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Sakshi Ranga Rao (born Rangavajhula Ranga Rao; 1941 or 1942 – 27 June 2005) was an Indian character actor who worked in Telugu cinema and theatre.[1] He appeared in about 450 films over a career spanning four decades, majority of which were comedies. Ranga Rao made his film debut in 1967 with Sakshi from which he derived his stage name. He then went onto to appear in successful films like Sirivennela, Swarna Kamalam, April 1st Vidudhala, Joker and Swarabhishekam.
Saakshi Ranga Rao | |
|---|---|
 Rao in a scene from Sirivennela (1986) | |
| Born | Rangavajhula Ranga Rao 1941 or 1942 Kalavakuru, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | (aged 63) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1967–1995 |
| Spouse | Bala Tripurasundari |
| Children | 4; including Saakshi Siva |
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Rangavajhula Ranga Rao in Kalavakuru village in Prakasam district, was born to Lakshmi Narayana and Ranganayakamma.[2] As his father died when he was young, he was raised by Buchchi Ravamma, his mother's sister in Machilipatnam. He began his career as a stenographer in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.[2]
As Ranga Rao was interested in film and theatre, he worked as an assistant to the stage artist Kuppili Venkateswara Rao. He was encouraged by some his friends at Andhra Viswa Vidyalaya to pursue a full-time career in films. They gathered him some money and sent Ranga Rao to Madras.[2]
Director Bapu gave break to Ranga Rao with the film Sakshi in 1967. Then onwards, he became known as Sakshi Ranga Rao, also to differentiate himself from S. V. Ranga Rao.[3] He had the distinction of acting in most of the Telugu films directed by K. Vishwanath, Bapu and Vamsi.
Ranga Rao married Bala Tripurasundari. They had three children–one daughter and three sons. His youngest son, actor Saakshi Siva works in Telugu films and television.[2]
Ranga Rao died after a prolonged illness on 27 June 2005 in Chennai at the age of 63 years. Incidentally, it was on stage that Ranga Rao collapsed on 5 May 2005 during a rehearsal for the Gurazada play, 'Kanyasulkam'. The apparent cause of his death was diabetes and associated kidney failure.[4][5]
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Films
- Saakshi (1967) (debut film)
- Bangaru Pichika (1968)
- Sudigundaalu (1968) as Gumasta
- Bhale Rangadu (1969)
- Buddhimanthudu (1969)
- Balaraju Katha (1970)
- Dharma Daata (1970)
- Thaali Bottu (1970) as Rangaiah
- Pagabattina Paduchu[6] (1971) as Hanumanthu
- Basthi Bul Bul[7] (1971) as Ranga Rao
- Pattindalla Bangaram[8] (1971) as Drama Company Owner
- Attalu Kodallu (1971) as brother of Suryakantam
- Adrusta Jathakudu (1971)
- Mattilo Manikyam[9] (1971) as Seethapathi aka Panthulu
- Vinta Samsaram (1971)
- Kalam Marindi (1972)
- Anta Mana Manchike (1972)
- Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973) as Papa Rao
- Andala Ramudu (1973) as Subba Rao's father-in-law
- Nindu Kutumbam[10] (1973) as Avatharam
- Bhakta Tukaram (1973)
- Devudamma (1973) as Kotaiah
- Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu (1973)
- Meena[11] (1973) as Narayana, Meena's driver
- Mayadari Malligadu[12] (1973) as Karanam Kamayya
- Tulabharam (1974) as Hari
- Mangalya Bhagyam[13] (1974) as Pullachari
- Muthyala Muggu (1975)
- Padi Pantalu[14] (1976) as Panthulu, Guravayya's accountant
- Siri Siri Muvva (1976)
- Alludochadu[15] (1976) as Panasayya
- Pichi Maraju (1976)
- Aadavalu Apanindhalu (1976)
- Iddaru Iddare[16] (1976) as Bhujangam
- Monagadu (1976) as Avatharam
- Raaja[17] (1976) as Pawn Broker Prakash
- Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
- Amara Deepam (1977) as Manager
- Eenati Bandham Yenatido[18] (1977) as Kanakaiah
- Edureeta (1977)
- Manassakshi (1977)
- Manushulu Chesina Dongalu (1977)
- Devathalara Deevinchandi (1977)
- Love Marriage[19] (1978) as Dance Director
- Nayudu Bava[20] (1978) as Gopalam
- Patnavasam[21] (1978) as Ramanatham
- Dongala Veta[22] (1978) as Seth
- Lawyer Viswanath (1978)
- Seetamalakshmi (1978)
- Dongala Veta (1978)
- Mugguru Muggure (1978) as Kotilingam the Museum Guard
- Siri Siri Muvva (1978)
- Vayasu Pilichindi (1978)
- Thoorpu Velle Railu (1979)
- Andadu Aagadu[23] (1979) as Ling Papa Rao
- Tiger (1979)
- I Love You (1979) as Club Owner
- Saptapadhi (1980)
- Sirimalle Navvindi (1980)
- Subhodhayam (1980)
- Bhale Krishnudu (1980)
- Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi (1980)
- Alludu Pattina Bharatam (1980)
- Sankarabharanam (1980)
- Amavasya Chandrudu (1981)
- Thyagayya (1981)
- Radha Kalyanam (1981)
- Madhura Swapnam (1982)
- Pratigna[24] (1982) as Karanam
- Manchu Pallaki (1982) as Gita's father
- Kalavari Samsaram (1982) as Subbaramaiah
- Kalahala Kapuram[25] (1982) as Drunkard
- Subhalekha (1982)
- Sagara Sangamam (1983)
- Bezawada Bebbuli (1983)
- Sitaara (1983)
- Amarajeevi (1983)
- Nelavanka (1983)
- Rendu Jella Sita (1983)
- Lanke Bindelu[26] (1983) as Aachari
- Koteeswarudu (1984) as Ranganatham
- Janani Janmabhoomi (1984)
- Railu Dopidi[27] (1984) as Arjun's father
- Chattamtho Poratam (1985)
- Punnami Ratri[28] (1985) as Brahmanandam
- Mogudu Pellalu (1985)
- Vande Mataram (1985)
- Bhale Tammudu (1985)
- Ooriki Soggadu (1985) as Master
- Mantradandham (1985)
- Rendu Rella Aaru (1985)
- Jailu Pakshi (1986)
- Dharmapeetam Daddarillindi (1986)
- Santhi Nivasam (1986)
- Maruthi (1986)
- Poojaku Panikiraani Puvvu (1986)
- Brahmastram (1986) as Lingaraju
- Chantabbai (1986)
- Sirivennela (1986)
- Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986)
- Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986)
- Chanakya Sapadham[29] (1986) as Dr. Arogyam
- Chakravarthy (1987) as Avatharam
- Sankeerthana (1987)
- Danavudu (1987)
- Marana Homam (1987)
- Saradhamba (1987)
- Chakravarthy (1987)
- Kalarathrilo Kannepilla (1987)
- Krishna Leela (1987)
- President Gari Abbai (1987) as Seshavatharam
- Sruthi Layalu (1987)
- Raaga Leela (1987)
- Nyayam Kosam (1988) as Narayana
- Janaki Ramudu (1988)
- Aadade Aadharam (1988)
- Ramudu Bheemudu (1988) as Govindaiah
- Rowdy No.1 (1988) as Avadhani
- Bharya Bhartalu[30] (1988) as Aachari
- Marana Mrudangam (1988)
- Swarna Kamalam (1988)
- Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata (1989)
- Preminchi Choodu (1989)
- Lankeswarudu (1989)
- Sutradhaarulu (1990)
- Rambha Rambabu (1990)
- Chevilo Puvvu (1990)
- Karthavyam (1990) as Constable Ranganayakulu
- Shanti Kranti (1991)
- Manchi Roju (1991 film) (1991)
- Erra Mandaram (1991)
- Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam (1991)
- Mugguru Attala Muddula Alludu (1991)
- Pelli Pustakam (1991)
- April 1st Vidudhala (1991)
- Dharma Kshetram (1992) as Madhava Rao
- Aa Okkati Adakku (1992)
- Sukravaram Mahalakshmi (1992)
- Detective Narada (1992)
- Sahasam (1992)
- Gharana Mogudu (1992) as Bhawani's father
- Swathi Kiranam (1992)
- Joker (1993)
- Kunti Puthrudu (1993)
- Nippu Raava (1993)
- Vinta Kodallu (1993)
- Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru (1994) as Kanakachari
- Presidentgari Alludu[31] (1994) as Ranga Rao
- Yamaleela (1994)
- Madam (1994)
- Subha Sankalpam (1995)
- Street Fighter[32] (1995) as Insurance Officer
- Linga Babu Love Story (1995)
- Vajram (1995)
- Sampradayam[33] (1996) as Rangaiah
- Shri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996)
- Swarabhishekam (2004)
- Vijay IPS (2006)
Television
- Lady Detective (1996–1997) as Bobby
- Popula Pette (1997) as Anjaneyulu
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