Yandamuri Veerendranath is an Indian novelist and screenwriter known for his works in the Telugu language.[1] He influences younger generations with his socially relevant writings and YouTube videos. In his writings he addresses many of social problems in India like poverty, prejudices, and superstitions, and encourages people to be socially responsible. He successfully bridges the idealistic and the popular styles of literature. He is also a Chartered Accountant by qualification.
Personal life
Yandamuri Veerendranath is from East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. He is a practicing chartered accountant. He worked for 15 years in various financial institutions as a senior executive.
He is an acclaimed novelist, playwright, and State Sahitya Academy award winner. His works have been translated into Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English, and Hindi. He is a motivational speaker and has delivered speeches at Australia, Tanzania, Indonesia, Singapore, US and, the UK. He is a movie director. He directed films with artists like Chiranjeevi, Ramya Krishna etc.
He is associated with more than 30 films that include 'Abhilasha' (అభిలాష) which was plagiarized from Fritz Lang’s film ‘Beyond a Reasonable Doubt’ written by Douglas Morrow(in 1956), 'Challenge' (ఛాలెంజ్) and ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari’ (జగదేక వీరుడు అతిలోక సుందరి).[2] His another popular novel Tulasi Dalam was first adapted into a Kannada movie (1985) titled Thulasidala and later in Telugu as Tulasidalam (1989),in Hindi as Phoonk (2008) and its remake in Telugu as Raksha (2008). His TV Serials won Golden Nandi awards for best direction and production. His film, 'oka Voori Katha (ఒక ఊరి కథ)’ won best regional film award from President of India. His film Vennelloa Aadapilla (వెన్నెల్లో ఆడపిల్ల) won Film fare award.
In an opinion poll in 1982 conducted by Andhrajyoti, he was one among "4 most popular persons" of the state, others being N.T. Ramarao etc. His book 'Success in Five Steps' holds an all-time record in Telugu literature, surpassing sales of more than two crore rupees.
He built an ashram at Kakinada, a one-crore project to teach the importance of education to tribal students free of cost.
Popular culture
Many of his novels have been made into motion pictures in Telugu. He also directed two movies in Telugu, the first being Agni Pravesam, starring Yamuna, and the second movie with Chiranjeevi by name, Stuvartpuram Police Station. Both the stories were based on his own novels but not received well by the audience. Hence, Veerendranath reverted to writing. His TV serials won Nandi awards, and film fare award. His film Beladingala Baale (Kannada - ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳ ಬಾಲೆ) won Karnataka state best film award:
Awards
Yandamuri Veerendranath being felicitated in Vijayawada, in 2018
In addition to financial success, he has won many awards for his work. His first film as a dialogue writer won a best regional award from the President of India.
State Sahitya Academy Award for Raghupati Raghava Rajaram in 1982.
Nandi Award as Best Director for the teleserial Vennello Adapilla in 1996.
Nandi Award as Best Socially Relevant Tele-Film for Vijayam Vaipu Payanam in 2002 and many more.
Bibliography
Yandamuri Veerendranath in a teaching session with children
He is passionate about motivating students and gave around 1000 motivational speeches all over India and abroad.[3][4] Latest he was involved in motivating around 40000 Sc/St financially poor students all over Andhra Pradesh at 13 District headquarters.
Films
Oka Oori Katha(Mrinal sen/ Best regional film national award)
Prardhana - which was plagiarized from Fever by Robin Cook
Abhilasha which was plagiarized from Fritz Lang’s film ‘Beyond a Reasonable Doubt’ written by Douglas Morrow(in 1956)
Raktha Sindhuram
Thriller
Vennello Godhari
Parnashala
Oka Raadha Idharu Krishnulu
Best of Veerendranath (Kathalu)
Radha Kunthi
Kshaminchu Supriya!
Non-fiction
Popular Rachanalu Cheyatam Ela!?
Manchi Muthyalu
Padamati Koyila Pallavi
Graphology
Mimmalni Mee Pillalu Preminchalante
Meeru Manchi Ammayi Kaadu
Mimmalni Meeru Gelavagalaru
Vijayam Vaipu Payanam
Pillala Perla Prapancham
Chaduvu – Ekagratha
Vijayamlo Bhagaswamyam
Mind Power – No.1 Avatam Ela?
Vijayaniki 5 Metlu
Vijayaniki Aro Mettu
Tappu Cheddaam Randi
Vijaya Rahasyaalu
Manchu Poola Varsham
Idli Orchid Aakaasham
Bethala Prasnalu
The 5 Steps to Success*(English translation of his best-selling book Vijayaniki 5 Metlu)
The Art of Studying
Career
Veerendranath did Chartered Accountancy and started his career at Andhra Pradesh State Finance Corporation. He worked there for 5 years. Later he moved to Andhra Bank and worked as the head of Small Scale Industries Division.[5][6][7] Some of his works are available as e-books[8]
