Indian film director (born 1942)
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]
Personal life
Raghavendra Rao was born on 23 May 1942 to veteran director K. S. Prakash Rao and Koteswaramma.[ 9] [ 10] He is also the father of actor turned filmmaker Prakash Kovelamudi . Raghavendra Rao was an executive member in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board from 2015 to 2019.[ 11]
Awards and honors
Nandi Awards [ 12]
Filmfare Awards South
IIFA Awards
Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema (2017)[ 15]
SIIMA Awards
CineMAA Awards
Lifetime Contribution Award – (2012)
Best Film (Jury) – Shirdi Sai – (2013)
Other Awards
Allu Rama Lingaiah Award (2016)
Filmography
Key
†
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Director
Actor
Supervisor of direction
Associate director
Producer
Presenter
Choreographer
Television
References
External links
International National People
1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
1996–2000 2001–2010 2011–present
1972–1980 1981–1990 1991–2000 2001–2018 2020–present
1983–1989 1990–1999 2001–2010 2011–2018 2020–present
1981–1990 1991–2000 2001–2010 2011–present