Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy

Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy(12 June 1892 – 14 January 1960), also known as H.M. Reddy was an Indian film producer and director best remembered for being the director of Kalidas- the first Indian multilingual sound film shot in Tamil and Telugu. He pursued his studies in Bengaluru and later worked as a police officer. He, however, left his job due to his unwillingness to serve the British. Being fascinated by the world of cinema, he decided to go all in and moved to Mumbai to learn more about film-making. He even worked as a reflector boy in the process.

He soon got a chance to work as an assistant director to Ardeshir Irani Khan Bahadur Ardeshir Irani, popularly known as Ar >> Read More... - the director of the first Indian sound film Alam Ara which was released in 1931. Reddy started working on ‘Bhakta Kalidas’ – the first Indian multilingual talkie, which was also released in 1931. Subsequently, in 1932 he produced and directed the first full-length Telugu sound film ‘Bhakta Prahlada’. He also started Rohini Pictures Limited in partnership with B.N. Reddy and actress Kannamba. In his career of more than two decades, Reddy has directed 17 films and produced 5. When he passed away in 1960 he was working on the film Gaja Donga.