Tatineni Prakash Rao

Tatineni Prakash Rao (24 November 1924 – 1 July 1992) was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil films. In a career spanning nearly four decades, he directed over 40 films.

He started his career as an assistant director for films like Palnati Yuddham (1947), Shavukaru (1950), Pathala Bhairavi (1951). He debuted as a director with the Telugu film Palletooru (1952) and later directed Pichi Pullayya (1953), Parivartana (1954), Jayam Manade (1956), Charana Daasi (1956), Illarikam (1959) in Telugu. In Hindi, he directed films like Sasural (1961), Suraj (1966), Izzat (1968) and Duniya (1968). His notable Tamil films include Amara Deepam (1956), Uthama Puthiran (1958), Nalla Theerpu (1959), and Padagotti (1964).

Early life Tatineni Prakash Rao was born in Kapileswarapuram of Krishna district in present-day Andhra Pradesh. He was a member of the CPI before Indian Independence and was associated with Praja Natya Mandali, a radical theatre movement.

His son T. L. V. Prasad is a film director while his daughter Leela settled in the US. Prakash Rao's grandson Tatineni Satya is also a film director who debuted with Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu (2010). Noted director Tatineni Rama Rao is a cousin brother of Prakash Rao. Rama Rao worked as an assistant director to Prakash Rao in the beginning of his career.

Filmography As a director Year Film Language Notes 1952 Palletooru Telugu Debut as a director 1953 Pichi Pullayya Telugu Adaptation and Story 1954 Parivartana Telugu 1954 Nirupedalu Telugu 1956 Amara Deepam Tamil 1956 Charana Daasi Telugu 1956 Jayam Manade Telugu 1956 Mathar Kula Manickam Tamil 1958 Amar Deep Hindi 1958 Uthama Puthiran Tamil 1958 Sitamgar Hindi Dubbed from Tamil Uttama Puthiran 1959 Illarikam Telugu 1959 Kanniraindha Kanavan Tamil 1959 Nalla Theerpu Tamil 1960 College Girl Hindi 1960 Ellorum Innaattu Mannar Tamil 1960 Maa Babu Telugu 1961 Anbu Magan Tamil 1961 Sasural Hindi 1962 Kaathiruntha Kangal Tamil 1963 Bahurani Hindi 1964 Padagotti Tamil 1965 Bahu Beti Hindi Scenario 1966 Suraj Hindi 1968 Duniya Hindi 1968 Izzat Hindi 1968 Vaasna Hindi 1969 Nannha Farishta Hindi 1970 Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani Hindi 1972 Rivaaj Hindi 1973 Minaru Babu Hindi 1974 Gali Patalu Telugu 1975 Samsaram Telugu 1976 Pogarubothu Telugu 1977 Chiranjeevi Rambabu Telugu 1978 Hamara Sansar Hindi 1979 Ganga Bhavani Hindi 1982 Engalalum Mudiyum Tamil 1988 Kab Tak Chup Rahungi Hindi As an assistant director Year Film Language 1947 Palnati Yuddham Telugu 1948 Drohi Telugu 1949 Mana Desam Telugu 1950 Shavukaru Telugu 1950 Samsaram Telugu 1951 Samsaram Tamil 1951 Pathala Bhairavi Telugu