Akkineni Lakshmi Vara Prasad, popularly known as L.V. Prasad, strode the Indian cine world like a colossus. Actor, director, producer and script­ writer, L.V. Prasad was involved with various facets of film-making right from the days of the early talkies.

Starting out as an actor in the early historical and mythological epics, he went on to direct, and then to produce, block-busters in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Memorable  for their dramatic story-lines, social themes, and compelling performances, these included Hindi classics like "Jeene Ki Raah", "Milan", and "Khilona". L.V. Prasad himself acted in 13 films, directed some 30 films, and produced 25 films in three languages.

Born into an affluent agricultural family in the village of Somavarappadu in Eluru taluk of Andhra Pradesh, L.V. Prasad was the second son of Akkineni Sriramulu and Basavamma. A pampered child, he was not keen on his studies, but he had a dream that took him to Bombay at the age of 22 years. In Bombay, L.V. Prasad's first job was with Venus Studio. Thereafter he joined Indian Pictures and landed a small role in the film "Star of the East". Subsequently, he joined the Imperial Film Company and worked in the first Hindi talkie, "Aiam Ara" (1931). During this period, he came into contact with eminent film personalities like Prithviraj Kapoor and Mehboob Khan and learnt the nuances and techniques of film-making. L.V. Prasad also acted in the first Tamil talkie ("Kalidas"-1931 ), and the first Telugu talkie ("Bhaktha Prahlada"-1931 ).

The closing of  the Imperial Film Company landed L.V. Prasad in financial troubles and he had to take up a job as gatekeeper in Bombay's Krishna Cinema hall. Little did he know then that one of his films, "Khilona", would run for 25 weeks into its silver jubilee in the same theatre.   In course of time L.V. Prasad graduated to film direction, and then film production.  L.V. Prasad's first film as Director was "Grihapravesham" (Telugu) in 1945. Lakshmi Productions was formed in 1955 and "llavelpu" (Telugu) was its first production. Then came the founding of Prasad Productions in 1956 which opened with "Sharda"(Hindi).

Thus, over the years, L.V.Prasad made great strides in the film industry and came to be acknowledged as a movie baron who propelled many actors to stardom. For his cinematic achievements he received numerous awards and honours, including the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, conferred on him in the year  1986 for his unique and outstanding achievements and services to the film industry.

L.V. Prasad also involved himself in charitable causes. In 1986 he donated one crore rupees and five acres of land to establish the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad. Today this institution is one of the premier eye care hospitals in the world.

L.V. Prasad breathed his last on 22"d June 1994, but the legacy of his films lives on along with his gift of vision care for India's teeming poor.

The Department of Posts is honoured to issue a commemorative postage stamp on L.V. Prasad.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India