Photo of Tanikella Bharani
Acting

Tanikella Bharani

Profession
Acting
Born
July 14, 1954 · Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Biography

Tanikella Bharani (born 14 July 1954) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, poet, playwright, and director who primarily works in Telugu cinema, with appearances in Tamil and Hindi films. He began his career as a stage actor and playwright in the mid-1970s before entering the film industry. Bharani made his film debut as a dialogue writer for *Kanchu Kavacham* (1984). He wrote dialogues for films including *Ladies Tailor* (1985), *Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe* (1987), and Ram Gopal Varma's gangster drama *Shiva* (1989), in which he also played Nanaji. He later appeared in villainous, comedic, and supporting roles. He won the Nandi Award for Best Villain for *Samudram* (1999) and the Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for *Nuvvu Nenu* (2001). Bharani has acted in more than 750 films and has written books, plays, and devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva. He made his directorial debut with the Telugu drama *Mithunam* (2012), starring S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi, and received the CineMAA Special Jury Award for Best Direction. He played the priest Swamyji in S. S. Rajamouli's *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017). His Tamil film roles include appearances in *Ghilli* (2004) and *Vaathi* (2023). His 2024 releases include the political thriller *Prathinidhi 2*, the action film *Bhaje Vaayu Vegam*, Harish Shankar's *Mr. Bachchan*, the thriller *Kalinga*, and *Nindha*. His 2025 credits include Krish Jagarlamudi's period film *Hari Hara Veera Mallu*, Mohan Krishna Indraganti's comedy *Sarangapani Jathakam*, *Kishkindhapuri*, and Mani Ratnam's Tamil action-drama *Thug Life*. He has received three Nandi Awards and the Sahitya Puraskar for his literary work.

Known for

Bāhubali: The Beginning poster
Bāhubali: The Beginning
Film · 2015 · ★ 7.6
Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion poster
Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion
Film · 2017 · ★ 7.5
V poster
V
Film · 2020 · ★ 6.5
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo poster
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
Film · 2020 · ★ 6.6
Athadu poster
Athadu
Film · 2005 · ★ 7.8
Ghilli poster
Ghilli
Film · 2004 · ★ 7.1
Race Gurram poster
Race Gurram
Film · 2014 · ★ 6.8
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham poster
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham
Film · 2017 · ★ 5.8
Khaleja poster
Khaleja
Film · 2010 · ★ 7.4
Sarileru Neekevvaru poster
Sarileru Neekevvaru
Film · 2020 · ★ 5.8
Dookudu poster
Dookudu
Film · 2011 · ★ 6.8
Oopiri poster
Oopiri
Film · 2016 · ★ 7.2

Filmography