K. Raghavendra Rao

Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao (born 23 May 1942) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, choreographer, and producer known primarily for his work in Telugu cinema, besides a few Hindi film and Kannada films. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has directed over a hundred films across various genres, including romantic dramas, romantic comedies, fantasies, melodramas, action thrillers, and biographical dramas. He has received numerous accolades, including the National Film Award, ten state Nandi Awards and five Filmfare Awards South.

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. Raghavendra Rao also received the Nandi Award for Best Direction, the Filmfare Award for Best Direction for his work in the film. 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. In 1992, he directed the melodrama Gharana Mogudu featured at the 24th IFFI in the mainstream section. It became the first Telugu film to gross over at the box office. Next, he directed the instant hit Allari Priyudu (1993), featured at the 25th IFFI in the mainstream section.

Personal life Raghavendra Rao was born on 23 May 1942 to veteran director K. S. Prakash Rao and Koteswaramma. 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.

Awards and honors National Film Awards Best Feature Film in Telugu - Bommalata (2006)

Nandi Awards NTR National Award - 2015 B. N. Reddy National Award for lifetime contribution to Telugu cinema (2009) Best Director – Annamayya (1997) Best Choreographer – Pelli Sandadi (1996) Best Director – Pelli Sandadi (1996) Best Director – Allari Priyudu (1993) Best Director – Bobbili Brahmanna (1984)

Filmfare Awards South Best Director – Prema Lekhalu (1977) Best Director – Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) Best Director – Allari Priyudu (1993) Best Director – Annamayya (1997) Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)

IIFA Awards Outstanding contribution to Indian cinema (2017)

SIIMA Awards Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)

CineMAA Awards Lifetime Contribution Award – (2012) Best Film (Jury) – Shirdi Sai – (2013)

Other Awards Allu Rama Lingaiah Award (2016)

Filmography

Director

Actor YearTitleRoleNotes 2021 Pelli SandaD Vasishta Sequel of Pelli Sandadi

Supervisor of direction YearTitleNotes 2001 Student No.1 Directorial debut of S. S. Rajamouli 2002 Okato Number Kurraadu Director A. Kodandarami Reddy 2004 Pallakilo Pellikoothuru Director Suchitra Chandrabose2021Pelli SandaDDirector Gowri Ronanki

Associate director YearTitleNotes 1961 Vagdanam Director Acharya Aatreya

Producer YearTitleNotes 1980 Bhale Krishnudu 1984 Naya Kadam 1993 Allari Priyudu 1999 Iddaru Mitrulu 2000 Pelli Sambandham 2002 Okato Number Kurradu 2004 Morning Raga English Movie Bommalata Won Best Film in Telugu at the 53rd National Awards

Presenter YearTitleNotes 2001 Student No. 1 2002 Bobby 2011 Anaganaga O Dheerudu 2015 Baahubali: The Beginning 2017 Baahubali: The Conclusion

Choreographer YearTitleNotes 1996 Pelli Sandadi

Television 2002: Santhi Nivasam (ETV) 2010: Arundathi (ETV Kannada) 2013: Mangammagari Manavaralu (Zee telugu) 2014: Soundrya Lahari (ETV) 2016: Koyilamma (MAA TV) 2017: Sye Sye Sayyare (ETV) 2017: Agnisakshi (Star MAA) 2018: Siri Siri Muvvalu (Star MAA) 2020: C/o Anasuya (Star MAA) 2021: Krishna Tulasi (Zee telugu)