# Kantha Rao

Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao (16 November 1923 – 22 March 2009) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao appeared in more than 400 feature films, starring in many, in a variety of genres including mythological, social and folklore. After a success string in folklore and swashbuckling films, he became popularly referred to as Kattula Kantha Rao. He has also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam movies. He has produced about five films under the Hyma Films banner.
In the 1960s, he was one of the primary actors in Telugu cinema, along with N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Kantha Rao was known for portraying the roles of Narada, Lord Krishna and Arjuna in mythological films. He played Lakshmana in the blockbuster film Lava Kusa, for which he received Vishehsa Puraskaram in 1963.

## Early life

Rao was born into a Telugu Brahmin family to Kesavarao and Seetaramamma at Kodad of Nalgonda district in present-day Telangana on 16 November 1923. According to the Hindu calendar, it corresponds to Rudhirodgari Samvatsara Kartika Sudha Ashtami day. He lost his father the next year. His primary education was done in Gudibanda and Khammam. He was exposed to puranas and Hindu epic stories from his grandmother.

## Career

Surabhi Drama troupe has visited their village. Impressed by their professional performances, he established "Balamitra Natya Mandali" and used to play Gayopakhyanam and Madhuseva plays with his friends. He played the character Brahma in Sri Krishna Leelalu in the group "Surabhi" and subsequently in the plays Madhuseva, Kanakatara and Telugu Talli.
Rao was sent to Tenali to distract from the drama activities. Tenali used to be very active in drama activities with stalwarts like Pulipati Lakshminarayana. He used to stay in same street where Rentachintala Satyanarayana and Banda Kanakalingeswara Rao used to live.
He then shifted to Madras in 1950 and used to stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for H. M. Reddy's Rohini Pictures.
H. M. Reddy gave him a chance to play a small role in Nirdoshi in 1951 and as his hero for Pratigna in 1953. He has acted in 450 films and in about 100 films as hero, whereas in others as different character roles. They include some popular roles in films like Jayasimha (1955), Shri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966), Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963), Lava Kusha (1963), Nartanasala (1963), Pandava Vanavasam (1965) and Muthyala Muggu (1975). His last movie was Pandurangadu, with Balakrishna, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao in 2008.
He produced four films between 1969 and 1974, Saptaswaralu, Gandara Gandadu, Premajeevulu and Gundelu Theesina Monagadu and lost all his previous earnings. The last film he made was Swathi Chinukulu. Subsequently, he moved to Hyderabad.

## Awards
### National honours

* Visesha Puraskaram in Ramineni Foundation Awards in 2004.
* Mahanati Savitri Award
* C.H. Narayana Rao Award

### Nandi Awards

* Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2000, for lifetime achievement.
* Nandi Award for Best Book, for Anaganaga Oka Raakumaarudu won for the year 2007.

## Filmography
### Telugu films

List of Kantha Rao Telugu film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1951 | Nirdoshi | |
| 1955 | Jayasimha | Vijayasimha |
| 1956 | Ilavelpu | |
| 1957 | Sati Anasuya | |
| 1959 | Jaya Vijaya | |
| 1959 | Sabash Ramudu | |
| 1959 | Sati Sukanya | Ashwini Devatalu |
| 1960 | Bhatti Vikramarka | Bhatti |
| 1960 | Chivaraku Migiledi | Prakasam |
| 1960 | Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chintamani | Prathapa Simha |
| 1960 | Deepavali | Narada Muni |
| 1960 | Sanchari | |
| 1960 | Kanakadurga Pooja Mahima | Madhava |
| 1960 | Santhi Nivasam | Raju |
| 1960 | Sri Krishna Rayabaram | |
| 1961 | Sabash Raja | |
| 1961 | Sati Sulochana | Narada Muni |
| 1961 | Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam | Narada Muni |
| 1961 | Usha Parinayam | Aniruddha |
| 1961 | Varalakshmi Vratham | |
| 1962 | Madana Kama Raju Katha | |
| 1962 | Bhishma | Salwa |
| 1962 | Chitti Tammudu | Srihari |
| 1962 | Khaidi Kannayya | |
| 1962 | Nuvva Nena | |
| 1962 | Padandi Munduku | |
| 1962 | Raktha Sambandham | Anand |
| 1962 | Swarna Gowri | |
| 1963 | Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham | Narada Muni |
| 1963 | Valmiki | |
| 1963 | Aapta Mitrulu | |
| 1963 | Deva Sundari | |
| 1963 | Edureeta | Village Doctor |
| 1963 | Somavara Vrata Mahatyam | Chandrangada |
| 1963 | Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu | Vijayudu |
| 1963 | Lava Kusa | Lakshmana |
| 1963 | Nartanasala | Lord Krishna |
| 1963 | Vishnumaya | |
| 1963 | Thobuttuvulu | Shankar |
| 1964 | Babruvahana | Lord Krishna |
| 1964 | Desa Drohulu | |
| 1964 | Marmayogi | |
| 1964 | Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani | Vijaya |
| 1964 | Sri Satyanarayana Mahatyam | |
| 1965 | Aada Bratuku | |
| 1965 | Devata | Cameo |
| 1965 | Dorikithe Dongalu | |
| 1965 | Pratigna Palana | Rajasekharudu |
| 1965 | Aakasaramanna | |
| 1965 | Jwaladweepa Rahasyam | |
| 1965 | Pandava Vanavasam | Lord Krishna |
| 1965 | Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima | Pururava Chakravarthi |
| 1965 | Veerabhimanyu | Arjuna |
| 1966 | Bhimanjaneya Yuddham | Nala Kuber |
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | Vishnu |
| 1966 | Paduka Pattabhishekam | Rama |
| 1966 | Palnati Yuddham | Nalagamaraju |
| 1966 | Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam | Narada Muni |
| 1966 | Sri Krishna Tulabharam | Narada Muni |
| 1966 | Srimathi | Ravi |
| 1967 | Chikkadu Dorakadu | Dorakadu |
| 1967 | Kanchu Kota | Narendra |
| 1967 | Iddaru Monagallu | |
| 1967 | Devuni Gelichina Manavudu | Vijayadattudu |
| 1967 | Pinni | |
| 1967 | Aggi Dora | Jayanth |
| 1967 | Rahasyam | |
| 1968 | Rajayogam | |
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | |
| 1968 | Bangaru Gaajulu | |
| 1968 | Niluvu Dopidi | Guest |
| 1968 | Evaru Monagadu | Inspector Sekhar |
| 1969 | Devudichina Bharta | Sridatta |
| 1969 | Saptaswaralu | Saranga |
| 1969 | Ukku Pidugu | Vasantha Rayalu |
| 1969 | Tarasasankam | |
| 1969 | Ekaveera | Veerbhupati |
| 1969 | Gandara Gandadu | Manoharudu |
| 1970 | Oke Kutumbham | |
| 1970 | Suguna Sundari Katha | Prasuna |
| 1970 | Merupu Veerudu | |
| 1971 | Sri Krishna Vijayamu | |
| 1971 | Kathiki Kankanam | |
| 1971 | Ananda Nilayam | |
| 1971 | Sri Krishna Satya | Narada Muni |
| 1971 | Chelleli Kapuram | |
| 1971 | Andam Kosam Pandem | Madhavudu |
| 1972 | Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham | Narada Muni |
| 1972 | Bala Bharatam | Pandu Raju |
| 1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | Suresh |
| 1973 | Mayadari Malligadu | Jailor |
| 1973 | Neramu Siksha | Rajasekharam |
| 1974 | Alluri Seetharama Raju | Padalu |
| 1974 | Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham | Narada Muni |
| 1974 | Devadasu | |
| 1974 | O Seeta Katha | Madhava Rao |
| 1974 | Nippulanti Manishi | Police Inspector who takes care of a young Vijay |
| 1974 | Nirnayam | |
| 1975 | Muthyala Muggu | Raja Rao Bahadur |
| 1975 | Pooja | |
| 1975 | Maya Machhindra | |
| 1975 | Eduruleni Manishi | Sarkar |
| 1976 | Padi Pantalu | Ex-Army man and Gopi's mentor |
| 1976 | Mahatmudu | |
| 1976 | Raaja | Gajapathi Varma |
| 1976 | Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club | |
| 1976 | America Ammayi | |
| 1976 | Magaadu | |
| 1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya | |
| 1976 | Seeta Kalyanam | |
| 1977 | Kurukshetram | Drupada |
| 1977 | Yamagola | Indrudu |
| 1977 | Edureeta | |
| 1978 | Vayasu Pilichindi | |
| 1978 | Agent Gopi | Intelligence Chief |
| 1978 | Manavoori Pandavulu | Dharmayya |
| 1978 | Patnavasam | Ramaiah |
| 1978 | Sahasavanthudu | Jumra |
| 1978 | Gorantha Deepam | |
| 1978 | Lawyer Viswanath | |
| 1979 | Yugandhar | Inspector Varma |
| 1979 | Andadu Aagadu | Inspector General of Police |
| 1979 | Korikale Gurralaithe | Jagannatha Rao |
| 1979 | Maa Voori Devatha | Dr. Sanjeeva Rao |
| 1979 | Mande Gundelu | |
| 1979 | Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi | |
| 1980 | Chandipriya | |
| 1980 | Mahalakshmi | Kalidasu |
| 1980 | Vamsa Vruksham | |
| 1980 | Kaali | |
| 1980 | Superman | |
| 1980 | Chukkallo Chandrudu | |
| 1980 | Sarada Ramudu | Raja Rao |
| 1980 | Ram Robert Rahim | Catholic priest |
| 1980 | Prema Tarangalu | Ranga Rao |
| 1981 | Satyabhama | |
| 1981 | Radha Kalyanam | |
| 1981 | Kondaveeti Simham | |
| 1981 | Oorukichina Maata | Pratapa Rao |
| 1981 | Sati Savitri | |
| 1982 | Kaliyuga Ramudu | Peter the Trumpet Player |
| 1982 | Shamsher Shankar | Hanumantha Rao |
| 1982 | Ekalavya | |
| 1982 | Krishnavataram | |
| 1982 | Pratigna | Bhushayya |
| 1982 | Golconda Abbulu | |
| 1983 | Moodu Mullu | Dharmaiah |
| 1983 | Amarajeevi | |
| 1983 | Chattaniki Veyyi Kallu | Raghunath, Commissioner of Police |
| 1983 | Moogavani Paga | Ramaiah |
| 1983 | Puli Debba | Srimannarayana |
| 1983 | Mayagadu | Dr. Rama Rao |
| 1983 | Poratam | Ranganayakulu |
| 1983 | Lanke Bindelu | Kanthaiah |
| 1984 | Sardar | Gangadharam |
| 1984 | Sundari Subbarao | Jagannatham |
| 1985 | America Alludu | Raghava Rao |
| 1985 | Vijetha | Venkayya (guest) |
| 1985 | Mantra Dandam | Vishnu Dutta |
| 1985 | Musugu Donga | Veerayya |
| 1985 | Nyayam Meere Cheppali | |
| 1985 | Pachani Kapuram | Ananda Rao |
| 1986 | Simhasanam | |
| 1986 | Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam | Shyama |
| 1986 | Srimathi Kanuka | |
| 1986 | Vikram | |
| 1986 | Vivaha Bandham | |
| 1986 | Desoddharakudu | |
| 1986 | Santhi Nivasam | Dr. Rao |
| 1986 | Chanakya Sapadham | Sasi's father |
| 1987 | Viswanatha Nayakudu | |
| 1987 | Rotation Chakravarthy | |
| 1988 | Jhansi Rani | |
| 1988 | Ramudu Bheemudu | |
| 1989 | Swathi Chinukulu | |
| 1991 | Alludu Diddina Kapuram | |
| 1993 | Naga Jyothi | |
| 1994 | Mugguru Monagallu | |
| 1994 | Bangaru Kutumbam | |
| 1994 | Atha Kodalu | |
| 1994 | Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru | Headmaster |
| 1996 | Puttinti Gowravam | |
| 1998 | Naga Shakthi | |
| 1998 | Kante Koothurne Kanu | |
| 1999 | Postman | |
| 2003 | Kabirdas | |
| 2003 | Nijam | Narayana Rao |
| 2003 | Satyam | |
| 2003 | Simhachalam | Somayajulu |
| 2003 | Seetayya | |
| 2005 | Dhana 51 | |
| 2007 | Shankar Dada Zindabad | |
| 2008 | Pandurangadu | |

### Other language films

List of Kantha Rao other language film credits :
| Year | Title | Language |
| 1957 | Mahiravana | Kannada |
| 1960 | Ranadheera Kanteerava | Kannada |
| 1960 | Aasha Sundari | Kannada |
| 1961 | Nagarjuna | Kannada |
| 1963 | Valmiki | Kannada |
| 1963 | Manthiri Kumaran | Tamil |
| 1972 | Sree Guruvayoorappan | Malayalam |
| 1974 | Devi Kanyakumari | Malayalam |
| 1975 | Alakh Niranjan | Hindi |
| 1978 | Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu | Tamil |

### Producer

* Saptaswaralu (1969)
* Gandara Gandadu (1969)
* Premajeevulu (1971)
* Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu (1974)
* Swaati Chinukulu (1989)

## Personal life

Rao was married to Suseela and had a daughter in 1942. The daughter died of smallpox during infancy. They had a son in 1945 named after his father as Keshav. He married Hymavathi in 1950 and subsequently Suseela died of illness. His son also died of typhoid fever in his childhood. He has four sons and a daughter by Hymavathi, named Pratap, Keshav, Suseela, Raja and Satyam, in that order.
His son Raja (Rajeswara Rao) has acted in Sudigundalu, Prema Jeevulu, Gandara Gandadu, Gundelu Teesina Monagadu, Swati Chinukulu, Ukku Pidugu, Rajasimha, Evaru Monagadu, Maro Prapancham and Manushulu Matti Bommalu.
His son Satyam also has acted in Saptaswaralu, Prema Jeevulu and Gandara Gandadu. His grandson Sai Eshwar also worked as child artist in Television industry.

## Death

Rao died at Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad on 22 March 2009 due to cancer complications.