Rao Gopal Rao

Raavu Gopala Rao (14 January 1937 – 13 August 1994) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre.[1] In a film career spanning more than twenty five years, Rao starred in over four hundred feature films in a variety of characters. Rao was known for his gruesome portrayals of antagonist roles with a touch of humour.[2] Rao was presented with Kala Prapoorna in 1990 by Andhra University and was honored with "Natavirat" and "Chittoor Nagayya Award" in 1987.[3][4]

In this Telugu name, the surname is Raavu.

Raavu Gopala Rao
Member of Parliament Rajya sabha
In office
3 April 1986 – 2 April 1992
ConstituencyAndhra Pradesh
Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislature
(Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council)
In office
1984–1985
Personal details
Born(1937-01-14)14 January 1937
Ganganapalli, near Kakinada, Madras Presidency (present-day Andhra Pradesh)
Died13 August 1994(1994-08-13) (aged 57)
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Political partyTelugu Desam Party
SpouseKamala Kumari
Children2; including Rao Ramesh

Rao was known for his villainous roles in works such as Mutyala Muggu (1975), Bhakta Kannappa (1976), Gorantha Deepam (1978), Manavoori Pandavulu (1978), Kaliyuga Ravanasurudu (1980), Tyagayya (1981), Ooruki Monagadu (1981), Gudachari No.1 (1983), Abhilasha (1983), Khaidi (1983), Challenge (1984), Jaakii (1985), Bullet (1985), Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989), Lorry Driver (1990), Kondaveeti Donga (1990), and Gang Leader (1991).[2]

Early life

He started his career in theatre, with his own company, Associated Amateur Drama Company and did many plays under the banner. S. V. Ranga Rao saw his plays and recommended him to Gutta Ramineedu, who was making Bhakta Potana (1966).[5] He worked as an assistant director for this film. He served as an assistant director in other films, including Bangaru Sankellu and Mooga Prema.[2]

Politics

He was appointed to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council in 1984-85 and Indian Parliament by N. T. Rama Rao, the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. He was a member of Rajya Sabha from 3 April 1986 until 2 April 1992.[6]

Death

He died on 13 August 1994, aged 57. The film Prema & Co was released after his death. His son, Rao Ramesh, is a Telugu film actor.[7]

Selected filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1966 Bhakta Potana Mamidi Singanamatya
1968 Bangaru Sankellu Film Director
1969 Manushulu Marali
1970 Pettandarulu
Akhandudu[8] Bhagyalakshmi Devi's husband
1971 Kathanayakuralu
Revolver Rani[9] Naagu
Mosagallaku Mosagadu
Jagath Kiladilu
CID Raju
1972 Kalam Marindi Koteshu
Nijam Nirupistha[10] Kotwal Kodandam
Bala Bharatam
1973 Desoddharakulu
Devudamma Ramaiah
Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu
Sarada
1974 Kode Naagu
Andaru Dongale
Manchi Manushulu
1975 Babu
Mutyala Muggu Contractor
1976 Bhakta Kannappa Kailasanatha Sastry
Raaja[11] Bhupathi Varma
Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam
Monagadu Dada
Bangaru Manishi Satyam
Pichi Maraju Dr. Madhu
Jyothi Dr. Karunakaram
1977 Kurukshetram Shalya
Chanakya Chandragupta
Sneham
Yama Gola
Bangaru Bommalu
1978 Pranam Khareedu Kanakaiah
Athani Kante Ghanudu
Mana Voori Pandavulu Rambhoopal (Dora vaaru)
Katakataala Rudraiah
Pottelu Punnamma Sripathi
Gorantha Deepam
Anugraham Konduraswamy
Kalanthakulu Kanaka Rao
1979 Rangoon Rowdy Gopal Rao
Vetagadu Dhiwanji
Maa Voollo MahaShivudu
1980 Bangaru Bava[12] Ramaswami
Gharana Donga
Vintha Dongalu
Circus Ramudu
Pasupu Parani
Sardar Papa Rayudu
Adrushtavanthudu Narayana
Saradaa Ramudu
Kaliyuga Ravana Surudu
Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi Gopal Rao
1981 Todu Dongalu
Ragile Jwala Dharma Raju
Kondaveeti Simham
Kirayi Rowdylu Baburao
Tyagayya Japesam
Ooriki Monagadu
Nayudu gari abbai
Taxi Driver Bhaskara Rao
Maa Voori Pedda Manushulu
Gadasari Attha Sosagara Kodalu
1982 Bobbili Puli Bhanoji Rao
Nipputo Chelagaatam Jagapati
Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu Malish Man
Kalahala Kapuram[13] Gandabherundam
Prathikaram Alexander
Justice Chowdhary Kailasam
Shamsher Shankar[14] Dharmaraju
Swayamvaram
Billa Ranga
Eenadu
Krishnarajunulu
Bangaru Bhoomi Chander Rao
Trisulam
1983 Shakthi Chinthapikkala Narasaraju
Abhilasha Sarvothama Rao
Kirayi Kotigadu Adiseshaiah
Khaidi Veerabhadraiah
Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju Ramaraju
Sangarshana
Praja Rajyam[15] Raja Rao
Mundadugu Phanibhushan Rao
Nijam Chepite Nerama Panakalu
Prema Pichollu
Gudachari No.1 Govinda Rao
Maga Maharaju Dual roles
Chanda Sasanudu
Adavi Simhalu
1984 Goonda Dharmaraju
Bangaru Kapuram[16] Gajapathi
Kanchu Kagada Phanindra
Hero
Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu
Bobbili Brahmanna
Rama Rao Gopal Rao
Challenge RamMohanRao
Intiguttu
Yuddham Panakalu
Naagu
Agni Gundam
Dandayatra Tata Rao
Rustum
Sampoorna Premayanam
Danavudu Ravulapalem Raja Ramagopala Rao
1985 Ooriki Soggadu Nayudamma
Puli J.K.
Agni Parvatam
Chattamtho Poratam Lokeswara Rao
Donga
Adavi Donga Thodella Appalanaidu
Pattabhishekham Markandeylu
Musugu Donga
Jackie
Devalayam
Bullet
1986 Ravana Brahma[17] Govardhan Rao
Brahmastram Gopanna
Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu Narasimham
Rakshashudu JK
Chanakya Shapadham
Jailu Pakshi Chakrapani
Jayam Manade Jodugulla Basavappa
Anasuyamma Gari Alludu Lokeswara Rao
Konaseema Kurradu
Krishna Garadi Idea Appa Rao
Kondaveeti Raja Papa Rao
Magadheerudu
Kaliyuga Krishnudu Siddheshwara Rao
Apoorva Sahodarulu Bangarraju
1987 Sahasa Samrat Raghavaiah
Trimurtulu Damodaram
Bharatamlo Arjunudu Benerjee
Waqt Ka Shahenshah Hindi film
Kulala Kurukshetram
Inti Donga
Vijetha Vikram Rudra Bhupathi
Sardar Krishnama Naidu Sasibhushan Rao
Kirai Dada
Donga Mogudu Chenchuramaiah
1988 Manchi Donga
Yamudiki Mogudu Veerabhadraiah
Station Master
Donga Ramudu
Chinnabaabu
1989 Bhale Donga Viswanatham Master
Rudranetra
State Rowdy Narendra Bhupathi
Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu Vinayaka Rao aka V.R. Bongarala
1990 Kondaveeti Donga Sarabhoji
Raja Vikramarka Viswanatham
Lorry Driver
Manasu Mamata
1991 Gang Leader Ekambaram
Coolie No. 1
1992 Gharana Mogudu Bapineedu
Dabbu Bhale Jabbu
Aa Okkati Adakku Royyala Naidu
1993 Allari Priyudu
Dongalludu[18]
Nippu Ravva Labour Minister
Bangaru Bullodu Ramadasu
Allari Alludu
1994 Kurradhi Kurradu[19] Koteswara Prasad
Prema & Co. Final film role

References
  1. "Drama competition from Oct. 9". The Hindu. 28 September 2015 – via www.thehindu.com.
  2. Tfn, Team (5 July 2023). "Rao Gopal Rao". Telugu Filmnagar.
  3. Kavirayani, Suresh (8 April 2018). "Rao Gopala Rao's wife passes away!". Deccan Chronicle.
  4. "Tollywood Movie Actor Rao Gopal Rao Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u.
  5. "Harish Shankar brings back Rao Gopal Rao's look in Duvvada Jagannadham". in.style.yahoo.com.
  6. "Profile of Former Rajya Sabha members" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  7. Kavirayani, Suresh (17 June 2017). "Rao Ramesh lives up to his father's name". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  8. "Akandudu (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  9. "Revolver Rani (1971)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  10. "Nijam Nirupistha (1972)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  11. "Raaja (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  12. "Bangaru Bava (1980)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  13. "Kalahala Kapuram (1982) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  14. "Shamsher Shankar (1982)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  15. "Praja Rajyam (1983)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  16. "Bangaru Kapuram (1984)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  17. "Ravana Brahma (1986)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  18. "Dongalludu (1993)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  19. "Kurradi Kurradu (1994) Telugu Movie Review, Rating - Harish". www.thecinebay.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
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