Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was a multilingual Indian film actress, director, music director, singer, producer, book writer and songwriter.Widely known as the first female super star of Telugu cinema and South Indian film Industry, she is also known for her works in Tamil cinema. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003 for her contribution towards Indian cinema.She was honored among "women in cinema" at the 30th International Film Festival of India.She made her debut in Telugu cinema in 1939 as Kalindi (a 13 years old girl who is forced to marry an old man and ended her life by committing suicide) in Vara Vikrayam (Telugu), directed by C. Pullaiah. She had acted in Malathi Madhavam, Dharma Patni and Bhaktimala. Her first popular film was Krishna Prema.