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Dasari Narayana Rao (4 May 1942[1] – 30 May 2017) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, producer, lyricist, and politician, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema. Over his four decade career, he directed more than 150 feature films, earning a Limca World Record for directing the most films in the world.[2] He was known by the epithet "Darsaka Ratna" (transl. "Jewel among directors") and was recognized for addressing social issues such as gender discrimination, casteism, corruption and injustice through his films. Narayana Rao received numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards, 16 Nandi Awards including the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and five Filmfare Awards South including the Lifetime Achievement.[1]
Dasari Narayana Rao | |
|---|---|
 Dasari Narayana Rao in his office as a Central Minister in New Delhi on 24 May 2004 | |
| Born | 4 May 1942 |
| Died | 30 May 2017 (aged 75) |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse | Dasari Padma |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | National Film Awards |
In addition to his work in Telugu cinema, Narayana Rao directed notable Hindi films like Swarag Narak (1978), Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980), Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984), and Asha Jyoti (1984).[3][4] He directed works such as Tandra Paparayudu (1986), and Surigaadu (1992) which were screened at International Film Festival of India in the Panorama section,[5][6] and Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998) which received the National Film Award Special Mention Feature Film in addition to a Kannada films. In 1983, he directed Meghasandesam which screened at the Indian Panorama, the Tashkent Film Festival, and the Moscow film festival. The film also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.[7][8] During his career he also acted in several Telugu and Tamil films.[9]
He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the year 2006 and served as the Minister of state for Coal in the Manmohan Singh government.[10]
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Prior to films, Dasari worked in theatre staging plays. He entered film industry to become an actor but worked as ghost writer for 25 films and made his debut as dialogue writer with Jagath Jatteelu (1970) however it was Mohammed Bin Thuqlaq which gave him recognition.[11]
Dasari was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the year 2006. He became the Minister of state in Ministry of Coal.[10] Said to be a confidante of Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Dasari once again became active in politics after Indian National Congress Party came back to power in 2004.[12]
On 11 June 2013 the Central Bureau of Investigation booked Dasari Narayana Rao for receiving ₹2.25 crores from Naveen Jindal in connection with the Coal scam, and filed FIR against both.[13][14]
He launched a popular daily newspaper named Udayam to counter the effect of Ramoji Rao's newspaper Eenadu.[15][16]
Dasari Narayana Rao died on 30 May 2017 from prolonged illness, at the age of 75.[17] His last rites were performed with full state honours. His funeral was held at his farmhouse in Moinabad village, Ranga Reddy district, where his wife Padma was cremated.[18]
- Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) – Kante Kuthurne Kanu – 1998
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Meghasandesam – 1982 (As director and producer)
- Special Jury Award - Swargam Narakam & Balipeetam (1975) [19]
- Best Director – Gorintaku (1979)
- Best Director – Premabhishekam (1981)
- Best Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
- Lifetime Achievement (2001)
- NTR National Award[20]
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award - 1990
- Best Actor – Mestri (2009)
- Best Actor – Mamagaru (1991)
- Second Best Feature Film - Silver – Kante Kuthurne Kanu (1998)
- Best Director - Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998)
- Best Feature Film – Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
- Best Feature Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
- Best Feature Film – Swargam Narakam (1975)
- Best Feature Film – Samsaram Sagaram (1973)
- Best Feature Film – Tata Manavadu (1972)
- Best Story -Samsaram Sagaram (1973)[21]
- Best Story - Nanna Garu (1994)
- Best Story - Kante Kooturne Kanu (1998)
- Special Jury – Premabhishekam (1981)
- Best Dialogue Writer – M.L.A. Yedukondalu (1983)
- Lifetime Contribution – 2003
- Other honours
- Vamsee Berkeley, Kalasagar, Siromani, Madras Film Fans Awards and Cine Herald Awards
- Jyothi Chitra Super Director Award – six times
- Ancient Andhra Patrika Best Director Award – six times
- Allu Ramalingaiah Memorial Award
- Sobhan Babu first memorial award in 2009
- Bollimunta Sivaramakrishna Sahithi Kala Award-2016
- Doctorate "Kalaprapoorna" from Andhra University for his contribution to Telugu culture and Telugu cinema in 1986
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Director
- Films
- Thatha-Manavadu (1973)
- Samsaram Sagaram (1974)
- Bantrothu Bharya (1974)
- Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teere (1974)
- Radhamma Pelli (1974)
- Tirupati (1974)
- Swargam Narakam (1975)
- Balipeetam (1975)
- Bharatamlo Oka Ammayi (1975)
- Devude Digivaste (1975)
- Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
- Muddabanti Puvvu (1976)
- Thoorpu Padamara (1976)
- Yavvanam Katesindi (1976)
- Paadavoyi Bharateeyuda (1976)
- O Manishi Tirigi Choodu (1977)
- Bangarakka (1977)
- Chillarakottu Chittemma (1977)
- Idekkadi Nyayam (1977)
- Jeevitame Oka Natakam (1977)
- Kanya - Kumari (1977)
- Devadasu Malli Puttadu (1978)
- Katakatala Rudrayya (1978)
- Sivaranjani (1978)
- Swarag Narak (1978)*
- Gorintaku (1979)
- Kalyani (1979)
- Korikale Gurralayite? (1979)
- Needa (1979)
- Peddillu Chinnillu (1979)
- Ravanude Ramudayithe? (1979)
- Rangoon Rowdy (1979)
- Yeh Kaisa Insaf (1980)*
- Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980)*
- Bandodu Gundamma (1980)
- Buchi Babu (1980)
- Circus Ramudu (1980)
- Yedanthasthula Meda (1980)
- Ketugaadu (1980)
- Natchathiram (1980 - Tamil)
- Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980)
- Sita Ramulu (1980)
- Swapna (1981)
- Deeparadhana (1981)
- Paalu Neellu (1981)
- Srivari Muchatlu (1981)
- Viswaroopam (1981)
- Pyaasa Sawan (1981)*
- Sangeeta (1981)
- Addala Meda (1981)
- Premabhishekam (1981)
- Prema Mandiram (1981)
- Bobbili Puli (1982)
- Golconda Abbulu (1982)
- Jayasudha (1982)
- Krishnarjunulu (1982)
- Mehndi Rang Layegi (1982)*
- O Aadadi O Magadu (1982)
- Raaga Deepam (1982)
- Swayamvaram (1982)
- Yuvaraju (1982)
- Meghasandesam (1982)
- Prem Tapasya (1983)*
- Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
- M.L.A. Yedukondalu (1983)
- Police Venkataswami (1983)
- Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu (1983)
- Rudrakali (1983)
- Oorantha Sankranthi (1983)
- Bhola Shankarudu (1984)
- Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984)*
- Asha Jyoti (1984)*
- Haisiyat (1984)*
- Yaadgaar (1984)*
- Zakhmi Sher (1984)*
- Abhimanyudu (1984)
- Jagan (1984)
- Justice Chakravarthy (1984)
- Police Papanna (1984) (Kannada)
- Yuddham (1984)
- Sarfarosh (1985)*
- Wafadaar (1985)*
- Brahma Mudi (1985)
- Edadugula Bandham (1985)
- Lanchavataram (1985)
- Pelli Meeku Akshintalu Naaku (1985)
- Tirugubatu (1985)
- Aadi Dampatulu (1986)
- Dharma Peetham Daddarillindi (1986)
- Tandra Paparayudu (1986)
- Ugra Narasimham (1986)
- Aatma Bandhuvulu (1987)
- Brahma Nayudu (1987)
- Majnu (1987)
- Nene Raju Nene Mantri (1987)
- Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987)
- Brahma Puthrudu (1988)
- Kanchana Sita (1988)
- Praja Pratinidhi (1988)
- Lankeswarudu (1989)
- Black Tiger (1989)
- Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham (1989)
- Two Town Rowdy (1989)
- Abhisarika (1990)
- Amma Rajinama (1991)
- Niyanta (1991)
- Ramudu Kadu Rakshasudu (1991)
- Ahankaari (1992)
- Surigaadu (1992)
- Subba Rayudi Pelli (1992)
- Venkanna Babu (1992)
- Lady Inspector Renuka (1993)
- Santaan (1993)*
- Akka Pettanam Chelleli Kapuram (1993)
- Kunti Putrudu (1993)
- Mama Kodalu (1993)[22]
- Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
- Nannagaaru (1994)
- Kondapalli Rattayya (1995)
- Maya Bazaar (1995) (His 125th film as per advertisement in movie 100 days)
- Orey Rikshaw (1995)
- Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (1996)
- Osey Ramulamma (1997)
- Rowdy Durbar (1997)
- Greeku Veerudu (1998)
- Pichodi Chetilo Raayi (1999)
- Adavi Chukka (2000)
- Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
- Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
- Chinna (2001)
- Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
- Rifles (2002)
- Fools (2003)
- Young India (2010)
- Parama Veera Chakra (2011)
- Erra Bus (2014)
(Hindi Films are marked as *)
- TV series
- Vishwamitra (1989)
- Thoorpu Padamara (2007-2010)
- Abhishekam (2008-2022)
- Shivaranjani (2010-2011)
- Kumkuma Rekha (2010-2013)
Actor
- Swargam Narakam (1975)
- Yavvanam Katesindi (1976)
- Sivaranjani (1978)
- Peddillu Chinnillu (1979)
- Bhola Shankarudu (1980)
- Paalu Neellu (1980)
- Addala Meda (1981)
- Jayasudha (1982)
- Swayamvaram (1982)
- Yuvaraju (1982)
- Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
- M.L.A. Yedukondalu (1983)
- Police Venkataswami (1983)
- Oorantaa Sankranti (1983)
- Jagan (1984)
- Police Papanna (1984)
- Lanchavataram (1985)
- Aatma Bandhuvulu (1987)
- Dabbevariki Chedu (1987)
- Rotation Chakravarti (1987)
- Intinti Bhagavatam (1988)
- Muthyamantha Muddu (1989)
- Naa Mogudu Naake Sontam (1989)
- Mama Alludu (1990)
- Chevilo Puvvu (1990) as himself
- Amma Rajinama (1991)
- Mamagaaru (1991)
- Seetharamayya gari Manavaralu (1991)
- Venkanna Babu (1992)
- Surigaadu (1992)
- Raguluthunna Bharatham (1992)
- Pellam Chaatuna Mogudu (1992)
- Parvatalu Panakalu (1992)
- Chinnalludu (1993)
- Mama Kodalu (1993)
- Ladies Special (1993)
- Mudhal Paadal (1993)[23] Tamil
- Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
- Nannagaaru (1994)
- Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam (1994)
- O Tandri O Koduku (1994)
- Kondapalli Rattaiah (1995)
- Maya Bazaar (1995)
- Orey Rikshaw (1995)
- Subhamastu (1995)
- Mayadari Kutumbam (1995)
- Madhya Taragati Mahabharatam (1995)
- Premaku Padi Sutralu (1995)
- Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (1996)
- Osey Ramulamma (1997)
- Hitler (1997)
- Rukmini (1997)
- Deergha Sumangalibhava (1998)
- Greeku Veerudu (1998)
- Subba Rajugaari Kutumbam (1998)
- Pichodi Chetilo Raayi (1999)
- Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
- Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
- Chinna (2001)
- Adhipathi (2001)
- Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
- Fools (2003)
- Mestri (2009)
- Young India (2010)
- Jhummandi Naadam (2010)
- Parama Veera Chakra (2011)
- Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda (2014)
- Erra Bus (2014)
Writer only
- Mohammed-bin-Tughluq (1972)
- Hantakulu Devantakulu (1972)
- Matrimoorti (1972)
- Panjaramlo Pasipapa (1973)
- Kudi Edama Ayite (1979)
- Bangaaru Koduku (1982)
- Nampally Nagu (1986)
- Rotation Chakravarti (1987)
- Aadivaram Aadavallaku Selavu (2007)
- Maisamma IPS (2007)
- Adi Vishnu (2008)
- Mestri (2009)
- Bangaru Babu (2009)
Producer
- Films
- Sivaranjani (1978)
- Sujata (1980)
- Jayasudha (1982)
- Meghasandesam (1982)
- Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
- Justice Chakravarthy (1984)
- Pelli Neeku Akshintalu Naaku (1985)
- Ugra Narasimham (1986)
- Majnu (1987)
- Rotation Chakravarti (1987)
- Ayyappa Swami Janma Rahasyam (1987)
- Intinti Bhagavatam (1988)
- Mama Alludu (1990)
- Orey Rickshaw (1995)
- Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (1996)
- Rowdy Durbar (1997)
- Osey Ramulamma (1997)
- Greeku Veerudu (1998)
- Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
- Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
- Chinna (2001)
- Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
- Rifles (2002)
- Bangaru Babu (2009)
- TV series
- Abhishekam (ETV)
- Gokulamlo Sita (ETV)
Choreographer
- Young India (2010)
Lyricist
- Oke Kutumbam (1970)
- Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
- Buchchi Babu (1980)
- Sita Ramulu (1980)
- Viswaroopam (1981)
- Swapna (1981)
- Swayamvaram (1982)
- Yuvaraju (1982)
- Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu (1983)
- Yuddham (1984)
- Ugra Narasimham (1986)
- Manavudu Danavudu (1986)
- Majnu (1987)
- Brahma Puthrudu (1988)
- Lankeswarudu (1989)
- Surigaadu (1992)
- Greeku Veerudu (1998)
- Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
- Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
- Maisamma IPS (2007)
Associate director
- Oke Kutumbam (1970)
- Vintha Samsaram (1971)
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