Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy (16 November 1908 – 8 November 1977), professionally known as B. N. Reddy, was an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was an early figure in the Telugu cinema. Many of his earlier films like Vande Mataram (1939), Devatha (1941) had V. Nagayya as the lead. His Malliswari (1951) starring N. T. Rama Rao and Bhanumathi is considered a timeless Indian film classic. He was the first person to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award from South India. He was the first Indian film personality to receive the Doctor of Letters honor. Early life Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy was born on 16 November 1908 in a farmer family at Kothapalli village in the present-day Kadapa district. His father Narasimha Reddy used to export onions from Chennai to Rangoon (Yangoon) for a living. He was eldest of four brothers; others are B. Nagi Reddy, B. N. Konda Reddy and B. Ramalinga Reddy. He was schooled in Proddatur and later continued the schooling in Madras. He enrolled in Pachaiyappa's College, but left without graduating. He later studies auditing and accounting and worked as an apprentice in an auditing firm. Career When H. M. Reddy decided to turn a producer, B.N. Reddy and B. Nagi Reddi joined hands with him to form Rohini Pictures. Awards National Film Awards 1955 – President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Bangaru Papa 1957 – Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Bhagya Rekha 1966 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Rangula Ratnam 1974 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 22nd National Film Awards Filmfare Awards Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) – Bangaru Panjaram (1969) Nandi Awards Best Feature Film - Gold - Rangula Ratnam (1966) Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - Bangaru Panjaram (1969) Best Story Writer - Pelli Kani Pelli (1976) Civilian honours Padmabhushan Other honours Doctor of letters Filmography B. N. Reddy directed 11 feature films. Producer Bhakta Pothana (1942) - Production supervision References External links 1977 deaths Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients 1908 births Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts People from Rayalaseema People from Kadapa district