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Mannava Balaiah (or Balayya) is an actor, writer, director and producer in Telugu cinema.He acted in 300 films.

He was born at Chavupadu, Amaravathi mandalam, Guntur district to Mannava Guravaiah Chowdary and Annapurnamma. He studied Engineering B.E. (mechanical) in Guindy Engineering College, Chennai Inspired by the drama during his college days, Balaiah ventured into movies with guidance from Tapi Chanakya.

He made his debut as an actor with Ethuku Pai Ethu - a social film directed by Tapi Chanakya and made by Sarathi Studios. Films such as Parvati Kalyanam, Bhagyadevata, Kumkuma Rekha established him as an actor. ANR played Narada role in Parvati Kalyanam. There was yet another film they acted together, after a while, Chenchu Lakshmi film with ANR and Anjali in lead roles and directed by B.A.Subba Rao for his own banner, Parvati Kalyanam with Balaiah and Krishna Kumari were interesting mythological films. He acted in nearly three hundred films and established Amrutha films in 1970.

A play penned by him Nalupu Telupu (Black-white) later made into Chelleli Kapuram and received Gold Nandi award from Andhra Pradesh Government. Even films like Neramu Siksha, Annadammula Katha were penned by him. Well known for his histrionics, Balaiah became a name to reckon with character oriented roles.he was awarded with Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for the year 2012.