# B. A. Subba Rao

B. A. Subba Rao was an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who primarily worked in Telugu cinema. He played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of several prominent actors, including N. T. Rama Rao. Subba Rao made his directorial debut with Palletoori Pilla (1950), a film that launched N. T. Rama Rao in his first lead role and became a major success. He went on to direct other notable films such as Raju Peda (1954), Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), and Bhishma (1962).
Subba Rao is also the founder of BAS Productions and produced seven films under the banner. In recognition of his contributions to cinema, he was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 1982. He later served as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation.

## Early life

B. A. Subba Rao was born in 1915 in Kakinada. From a young age, he developed a passion for the performing arts, influenced by Surabhi theatre performances, Gubbi Veeranna plays, Sohrab Modi's Hindi dramas, and silent films. He became involved in theatre through the Natya Kala Vinodini Sabha, a drama company founded by his brother-in-law, K. A. Naidu. With this troupe, he performed in social plays like Only Daughter and Bhale Pelli across the Andhra and Nizam regions, alongside actress C. Krishnaveni. During this time, he also developed an interest in English plays through his involvement with the Young Men's Happy Club in Kakinada, where he worked with future film industry figures like Anjali Devi and P. Adinarayana Rao.

## Career
### Early career in Calcutta

Subba Rao's dedication to the arts led him to skip his final school exams, and without informing his family, he left for Calcutta (now Kolkata) to pursue a career in films. He impressed Radha Film Company's manager, Banerjee, and worked as an assistant director in Bengali films for four years, gaining significant experience. This period was crucial in shaping his skills in filmmaking, preparing him for his later ventures in Telugu cinema.

### Transition to Madras

In 1940, Subba Rao moved to Madras (now Chennai) and initially took on a small comic role in a film. He then joined Sobhanachala Studios as a manager, where he actively participated in story discussions. With encouragement from the Raja of Mirzapuram, the studio's owner, he transitioned into film production and direction. This marked the beginning of his career as a filmmaker.

### Debut as director and producer

Subba Rao made his debut as a director and producer with Palletoori Pilla (1950), a joint venture between Sobhanachala Studios and his production company. This film marked N. T. Rama Rao’s first lead role, where he played Jayanth, a dacoit who reforms. Although Rama Rao had previously acted in minor roles, this film launched his successful career in Telugu cinema. Subba Rao adapted the English play Pizarro to suit local tastes, and the film, also starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, became a box office hit. The success was further enhanced by strong dialogues and music, thanks to collaborations with writers like Tapi Dharma Rao and composer P. Adinarayana Rao. Palletoori Pilla was later remade in Hindi as Insaniyat (1955) by Gemini Pictures, featuring Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand.

### Later career

Following the success of Palletoori Pilla, Subba Rao founded BAS Productions and also directed other notable films. Among his most successful works were Raju Peda (1954), Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), and Bhishma (1962 film). His ability to adapt popular plays and collaborate with talented writers and composers helped solidify his reputation in the Telugu film industry.
In addition to his work as a producer and director, Subba Rao also appeared in a few films as an actor, showcasing his versatility. Notable acting credits include Kacha Devayani (1938), Bhale Tammudu (1969), and Sabhash Papanna (1972). Later in life, Subba Rao faced financial difficulties, but his legacy remained intact due to the lasting impact of his films.

## Legacy

Subba Rao made significant contributions to Telugu cinema, earning him recognition as a leading figure in the industry. Subba Rao launched N. T. Rama Rao in his first lead role, playing a key role in shaping his career and establishing him as a major figure in Telugu cinema. Additionally, he introduced prominent actors like Vanisri and Dhulipala in Bhishma (1962) and provided early opportunities to S. V. Ranga Rao and Nandamuri Balakrishna.
In 1982, Subba Rao was honoured with the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for his contributions to the Telugu film industry. When N. T. Rama Rao became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, he recognized Subba Rao's influence by appointing him as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Film Development Corporation.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Director | Producer |
| 1950 | Palletoori Pilla | Yes | Yes |
| 1952 | Tingu Ranga | Yes | Yes |
| 1952 | Aada Bratuku | Yes | No |
| 1952 | Syamala | Yes | No |
| 1954 | Raju Peda | Yes | Yes |
| 1954 | Palle Paduchu | Yes | No |
| 1955 | Rani Ratnaprabha | Yes | Yes |
| 1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Yes | Yes |
| 1959 | Sahodari | Yes | No |
| 1962 | Bhishma | Yes | Yes |
| 1964 | Marmayogi | Yes | No |
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | Yes | Yes |
| 1967 | Pedda Akkayya | Yes | No |
| 1969 | Bhale Tammudu | Yes | No |
| 1971 | Raithu Bidda | Yes | No |
| 1971 | Sati Anasuya | Yes | No |
| 1974 | Ram Raheem | Yes | No |
| 1975 | Moguda? Pellama? | Yes | No |
| 1978 | Sati Savitri | Yes | No |
| 1979 | Maavari Manchitanam | Yes | No |