'Gandhada Gudi' fame Kannada film director Vijay Reddy passes away at 84 in Chennai

Kanna film director Vijay Reddy has passed away in Chennai on Friday. He was 84 years old.

Born as Vijay Reddy in Tepalligudem of West Godavari district of Andhra Presh, Vijay entered film industry in 1953 as an assistant editor for B.Vittalacharya's Kanna directorial Mane Tumbida Hennu. He also directed movies in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. His debut Telugu movie was Srimathi. He was kwn for movies like - Rangamahal Rahasya, Gandha Gudi, Mayura and Sanai Appanna.

He has worked primarily in Kanna cinema with over 50 movies to his credit including 48 in Kanna. His debut directorial venture was Rangamahal Rahasya (1970). Vijay's career's turning point came in 1973 when he directed Gandha Gudi which went on to be a milestone in Kanna film industry. He also directed Mayura which is considered amongst classic movies of Kanna cinema. He achieved national recognition after 1977 movie Sanai Appanna which h acclaimed shehnai player Bismillah Khan playing instrument for le actor of movie.

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Actor Puneet Rajkumar paid his condolences to film director and wrote, "Vijay Reddy, who directed far's unforgettable films, Gandhagudi, Mayura, Naan Nee Naal and Halavara, has passed away. I am fortunate that I have acted in Bhakta Prahla film directed by him. May ir soul be calm."

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He h distinction of having directed 150th movies of both Rajkumar (Gandha Gudi) as well as Vishnuvardhan (Mojugara Sogasugara). He directed Rajkumar in nine movies ( excluding two cameo appearances) in varied genres including mythological, historical, vel based, folklore and social dramas. He was also instrumental in giving Shankar Nag a mass im through Auto Raja.

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Prior to that, he h directed Anant Nag in Naa Ninna Bidalaare which h me people take te of Anant's acting prowess. He directed two movies of Shiva Rajkumar - Shiva Mecchida Kannappa and Gandha Gudi Part 2 - both of which h Rajkumar in cameo appearances. He h also directed movies in or langus namely Hindi,Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam - prominent being Hindi remake of Naa Ninna Mareyalare titled Pyar Kiya Hai Pyar Karenge starring Anil Kapoor. In 2000, he was selected to direct Rajkumar's mythological movie Bhakta Ambareesha which was subsequently shelved. 

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