Chittajallu Krishnaveni.K - Actress, Singer, Producer(Telugu)

VIDEO: Veteran Actress C Krishnaveni Rare and Exclusive Interview | NTR Manadesam Heroine | TeluguOne

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Thursday 25, Sep 2025, 05:45.

In Brief: Chittajallu Krishnaveni - Oldest Actress 

Chittajallu Krishnaveni, born 24 December 1924, often known as C. Krishnaveni or simply Krishnaveni, is an Indian Telugu language actress, producer and playback singer. 

The first Telugu Talkie film Bhaktha Prahlada was released in 1932. Can you imagine an actress who played a role in Sathi Anasuya released in 1936, is alive even today? Yes, C Krishnaveni aka M Krishnaveni made her debut as a child actress in Sathi Anasuya. As such, she is acclaimed an oldest actress who acted in a Telugu film that released 84 years ago. How thrilling hearing such great news!

Krishnaveni, who was born in 1924, acted around 15 films as a main heroine. Apart from being an actress, Krishnaveni was a great singer. In subsequent days, she got married to the Raja of Mirzapuram and turned out to be a film producer.

Mohini Rukhmangada, Jeevana Jyothi, Manadesam, Gollabhama and a few more films were produced by Krishnaveni. It's a known fact that late NTR made his debut as an actor with Manadesam that was bankrolled by none other than Krishnaveni. 

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About:

Chittajallu KrishnaveniK: Born - 24 December 1924, Pangidi,  in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Died 16 February 2025 (aged 100), Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Occupations - Actress, singer, producer

Spouse Mirzapuram Raja(m. 1939; died 2005)​

Children 1

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Introduction:

Chittajallu Krishnaveni (24 December 1924 – 16 February 2025), also known as C. Krishnaveni or simply Krishnaveni, was an Indian actress, producer and playback singer who worked in Telugu cinema. She was awarded the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Life and career:

Krishnaveni hailed from Pangidi, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India. She was a drama artist before entering the film industry. Her debut was in the film Anasuya (1936) as a child artist. Her father Krishna Rao was a doctor. She moved to Chennai in 1939 as she began to get several offers to act in Telugu films. She also acted in films in other languages, such as Tamil.

In 1939, she married Mirzapuram Zamindar. She became active with producing and filmmaking at her husband's Sobhanachala Studios in Chennai.

She was remembered for introducing several stalwart film personalities in her Telugu film Mana Desam (1949) as a producer. They included N T Rama Rao as actor, Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao as music director, P Leela as playback singer among others. Mana Desam was based on the Bengali novel Vipradas.

Krishnaveni died at her residence in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, India, on 16 February 2025, at the age of 100.

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Filmography:

As actress:

Year Title Role Notes

1935 Sati Anasuya

1937 Mohini Rukmangada

1938 Kacha Devayani

1939 Malli Pelli Annapoorna

Mahananda

1940 Jeevan Jyothi

1941 Dakshayagnam

1942 Bhakta Prahlada

1944 Bhishma

1947 Brahma Ratham

Gollabhama Swayamprabha

1948 Madalasa

Kaamavalli Tamil film

1949 Mana Desam Also producer

Dharmangada

1950 Lakshmamma

Aahuti

Thirugubatu

1951 Perantalu

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As producer:

Bhakta Prahlada (1942)

Mana Desam (1949)

Lakshmamma

Dampatyam

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Discography:

As singer:

Keelu Gurram (1949)

Bala Mitrula Katha (1972)

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Reference: 

Actor-producer C Krishnaveni, who introduced NTR, Ghantasala, dies at 102; Pawan Kalyan, Vishnu Manchu pay condolences: PTI | Feb 16, 2025 01:49 PM IST

Veteran Telugu actor and producer C Krishnaveni died in Hyderabad on Sunday at age 102. The Movie Artistes Association confirmed the news.

Veteran Telugu actor and producer C Krishnaveni died in Hyderabad on Sunday, Movie Artistes Association (MAA) Vice-President Madala Ravi said. She was 102 years old. Madala Ravi told PTI that Krishnaveni passed away due to age-related issues.

C Krishnaveni was an actor and producer in the Telugu film industry.

About Krishnaveni's legacy:

Krishnaveni is survived by her daughter. Born in West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, Krishnaveni debuted as an actor in Kacha Devayani in 1938 and went on to act in over 40 movies. She introduced former Chief Minister and versatile actor NT Rama Rao to the film industry through her film Mana Desam, in which she also acted.

Through her family-owned studio, she produced about a dozen movies, including Bhisma and Daksha Yagnam. In recognition of her contributions to the film industry, she was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2004. Krishnaveni was known for singing her own songs when she entered the film industry, apart from singing for Anjali Devi in Keelu Gurram.

Condolences pour in:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu condoled Krishnaveni's death. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) he wrote in Telugu, “The death of the actor and film producer Krishnaveni saddens me. I pray to God to grant peace to the soul of Krishnaveni. Her service to the art world by introducing NTR to the film industry with the film Mana Desam is unforgettable. I express my deepest condolences to her family members.”

Deputy CM, actor Pawan Kalyan released a press note in Telugu that translates to, “I am saddened to learn that Mrs Krishnaveni, who was recognised as the first woman producer in the Telugu film industry, breathed her last. I pray to God that her soul may rest in peace. Mrs Krishnaveni displayed multifaceted talent as an actor, singer, producer and studio head. She introduced Sri NTR and Sri Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao to the Telugu film industry and gained special recognition. I express my deepest condolences to her family.”

MAA President Vishnu Manchu wrote on X, “Telugu cinema lo oka chiru deepam veliginchina Legendary Krishnaveni Garu kalasina tidhi. Aame parishrama tho Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Garu ni big screen ki introduce chesi, mana industry ki oka amulya mayina gift icharu. Aame gnapakalu eppudu mana hrudayallo undipothayi. Deepest condolences to her family. Om Shanti.”

(The legendary Krishnaveni garu, who brought light to Telugu cinema, is no more. She introduced Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao to the big screen and gave us a priceless gift. We will keep her in our heart forever.)

VIDEO: Chittajallu Krishnaveni At Sakshi Excellence Awards 2021 | Red Carpet | Sakshi TV

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