Mannava Balayya was an actor, writer, director and producer who predominantly worked in the Telugu film industry and also contributed as a story writer in Hindi films. Born in Chavupadu, Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh in 1930, he debuted as an actor in 1958 in the Telugu film Ettuku Pai Ettu and thereafter appeared in supporting roles in films like Manchi Manishi, Alluri Seetharama Raju, Gaayam, Yamaleela, Annamayya, Manmadhudu, etc. He also wrote and directed Telugu films like Nijam Chebite Nerama?, Pasupu Tadu and Police Alludu. He was known for writing the story for two Hindi films namely – Shikshaa (1979) and Wafadaar (1985). His last appearance as an actor was in the 2012 Telugu movie Devaraya.