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{{Short description|Indian film director (born 1985)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Padmavathi Malladi
| image = PadmavathiMalladiDP.jpg
| caption = Padmavathi Malladi at a promotional event for Gandhi Tatha Chettu
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|05|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]], India
| alma_mater = {{Ubl
| [[Villa Marie Degree College]]
}}
| occupation = {{Hlist|Director|Screenwriter}}
| years_active = 2013 – present
| notable_works = {{Ubl
| [[Gandhi Tatha Chettu]] (As Director)
| [[Mahanati]] (As Screenwriter)
| [[Brinda (TV series)|Brinda]] (As Screenwriter)
}}
}}

'''Padmavathi Malladi''' (born 14 May 1985) is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works primarily in [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] feature films and web series. Known for her forthright dialogues and slice-of-life storytelling, she garnered critical acclaim for her work as a screenwriter for ''[[Mahanati]]'' (2018), ''[[Ammu (2022 film)|Ammu]]'' (2022) and ''[[Brinda (TV series)|Brinda]]'' (2024) for which she was nominated at the 2025 Critics' Choice Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IANS |date=2024-07-31 |title=Trisha Krishnan shares why she chose to make OTT series debut with 'Brinda' |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/cinema/trisha-krishnan-shares-why-she-chose-to-make-ott-series-debut-with-brinda-797587 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.dtnext.in |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Harsh">{{Cite web |last=Harsh |first=B. H. |date=2025-01-22 |title=Padmavathi Malladi: We shouldn't be hesitant to make women-centric films |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2025/Jan/22/padmavathi-malladi-we-shouldnt-be-hesitant-to-make-women-centric-films |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |date=2022-10-19 |title='Ammu' review: A gripping tale of a domestic abuse victim's journey to the light |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1035312/ammu-review-a-gripping-tale-of-a-domestic-abuse-victims-journey-to-the-light |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-06 |title=Critics' Choice Awards 2025 full list of nominees: Diljit Dosanjh, Abhishek Bachchan get Best Actor nods |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/critics-choice-awards-2025-full-list-of-nominees-diljit-dosanjh-abhishek-bachchan-get-best-actor-nods-101741235839723.html |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

Padmavathi made her directorial debut with ''[[Gandhi Tatha Chettu]]'' (2024).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2025-01-24 |title='Gandhi Tatha Chettu' movie review: A heartfelt tribute to Gandhian principles and rural innocence |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/gandhi-tatha-chettu-movie-review-a-heartfelt-tribute-to-gandhian-principles/article69131186.ece |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The film garnered critical acclaim for its production and the performance of its lead actor, Sukriti Veni Bandreddi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=123telugu |date=2024-05-01 |title=Sukumar's daughter Sukriti Veni Bandreddi wins Dadasaheb Phalke Award {{!}} Latest Telugu cinema news {{!}} Movie reviews {{!}} OTT Updates, OTT |url=https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/sukumars-daughter-sukriti-veni-bandreddi-wins-dadasaheb-phalke-award.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.123telugu.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The film received numerous accolades nationally and globally, including the [[National Film Award for Best Child Artist|Best Child Artist Award]] for Sukriti at the [[71st National Film Awards]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2025-08-02 |title=71st National Film Awards: Sukumar's daughter, Sukriti Veni, wins Best Child Artist title for 'Gandhi Tatha Chettu' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/71st-national-film-awards-sukumars-daughter-sukriti-veni-wins-best-child-artist-title-for-gandhi-tatha-chettu/articleshow/123054825.cms |access-date=2025-09-19 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Best Film at the 30th Minsk International Film Festival<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2025-01-22 |title=Director Padmavathi Malladi on the making of 'Gandhi Tatha Chettu', a crowdsourced Telugu indie film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-gandhi-tatha-chettu-a-crowdsourced-telugu-indie-film-came-to-be/article69118383.ece#:~:text=At%20the%20Minsk%20International%20Film,it%20was%20a%20surreal%20moment. |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> & the 2024 Noida International Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arikatla |first=Venkat |date=2025-01-01 |title=Sukumar's Daughter Sukriti Veni's Gandhi Tatha Chettu Set for January 24 Release |url=https://www.greatandhra.com/movies/news/sukumars-daughters-gandhi-tatha-chettu-set-for-jan-24-release-143129 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=greatandhra.com |language=en}}</ref>

Born to academicians in a mixed culture family, Padmavathi developed a fondness for languages and built a strong vocabulary in Telugu at an early age. She started her film career with [[Chandra Sekhar Yeleti]] as a writer for ''[[Manamantha]]'' (2016)<ref>{{Citation |last=Yeleti |first=Chandra Sekhar |title=Manamantha |date=2016-08-05 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5948916/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_7 |access-date=2025-02-21 |others=Mohanlal, Gautami, Viswant Duddumpudi |publisher=Vaarahi Chalana Chitram}}</ref> starring [[Mohanlal]] and [[Gautami|Gauthami]], before collaborating with [[Radha Krishna Kumar]] for ''[[Radhe Shyam]]'' starring [[Prabhas]] and [[Pooja Hegde]] which was ultimately released in 2022 having been in production for six years.<ref name="Parvathaneni">{{Cite web |last=Parvathaneni |first=RamBabu |date=2025-01-20 |title=Director Padmavati Malladi Interview |url=https://www.cinejosh.com/news/1/115575/director-padmavati-malladi-interview.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=cinejosh.com |language=english}}</ref>

== Early life and background ==
Padmavathi was born to Ravoori Saroja and Malladi Jayakrishnan in Hyderabad in May 1985. Born into a family that established and ran many educational institutions in the Greater Hyderabad area, Padmavathi grew up in an extremely disciplined environment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Padmavathi Malladi about Gandhi Tatha Chettu - idlebrain.com |url=https://www.idlebrain.com/news/today/gandhitathachettu-padmavathimalladi.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref> She and her younger sister grew up with her uncle and aunt, as her parents traveled regularly for their jobs.<ref name="KARTHIK">{{Cite web |last=KARTHIK |date=2021-04-23 |title=Padmavathi Malladi, a writer weaving the best stories for entertainment |url=https://untoldstoryof.com/padmavathi-malladi/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Padmavathi's family's roots come from [[Thanjavur]] and [[Chittoor]], giving rise to a spoken language that was an eclectic mix of [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]]. However, in school, Padmavathi found herself getting increasingly attracted to classical [[Telugu literature]]. Padmavathi has acknowledged her high school Telugu teacher for playing a significant role in developing her writing and speaking skills in Telugu.

Padmavathi completed her bachelor's degree in biotechnology from [[Villa Marie Degree College|Villa Marie College]], in Hyderabad, and her MBA in Human Resources from Malla Reddy College.<ref name="KARTHIK"/> Upon graduation, Padmavathi began her career as an HR lecturer at a management college in Hyderabad. Shortly thereafter, she started her own training institute focusing on Spoken English and certification courses such as Six Sigma and Total Quality Management. She took up writing film reviews for a website, one of which caught the attention of a crew member working on Siraj Kalla's ''[[D for Dopidi]]'' (2013). He asked Padmavathi to write a few dialogues for the film, and that's how she was introduced to the grammar of dialogue and screenplay writing.

== Film career ==

=== Early beginnings (2014–2016) ===
Padmavathi started writing short stories, one of which reached [[Radha Krishna Kumar]] - who at the time was directing ''[[Jil (film)|Jil]]'' (2015) starring [[Gopichand (actor)|Gopichand]] and [[Raashii Khanna|Raashi Khanna]]. He approached Padmavathi to translate the script from Telugu to English, and in the process, Padmavathi provided some storyline inputs.<ref name="KARTHIK"/> Padmavathi's work also caught the attention of [[Chandra Sekhar Yeleti]], under whom Radha Krishna Kumar worked as an assistant director and the director of ''[[Manamantha]]'' (2016), who subsequently referred her to the project. She was offered a role as a writer for the film and received significant guidance in screenwriting from Yeleti, whom she regards as her mentor in the film industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=pynr.in |date=2025-01-21 |title=I want to show non-violence thru my film: Padmavathi Malladi {{!}} The Pioneer |url=https://pynr.in/i-want-to-show-non-violence-thru-my-film-padmavathi-malladi/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> The screenplay of ''Manamantha'' was widely praised and became one of the more positively-reviewed films of 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Manamantha Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/manamantha/movie-review/53570963.cms |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

Padmavathi joined forces with Radha Krishna Kumar again in 2016 as he announced ''[[Radhe Shyam]]'' with [[Prabhas]], produced by UV Creations. The story of the film evolved over the course of many iterations, with Padmavathi growing in experience along with the story.<ref name="Parvathaneni"/>

Around this time, Padmavathi became a part of a filmmakers’ collective being mentored and guided by [[Aparna Malladi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-01-04 |title=Filmmaker Aparna Malladi passes away at 54 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/filmmaker-aparna-malladi-passes-away-at-54/articleshow/116945729.cms |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> During this time, Padmavathi was introduced to several individuals, including [[Venkatesh Maha]], Sesha Sindhu Rao, Vamsi Patchipulusu, and Santosh ‘Santo’ Mohan Veeranki, among others. These individuals later made significant contributions to the Telugu film industry in the following years.

==== ''Mahanati (2018)'' ====
In late 2016, a [[Mahanati|biopic on the yesteryear superstar Savitri]] was announced, and was being helmed by [[Nag Ashwin]] - fresh off the success of his directorial debut, ''[[Yevade Subramanyam]]'' (2015). On the lookout for writers, he came across Padma's work, and tasked her with bringing out the personal life of the [[Savitri (actress)|most celebrated actress in Telugu Cinema]]. Padmavathi chanced upon the eponymously titled book "Savitri", and presented a draft of her story and scenes to Nag Ashwin who immediately inducted her into his team.

Padmavathi recalls a moment when Nagi praised her by stating that she has "a unique voice,"<ref name="iDream Media">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXbFq_DvZgM |title=Director Padmavathi Malladi Exclusive Interview {{!}} Gandhi Thatha Chettu {{!}} Sukumar {{!}} iDream Media |date=2025-01-21 |last=iDream Media |access-date=2025-02-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref> a commendation she considers a turning point in her writing career. Mahanati, starring [[Keerthy Suresh]], [[Dulquer Salmaan]], [[Samantha Ruth Prabhu]], and [[Vijay Deverakonda]], became a significant success,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arikatla |first=Venkat |date=2018-05-10 |title='Mahanati' Review: Epic Biopic|url=https://www.greatandhra.com/movies/reviews/mahanati-review-epic-biopic-89334 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=greatandhra.com |language=en}}</ref> both critically and commercially. The film won 3 National Awards, 4 [[Filmfare Awards]], [[List of accolades received by Mahanati|and 26 other awards across various platforms regionally, nationally, and internationally.]]

==== Wider recognition (2018–2020) ====
While writing for ''Mahanati'', Padmavathi became part of a team led by [[Teja (director)|Teja]]. Produced by [[D. Suresh Babu]], starring [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]], and being written by [[Paruchuri brothers|Paruchuri Brothers]] and Diamond Rathnambabu, the untitled project garnered a lot of attention,<ref>{{Cite web |last=123telugu |date=2017-12-04 |title=Venky's new film launched {{!}} Latest Telugu cinema news {{!}} Movie reviews {{!}} OTT Updates, OTT |url=https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/venkys-new-film-launched.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=www.123telugu.com |language=en-US}}</ref> but ultimately did not see a release. Padmavathi considers this experience to be one of the most enlightening of her career, as it provided valuable lessons not only on writing but also on navigating and surviving in the film industry.<ref name="iDream Media"/>

In September 2018, Padmavathi collaborated with Sesha Sindhu Rao on the latter's directorial debut, ''[[Choosi Choodangaane]]'', a breezy romantic comedy and coming of age film starring debutant [[Shiva Kandukuri]] and [[Varsha Bollamma]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Rao |first=Sesha Sindhu |title=Choosi Choodangaane |date=2020-01-31 |type=Romance |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11301882/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |others=Ashmitha, Srinivas Avasarala, Bhanu |publisher=Dharmapath Creations}}</ref> Credited as the writer of the film, Padmavathi took the opportunity to also gain significant on-set experience working alongside Sesha Sindhu Rao. She interacted with the actors and the crew, and garnered lessons in filmmaking, crew management and artist management. As part of workshops designed to familiarize actors with the story and their characters, Padmavathi spent extensive time understanding the actors and building rapport with them. This experience played a significant role in shaping her own filmmaking style.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM1DmdXEeDA |title=Writer Padmavathi Speech {{!}}{{!}} Choosi Choodangane Movie Thanks Meet {{!}}{{!}} Shiva Kandukuri {{!}}{{!}} Varsha Bollam |date=2020-02-01 |last=BhavaniHD Movies |access-date=2025-02-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Upon its OTT release on [[Amazon Prime Video]] during the first [[COVID-19 lockdowns|COVID-19 lockdown]] in [[India]], ''Choosi Choodangaane'' received praise, particularly for its treatment of characters and its modern storyline that challenged traditional stereotypes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Choosi Choodangaane Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/choosi-choodangaane/movie-review/73803481.cms |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==== ''Ammu'' (2022) and ''Brinda'' (2024) ====
In late 2021, Padmavathi was approached by [[Karthik Subbaraj]]’s production house - [[Stone Bench Creations]] - to work on a film about a domestic abuse victim and her resolve to create a better life for herself. Initially slated to release in Tamil, Prime Video decided to release it in Telugu, and Padmavathi was chosen to write for the same.<ref name="Parvathaneni"/> Aware of the subtle yet conspicuous differences between Tamil and Telugu content, Padmavathi wrote the dialogue draft of the film, and it went on the floors. Recalling her interaction with lead actress [[Aishwarya Lekshmi]] regarding the monologue, Padmavathi stated that it was the hardest thing she had ever written - not just from the subject’s point of view, but also from the point of view of the language. The monologue delivered by Aishwarya Lekshmi’s character, apart from the overall dialogues of the film,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5DHII5aGH8 |title=Aishwarya Lekshmi About Telugu Dialogues In Ammu Movie {{!}} TFPC |date=2022-10-15 |last=TFPC |access-date=2025-02-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref> garnered immense appreciation from viewers and critics alike, and [[Ammu (2022 film)|''Ammu'']] emerged as one of the "most important films of the year".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chandar |first=Bhuvanesh |date=2022-10-19 |title='Ammu' movie review: Aishwarya Lekshmi shines in poignant, yet unconvincing tale of domestic abuse |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ammu-movie-review-aishwarya-lekshmi-shines-in-poignant-yet-unconvincing-tale-of-domestic-abuse/article66031261.ece |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ammu Review : This drama brings forth a relevant and recurring issue of domestic abuse |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/ammu/ottmoviereview/94969831.cms |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

In October 2021, Surya Manoj Vangala approached Padmavathi with a story about a police officer battling injustice and crime in the face of longstanding societal beliefs and rituals. Intrigued by the possibilities, Padmavathi and Surya wrote and developed the story into a web-series - [[Brinda (TV series)|''Brinda'']] - starring [[Trisha Krishnan]] - which released on [[SonyLIV]] in August 2024.<ref name="Harsh"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harsh |first=B. H. |date=2024-08-20 |title=I am still juggling with ambition, passion and detachment: Surya Manoj Vangala |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2024/Aug/20/i-am-still-juggling-with-ambition-passion-and-detachment-surya-manoj-vangala |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Trisha Krishnan's portrayal of the titular role, and the nuanced writing that dealt with sensitive topics such as religious crimes was widely lauded. Brinda is credited with being one of the best web-series ushering in the era of Telugu Originals on online platforms.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2024-08-02 |title='Brinda' web series review: Trisha, Ravindra Vijay sparkle in this brooding, taut crime drama |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/brinda-web-series-review-trisha-ravindra-vijay-sparkle-in-this-brooding-taut-crime-drama/article68472106.ece |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In March 2025, Padmavathi, along with the show's director - Surya Manoj Vangala - was nominated for the Best Writing award for ''Brinda'' at the 2025 Critics' Choice Shorts and Series Awards, but lost out to their counterparts who wrote the series ''[[Poacher (TV series)|Poacher]].''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-06 |title=Critics' Choice Awards 2025 full list of nominees: Diljit Dosanjh, Abhishek Bachchan get Best Actor nods |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/critics-choice-awards-2025-full-list-of-nominees-diljit-dosanjh-abhishek-bachchan-get-best-actor-nods-101741235839723.html |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=India Today Entertainment |date=2025-03-26 |title=Critics' Choice Awards: Diljit Dosanjh wins Best Actor, All We Imagine as Light shines |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/critics-choice-awards-2025-diljit-dosanjh-all-we-imagine-win-top-honours-2699336-2025-03-26 |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

=== Breakthrough - directorial debut ===
In early 2021, Padmavathi developed a story about a young boy who plants a tree. Though the initial suggestions came from her good friend, Venkat Karnati, she was instantly enamored with the story, and developed it until it ultimately became the story of a 15 year old girl who uses Gandhian principles to rally her village, and save them and her grandfather’s tree from being chopped off by corporate entities looking to further their greed.<ref name="Dundoo">{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2025-01-22 |title=Director Padmavathi Malladi on the making of 'Gandhi Tatha Chettu', a crowdsourced Telugu indie film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-gandhi-tatha-chettu-a-crowdsourced-telugu-indie-film-came-to-be/article69118383.ece |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Entitling it as "''[[Gandhi Tatha Chettu]]''", Padmavathi began narrating the story to producers across the industry. Unwilling to take the risk of having a child actor as the lead of the film, most producers passed it off.<ref name="iDream Media"/>

Padma's frequent collaborator, Sesha Sindhu Rao agreed to produce the film, and in an unconventional, but ultimately fruitful, move, decided to finance the film through an online funding platform - Cinema Stock Exchange - raising $114,000 (INR 85 Lakhs) to get the film on the floors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2022-04-14 |title=Telugu film 'Gandhi Thata Chettu' looks for crowd investment through Cinema Stock Exchange |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/telugu-film-gandhi-thata-chettu-takes-the-crowd-investment-route/article65320187.ece |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Sindhu also led Padmavathi to cast Sukriti Bandreddi - daughter of celebrated Telugu Film Director, [[Sukumar]] in the leading role. Upon hearing the film's story, Sukumar agreed to have his daughter Sukriti be cast in the main role.<ref name="Dundoo"/> Sukriti proved to be a revelation as the film went on to receive numerous accolades all over the world at Film Festivals, especially garnering immense praise for her portrayal of a young girl putting Gandhian values into practice.

Padmavathi Malladi's directorial debut - ''[[Gandhi Tatha Chettu]]'' - released theatrically on 24 January 2025, and received widespread acclaim for its writing, direction and acting. The film was subsequently released on Amazon Prime Video in March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Bhavana |date=2025-03-24 |title=Gandhi Tatha Chettu OTT Release Update: Where Can You Watch The Telugu Drama? |url=https://www.koimoi.com/south-indian-cinema/gandhi-tatha-chettu-ott-release-update-where-can-you-watch-the-telugu-drama/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Koimoi |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2025, the film was honoured with the "Bronze Knight" Award at the prestigious Zolotoy Vityaz Film Festival in Moscow, Russia.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-05 |title=Лауреаты Международного Кинофорума «Золотой Витязь» |url=https://zolotoyvityaz.ru/winners-filmforum |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Международный Форум «Золотой Витязь» |language=ru-RU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Закрытие XXXIV Международного кинофорума «Золотой витязь» в Севастополе май 2025 г - смотреть видео онлайн от «Сергей Бинали» в хорошем качестве, опубликованное 4 июня 2025 года в 14:19:16 01:53:06. |url=https://rutube.ru/video/675cd1e1eb105658c54b426651d217af/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=rutube.ru |language=ru}}</ref> On August 1, 2025, Sukriti Veni Bandreddi was bestowed upon with the prestigious [[National Film Award for Best Child Artist]] at the [[71st National Film Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2025-08-01 |title=71st National Film Awards {{!}} Shah Rukh Khan wins maiden honour, '12th Fail' adjudged Best Film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/71st-national-film-awards-shah-rukh-khan-wins-maiden-honour-12th-fail-adjudged-best-film/article69883037.ece |access-date=2025-09-19 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Other Appearances ==
Padmavathi has appeared as a guest on Telugu Film Industry based podcasts such as "Kathala Kacheri"<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEqeE6zNP7I |title=CHIVARI PAATHAM {{!}} Kathala Kacheri - EP11 {{!}} Padmavathi Malladi |date=2025-02-21 |last=KathalaKacheri |access-date=2025-09-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and "The Unscripted Podcast (TUP)".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mtvyafkl-c |title=From Pen to Camera: Padmavathi Malladi Shares Her Film Journey! {{!}} TUP 02 |date=2025-05-05 |last=Chitralahari Entertainments |access-date=2025-09-19 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

== Style of writing and direction ==
As a writer, Padmavathi Malladi is recognized for her impactful dialogues in serious societal and social topics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-25 |title=VoxTalks With Padmavathi Visweswar - On Co-Writing 'Mahanati' And Bringing A World Alive |url=https://www.voxspace.in/2018/05/25/padmavathi-visweswar/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=VoxSpace |language=en-US}}</ref> At the same time, she is also known for her comical style of writing which plays to her advantage in [[slice of life]] films as evidenced in ''[[Choosi Choodangaane]]'' and ''[[Gandhi Tatha Chettu]]''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_nt4laVI0 |title=Director Padmavathi Malladi {{!}} Gandhi Tatha Chettu's Rachabanda With Media {{!}} Sukriti Veni Bandreddi |date=2025-01-16 |last=Mythri Movie Makers |access-date=2025-02-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

As a director, Padmavathi is known to be a hands-on guide, and has stated that for the best version of the story to come out, it is crucial for directors to get on the same page and get the actors to emote, since the actors are the vehicle to get the writers’ and directors’ ideas out in the open.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2xiYUIlaFs |title=Writer Padmavathi Speech @ Choosi Choodangaane Pre Release Event {{!}} NTV ENT |date=2020-01-28 |last=NTV Entertainment |access-date=2025-02-21 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=2025-01-22 |title=Director Padmavathi Malladi on the making of 'Gandhi Tatha Chettu', a crowdsourced Telugu indie film |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-gandhi-tatha-chettu-a-crowdsourced-telugu-indie-film-came-to-be/article69118383.ece#:~:text=She%20perfectly%20reflected%20the%20essence,Rangampet,%20Kamareddy%20district,%20Telangana. |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Filmography ==

=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Director
!Screenwriter
!Dialogues
!Notes
|-
|2016
|''[[Manamantha]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|First Film as Screenwriter
|-
|2018
|''[[Mahanati]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|[[List of accolades received by Mahanati|See List of Accolades Received by Mahanati]]
|-
|2020
|''[[Choosi Choodangaane]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|
|-
|2022
|''[[Radhe Shyam]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|
|-
|2022
|''[[Ammu (2022 film)|Ammu]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|
|-
|2025
|''[[Gandhi Tatha Chettu]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|[[National Film Award for Best Child Artist]], [[71st National Film Awards]]<ref name=":1" />
Bronze Knight, Zolotoy Vityaz Film Festival 2025<ref name=":2" />

Best Film, 30th Minsk International Film Festival 2024
|}

=== Web series ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Director
!Screenwriter
!Dialogues
!Notes
|-
|2024
|''[[Brinda (TV series)|Brinda]]''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|Co-written with Surya Mohan Vangala
Nominated for Best Writing at the 2025 Critics Choice Shorts and Series Awards<ref name=":0" />
|}

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
{{IMDb name|id=13046761|name=Padmavathi Malladi}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malladi, Padmavathi}}
[[Category:Film directors from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Indian women screenwriters]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:Telugu screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]

Padmavathi Malladi - Revision history

MishaelNab: Stub...