Raavi Kondala Rao

Indian actor, writer, and journalist (1932–2020)

Radha Kumari
​
​
(m. 1960; died 2012)​
[1]ChildrenRaavi Venkata SasikumarAwardsInturi Memorial Award

Nandi Award for Best Story Writer

Nandi Award for Best Book on Telugu Cinema

Raavi Kondala Rao (11 February 1932 – 28 July 2020) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, playwright, and journalist who worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre.[2][3] He acted in over 400 films.[4] He won Nandi Award for Best Story Writer for Pelli Pusthakam (1991) and won Nandi Award for Best Book on Telugu Cinema for Black and White.[5]

He made his film debut with Sobha in 1958 as an actor. Preminchi Choodu (1964) won him recognition as an actor.[2] He is known for his collaborations with Bapu-Ramana.[4][2] He worked as a writer for notable films like Brundavanam (1992), Bhairava Dweepam (1994), Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996).[3]

Besides films, he worked as an editor, writer and columnist for English and Telugu newspapers and magazines.[6] He worked as the associate editor for the then popular film magazine Vijaya Chitra from 1966 to 1990. Later, he joined Chandamama Vijaya production house as a writer and executive producer.[3]

Early life

Raavi Kondala Rao was born on 11 February 1932 in Srikakulam of present-day Andhra Pradesh.[2][3][7] His father was a postmaster. His education had been done in Srikakulam. He participated in Satyagraha in 1948 in Rajahmundry against the ban on RSS and Hindu Mahasammelan and was put in jail for three months. In his free time in Rajahmundry Jail, he read many books on literature. He wrote stories under the pen name of 'Mana Oohalu'. A few stories had been published in Chandamama.

Career

Raavi Kondala Rao used to write articles for Mahodaya weekly newspaper. He worked as sub editor for Aanandavani weekly magazine.[7] He was a writer of 'Paata Bangaram' in Sitara magazine, owned by the Eenadu group. He used to write cinema articles for Andhra Jyothi, Vijaya Chitra.

Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao was his inspiration for writing. Later, he was encouraged by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, Gutha Ramineedu to act in films. He also worked as an assistant director for B. N. Reddy, Kamalakara Kameswara Rao, D. V. Narasa Raju. He was the assistant director for Nartanasala (1963), directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. He also worked as an assistant director for Pooja Phalam (1964), directed by B. N. Reddy.[2]

Personal life

Veteran actress Radha Kumari was his wife.[8][4] She was his co-star in nearly 100 films.[3][2] His brother R. Kameswara rao was a leading dubbing artist.

Raavi Kondala Rao died of heart attack at a private hospital in Hyderabad, aged 88, on 28 July 2020.[3] He is survived by his son, R. V. Sasikumar.[7][3][2]

Partial filmography

A

Annadammula Anubandham (1975)

B

C

D

I

  • Ide Naa Samadhanam[10] (1986) as Royyala Rosaiah

J

K

M

  • Moguda Pellama (1975)
  • Madam (1994)
  • Muhammad bin Tughluq (1972)
  • Mangammagari Manavudu (1984)
  • Maavoori Magaadu (1987)

N

  • Nartanasala as Assistant Director

P

  • Pooja Phalam as assistant director
  • Preminchi Choodu (1965)
  • Padaharella Ammayi (1986)
  • Pralaya Simham (1984) as Inspector Narasimham
  • Parvathalu Panakalu (1992)
  • Pelli Pustakam (1991) as Story writer

R

  • Ramudu Bheemudu (1998)
  • Rangoon Rowdy (1979)
  • Rotation Chakravarthy (1987)
  • Ramudu Bheemudu (1988)
  • Raraju (1984)
  • Rama Rao Gopal Rao a.k.a. Rao Gopal Rao (1984) as College Principal Krishnamachari

S

T

  • Thene Manasulu (1965)

U

  • Ugranethrudu (1988) as Lawyer Tirupathi Rao

V

Movies as actor

A

B

C

D

  • Dasara Bullodu
  • Dagudu Moothalu
  • Daagudu Moothala Daampatyam
  • Dongala Veta[13] (1978) as Major Bandaramaiah
  • Dongalaku Saval[14] (1979) as Retd. Major Pratapa Rao
  • Dongalaku Donga as Hanumantha Rao

E

G

I

  • Idekkadi Nyayam

K

M

  • Madam
  • Mee Sreyobhilashi
  • Manishiko Charitra
  • Mugguru Muggure (1978) as Head Museum Guard
  • Muhurtha Balam[15] (1969) as Veerabhadraiah

N

O

  • Oy!

P

R

S

V

Others

  • 365 Days (2015)

References

  1. ^ "Veteran actress Radha Kumari passes away". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Actor, writer Raavi Kondala Rao passes away at 88". The New Indian Express. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Veteran actor Raavi Kondala Rao no more". The Hindu. 28 July 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Veteran actor Raavi Kondala Rao passes away". Telugucinema.com. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  5. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  6. ^ "Veteran Actor-Director Raavi Kondala Rao Dies At 88". NDTV.com. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Veteran Telugu Actor, Writer Raavi Kondala Rao No More". Sakshi. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Radha Kumari Passed away!". Chitramala. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  9. ^ BHARYA BARTHALU | TELUGU FULL MOVIE | SHOBAN BABU | SUHASINI | RAADHA | V9 VIDEOS, retrieved 30 April 2023
  10. ^ FilmiClub. "Ide Naa Samadhanam (1986) Complete Cast & Crew". FilmiClub. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Athalu Kodallu (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Chattaniki Veyi Kallu". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Dongala Veta (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Dongalaku Saval (1979)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Muhurtha Balam Cast and Crew".
  16. ^ "Vintha Kapuram Movie Cast".

External links

  • Raavi Kondala Rao at IMDb
  • TV Interview
  • [1]Naagavali Nunchi Manjeera Varaku
  • Ravi Kondala Rao interview