Debut and career up to 1967

Krishnam Raju entered Tollywood in 1966 with the film Chilaka Gorinka directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma alongside Krishna Kumari. The film won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film - Silver for that year, however, the film did not produce the expected results for Raju.^[11] Later he acted in the mythological film Sri Krishnavataram (1967) which also stars N. T. Rama Rao. In 1968, he appeared in Nenante Nene. He was at first reluctant to act in the film given the role is of an antagonist and that he debuted in films in a protagonist role. Upon being advised by his peers and co-actors to gain exposure to a diversified character, he took on the role. The film turned out successful. He subsequently received several offers for antagonist roles following the critical praise he garnered in the role. He took upon a few films and later returned to protagonist roles.^[12][11] He acted in many films with the established actors N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. He also acted in many films with the established actresses Krishna Kumari, Rajasulochana, Jamuna, and Kanchana.

Breakthrough: 1968–1973

Krishnam Raju acted alongside Kanchana in Nenante Nene (1968) and set the trend of handsome villains. Later, he acted in Bhale Abbayilu (1969), the Telugu remake of Yash Chopra's 1965 film Waqt. Later he acted in films such as Buddhimantudu (1969), Manushulu Marali (1969), Malli Pelli (1970), and Jai Jawan (1970). He acted opposite Bollywood actress Rekha in Amma Kosam (1970) which was her first film as an actress. Later he acted in films such as Anuradha, Bhagyavantudu (1971), and Bangaaru Talli (1971), the remake of the critically acclaimed 1957 Hindi film Mother India. Later he acted in films such as Muhammad- bin-Tughluq (1972) portraying the role of Islamic scholar Ibn Battuta, Raj Mahal (1972), Hantakulu Devaantakulu (1972) opposite Rajasulochana, Manavudu Danavudu (1972) opposite Krishna Kumari, Neeti-Nijayiti (1972) opposite Kanchana and Vintha Dampatulu (1972) opposite Jamuna. Later he acted in films such as Badi Panthulu (1972), Bala Mitrula Katha (1972), Jeevana Tarangalu (1973), and Kanna Koduku (1973). In most of the films, he acted as an antihero, villain, and supporting roles and in leadership roles in a few films.

1974–1983

Krishnam Raju acted in Bantrothu Bharya which marks the first collaboration of Krishnam Raju with Dasari Narayana Rao. Later he acted in the critically acclaimed film Krishnaveni opposite Vanisri directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. The film marks the debut of Krishnam Raju as a producer, the film was produced under his own production house Gopi Krishna Movies. Later he acted in Parivartana opposite Jamuna, Kanchana and Lakshmi, and Bharati opposite Jamuna, Iddaru Iddare, and Yavvanam Katesindi. Later he acted in Bhakta Kannappa portraying the roles of Arjuna and Kannappa Nayanar directed by Bapu which is the unique Telugu film to win the National Film Award for Best Audiography. Later he acted in the crime drama Manchiki Maro Peru. Later he acted in Kurukshetram portraying the role of Karna directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. Later he acted in Amara Deepam which marks the first collaboration of Krishnam Raju with K. Raghavendra Rao. The film earned him Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) and Nandi Award for Best Actor for the year 1977. Later he acted in films such as Jeevana Teeralu, Manushulu Chesina Dongalu, and Sati Savitri. Later he acted in the lavishly made Katakatala Rudrayya which grossed ₹75 lakh (US$94,000) made on a budget of ₹18 lakh (US$23,000). Later he acted in Mana Voori Pandavulu which was produced by him and Jaya Krishna. The film garnered Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) for the year 1978 and Krishnam Raju shared the award with Jaya Krishna. Katakataala Rudraiah and Mana Voori Pandavulu was released within a gap of 10 days and both films became blockbusters.^[13] Later he acted in films such as Ramabanam, Andadu Aagadu in which he acts in a role of a spy which is parallel to James Bond, which became a smash hit. Later he acted in Rangoon Rowdy, Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu portraying the role of Lord Shiva. Later he acted in films such as Shivamettina Satyam, Kalyana Chakravarti, and Alludu Pattina Bharatam which were directed by K. Viswanath. Later he acted in Sita Ramulu, Bebbuli, and Prema Tarangalu, the Telugu remake of the 1978 Bollywood blockbuster Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. In 1981, he acted in Aadavaallu Meeku Joharlu directed by K. Balachander. In the same year, he acted in Agni Poolu which was based on Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani's novel of the same name. Later he acted in the musical hit, Puli Bidda, Taxi Driver, Ragile Jwala, Guvvala Janta, Rama Lakshmanulu, Madhura Swapnam, Talli Kodukula Anubandham, Nipputo Chelagaatam, Golconda Abbulu, Jaggu, Pralaya Rudrudu, and critically acclaimed Trisulam. Later he acted in Nijam Chebite Nerama!, Adavi Simhalu, Puli Bebbuli, Kotikokkadu and Dharmaatmudu.

1984–1990

In 1984, Krishnam Raju acted in Yuddham, Sardar, Babulugaadi Debba, Kondaveeti Nagulu and S. P. Bhayankar. Later, he acted in the Tollywood industrial hit Bobbili Brahmanna which earned him Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) and Nandi Award for Best Actor.^[14] He also remade the film in Hindi as Dharm Adhikari with Dilip Kumar and Jeetendra in 1986. Later, he acted in films such as Raraju, Bharatamlo Shankaravam, Rowdy, Bandee, Tirugubatu, Aggi Raju, Bullet, Ukku Manishi, Ravana Brahma, Neti Yugadharmam, and Ugra Narasimham. In 1986, he acted in Tandra Paparayudu portraying the role of Tandra Paparayudu which earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award for the year 1986. The film premiered at the 11th International Film Festival of India. Later, he acted in films such as Sardar Dharmanna and Marana Shasanam which earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award for the year 1987. In 1987, he acted in Brahma Nayudu, Viswanatha Nayakudu portraying the role of Srikrishnadevaraya. Later, he acted in films such as Maarana Homam, Kirai Dada, Maa Inti Maha Raju, Antima Teerpu, Prithvi Raj, Prachanda Bharatam, Dharma Teja, Prana Snehitulu, Simha Swapnam, Shri Ramachandrudu, Bhagawan, Two Town Rowdy, Yama Dharma Raju and Neti Siddhartha.

1991–2022

In 1991, Krishnam Raju acted in Vidhata, Bava Bavamaridi, Jailor Gaari Abbayi, Andaroo Andare, and Gangmaster. In 1994, he acted in Palnati Pourusham & this film was a super hit at the box office. Later, he acted in Rikshaw Rudraiah, Simha Garjana, Nayudugaari Kutumbam, Tata Manavadu, Kutumba Gowravam, and Maa Nannaku Pelli which won Nandi Award for Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film. In 1997, he entered Sandalwood and acted in two Kannada films viz Hai Bangalore and Simhada Mari. Later he acted in Sultan, Vamsoddharakudu, and Neeku Nenu Naaku Nuvvu which won Nandi Award for Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film. Later he acted in Raam and Billa, a film of the Don film series, and acted with Prabhas for the first time. Later he acted in Thakita Thakita and Rebel. Billa marks the second innings of his production house, Gopi Krishna Movies. Krishnam Raju said in an interview that he would produce films continuously under the banner. Later he acted in Chandee, Yevade Subramanyam, and the first Indian 3D historical film, Rudhramadevi where he portrays the role of Ganapati Devudu, father of Rudrama Devi. Raju's last film was Radhe Shyam (2022), in which he played the role of Paramahamsa.^[15]

Role in the prohibition of cow slaughter

The Ban on Cow Slaughter Bill, 1999 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Yogi Adityanath which provided for a complete prohibition on the slaughter of cows for all purposes. The statement of objects and reasons appended to the Bill stated, "Article 48 of the Constitution enjoins on the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and in particular to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds and prohibiting the slaughter of cow and its progeny. Given the consideration that the cow and its entire progeny must be saved to provide milk, as well as manure, it becomes imperative to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter."

In 2000, Krishnam Raju moved a motion in the Lok Sabha for the introduction of The Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Bill, 2000 with the following statement of objects and reasons, "Article 48 of the Constitution enjoins upon the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and in particular to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds and prohibiting the slaughter of cow and its progeny. G. M. Banatwala, raised the issue regarding the legislative competence of Parliament to enact legislation on the subject. Banatwala referred to the opinion given by the then Attorney General, M.C. Setalvad in the Lok Sabha on 1 April 1984 on the issue, to the effect that it was outside the legislative competence of that House to come forward with any Bill concerning the organisation of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. However, the Chairman of the Lok Sabha in his ruling on the point raised by Banatwala inter alia observed that the Chair does not decide whether the Bill is constitutionally within the legislative competence of the House or not. Further, the House also does not take a decision on the specific question of vires of the Bill. The motion moved by was, therefore, put to the vote of the House and adopted. Accordingly, the Chair permitted the introduction of the Bill by Krishnam Raju."^[16]

TSR TV9 National Awards

• 2012 - Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2015 - Legend Actor of Silver Screen
• 2016 - 5 Decades Star Award

Zee Telugu Awards

• 2015 - Lifetime Achievement Award

Gulf Andhra Musical Awards (GAMA)

• 2015 - Lifetime Achievement Award