Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema besides having directed a few Hindi films. He has garnered four state Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Awards South. In a film career spanning more than four decades, Rao has directed more than a hundred feature films across multiple genres such as romantic comedy, fantasy, melodrama, action thriller, biographical and romance films.
Manavoori Pandavulu is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, dealing with the struggle against the feudal system in their own unique way. The film is remake of Kannada movie Paduvaaralli Pandavaru directed by Puttanna Kanagal. In 1980, he also remade it in Hindi as Hum Paanch starring Mithun Chakraborty.
Allu Ramalingaiah was an Indian character actor, comedian, and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema. In 1990, he was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. In 1998, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South, and the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2001. Ramalingaiah appeared in over 1000 films in a variety of roles. The "Allu Ramalingaiah National Award" was instituted in his memory by the "Allu Ramalingaiah Academy of Arts". The award is presented every year to a Telugu film personality for life time achievement.
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju was an Indian actor and politician. He was known for his works in Telugu cinema and was widely known as "Rebel Star" for his rebellious acting style. He was also the winner of the inaugural Nandi Award for Best Actor. Krishnam Raju starred in more than 183 feature films in his career. He made his film debut with the 1966 film Chilaka Gorinka produced and directed by K. Pratyagatma. Krishnam Raju had won five Filmfare Awards South and three state Nandi Awards. Krishnam Raju was also an active politician.
Meghasandesam is a 1982 Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao under his Taraka Prabhu Films banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha and music composed by Ramesh Naidu. This film is the 200th movie of Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The film was featured in the Indian Panorama section at the 9th International Film Festival of India, and the Moscow film festival. It won four Awards including Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 30th National Film Awards "For its lyrical and aesthetic qualities", the Filmfare award for Best Telugu Film and Nandi award for Best Feature Film. The film won nine Nandi Awards.
Sarada is a 1973 Telugu drama film starring Sarada and directed by K. Viswanath. The film is a remake of the 1972 Kannada movie Yaava Janmada Maitri which was also remade in Tamil as Radha (1973) and in Hindi as Dulhan (1975).
Amara Deepam is a 1977 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Krishnam Raju, Murali Mohan and Jayasudha. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Theekkanal (1976) which was earlier remade in Tamil as Dheepam (1977). The film was released on 29 September 1977. Krishnam Raju received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu and Nandi Award for Best Actor.
Bava Bavamaridi is a 1993 Telugu-language drama film directed by Sarath. It stars Krishnam Raju, Suman, Jayasudha and Malashri, with music composed by Raj–Koti. The film is produced by Editor Mohan, and C. M. Krishna under the M. M. Movie Arts banner. It is a remake of Tamil film Pandithurai (1992). The film was recorded as a Blockbuster at the box office.
Premabhishekam is a 1981 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. Produced by Venkat Akkineni and Nagarjuna Akkineni under Annapurna Studios banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jayasudha, Sridevi, Murali Mohan, Mohan Babu and music composed by Chakravarthy. This film is copied from "send me no flowers" 1964 hollywood movie. Released on 18 February 1981, Premabhishekam was a commercial success and industry hit grossing over ₹4crore at the box office. It had a theatrical run of 527 days and became the first film to complete a 75-week run in Andhra Pradesh. The film won four Nandi Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. It was later remade in Tamil as Vazhvey Maayam and in Hindi as Prem Tapasya
Krishnam Raju (1940-2022) was an Indian actor who acted in more than 190 films. Krishnam Raju entered Tollywood in 1966 with the film Chilaka Gorinka, directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma alongside Krishna Kumari. The film won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film - Silver for that year. Later he acted in the mythological film Shri Krishnavataram, which also stars N. T. Rama Rao. He acted in many films with the established actors N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. He also acted in many films with the established actresses Krishna Kumari, Rajasulochana, Jamuna and Kanchana.
Trisulam (transl. Trident) is a 1982 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao in screenplay written by Satyanand. The film stars Krishnam Raju and Sridevi. Jayasudha, Radhika, Prabhakar Reddy, Gollapudi Maruti Rao and Rao Gopal Rao are featured in supporting roles. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The songs "Pellante Pandillu" and "Raayini Aadadi Chesina" were chartbusters. The film was based on the novel Jagriti. It was remade in Hindi as Naya Kadam (1984).
Tandra Paparayudu is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language biographical war film directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and produced by U. Suryanarayana Raju. The film stars Krishnam Raju, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha, Sumalatha, Pran and Mohan Babu. It is based on the life of 18th century warrior Tandra Paparayudu, the General of Bobbili, and General Bussy. Made on a big-budget of ₹1.5 crore, Tandra Paparayudu was a major box-office failure. The film was featured at the 11th International Film Festival of India. It won two Nandi Awards.
Katakatala Rudrayya is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Krishnam Raju, Jayasudha, Ramakrishna and Jayachitra. The film hasmusic composed by J. V. Raghavulu. It is remade in Tamil as Pattakkathi Bhairavan (1979) with Sivaji Ganesan and in Hindi (1980) as Jyoti Bane Jwala with Jeetendra.
Dharm Adhikari (transl. Judge) is a 1986 Hindi-language action film, produced by U.V. Suryanarayana Raju under the Gopi Krishna Movies banner, presented by Krishnam Raju and directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Jeetendra, Sridevi in the pivotal roles and music composed by Bappi Lahiri. The film is a remake of the Telugu movie Bobbili Brahmanna (1984), starring Krishnam Raju, Sharada, Jayasudha, both movies are made by the same banner and director. Two roles of Dilip Kumar and Jeetendra are played by Krishnam Raju in Telugu. In Bobbili Brahmanna, the two lead roles are played by Krishnam Raju, while in Dharm Adhikari, the two roles are played by Dilip Kumar and Jeetendra.
Dharmaatmudu is a 1983 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Bairisetty Bhaskara Rao and produced by K. Kesava Rao. The film stars Krishnam Raju and Jayasudha. It was remade in Tamil as Nallavanuku Nallavan, in Kannada as Jeevana Chakra and in Hindi as Mera Saathi.
Jailor Gaari Abbayi is a 1994 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written by the Paruchuri brothers and directed by Sarath. It stars Krishnam Raju, Jayasudha, Jagapathi Babu and Ramya Krishna, with music composed by Raj–Koti. The film was a hit at the box office. The film won two Nandi Awards.
Nipputo Chelagaatam is a 1982 Telugu language action drama film directed by Kommineni Seshagiri Rao and produced by Y. V. Rao. The film stars Krishnam Raju, Sharada, Jayasudha and Sarath Babu. The film is a remake of 1978 Bollywood film Karmayogi. The music was composed by Satyam.
Devatha (transl. Goddess) is a 1982 Indian Telugu-language film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, starring Sobhan Babu, Sridevi, Jaya Prada and Mohan Babu. The film was produced by D. Rama Naidu on Suresh Productions banner. The film is about two sisters and their love triangle with a man. K. Raghavendra Rao remade the film in Hindi as Tohfa (1984), with both Sridevi and Jaya Prada reprising their roles. It was also remade in Tamil as Deiva Piravi.
Hai Hai Nayaka is a 1989 Telugu-language comedy drama film, co-written and directed by Jandhyala, starring Naresh and Sri Bharati. Madhavapeddi Suresh composed the music for this film. The film released on 23 February 1989.
