Rajanala
Rajanala in Hello Brother (1994)
Born
Rajanala Kaleswara Rao

3 January 1925 (1925-01-03)
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died21 May 1998 (1998-05-22) (aged 73)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names
  • Rajanala
  • Kalayya
  • King of Villains
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Thespian
Years active1950–1996
Known for
SpouseR. B. Devi
AwardsAndhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards

Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, known mononymously by his surname as Rajanala, was an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and a few Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. In a film career spanning more than four decades, Rajanala acted in more than 1400 feature films in a variety of characters. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rajanala was known for his gruesome portrayals of lead antagonist roles during the Golden age of Telugu cinema. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and the film industry felicitated him for his achievements and contribution to Indian Film Industry. He won several Filmfare Awards South and Nandi Award.[1][2]

Early life and characteristics

Rajanala was born on January 3, 1925, in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. While working as a revenue inspector in Nellore from 1944 to 1951 he made his entry into theatre. A post graduate in philosophy from University of Lucknow and a voracious reader of English literature. Before coming to Cinema, he won several awards and accolades for his acting in Theatre. He was a noted villain against N.T.Rama Rao, a versatile actor of Telugu filmdom at that time. Rajanala had well proportioned body, he also won MR. Madras for his Physique. Rajanala iconic acting was mostly through the movement of his eyes, he evince the cruelty by widening his eyes to various levels and his maniacal laughter was very famous. Rajanala played many villainous roles, but in real life he was an intellectual and spiritual man. Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, the first actor to star alongside three chief ministers, i.e. NT Rama Rao, M. G. Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, he also had good friends in other film industry Kollywood and Bollywood.[3][4]

Death

Being a diabetic, his right leg could not withstand the rigours of outdoor shooting in Araku valley in 1995 when he was playing a full-fledged role in Telugu Veera Levara. His leg which was injured during the shooting had to be amputated at Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences. Later Rajanala shifted to Chennai taken cared by his daughter and son-in-law who was a businessman. Rajanala had severe cardiac arrest and was admitted in Vijaya Hospital in Chennai. He died on 21 May 1998 in Chennai, aged 73.[1][5]

Filmography

References

  1. 1 2 "The original swashbuckler". The Hindu. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  2. ↑ M.L. Narasimham (11 February 2016). "Rajamakutam (1960)". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  3. ↑ M.L. Narasimham (9 July 2015). "Manchi manasuku manchi rojulu (1958)". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  4. ↑ M.L. Narasimham (14 August 2014). "Jayasimha (1955)". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Rajanala Kaleswara Rao Jayanthi Special - Video Dailymotion". Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima (1960) - IMDb
  7. ↑ "Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani 1964 Full Movie Online - Watch HD Movies on Airtel Xstream Play". Airtel Xstream (Airtel TV). Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Aakasaramanna (1965)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  9. ↑ Vijaya Simha (1965) - IMDb
  10. ↑ "Rana Bheri (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  11. ↑ "Devudichina Bharta on Moviebuff.com". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Ukku Pidugu (1969) CINEMA". www.moviebuff.com. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  13. ↑ "Gandara Gandadu 1969 Telugu Movie Info".
  14. ↑ "Merupu Veerudu (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  15. ↑ BHALE PAPA | TELUGU FULL MOVIE, retrieved 7 January 2024
  16. ↑ "Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu (1973)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Andharu Bagundali (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  18. ↑ "Pottelu Punnamma - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "Dongala Veta (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Komparify.com. "Nindu Manishi movie: Reviews, Ratings, Box Office, Trailers, Runtime". komparify.com. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "Seethe Ramudaithe (1979)". IndianCine.ma. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  22. ↑ "Sivamethina Satyam (1980)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  23. ↑ "Srirasthu Subhamasthu (1981)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  24. ↑ "Chattaniki Veyi Kallu". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  25. ↑ "Punnami Rathri 1985 Full Movie Online - Watch HD Movies on Airtel Xstream Play". Airtel Xstream (Airtel TV). Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Vishakanya 1985 Info". Filmibeat.
  27. ↑ PUTTINTI GOWRAVAM | TELUGU FULL MOVIE | KRISHNA | SOUNDARYA | V9 VIDEOS, retrieved 3 June 2023
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