Former Union Minister and legendary Telugu actor Uppalapati Krishnam Raju died earlier this morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad, the actor’s close aide said.
Raju was 83 and is survived by his wife and three daughters. The legendary Telugu actor has served two-term as an MP and was a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the center.
Hospital sources said that Raju was suffering from post-COVID ailments and was admitted on August 5th.
Raju has given some of the finest hits in Telugu cinema including ‘Rebel’ alongside his nephew, the youth icon, and Bahubali star Prabhas.
The veteran actor has given over 180 films and remained a trendsetter with his rebellious characters. Raju’s film career set off with ‘Chilaka Gorinka’ released in 1966.
Mourning the legendary actor’s demise we present to you the top 10 hits from the actor’s scintillating career spanning over 5 decades.
1. Amara Deepam, 1977: - The film is a remake of a 1976 Malayalam film titled ‘Theekkanal’. Krishnam Raju has won the Filmfare award for Best Actor Telugu and Nandi Award for this.
2. Jeevana Tharangalu, 1973: - The above drama film by Tatineni Rama Rao stars Sobhan Babu, Krishnam Raju, Vanisri, Chandra Mohan, and Lakshmi playing important roles in the film that is based on Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani’s novel. The film bagged three Filmfare including the best actor for Raju.
3. Krishnaveni, 1974: - Based on the lady’s suffering from hysteria and emotional trauma of her film, the film is a remake of the Kannada hit film ‘Sharapanjara (1971).
4. Bhakta Kannappa, 1976: - A remake of the 1954 Kannada movie Bedara Kannappa starring Kannada superstar Rajkumar. The classical devotional film is telecasted even today on TV channels during the Shivaratri festival times.
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5. Sati Savitri, 1978: - Based on the story of Savitri and Satyavan this Hindu mythological film was directed by BA. Subba Rao starring NT Rama Rao and Vanisri, alongside Krishnam Raju.
6. Katakataala Rudraiah 1978: - This film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao starring Krishnam Raju, Jayasudha, Ramakrishna and Jayachitra is a huge success at the box office. The film was later remade in Tamil as Pattakkathi Bhairavan (1979) with Sivaji Ganesan and in Hindi as ‘Jyothi Bane Jwala’ with Jeetendra.
7. Mana Voori Pandavulu, 1978: - This Bapu film written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana deals with the feudal system and is a remake of Paduvaaralli Pandavaru by Puttanna Kanagal.
8. Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu, 1979: - Raju’s one of the biggest successes at the box office another Hindu mythological film Kamalakara Kameswara Rao produced by Jagarlamudi Radhakrishna Murthy stars Krishnam Raju, Rama Krishna, and Vanisri in the lead roles. The film’s music was composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
9. Bobbili Brahmanna, 1984: - A classical southern action-drama, starring Sharada and Jayasudha alongside Raju won 3 Nandi Awards and Filmfare, besides being a big hit at the box office.
10. Bava Bavamaridi, 1993: - Yet another Jayasudha and Krishnam Raju starrer was a commercial blockbuster of the year. The film is a remake of another fine classic Pandithurai, 1992.
The actor was a fine figure in the entertainment as well as the political sphere, upon the news of his demise message of mourning and condolences poured in.
PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah also paid their share of homage to the veteran actor-politician. The Telugu film industry is in grief upon the loss of one of the finest stars.