Sakshi Ranga Rao

Sakshi Ranga Rao (born Rangavajhula Ranga Rao; – 27 June 2005) was an Indian character actor who worked in Telugu cinema and theatre. He appeared in about 450 films over a career spanning four decades, majority of which were comedies. Ranga Rao made his film debut in 1967 with Sakshi from which he derived his stage name. He then went onto to appear in successful films like Sirivennela, Swarna Kamalam, April 1st Vidudhala, Joker and Swarabhishekam.

Life and career

Rangavajhula Ranga Rao in Kalavakuru village in Prakasam district, was born to Lakshmi Narayana and Ranganayakamma. As his father died when he was young, he was raised by Buchchi Ravamma, his mother's sister in Machilipatnam. He began his career as a stenographer in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He had the distinction of acting in most of the Telugu films directed by K. Vishwanath, Bapu and Vamsi.

Ranga Rao married Bala Tripurasundari. They had three children–one daughter and three sons. His youngest son, actor Saakshi Siva works in Telugu films and television.

Filmography

Films

Saakshi (1967) (debut film) Bangaru Pichika (1968) Sudigundaalu (1968) as Gumasta Bhale Rangadu (1969) Buddhimanthudu (1969) Balaraju Katha (1970) Dharma Daata (1970) Thaali Bottu (1970) as Rangaiah Pagabattina Paduchu (1971) as Hanumanthu Basthi Bul Bul (1971) as Ranga Rao Pattindalla Bangaram (1971) as Drama Company Owner Attalu Kodallu (1971) as brother of Suryakantam Adrusta Jathakudu (1971) Mattilo Manikyam (1971) as Seethapathi aka Panthulu Vinta Samsaram (1971) Kalam Marindi (1972) Muhammad bin Tughluq (1972) Anta Mana Manchike (1972) Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973) as Papa Rao Andala Ramudu (1973) as Subba Rao's father-in-law Nindu Kutumbam (1973) as Avatharam Bhakta Tukaram (1973) Devudamma (1973) as Kotaiah Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu (1973) Meena (1973) as Narayana, Meena's driver Mayadari Malligadu (1973) as Karanam Kamayya Tulabharam (1974) as Hari Mangalya Bhagyam (1974) as Pullachari Muthyala Muggu (1975) Padi Pantalu (1976) as Panthulu, Guravayya's accountant Siri Siri Muvva (1976) Alludochadu (1976) as Panasayya Pichi Maraju (1976) Aadavalu Apanindhalu (1976) Iddaru Iddare (1976) as Bhujangam Monagadu (1976) as Avatharam Raaja (1976) as Pawn Broker Prakash Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976) Amara Deepam (1977) as Manager Eenati Bandham Yenatido (1977) as Kanakaiah Edureeta (1977) Manassakshi (1977) Manushulu Chesina Dongalu (1977) Devathalara Deevinchandi (1977) Love Marriage (1978) as Dance Director Nayudu Bava (1978) as Gopalam Patnavasam (1978) as Ramanatham Dongala Veta (1978) as Seth Lawyer Viswanath (1978) Seetamalakshmi (1978) Dongala Veta (1978) Mugguru Muggure (1978) as Kotilingam the Museum Guard Siri Siri Muvva (1978) Vayasu Pilichindi (1978) Thoorpu Velle Railu (1979) Andadu Aagadu (1979) as Ling Papa Rao Tiger (1979) Idi Katha Kaadu (1979) I Love You (1979) as Club Owner Saptapadhi (1980) Sirimalle Navvindi (1980) Subhodhayam (1980) Bhale Krishnudu (1980) Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi (1980) Alludu Pattina Bharatam (1980) Sankarabharanam (1980) Amavasya Chandrudu (1981) Babulugaadi Debba (1981) Thyagayya (1981) Radha Kalyanam (1981) Madhura Swapnam (1982) Pratigna (1982) as Karanam Manchu Pallaki (1982) as Gita's father Kalavari Samsaram (1982) as Subbaramaiah Kalahala Kapuram (1982) as Drunkard Subhalekha (1982) Sagara Sangamam (1983) Ikanaina Marandi (1983) Bezawada Bebbuli (1983) Sitaara (1983) Amarajeevi (1983) Nelavanka (1983) Rendu Jella Sita (1983) Lanke Bindelu (1983) as Aachari Koteeswarudu (1984) as Ranganatham Janani Janmabhoomi (1984) Mukkopi (1984) Padmavyuham (1984) Ooha Sundari (1984) Danavudu (1984) Sundari Subbarao (1984) Allullostunnaru (1984) Railu Dopidi (1984) as Arjun's father Chattamtho Poratam (1985) Punnami Ratri (1985) as Brahmanandam Mogudu Pellalu (1985) Vande Mataram (1985) Mayadari Maridi (1985) Bhale Tammudu (1985) Ooriki Soggadu (1985) as Master Mantradandham (1985) Rendu Rella Aaru (1985) Jailu Pakshi (1986) Dharmapeetam Daddarillindi (1986) Chaitanyam (1986) Santhi Nivasam (1986) Maruthi (1986) Poojaku Panikiraani Puvvu (1986) Vivaha Bandham (1986) Brahmastram (1986) as Lingaraju Chantabbai (1986) Sirivennela (1986) Sri Vemana Charithra (1986) Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986) Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986) Chanakya Sapadham (1986) as Dr. Arogyam Chakravarthy (1987) as Avatharam Sankeerthana (1987) Marana Homam (1987) Pagabattina Panchali (1987) Dayamayudu (1987) Saradhamba (1987) Chakravarthy (1987) Ida Prapancham (1987) Krishna Leela (1987) President Gari Abbai (1987) as Seshavatharam Sruthi Layalu (1987) Raaga Leela (1987) Nyayam Kosam (1988) as Narayana Janaki Ramudu (1988) Aadade Aadharam (1988) Ramudu Bheemudu (1988) as Govindaiah Rowdy No.1 (1988) as Avadhani Annapurnamma Gari Alludu (1988) Station Master (1988) Bharya Bhartalu (1988) as Aachari Marana Mrudangam (1988) Swarna Kamalam (1988) Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata (1989) Swathi Chinukulu (1989) Two Town Rowdy (1989) Preminchi Choodu (1989) Lankeswarudu (1989) Manchi Kutumbam (1989) Sutradhaarulu (1990) Rambha Rambabu (1990) Chevilo Puvvu (1990) Idem Pellam Baboi (1990) as Rajashekharam Karthavyam (1990) as Constable Ranganayakulu Shanti Kranti (1991) Manchi Roju (1991 film) (1991) Erra Mandaram (1991) Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam (1991) Mugguru Attala Muddula Alludu (1991) Pelli Pustakam (1991) April 1st Vidudhala (1991) Dharma Kshetram (1992) as Madhava Rao Aa Okkati Adakku (1992) Sukravaram Mahalakshmi (1992) Kalarathrilo Kannepilla (1992) Detective Narada (1992) Sahasam (1992) Gharana Mogudu (1992) as Bhawani's father Swathi Kiranam (1992) Joker (1993) Kunti Puthrudu (1993) Chittemma Mogudu (1993) Nippu Ravva (1993) Vintha Kodallu (1993) Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru (1994) as Kanakachari Presidentgari Alludu (1994) as Ranga Rao Yamaleela (1994) Madam (1994) Subha Sankalpam (1995) Street Fighter (1995) as Insurance Officer Lingababu Love Story (1995) Desa Drohulu (1995) Vajram (1995) Sampradayam (1996) as Rangaiah Neti Savithri (1996) Shri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996) Aahwanam (1997) Swarabhishekam (2004) Vijay IPS (2006)

Television

Lady Detective (19961997) as Bobby Popula Pette (1997) as Anjaneyulu