HYDERABAD: Noted film producer, writer and director M.S. Reddy has been selected for the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for 2005 for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Telugu cinema.

This was announced by the three-member selection committee consisting of T. L. Kantha Rao, M. Balaiah and M. Arjuna Raju, which met here on Saturday. He is the 27th recipient of the award that carries a cash prize of Rs. 5,000, Golden Nandi and a citation.

"Sahaja Kavi" as he is known for his lyrical simplicity in penning poems, M. S. Reddy played a vital role in the shifting of the Telugu film industry from Chennai to Hyderabad. He has produced 25 films, including a mega production `Ramayanam' with 3,000 child artistes, which bagged Best Children's Film Award.

He has served the film industry in various capacities-- president of Telugu Film Producers Council, South Indian Film Writers Association, Film Nagar Cooperative Housing Society and chairman of AP Film Development Corporation.

At present he is the chairman of Kala Sagar Cultural Trust, Chennai, and president of Vemana Foundation, Hyderabad.

A Gandhian, M. S. Reddy was born on August 15, 1924, near Nellore. He led several protest marches against social injustices. A born poet, Mallemala has penned more than 5,000 lyrics responding to the situations and events with great clarity.

He was conferred with the title `Abhinava Vemana' by Prakasam District Writers Association in 2002.

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