Gummadi Venkateswara Rao

Gummadi Venkateswara Rao (born 9 July 1926 – 26 January 2010), known mononymously by his surname Gummadi, was an Indian actor and producer, who worked predominantly in Telugu cinema. Known as one of the finest supporting/character actors in Telugu cinema, Gummadi acted in around five hundred feature films. He received critical recognition for his work in Thodu Dongalu and Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962), for which he received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Award. Gummadi was an official member of the Indian delegation from South India to the Tashkent Film Festival in 1978 and 1982.

Gummadi served as a jury member thrice for the 28th, 33rd and 39th National Film Awards. He served twice on the state Nandi Awards Committee.

In 1977, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honor Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. He is widely known for his roles in films such as Mayabazar (1957), Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1959), Kula Daivam (1960), Kula Gothralu (1962), Jyothi (1976), Nelavanka (1981), Maro Malupu (1982), Ekalavya (1982), Ee Charitra Ye Siraatho? (1982), Gaaju Bommalu (1983) and Pelli Pustakam (1991).

In 2008, he starred in Jagadguru Sree Kasinayana Charitra, which would be his last film.

Early career

Characters played by him

Balarama Bhishma Maharishi Bhrigu Chief Minister Dasharatha Diwan Durvasa Jamadagni Kabir Karna Kasinayana

Nanda Parashurama Pothana Principal Timmarusu Vishwamitra Yudhishthira Zamindar

Personal life

Gummadi was married and had five daughters and two sons. He died of multiple organ failure at Care hospital, Hyderabad on 26 January 2010. His last public appearance was at the screening of Maya Bazar, which had been colourised. Here he expressed his happiness and said, "Watching this great movie in colour probably could have been the only reason for me to have stayed alive for so long."

Written works Gummadi wrote his memoirs of Telugu cinema in Teepi Gurthulu and Chedu Gnapakalu.

Awards Civilian honors Padma Shri - Government of India - 1977

Rashtrapati Awards Best acting for Mahamantri Timmarusu (1963)

Nandi Awards Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for contribution to Telugu cinema (1998) Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor - Maro Malupu (1982)

Other Honors 1963 - Honorary Doctorate - Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University 1976 - Filmfare Special Award for Excellent Performance - Jyothi

Selected filmography