Krishnam Raju

Personal life Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju was born in Mogalthur, West Godavari district, on 20 January 1940, to Uppalapati Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Raju. Krishnam Raju was first married to Sitadevi, who died. He married Shyamaladevi, in 1996, with whom he had three daughters.

Film producer, Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju, was his younger brother and actor Prabhas' father. Prabhas is his nephew. Another nephew of his, Siddharth Rajkumar, made his acting debut with Keratam (2011). Krishnam Raju worked as a journalist for the Andhra Ratna. He was awarded the second best photographer at the state level. He was fond of cameras and had a collection of cameras. He was the founder of Gopi Krishna Movies. At a later age, he suffered from multiple illnesses like Heart rhythm disorder, heart dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, chronic lung disease, and chronic bronchitis. 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. 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. 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.

Political career

He contested an unsuccessful election in 1992 from Narasapuram on a Congress ticket. After a brief hibernation, he rejoined politics, accepting an invitation from the Bharatiya Janata Party. He won the 1998 Lok Sabha elections from Kakinada. He set a record with a thumping majority of over 165,000 votes, the maximum majority compared to any of the other constituencies in Andhra Pradesh which ensured him a berth at the centre. He was on the advisory committees of the Information and Broadcasting and Commerce and Industry Ministries during 1998–99.

1998 Elected to 12th Lok Sabha 1998–99 Member, Committee on Commerce Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 1999 Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (2nd term) Whip, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party, Lok Sabha 1999–2000 Member, Committee on Finance Member, Committee on members of parliament Local Area Development Scheme 2000 Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Commerce and Industry 30 September 2000- Union Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs 22 July 2001 22 July 2001- Union Minister of State, Ministry of Defence 30 June 2002 1 July 2002 - Union Minister of State, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food onwards and Public Distribution

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."

Filmography

Death Raju died on 11 September 2022, at the age of 82, from bacterial and fungal pneumonia followed by cardiac arrest, at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Hospitals in Hyderabad, India, which he entered for post-COVID-19 issues on 5 August 2022.

Awards Filmfare Awards South Best Actor - Telugu - Amaradeepam (1977) Best Picture - Manavuri Pandavulu (1978) (award share with Jayakrishna) Best Actor - Telugu - Bobbili Brahmanna (1984) Best Actor - Telugu - Tandra Paparayudu (1986) Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)

Nandi Awards Best Actor Year Film Role 1977 Amara Deepam Shri Krishna / Hari 1984 Bobbili Brahmanna Brahmanna / Ravi Best Character Actor Year Film Role 1994 Jailor Gaari Abbayi Jailor Chakrapani 2014 - Raghupathi Venkaiah Award

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