he Telugu Visionary Behind Amrutanjan: The Story of a ₹2,278 Crore Brand Is Now Becoming a Film

By Surya Prakash Josyula

Do you have a jar of Amrutanjan at home?

If yes, then you also have a forgotten piece of Telugu history in your home.

Whenever we have a headache or muscle pain, many of us reach for that familiar green-and-yellow jar. But very few people know the story of the man behind it.

This is not just the story of a pain balm.:

It is the story of a Telugu entrepreneur who used business as a tool to serve society.

Today, the Amrutanjan brand has a market value of around ₹2,278 crore. The man who laid its foundation was Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao Pantulu, and his extraordinary life is now being brought to the big screen through the pan-India biopic Viswadata.

A Brand That Built More Than a Business:

Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao Pantulu may not be a familiar name to many people today, but the brand he founded certainly is. Established in Bombay in 1893, Amrutanjan gradually became one of India’s most trusted household brands. Behind its commercial success, however, was a larger vision. Pantulu believed that business could do much more than generate profits. He saw it as a way to contribute to society and create lasting public impact.

When Business Found a Bigger Purpose:

Unlike many successful entrepreneurs who focused only on expanding their wealth, Pantulu chose a different path. He used the success of Amrutanjan to support social causes and promote public awareness. That vision led to the launch of Andhra Patrika in Bombay in 1909. The publication later moved to Madras, where it became one of the most influential Telugu newspapers, playing an important role in spreading political awareness and strengthening Telugu identity.

An Entrepreneur With a National Vision:

Pantulu was not just a businessman. He also took part in India’s freedom movement. He supported several national campaigns inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and extended financial support to Congress activities. For him, business was never just about making money. It was a means to serve society. His contributions earned him the respect of the people, who honoured him with titles such as Desabandhu and Viswadata.

The Legacy Beyond the Brand:

Most people know Amrutanjan as a trusted pain balm. What many may not know is that its founder also helped shape the history of Telugu journalism. By building a successful business and using its success to support journalism and public causes, Pantulu created a rare legacy that combined entrepreneurship, media and national service in one lifetime.

Now Coming to the Big Screen:

To mark the 160th birth anniversary of Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao Pantulu, his life is being adapted into the pan-India film Viswadata. The project is being produced by Sivalenka Pavani Prasad under the Sreemukhi Movies banner and directed by three-time National Award-winning cinematographer Madhu Ambat. Currently in the research and screenplay stage, the film aims to introduce a new generation to the inspiring journey of a man who believed that business could become a force for social good.