Tanikella Bharani

Actor · 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.

Acted in 388

2020s

2026
The Paradise
Movie · Action · Drama
21
Kiku Chiranjeevi
Movie
Raakaasa
Chari
63
2025
Bāhubali: The Epic
Swami
82
Andhela Ravamidhi
Movie
Kishkindhapuri
Bhushan Verma
Meghalu Cheppina Prema Katha
Movie
Thug Life
Sivaguru
39
Sarangapani Jathakam
Ahobila Rao
Katha Sudha
TV · 1 Season
Madhushala
Movie
Neeli Megha Shyama
Movie
2024
Kalinga
Movie · Horror
Bench Life
TV
Mr Bachchan
Ramgarh Thakur
Shivam Bhaje
Movie
Nindha
Satyanand
Honeymoon Express
Bala
Manamey
Mahendra
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam
Movie · Action · Drama
Vidya Vasula Aham
Spiritual Preacher
Prathinidhi 2
Movie
Sriranga Neethulu
Movie
Karataka Damanaka
Movie
Inti Number – 13
Movie
Drill
Movie
Sarkaaru Noukari
Sarpanch
2023
Dhootha
Raghavayya · 8 episodes
Aadikeshava
Movie · Action · Romance
Mystery
Movie · Mystery · Crime
Mind Game
Appa Rao
Peddha Kapu - 1
Movie
BRO
Singinadham
61
Spy
Subhash and Jai's father
Raa Raa... Penimiti
(Voice Only)
Kisi Ka Bhai... Kisi Ki Jaan
Rameshwar Kodathi
Dochevaarevarura
Movie
Mr. King
Movie
Vaathi
Thanigachalam
70
Premadesam
Movie · Romance · Comedy
2022
Dhamaka
Vasudeva Rao
56
Cheppalani Undhi
Movie
HIT: The 2nd Case
Ramu, Sanjana's Father
70
Andaru Bagundali Andulo Nenundali
Movie
Geetha
Movie
Alluri
Movie
First Day First Show
Sreenu's Father
Wanted PanduGod
Movie
Bimbisara
The Priest
Ramarao On Duty
Movie
Godse
Movie · Thriller · Action
54
F3: Fun and Frustration
Police Officer
45
Shekar
Movie
Sarkaru Vaari Paata
Master
54
Acharya
Priest
38
Ghani
Movie
Bheemla Nayak
MLA
Son of India
Movie
Super Machi
Movie
2021
Skylab
Sadasivam, Anand's Grandfather
Drushyam 2
Vinay Chandra
Raja Vikramarka
Movie
Eakam
Appayya Panthulu / Outdated Priest
Pelli SandaD
Vashishta's Uncle
Raja Raja Chora
Ganapthi
Ippudu Kaaka Inkeppudu
Movie
SR Kalyanamandapam
Movie
Jathi Ratnalu
Govindu
Gaali Sampath
Movie
April 28th Em Jarigindi
Producer of Movie
Bangaru Bullodu
Movie
2020
V
IG Y. V. Narendra
67
Bombhaat
Varaha Murthy
Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma
Movie
Pressure Cooker
Movie · Comedy · Drama
Entha Manchivaadavuraa
Rama Sharma
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
Anjaneya Prasad
79
Sarileru Neekevvaru
Venkateshwar Anandaraju
58

2010s

2019
Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
Movie
Krishna Rao Supermarket
Movie
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy
Govindayya Sharma
66
2 Hours Love
Movie
1st Rank Raju
Movie
Sita
Movie
49
Maharshi
Ravi's father
70
2018
Vijetha
Movie
Pantham
Trust chairman Tilak
Jamba Lakidi Pamba
Movie
Sammohanam
Shyam Prasad
Naa Nuvve
Movie
Nela Ticket
C.M.
Gayatri
Movie
Agnyaathavaasi
Abhi's uncle
2017
Prema Entha Madhuram Priyuraalu Antha Katinam
Jai's Dad
Raja the Great
Mailaramgadda
62
Gulf
Movie
Kathalo Rajakumari
Movie
Nene Raju Nene Mantri
Chief Minister
Goutham Nanda
Waiter
Shamantakamani
A.K.Ganapathi Sastry
Ninnu Kori
Murthy
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham
Duvvada Subrahmanya Sastry
60
Ami Thumi
Janardhan
Radha
Radhakrishnan's Father
Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion
Swami (voice) (uncredited)
83
Mister
Gundappa Naidu
Guru
Movie
Om Namo Venkatesaya
Rama's Father
Shatamanam Bhavati
Chalaram (Cameo)
68
Gautamiputra Satakarni
Deva Dattudu
60
2016
Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada
Amala's Father
71
Naruda Donoruda
Dr. Anjeneyulu
Ism
Sathya's father
Jyo Achyutananda
Sudoku Murthy
Srirastu Subhamastu
Anu's would-be father in law
Gentleman
Mohan
Okka Ammayi Thappa
Movie
Brahmotsavam
Sathyaraj's Friend
Sardaar Gabbar Singh
Gabbar Singh's Guardian
Oopiri
Kaalidasu
Garam
Movie
2015
Bengal Tiger
RMP Doctor
Inji Iduppazhagi
Doctor
Bruce Lee: The Fighter
Ravi's Father and Rama Chandra Rao's Big Brother
Kick 2
Venkatratnam
47
Mantra 2
Ramarao
Bāhubali: The Beginning
Swamiji
83
Tiger
Orphanage Principal
Rey
Movie
Janda Pai Kapiraju
Movie
Surya Vs Surya
Ersam
Bandipotu
Makrandam
Temper
Venkata Rao
2014
Current Theega
Movie
Karthikeya
Valli's Father
Exploring ''Shiva'' Movie After 25 Years
Movie
Aagadu
Adi Keshava
Rabhasa
Lawyer
Alludu Seenu
Narasimha's friend
Ra Ra Krishnayya
Movie
Race Gurram
Dasaradh Prasad
Rowdy
Vedam
Virattu
Movie
Basanti
Movie
Bhimavaram Bullodu
Movie
Autonagar Surya
Jailor
2013
Ramayya Vasthavayya
Ammullu's Father
Adda
Movie
Alias Janaki
Movie
Pavithra
Movie
Iddarammayilatho
Shankarabharanam
Sukumarudu
Movie
Baadshah
Pilli Gopi Krishna Simha
Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
Kondala Rao
74
Naayak
judge
54
2012
Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu
Movie
Shirdi Sai
Bhooti
Julayi
Narayana Murthy
70
Gabbar Singh
Mavayya
Dhammu
Movie
Neeku Naaku Dash Dash
Movie
Lovely
Movie
Dhoni
Movie
2011
Kshetram
Movie
Panjaa
Guruvayya
Oh My Friend
Chandu's Father
65
Oosaravelli
Rakesh's Father
62
Dookudu
Ramachandra
72
Dhada
Preethi's Father
180
Narayanan
Badrinath
Badri's Father
Kudirithe Kappu Coffee
Movie
Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju
Y. Venkat
Vastadu Naa Raju
Movie
Wanted
Voice Over
Once Upon a Warrior
Kaksheera
Golconda High School
Viswanath
2010
Ragada
Movie · Action
58
Rakht Charitra 2
Ram Murthy
Collector Gari Bharya
Movie
Baava
Movie
Rakht Charitra
Ram Murthy
Brindavanam
Ajay's Father
Khaleja
Durga Prasad
75
Drohi
Nanaji
Gaayam 2
Lawyer Saab
Jhummandi Naadam
Movie
Sadhyam
Movie
Leader
Sharma C.S.
Kedi
Movie
Shambo Shiva Shambo
Movie · Action · Drama
69
Adhurs
Chari's Adoptive Father
Om Shanti
Movie

2000s

1990s

1980s

1989
Siva
Nanaji
Swara Kalpana
Movie
Chettu Kinda Pleader
Paata Samanlavaadu
1988
Kallu
Movie
1987
Lawyer Suhasini
Movie
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe
Dorababu
1986
Ladies Tailor
Police

No release date

Sira
Movie
Patta Pagalu
Movie
Paataku Praanam
Movie
Hide & Silk
Movie

Wrote 15

2010s

2012
Mithunam
Screenplay, Lyricist

1990s

1993
One by Two
Writer
Gaayam
Dialogue
1992
Balarama Krishnulu
Dialogue
1991
Jaitra Yatra
Dialogue
1990
Chevilo Puvvu
Writer

1980s

1989
Siva
Dialogue
Swara Kalpana
Writer
Chettu Kinda Pleader
Dialogue
1987
Maharshi
Writer
Lawyer Suhasini
Dialogue
Sankeertana
Dialogue
Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe
Writer
1986
Ladies Tailor
Dialogue, Screenplay

No release date

Sira
Writer

Directed 2

2010s

2012
Mithunam
Director

No release date

Sira
Director