K. Raghavendra Rao

K. Raghavendra Rao
Rao at an interview in 2018
Born
Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao

(1942-05-23) 23 May 1942 (age 82)
Kolavennu, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • choreographer
  • producer
Years active1977–present
SpouseSarala
Children2, including Prakash Kovelamudi
Parent(s)K. S. Prakash Rao (father)
G. Varalakshmi (step-mother)
RelativesK. Bapayya (cousin)
Shobu Yarlagadda (son-in-law)

Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao (born 23 May 1942) is an Indian filmmaker known primarily for his work in Telugu cinema, besides a few Hindi films. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has directed over a hundred films across various genres, including romantic comedies, fantasies, melodramas, action thrillers, biographical dramas, and romances.[1] He has received numerous accolades, including four Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Awards South.[2]

Raghavendra Rao received the state Nandi Award for Best Director for his works such as Bobbili Brahmanna (1984), and Pelli Sandadi (1996). He received the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu for the drama film Prema Lekhalu (1977), the fantasy film Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990), and the romance film Allari Priyudu (1993). Raghavendra Rao is known for his works in hagiographical films such as Annamayya (1997), which won two National Film Awards, and was featured at the 29th IFFI in the mainstream section.[3] Raghavendra Rao also received the Nandi Award for Best Direction, the Filmfare Award for Best Direction for his work in the film.[4] His other hagiographic works such as Sri Manjunatha (2001), Sri Ramadasu (2006), Shirdi Sai (2012) and Om Namo Venkatesaya (2017), received several state honours.

His mainstream works such as the 1987 social problem film Agni Putrudu, and the 1988 romantic action Aakhari Poratam, were featured at the 11th and 12th IFFI respectively in the mainstream section.[5] In 1992, he directed the melodrama Gharana Mogudu featured at the 24th IFFI in the mainstream section.[6] It became the first Telugu film to gross over ₹10 crore (US$1.2 million) at the box office.[7] Next, he directed the instant hit Allari Priyudu (1993), featured at the 25th IFFI in the mainstream section.[8][2]

  1. ^ Candid and confident – The Hindu
  2. ^ a b CINEmaa Lifetime Achievement Award for Raghavendra Rao – The Hindu
  3. ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  4. ^ Saroja Devi, Ramoji Rao among recipients of A.P. film awards – The Hindu
  5. ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  7. ^ First Telugu film to gross 100 million
  8. ^ "Directorate of Film Festival" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.