Chalam (actor)

For the writer, see Gudipati Venkatachalam.

Chalam (born Simhachalam Korada) (18 May 1929 – 4 May 1989) was an Indian film actor, and producer known for his works primarily in Telugu cinema, and Telugu theatre.^[1] In 1971 he produced and acted in Mattilo Manikyam which won the Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 19th National Film Awards.^[2] In a film career spanning 30 years, Chalam was starred in about 150 films in a variety of roles.^[3]

Chalam
Born	(1929-05-18)18 May 1929 Palakollu, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died	4 May 1989(1989-05-04) (aged 59)
Occupation(s)	Actor, Producer
Years active	1953-1986
Spouse(s)	Ramana Kumari (Died in 1964) Sarada (m.1972; div.1984)
Children	3

Personal life

Chalam married Ramana kumari, and changed her name to Ramana Chalam. They have 3 children. Ramana Kumari died in 1964 in a fire accident. Chalam later married Urvasi Sarada, his co-star in her debut film, Tandrulu Kodukulu in 1972.^[4] They later divorced in 1984.^[5]

Death

Chalam died on 4 May 1989. Due to alcohol addiction. In his final days he also suffered from depression.

Selected filmography

Actor

• Kodarikam (1953)
• Naa Chellelu (1953)
• Thodu Dongalu (1954)
• Jataka Phalam (1954)
• Vadinagaari Gajulu (1955)
• Donga Ramudu (1955)
• Santanam (1955)
• Bhale Ramudu (1956)
• Sarangadhara (1957)
• Vaddante Pelli (1957) as Pasupati
• Bhuloka Rambha^[6] (1958) as Sumanthudu
• Pelli Sandadi (1959)
• Nithya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam (1960)
• Kuladaivam (1960)
• Abhimanam (1960)
• Vagdanam (1961)
• Tandrulu Kodukulu (1961)
• Pellikaani Pillalu (1961)
• Siri Sampadalu (1962)
• Paruvu Prathishta (1963)
• Thobuttuvulu (1963)
• Dr. Chakravarthy (1964)
• Babruvahana (1964) as Babruvahana
• Kalavari Kodalu (1964)
• Peetala Meedha Pelli (1964)
• Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam (1964)
• Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima (1965)
• Preminchi Choodu (1965)
• Aatma Gowravam (1965)
• Visala Hrudayalu (1965)
• Navarathri (1966)
• Srimathi^[7] (1966) as Venkat
• Adugu Jaadalu (1966)
• Pattukunte Padivelu (1967) as Daivadheenam
• Private Master (1967)
• Devuni Gelichina Manavudu^[8] (1967) as Gurudattudu
• Poola Rangadu (1967)
• Brahmachari (1968)
• Manchi Kutumbam (1968)
• Evaru Monagadu^[9] (1968) as Das
• Bhale Monagadu (1968)
• Govula Gopanna (1968)
• Manushulu Marali (1969)
• Sattekalapu Satteyya (1969)
• Chiranjeevi (1969)
• Nindu Hrudayalu (1969)
• Sambarala Rambabu (1970)
• Mattilo Manikyam (1971)
• Pattindalla Bangaram (1971)
• Bomma Borusa (1971)
• Bullemma Bullodu (1972) - Remake of Bhale Jodi (1970)
• Ooriki Upakaari (1973)
• Ramude Devudu (1973)
• Devudamma (1973) as Devudu
• Amma Manasu (1974)
• Bantrotu Bharya (1974)
• Bhoomi Kosam^[10] (1974) as Suryam
• Tulabharam (1974)
• Chairman Chalamaiah (1974) - Remake of Mayor Muthanna
• Thota Ramudu (1975) - Remake of Sampathige Savaal
• Sitamma Santanam (1977)
• Lambadolla Ramdasu (1978)
• Chilipi Krishnudu (1978)
• Pranam Khareedu (1978)
• Annadammula Savaal (1978)
• Dudu Basavanna (1978) as Basavanna - Remake of Bangaarada Panjara
• Chillra Kottu Chittemma (1978)
• Mallepoovu (1978)
• Kaliyuga Mahabharatam (1978)
• Gorintaku (1979)
• Konte Mogudu Penki Pellam^[11] (1980) as Venkatachalam
• Pelli Chesi Choopistaam" (1983)
• Allullostunnaru (1984)
• Visha Kanya (1985)
• Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam (1986)

Producer

• Sambarala Rambabu (1970)
• Mattilo Manikyam (1971)
• Pelli Chesi choopistaam (1983)

Awards

National Film Awards

Best Feature Film in Telugu (Producer) Mattilo Manikyam^[12][13]