Dasari Narayana Rao was a versatile personality and doyen of South Indian film industry. A renown face of Telugu cinema, he was also an active politician. During his lifetime he directed about 150 films. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the year 2006 and served as a minister during the United Progressive Alliance-1 regime. He also ran a vernacular daily Udayam.
Born in 1942, Dasari Narayana Rao began his career as a filmmaker and soon emerged as one of the most successful director of Telugu cinema. Recipient of two National Film Awards, he worked with legendary actors like N T Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. As a filmmaker he has directed more than 150 films in a variety of genres. His name has been mention in Guinness Book of Records for directing most numbers of film in vernacular languages. He is best known films like Premabhishekam, Meghasandesam, Osey Ramulamma and Tata Manavadu. As a filmaker he won won many prestigious awards, including the National Awards, Nandi Awards and the Filmfare Awards.
National Film Awards
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Meghasandesam – 1982
Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) – Kante Kuthurne Kanu – 1998
Filmfare Awards
Best Director – Gorintaku (1979)
Best Director – Premabhishekam (1981)
Best Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
Lifetime Achievement (2001)
Nandi Awards
Best Feature Film – Tata Manavadu (1972)
Best Feature Film – Samsaram Sagaram (1973)
Best Feature Film – Swargam Narakam (1975)
Special Jury – Premabhishekam (1981)
Best Feature Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
Best Actor – Mamagaru (1991)
Best Feature Film – Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
Best Feature Film – Kante Kuthurne Kanu (1998)
Best Actor – Mestri (2009)
NTR National Award
CineMAA Awards
Lifetime Contribution – 2003
Other honours
Vamsee Berkeley, Kalasagar, Siromani, Madras Film Fans Awards and Cine Herald Awards
Jyothi Chitra Super Director Award – six times
Ancient Andhra Patrika Best Director Award – six times
Sobhan Babu first memorial award in 2009
Bollimunta Sivaramakrishna Sahithi Kala Award-2016
Doctorate "Kalaprapoorna" from Andhra University for his contribution to Telugu Culture and Telugu Cinema in 1986
Dasari Narayana Rao was also a successful politician and prominent face of South Indian politics. A close confidante of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he became the Minister of state in Ministry of Coal during the United Progressive Alliance-1 regime. A knowledgeable person, he also contributed in the field of journalism and launched a vernacular daily Udayam. As a Minister he is credited for developing Tolkatta village of Moinabad.
Illness and Death
Rao died after a prolonged illness on on 30 May 2017 in Hyderabad. He was 75. Messages of condolence were shared by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, N Chandrababu Naidu and many others.
Rajinikanth: Shri Dasari Narayana Raoji, my dearest & closest well-wisher & friend.....One of the greatest directors of india....His demise is a loss to the whole indian film industry. My heartfelt condolances to his family. May his soul RIP.
#RIP #DasariNarayanaRao ji
Kamal Haasan: I remember the days spent with Narayan rao gaaru and Mr. Sanjeev kumar ji. Yaadgaar. He was a great fan of Mr.KB. I belong to a great family
My sympathy and condolences to the family of Daasari NaryaNa rao.His loss is truly a big loss for Telugu cinema. Late K.B. sir admired him
Rahul Gandhi: In the passing of Dasari Narayana Rao garu, Telugu cinema has lost a stalwart. A veteran filmmaker and former minister, his loss will be deeply mourned
N Chandrababu Naidu: Deeply shocked by the sudden demise of Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao. The Telugu community & film industry have lost a pillar today.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy: Deeply saddened to know of the demise of Dasari NarayanaRao garu, an Indian cinema legend. Heartfelt condolences to his family members.
Allu Sirish: RIP Dasari Narayana Rao garu. One of the daring & bold voices of Telugu society. Fortunate to have have spent time with him last year.
Kajal Aggarwal: Deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Dasari NarayanaRao garu, a great soul and legend! My heartfelt condolence. RIP sir
Mahesh Babu: Shocked and saddened by the news of Dasari Narayana Rao Garu's passing away. May his soul rest in peace.
Trisha Krishnan: The person who treated me just the same during my first film and my 50th Such a tremendous loss. Rip Dasari sir ??
Akhil Akkineni: RIP Dasari Narayana Rao Garu. The film fraternity loses a pillar which can't be replaced. Peace to his soul and strength to his family.
Hansika: Shocked! This is heart breaking, a huge loss to all of us!my deepest condolences to his http://family.RIP #Dasari garu. Prayers
Entire Nation
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amar mallipudi (Fan)
Dasari Narayana Rao was a LEGEND IN ANY SKILL