
Mrugaraju
Narasimha Naidu
Chiranjeevulu
Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa
Devullu
NTR Nagar
Jayam Manadera
Vamsi
Azad
Ninne Premistha
Moodu Mukkalaata
Goppinti Alludu
Chitram
Nuvvu Vasthavani
Chala Bagundi
Postman
Samudram
Pilla Nachindi
Thammudu
Raja
Neti Gandhi
Aavide Shyamala
Aayanagaru
Abhishekam
Paape Naa Pranam
O Panaipothundi Babu
Chandralekha
Pelli Peetalu
Pandaga
Maavidakulu
Priyaraagalu
Ugadi
Pelli Chesukundaam
Annamayya
Mama Bagunnava
Egire Paavurama
Veedevadandi Babu
Pattukondi Chuddam
Gunshot
Family
Bombay Priyudu
Vinodham
Deyyam
Akka! Bagunnava?
Mummy Mee Aayanochadu
Amma Donga!
Sisindri
Aunty
Big Boss
Sogasu Chuda Taramaa
Money Money
Gharana Bullodu
Ghatotkachudu
Pokiri Raja
Desa Drohulu
Lingababu Love Story
Aame
Subhalagnam
Allarodu
Kishkinda Kaanda
Yamaleela
Veetla Visheshanga
Lucky Chance
Pekata Paparao
Mister Pellam
Shabash Ramu
Matru Devo Bhava
Money
Varasudu
Gaayam
Rendilla Poojari
Appula Appa Rao
Jaitra Yatra
Aditya 369
Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu
Shiva
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
Siva
Swara Kalpana
Chettu Kinda Pleader
Kallu
Lawyer Suhasini
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe
Ladies Tailor
Sira
Patta Pagalu
BharataVarsha - Saga of Shula
Paataku Praanam
Hide & Silk