B. Nagi Reddi

Bommireddy Nagi Reddi (2 December 1912 – 25 February 2004) was an Indian film producer primarily associated with Telugu cinema, along with notable contributions to Tamil and Hindi films. He co-founded Vijaya Vauhini Studios in Madras, which was once the largest film studio in Asia by floor space. To distinguish him from his elder brother, filmmaker B. N. Reddi, he was popularly known as B. Nagi Reddi.

Over his career, Nagi Reddi produced several acclaimed films, including Patala Bhairavi (1951), Missamma (1955), Mayabazar (1957), Gundamma Katha (1962), Enga Veetu Pillai (1965), and Nam Naadu (1969). He also produced Hindi films such as Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Julie (1975), and Swarg Narak (1978). His work spanned multiple languages and genres, earning him recognition across Indian cinema.

Nagi Reddi served as the president of the Film Federation of India twice, during 1960–61 and 1962–63.

B. Nagi Reddi was born in a Telugu family in Pottipadu, a village in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, and was raised by his maternal grandparents during the first 14 years of his life.

He was married and had four sons and two daughters. One of his sons, B. Venkatarama Reddi, was a film producer. Another son, B. Viswanatha Reddi, was the publisher of Chandamama.

Nagi Reddi along with his friend and partner Aluri Chakrapani produced over fifty films in four decades in the four South Indian languages and also in Hindi. He made mythological, devotional, and historical Telugu movies. Some of his more notable films include Pathala Bhairavi, Maya Bazaar, and Missamma. He made most of his films in association with screenwriter Chakrapani. Nagi Reddi closed down Vijaya-Vahini after the Telugu film industry moved out of studios in the 1970s, and started the Vijaya Hospital and Vijaya Health Centre.

A new award was incorporated, commemorating his 100th birth year, the Nagi Reddi, memorial Award for the best Telugu and Tamil family entertainers.

Nagi Reddi served as chairman of the board of Trustees of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams between 1980 and 1983, and is credited for building the Vaikuntam Queue Complex that now serves to regulate pilgrims for darshan in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Nagi Reddi founded the Vijaya Medical & Educational Trust in 1972. The trust runs the Vijaya Hospital (1972), Vijaya Health Center (1987) and Vijaya Heart Foundation (1996). Nagi Reddi headed the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce four times and the All-India Film Sammelan for two terms.