Dasari Narayana Rao

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	(1942-05-04)4 May 1942 Palakollu, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	30 May 2017(2017-05-30) (aged 75) Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Occupations	Film director producer screenwriter actor lyricist politician
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]

Film career

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]

Political career

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]

Business

He launched a popular daily newspaper named Udayam to counter the effect of Ramoji Rao's newspaper Eenadu.^[15][16]

Death

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]

Awards

National Film Awards

• 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)

Filmfare Awards

• Special Jury Award - Swargam Narakam & Balipeetam (1975) ^[19]
• Best Director – Gorintaku (1979)
• Best Director – Premabhishekam (1981)
• Best Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
• Lifetime Achievement (2001)

Nandi Awards

• 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)

CineMAA Awards

• 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

Filmography

Director

Films

1. Thatha-Manavadu (1973)
2. Samsaram Sagaram (1974)
3. Bantrothu Bharya (1974)
4. Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teere (1974)
5. Radhamma Pelli (1974)
6. Tirupati (1974)
7. Swargam Narakam (1975)
8. Balipeetam (1975)
9. Bharatamlo Oka Ammayi (1975)
10. Devude Digivaste (1975)
11. Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
12. Muddabanti Puvvu (1976)
13. Thoorpu Padamara (1976)
14. Yavvanam Katesindi (1976)
15. Paadavoyi Bharateeyuda (1976)
16. O Manishi Tirigi Choodu (1977)
17. Bangarakka (1977)
18. Chillarakottu Chittemma (1977)
19. Idekkadi Nyayam (1977)
20. Jeevitame Oka Natakam (1977)
21. Kanya - Kumari (1977)
22. Devadasu Malli Puttadu (1978)
23. Katakatala Rudrayya (1978)
24. Sivaranjani (1978)
25. Swarag Narak (1978)*
26. Gorintaku (1979)
27. Kalyani (1979)
28. Korikale Gurralayite? (1979)
29. Needa (1979)
30. Peddillu Chinnillu (1979)
31. Ravanude Ramudayithe? (1979)
32. Rangoon Rowdy (1979)
33. Yeh Kaisa Insaf (1980)*
34. Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980)*
35. Bandodu Gundamma (1980)
36. Buchi Babu (1980)
37. Circus Ramudu (1980)
38. Yedanthasthula Meda (1980)
39. Ketugaadu (1980)
40. Natchathiram (1980 - Tamil)
41. Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980)
42. Sita Ramulu (1980)
43. Swapna (1981)
44. Deeparadhana (1981)
45. Paalu Neellu (1981)
46. Srivari Muchatlu (1981)
47. Viswaroopam (1981)
48. Pyaasa Sawan (1981)*
49. Sangeeta (1981)
50. Addala Meda (1981)
51. Premabhishekam (1981)
52. Prema Mandiram (1981)
53. Bobbili Puli (1982)
54. Golconda Abbulu (1982)
55. Jayasudha (1982)
56. Krishnarjunulu (1982)
57. Mehndi Rang Layegi (1982)*
58. O Aadadi O Magadu (1982)
59. Raaga Deepam (1982)
60. Swayamvaram (1982)
61. Yuvaraju (1982)
62. Meghasandesam (1982)
63. Prem Tapasya (1983)*
64. Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
65. M.L.A. Yedukondalu (1983)
66. Police Venkataswami (1983)
67. Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu (1983)
68. Rudrakali (1983)
69. Oorantha Sankranthi (1983)
70. Bhola Shankarudu (1984)
71. Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984)*
72. Asha Jyoti (1984)*
73. Haisiyat (1984)*
74. Yaadgaar (1984)*
75. Zakhmi Sher (1984)*
76. Abhimanyudu (1984)
77. Jagan (1984)
78. Justice Chakravarthy (1984)
79. Police Papanna (1984) (Kannada)
80. Yuddham (1984)
81. Sarfarosh (1985)*
82. Wafadaar (1985)*
83. Brahma Mudi (1985)
84. Edadugula Bandham (1985)
85. Lanchavataram (1985)
86. Pelli Meeku Akshintalu Naaku (1985)
87. Tirugubatu (1985)
88. Aadi Dampatulu (1986)
89. Dharma Peetham Daddarillindi (1986)
90. Tandra Paparayudu (1986)
91. Ugra Narasimham (1986)
92. Aatma Bandhuvulu (1987)
93. Brahma Nayudu (1987)
94. Majnu (1987)
95. Nene Raju Nene Mantri (1987)
96. Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987)
97. Brahma Puthrudu (1988)
98. Kanchana Sita (1988)
99. Praja Pratinidhi (1988)
100. Lankeswarudu (1989)
101. Black Tiger (1989)
102. Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham (1989)
103. Two Town Rowdy (1989)
104. Abhisarika (1990)
105. Amma Rajinama (1991)
106. Niyanta (1991)
107. Ramudu Kadu Rakshasudu (1991)
108. Ahankaari (1992)
109. Surigaadu (1992)
110. Subba Rayudi Pelli (1992)
111. Venkanna Babu (1992)
112. Lady Inspector Renuka (1993)
113. Santaan (1993)*
114. Akka Pettanam Chelleli Kapuram (1993)
115. Kunti Putrudu (1993)
116. Mama Kodalu (1993)^[22]
117. Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
118. Nannagaaru (1994)
119. Kondapalli Rattayya (1995)
120. Maya Bazaar (1995) (His 125th film as per advertisement in movie 100 days)
121. Orey Rikshaw (1995)
122. Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (1996)
123. Osey Ramulamma (1997)
124. Rowdy Durbar (1997)
125. Greeku Veerudu (1998)
126. Pichodi Chetilo Raayi (1999)
127. Adavi Chukka (2000)
128. Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
129. Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
130. Chinna (2001)
131. Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
132. Rifles (2002)
133. Fools (2003)
134. Young India (2010)
135. Parama Veera Chakra (2011)
136. 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)
• 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)

References

1. Hooli, Shekhar H (31 May 2017). "Dasari Narayana Rao's death marks the end of an era in Telugu film industry". International Business Times.
2. K Rajani Kanth (13 June 2013). "Newsmaker: Dasari Narayana Rao". Business Standard.
3. "Dasari Narayana Rao passes away: Best films of the multifaceted filmmaker". The Indian Express. 30 May 2017.
4. "Dasari Narayana Rao - the Bollywood side of his multi-faceted career". The Times of India. 30 May 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
5. "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
6. "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
7. 30 June 2011 – Ranjana Dave (30 June 2011). "The meaning in movement". The Asian Age. Retrieved 4 September 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
8. Dr. DasariNarayanarao Open Heart With RK Abn Andhrajyothy on YouTube
9. "Dasari Narayana Rao lashes out". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013.
10. http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/d.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
11. "Keen on providing realistic fare". The Hindu. 19 June 1998. Archived from the original on 8 October 1999. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
12. "Dasari Narayana Rao portfolio changed". The Hindu Business Line.
13. "Coalgate Scam: CBI files FIR accusing Naveen Jindal and Dasari Narayan Rao of fraud". timesofindia-economictimes.
14. "Dasari Narayana Rao/article5934080.ece?homepage=true". The Hindu.
15. "Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao's son kidnapped – Hindustan Times". Archived from the original on 15 July 2015.
16. "'Tata Manavadu': Telugu movie completes 40 years". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014.
17. "Tollywood director and former Union minister Dasari Narayana Rao dies at 75". The Times of India. 30 May 2017.
18. "Dasari Narayana Rao gets rare state honour on his last rites". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
19. https://archive.org/download/sobhan-received-best-actor-award-for-jeevanajyoti/Sobhan%20received%20best%20actor%20award%20for%20Jeevanajyoti.jpg ^{[bare URL]}
20. "NTR National Award to Dasari Narayana Rao and Raghupathi Venkaiah Award to Tammareddy Krishnamurthy for 2007". Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
21. "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)
22. http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1993/Apr/16-apr-1993.pdf ^{[bare URL]}
23. "The Indian Express - Google News Archive Search".

External links

• Official Website
• Dasari Narayana Rao at IMDb