Dasari Narayana Rao

Dasari Narayana Rao
Rao in 2005
Minister of State for Coal and Mines
In office
23 May 2004 – 27 November 2004
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byPrahlad Singh Patel
Succeeded byHimself
Minister of State for Coal
In office
27 November 2004 – 6 April 2008
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byHimself
Succeeded bySantosh Bagrodia
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
3 April 2000 – 2 April 2012
ConstituencyAndhra Pradesh
Personal details
Born(1942-05-04)4 May 1942
Palakollu, Madras Presidency, British India
Died30 May 2017(2017-05-30) (aged 75)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
PartyIndian National Congress
SpouseDasari Padma
Children3 including Arun Kumar
Occupation
  • Film director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
  • actor
  • lyricist
  • politician
AwardsNational Film Awards

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]

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), Asha Jyoti (1984) and others.[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 2000 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

In the late 1990s, Dasari Narayana Rao announced plans to launch a regional political party in Andhra Pradesh called Telugu Talli Party.[12][13] Dasari campaigned for the Indian National Congress (INC) during the 1996, 1998 and 1999 general elections.[14] He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the year 2000. He became the Minister of State for Coal.[10] Said to be a confidante of Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Dasari once again became active in politics after INC came back to power in 2004.[15]

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.[16][17]

Business

He launched a popular daily Telugu-language newspaper, Udayam, to counter the influence of Ramoji Rao's newspaper Eenadu.[18][19]

Death

Dasari Narayana Rao died on 30 May 2017 from prolonged illness, at the age of 75.[20] 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.[21]

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) [22]
  • Best Director – Gorintaku (1979)
  • Best Director – Premabhishekam (1981)
  • Best Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
  • Lifetime Achievement (2001)
Nandi Awards
  • NTR National Award[23]
  • 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)[24]
  • 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

As director, writer, and producer

Year Film Credited as Language Notes
Director Writer Producer
1970 Oke Kutumbam Associate Telugu
1971 Vintha Samsaram Associate Telugu
1972 Mohammed-bin-Tughluq Dialogues Telugu
Hantakulu Devantakulu Yes Telugu
Matrimoorti Yes Telugu
1973 Panjaramlo Pasipapa Yes Telugu
Thatha-Manavadu Yes Yes Telugu
1974 Samsaram Sagaram Yes Yes Telugu
Bantrothu Bharya Yes Yes Telugu
Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teere Yes Yes Telugu
Radhamma Pelli Yes Yes Telugu
Tirupati Yes Yes Telugu
1975 Swargam Narakam Yes Yes Telugu
Balipeetam Yes Yes Telugu
Bharatamlo Oka Ammayi Yes Yes Telugu
Devude Digivaste Yes Yes Telugu
1976 Manushulanta Okkate Yes Yes Telugu
Muddabanti Puvvu Yes Yes Telugu
Thoorpu Padamara Yes Yes Telugu
Yavvanam Katesindi Yes Yes Telugu
Paadavoyi Bharateeyuda Yes Yes Telugu
1977 O Manishi Tirigi Choodu Yes Yes Telugu
Bangarakka Yes Yes Telugu
Chillarakottu Chittemma Yes Yes Telugu
Idekkadi Nyayam Yes Yes Telugu
Jeevitame Oka Natakam Yes Yes Telugu
Kanya - Kumari Yes Yes Telugu
1978 Devadasu Malli Puttadu Yes Yes Telugu
Katakatala Rudrayya Yes Yes Telugu
Sivaranjani Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Swarag Narak Yes Yes Hindi
1979 Gorintaku Yes Yes Telugu
Kalyani Yes Yes Telugu
Korikale Gurralayite? Yes Yes Telugu
Needa Yes Yes Telugu
Peddillu Chinnillu Yes Yes Telugu
Ravanude Ramudayithe? Yes Yes Telugu
Rangoon Rowdy Yes Yes Telugu
Kudi Edama Ayite Yes Telugu
1980 Yeh Kaisa Insaf Yes Yes Hindi
Jyoti Bane Jwala Yes Yes Hindi
Bandodu Gundamma Yes Yes Telugu
Buchi Babu Yes Yes Telugu
Circus Ramudu Yes Yes Telugu
Yedanthasthula Meda Yes Yes Telugu
Ketugaadu Yes Yes Telugu
Natchathiram Yes Yes Tamil
Sardar Papa Rayudu Yes Yes Telugu
Sita Ramulu Yes Yes Telugu
Sujata Yes Telugu
1981 Swapna Yes Yes Telugu
Deeparadhana Yes Yes Telugu
Paalu Neellu Yes Yes Telugu
Srivari Muchatlu Yes Yes Telugu
Viswaroopam Yes Yes Telugu
Pyaasa Sawan Yes Yes Hindi
Sangeeta Yes Yes Telugu
Addala Meda Yes Yes Telugu
Premabhishekam Yes Yes Telugu
Prema Mandiram Yes Yes Telugu
1982 Bobbili Puli Yes Yes Telugu
Golconda Abbulu Yes Yes Telugu
Jayasudha Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Krishnarjunulu Yes Yes Telugu
Mehndi Rang Layegi Yes Yes Hindi
O Aadadi O Magadu Yes Yes Telugu
Raaga Deepam Yes Yes Telugu
Swayamvaram Yes Yes Telugu
Yuvaraju Yes Yes Telugu
Meghasandesam Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Bangaaru Koduku Yes Telugu
1983 Prem Tapasya Yes Yes Hindi
Bahudoorapu Batasari Yes Yes Yes Telugu
M.L.A. Yedukondalu Yes Yes Telugu
Police Venkataswami Yes Yes Telugu
Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu Yes Yes Telugu
Rudrakali Yes Yes Telugu
Oorantha Sankranthi Yes Yes Telugu
1984 Bhola Shankarudu Yes Yes Telugu
Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar Yes Yes Hindi
Asha Jyoti Yes Yes Hindi
Haisiyat Yes Yes Hindi
Yaadgaar Yes Yes Hindi
Zakhmi Sher Yes Yes Hindi
Abhimanyudu Yes Yes Telugu
Jagan Yes Yes Telugu
Justice Chakravarthy Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Police Papanna Yes Yes Kannada
Yuddham Yes Yes Telugu
1985 Sarfarosh Yes Yes Hindi
Wafadaar Yes Yes Hindi
Brahma Mudi Yes Yes Telugu
Edadugula Bandham Yes Yes Telugu
Lanchavataram Yes Yes Telugu
Pelli Meeku Akshintalu Naaku Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Tirugubatu Yes Yes Telugu
1986 Aadi Dampatulu Yes Yes Telugu
Dharma Peetham Daddarillindi Yes Yes Telugu
Tandra Paparayudu Yes Yes Telugu
Ugra Narasimham Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Nampally Nagu Yes Telugu
1987 Aatma Bandhuvulu Yes Yes Telugu
Brahma Nayudu Yes Yes Telugu
Majnu Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Nene Raju Nene Mantri Yes Yes Telugu
Viswanatha Nayakudu Yes Yes Telugu
Rotation Chakravarti Yes Yes Telugu
Ayyappa Swami Janma Rahasyam Yes Telugu
1988 Brahma Puthrudu Yes Yes Telugu
Kanchana Sita Yes Yes Telugu
Praja Pratinidhi Yes Yes Telugu
Intinti Bhagavatam Yes Telugu
1989 Lankeswarudu Yes Yes Telugu
Black Tiger Yes Yes Telugu
Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham Yes Yes Telugu
Two Town Rowdy Yes Yes Telugu
1990 Abhisarika Yes Yes Telugu
Mama Alludu Yes Telugu
1991 Amma Rajinama Yes Yes Telugu
Niyanta Yes Yes Telugu
Ramudu Kadu Rakshasudu Yes Yes Telugu
1992 Ahankaari Yes Yes Telugu
Surigaadu Yes Yes Telugu
Subba Rayudi Pelli Yes Yes Telugu
Venkanna Babu Yes Yes Telugu
1993 Santaan Yes Yes Hindi
Akka Pettanam Chelleli Kapuram Yes Yes Telugu
Kunti Putrudu Yes Yes Telugu
Mama Kodalu Yes Yes Telugu
1994 Bangaru Kutumbam Yes Yes Telugu
Nannagaaru Yes Yes Telugu
1995 Kondapalli Rattayya Yes Yes Telugu
Maya Bazaar Yes Yes Telugu
Orey Rikshaw Yes Yes Yes Telugu
1996 Rayudugaru Nayudugaru Yes Yes Yes Telugu
1997 Osey Ramulamma Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Rowdy Durbar Yes Yes Yes Telugu
1998 Greeku Veerudu Yes Yes Yes Telugu
1999 Pichodi Chetilo Raayi Yes Yes Telugu
2000 Adavi Chukka Yes Yes Telugu
Kante Koothurne Kanu Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Sammakka Sarakka Yes Yes Yes Telugu
2001 Chinna Yes Yes Yes Telugu
2002 Kondaveeti Simhasanam Yes Yes Yes Telugu
Rifles Yes Yes Yes Telugu
2003 Fools Yes Yes Telugu
2007 Aadivaram Aadavallaku Selavu Yes Telugu
Maisamma IPS Yes Telugu
2008 Premabhishekam Yes Telugu
Adivishnu Yes Telugu
2009 Mestri Yes Telugu
Bangaru Babu Yes Telugu
2010 Young India Yes Yes Telugu Also choreographer
2011 Parama Veera Chakra Yes Yes Telugu
2014 Erra Bus Yes Screenplay Yes Telugu

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)[25] 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)
  • Parama Veera Chakra (2011)
  • Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda (2014)
  • Erra Bus (2014)

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)

Television

Director
  • Vishwamitra (1989)
  • Thoorpu Padamara (2007-2010)
  • Abhishekam (2008-2017)
  • Shivaranjani (2010-2011)
  • Kumkuma Rekha (2010-2013)
Producer
  • Abhishekam (ETV)
  • Gokulamlo Sita (ETV)

References

  1. ^ a b 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. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. 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. ^ a b "Digital Sansad" (PDF). rajyasabha.nic.in. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  11. ^ "Keen on providing realistic fare". The Hindu. 19 June 1998. Archived from the original on 8 October 1999. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Dr Dasari Narayana Rao's 75th birth anniversary: His journey from childhood to legendary filmmaker". The Times of India. 4 May 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Rediff On The NeT : The Rediff Interview/ Dasari Narayana Rao". m.rediff.com. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  14. ^ "From films to Rajya Sabha: Dasari Rao a man with many hats". The Economic Times. 12 June 2013. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Dasari Narayana Rao portfolio changed". The Hindu Business Line.
  16. ^ "Coalgate Scam: CBI files FIR accusing Naveen Jindal and Dasari Narayan Rao of fraud". timesofindia-economictimes.
  17. ^ "Dasari Narayana Rao/article5934080.ece?homepage=true". The Hindu.
  18. ^ "Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao's son kidnapped – Hindustan Times". Archived from the original on 15 July 2015.
  19. ^ "'Tata Manavadu': Telugu movie completes 40 years". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014.
  20. ^ "Tollywood director and former Union minister Dasari Narayana Rao dies at 75". The Times of India. 30 May 2017.
  21. ^ "Dasari Narayana Rao gets rare state honour on his last rites". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  22. ^ Sobhan received best actor award for Jeevanajyoti
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "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)
  25. ^ "The Indian Express - Google News Archive Search".
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