Gilla Chakradhar (15 June 1974 – 15 December 2014), known professionally as Chakri, was an Indian composer and singer who worked in Telugu cinema. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu for Satyam (2003) and the Nandi Award for Best Music Director for Simha (2010).
Early life Chakradhar was born on 15 June 1974 in Kambalapalli, a village of the Mahabubabad district, Telangana.
Career Chakradhar was known for composing music. He worked as a music director in around 85 movies. He started his career as the music director of the 2000 film Bachi, directed by Puri Jagannadh. Chakri is a self-made musician with no background or contacts in the movie industry. He humbly began his journey as a music enthusiast with a goal to publish a music album which he did through Aditya Music. Eventually, he got the opportunity through a friend to meet with Puri Jagannadh who liked his work and promised to work together. The duo later on went on to become a sensation with hits like Itlu Sravani Subramanyam, Idiot, Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi. Chakri also grabbed the opportunity to work with veteran director Vamsi who is known for his great taste for music and for his long term collaboration with Ilayaraja. His orchestration, chorus and the nuances in his composition were pleasantly surprising to the Telugu audience. Chakri composed a record number of 18 movies in a single year although he got very few chances to work with established heroes despite producing great music for small budget movies.
He won the best singer award for Satyam in the Tollywood Filmfare Awards and a Nandi Award for Simha. He created many musical hits for Ravi Teja and director Puri Jagannadh, working on nine films with the former and ten films with the latter.
Chakradhar has been praised for his generosity when working with technicians, and his support to new-comers. A popular opinion is that his lack of boundaries with friendships and being generous caused him personal losses.
Personal life Chakradhar married Sravani in 2004, shortly after he divorced his first wife. He has a brother and three sisters.
Death Chakradhar died in his sleep on 15 December 2014. His wife Sravani took him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 7:45 am. Chakradhar had developed obesity-related comorbidities.
Controversies In 2013, a molestation case was filed against Chakradhar and producer Paruchuri Prasad over alleged harassment of a 36-year-old woman at a party. The police complaint lodged by the victim clarified that Chakri was made accountable as the host of the party but was not involved in the harassment himself.
Discography
Telugu films Year Title Notes 2000 Bachi 2001 Itlu Sravani Subramanyam 2002 Aaduthu Paaduthu Dhanalakshmi, I Love You Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru Idiot 2003 Juniors Ammayilu Abbayilu Kabaddi Kabaddi Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi Dreams Oka Raju Oka Rani Donga Ramudu and Party Anaganaga O Kurraadu Sivamani Satyam Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Veede Toli Choopulone 2004 Andhrawala Pedababu 143 Andaru Dongale Dorikite Suryam Konchem Touchlo Vunte Cheputanu 2005 Dhana 51 Pandem Soggadu Chakram Bhageeratha 2006 Party Chukkallo Chandrudu Devadasu Asadhyudu Bhagyalakshmi Bumper Draw Aadi Lakshmi Also actor2007 Satyabhama Desamuduru Dhee Hello Premistara Takkari 2008 Aatadista Kasipatnam Chudara Babu Krishna Nagaram Victory Keka Neninthe 2009 Maska Gopi Gopika Godavari Raju Maharaju 2010 Simha Nandi Award for Best Music Director Golimaar Soundtrack only Aakasa Ramanna Baava Saradaga Kasepu 2011 Wanted Money Money, More Money Jai Bolo Telangana 2012 Naa Ishtam Denikaina Ready Composed 3 songs out of 5 Srimannarayana Devaraya 2014 Laddu Babu Yuddham Erra Bus 2015 Rey Posthumous release2025 Mass Jathara Used AI-generated voice
Kannada films Year Title Notes 2004 Veera Kannadiga Simultaneously shot with Andhrawala 2005 Giri Reused two songs from Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi2010 Gandedhe 2011 Kanteerava Smuggler 2013 Neenandre Ishta Kano Remake of Ammayilu Abbayilu
Other language films Year Title Language Notes 2004 Shakti Bengali Remake of Satyam2011 Pillaiyar Theru Kadaisi Veedu Tamil Reused one song from Gopi Gopika Godavari
References
External links