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Krishnam Raju | |
|---|---|
 Raju in 2016 | |
| Minister of State Government of India | |
| In office 30 September 2000 – 22 May 2004 | |
Ministry | Term |
| Minister of Rural Development | 29 January 2003 – 22 May 2004 |
| Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution | 1 July 2002 – 29 January 2003 |
| Minister of Defence | 22 July 2001 – 1 July 2002 |
| Minister of External Affairs | 30 September 2000 – 22 July 2001 |
| Member of Parliament Lok Sabha | |
| In office 6 October 1999 – 16 May 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Kanumuru Bapi Raju |
| Succeeded by | Chegondi Venkata Harirama Jogaiah |
| Constituency | Narasapuram |
| In office 10 March 1998 – 26 April 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Gopal Krishna Thota |
| Succeeded by | Mudragada Padmanabham |
| Constituency | Kakinada |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju[1] (1940-01-20)20 January 1940 |
| Died | 11 September 2022(2022-09-11) (aged 82) |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Other political affiliations | Praja Rajyam Party |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | U. Suryanarayana Raju (brother) Prabhas (nephew) |
| Occupation | Actor, politician |
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju (20 January 1940 – 11 September 2022) was an Indian actor and politician. He was known for his works inTelugu cinema and was widely known as "Rebel Star" for his rebellious acting style. He was also the winner of the inauguralNandi Award for Best Actor. Krishnam Raju starred in more than 183 feature films in his career.[2] He made his film debut with the 1966 filmChilaka Gorinka produced and directed byK. Pratyagatma. Krishnam Raju had won fiveFilmfare Awards South and four stateNandi Awards. Krishnam Raju was also an activepolitician.[3][4]
Krishnam Raju acted in several successful films such asJeevana Tarangalu (1973),Krishnaveni (1974),Bhakta Kannappa (1976),Amara Deepam (1977),Sati Savitri (1978),Katakatala Rudrayya (1978),Mana Voori Pandavulu (1978),Rangoon Rowdy (1979),Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu (1979),Sita Ramulu (1980),Taxi Driver (1981),Trisulam (1982),Dharmaatmudu (1983),Bobbili Brahmanna (1984),Tandra Paprayudu (1986),Marana Sasanam (1987),Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987),Antima Theerpu (1988),Bava Bavamaridi (1993),Palnati Pourusham (1994).
In the late 1990s, he became active in politics. He joinedBharatiya Janata Party and was elected to the 12th and 13thLok Sabha fromKakinada andNarasapuram constituencies. He served as aMinister of State for theMinistry of External Affairs in thethird Vajpayee Ministry from 1999 to 2004. In March 2009, he joinedPraja Rajyam Party, founded byChiranjeevi. In the2009 general elections, he contested theMP seat from theRajahmundry constituency and lost.
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju was born inMogalthur,West Godavari district, on 20 January 1940, to Uppalapati Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Raju.[1] He completed his early education at Government Boys School in Mogalthur and later at Taylor's High School, inNarasapuram,Andhra Pradesh. He graduated with aB.Com, from Badruka College, inHyderabad,Telangana.[5] Krishnam Raju was first married to Sitadevi, who died.[6][7] He married Shyamaladevi, in 1996, with whom he had three daughters.[1]
Film producer,Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju, was his younger brother and actorPrabhas' father. Prabhas is his nephew. Another nephew of his, Siddharth Rajkumar, made his acting debut withKeratam (2011).[8] Krishnam Raju worked as a journalist for theAndhra Ratna. He was awarded the second best photographer at the state level. He was fond of cameras and had a collection of cameras. He was the founder of Gopi Krishna Movies.[9] At a later age, he suffered from multiple illnesses likeHeart rhythm disorder, heart dysfunction,diabetes mellitus,coronary heart disease, chronic lung disease,andchronic bronchitis.[10]
Krishnam Raju enteredTollywood in 1966 with the filmChilaka Gorinka directed byKotayya Pratyagatma alongsideKrishna Kumari. The film wonNandi Award for Best Feature Film - Silver for that year, however, the film did not produce the expected results for Raju.[11] Later he acted in the mythological filmSri Krishnavataram (1967) which also starsN. T. Rama Rao. In 1968, he appeared inNenante Nene. He was at first reluctant to act in the film given the role is of an antagonist and that he debuted in films in a protagonist role. Upon being advised by his peers and co-actors to gain exposure to a diversified character, he took on the role. The film turned out successful. He subsequently received several offers for antagonist roles following the critical praise he garnered in the role. He took upon a few films and later returned to protagonist roles.[12][11] He acted in many films with the established actors N. T. Rama Rao andAkkineni Nageswara Rao. He also acted in many films with the established actresses Krishna Kumari,Rajasulochana,Jamuna, andKanchana.[citation needed]
Krishnam Raju acted alongsideKanchana inNenante Nene (1968) and set the trend of handsome villains. Later, he acted inBhale Abbayilu (1969), the Telugu remake ofYash Chopra's 1965 filmWaqt. Later he acted in films such asBuddhimantudu (1969),Manushulu Marali (1969),Malli Pelli (1970), andJai Jawan (1970). He acted opposite Bollywood actressRekha inAmma Kosam (1970) which was her first film as an actress. Later he acted in films such asAnuradha,Bhagyavantudu(1971), andBangaaru Talli (1971), the remake of the critically acclaimed 1957 Hindi filmMother India. Later he acted in films such asMuhammad- bin-Tughluq (1972) portraying the role ofIslamic scholarIbn Battuta,Raj Mahal (1972),Hantakulu Devaantakulu (1972) oppositeRajasulochana,Manavudu Danavudu (1972) oppositeKrishna Kumari,Neeti-Nijayiti (1972) opposite Kanchana andVintha Dampatulu (1972) oppositeJamuna. Later he acted in films such asBadi Panthulu (1972),Bala Mitrula Katha (1972),Jeevana Tarangalu (1973), andKanna Koduku (1973). In most of the films, he acted as an antihero, villain, and supporting roles and in leadership roles in a few films.
Krishnam Raju acted inBantrothu Bharya which marks the first collaboration of Krishnam Raju withDasari Narayana Rao. Later he acted in the critically acclaimed filmKrishnaveni oppositeVanisri directed byV. Madhusudhana Rao. The film marks the debut of Krishnam Raju as a producer, the film was produced under his own production house Gopi Krishna Movies. Later he acted inParivartana opposite Jamuna, Kanchana andLakshmi, andBharati opposite Jamuna,Iddaru Iddare, andYavvanam Katesindi. Later he acted inBhakta Kannappa portraying the roles ofArjuna andKannappa Nayanar directed byBapu which is the unique Telugu film to win theNational Film Award for Best Audiography. Later he acted in thecrimedramaManchiki Maro Peru. Later he acted inKurukshetram portraying the role ofKarna directed byKamalakara Kameswara Rao. Later he acted inAmara Deepam which marks the first collaboration of Krishnam Raju withK. Raghavendra Rao. The film earned himFilmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) andNandi Award for Best Actor for the year 1977. Later he acted in films such asJeevana Teeralu,Manushulu Chesina Dongalu, andSati Savitri. Later he acted in the lavishly madeKatakatala Rudrayya which grossed₹75 lakh (US$89,000) made on a budget of₹18 lakh (US$21,000). Later he acted inMana Voori Pandavulu which was produced by him and Jaya Krishna. The film garneredFilmfare Best Film Award (Telugu) for the year 1978 and Krishnam Raju shared the award with Jaya Krishna.Katakataala Rudraiah andMana Voori Pandavulu was released within a gap of 10 days and both films became blockbusters.[13] Later he acted in films such asRamabanam,Andadu Aagadu in which he acts in a role of aspy which is parallel toJames Bond, which became a smash hit. Later he acted inRangoon Rowdy,Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu portraying the role ofLord Shiva. Later he acted in films such asShivamettina Satyam,Kalyana Chakravarti, andAlludu Pattina Bharatam which were directed byK. Viswanath. Later he acted inSita Ramulu,Bebbuli, andPrema Tarangalu, the Telugu remake of the 1978 Bollywood blockbusterMuqaddar Ka Sikandar. In 1981, he acted inAadavaallu Meeku Joharlu directed byK. Balachander. In the same year, he acted inAgni Poolu which was based onYaddanapudi Sulochana Rani'snovel of the same name. Later he acted in the musical hit,Puli Bidda,Taxi Driver,Ragile Jwala,Guvvala Janta,Rama Lakshmanulu,Madhura Swapnam,Talli Kodukula Anubandham,Nipputo Chelagaatam,Golconda Abbulu,Jaggu,Pralaya Rudrudu, and critically acclaimedTrisulam. Later he acted inNijam Chebite Nerama!,Adavi Simhalu,Puli Bebbuli,Kotikokkadu andDharmaatmudu.
In 1984, Krishnam Raju acted inYuddham,Sardar,Babulugaadi Debba,Kondaveeti Nagulu andS. P. Bhayankar. Later, he acted in the Tollywood industrial hitBobbili Brahmanna which earned himFilmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) andNandi Award for Best Actor.[14] He also remade the film in Hindi asDharm Adhikari withDilip Kumar andJeetendra in 1986. Later, he acted in films such asRaraju,Bharatamlo Shankaravam,Rowdy,Bandee,Tirugubatu,Aggi Raju,Bullet,Ukku Manishi,Ravana Brahma,Neti Yugadharmam, andUgra Narasimham. In 1986, he acted inTandra Paparayudu portraying the role ofTandra Paparayudu which earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award for the year 1986. The film premiered at the 11thInternational Film Festival of India. Later, he acted in films such asSardar Dharmanna andMarana Shasanam which earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award for the year 1987. In 1987, he acted inBrahma Nayudu,Viswanatha Nayakudu portraying the role ofSrikrishnadevaraya. Later, he acted in films such asMaarana Homam,Kirai Dada,Maa Inti Maha Raju,Antima Teerpu,Prithvi Raj,Prachanda Bharatam,Dharma Teja,Prana Snehitulu,Simha Swapnam,Shri Ramachandrudu,Bhagawan,Two Town Rowdy,Yama Dharma Raju andNeti Siddhartha.
In 1991, Krishnam Raju acted inVidhata,Bava Bavamaridi,Jailor Gaari Abbayi,Andaroo Andare, andGangmaster. In 1994, he acted inPalnati Pourusham & this film was a super hit at the box office. Later, he acted inRikshaw Rudraiah,Simha Garjana,Nayudugaari Kutumbam,Tata Manavadu,Kutumba Gowravam, andMaa Nannaku Pelli which wonNandi Award for Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film. In 1997, he enteredSandalwood and acted in two Kannada films vizHai Bangalore andSimhada Mari. Later he acted inSultan,Vamsoddharakudu, andNeeku Nenu Naaku Nuvvu which won Nandi Award for Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film. Later he acted inRaam andBilla, a film of theDon film series, and acted withPrabhas for the first time. Later he acted inThakita Thakita andRebel.Billa marks the second innings of his production house, Gopi Krishna Movies. Krishnam Raju said in an interview that he would produce films continuously under the banner. Later he acted inChandee,Yevade Subramanyam, and the first Indian3Dhistorical film,Rudhramadevi where he portrays the role of Ganapati Devudu, father ofRudrama Devi. Raju's last film wasRadhe Shyam (2022), in which he played the role of Paramahamsa.[15]
He contested an unsuccessful election in 1992 fromNarasapuram on aCongress ticket. After a brief hibernation, he rejoined politics, accepting an invitation from theBharatiya Janata Party. He won the1998 Lok Sabha elections fromKakinada. He set a record with a thumping majority of over 165,000 votes, the maximum majority compared to any of the other constituencies inAndhra Pradesh which ensured him a berth at the centre. He was on the advisory committees of theInformation and Broadcasting andCommerce and Industry Ministries during 1998–99.
The Ban on Cow Slaughter Bill, 1999 was introduced in the Lok Sabha byYogi Adityanath which provided for a complete prohibition on the slaughter of cows for all purposes. The statement of objects and reasons appended to the Bill stated, "Article 48 of the Constitution enjoins on the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and in particular to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds and prohibiting the slaughter of cow and its progeny. Given the consideration that the cow and its entire progeny must be saved to provide milk, as well as manure, it becomes imperative to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter."
In 2000, Krishnam Raju moved a motion in theLok Sabha for the introduction of The Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Bill, 2000 with the following statement of objects and reasons, "Article 48 of theConstitution enjoins upon the State to organiseagriculture andanimal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and in particular to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds and prohibiting theslaughter of cow and its progeny.G. M. Banatwala, raised the issue regarding the legislative competence ofParliament to enact legislation on the subject. Banatwala referred to the opinion given by the thenAttorney General,M.C. Setalvad in the Lok Sabha on 1 April 1984 on the issue, to the effect that it was outside the legislative competence of that House to come forward with any Bill concerning the organisation of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. However, the Chairman of the Lok Sabha in his ruling on the point raised by Banatwala inter alia observed that the Chair does not decide whether the Bill is constitutionally within the legislative competence of the House or not. Further, the House also does not take a decision on the specific question of vires of the Bill. The motion moved by was, therefore, put to the vote of the House and adopted. Accordingly, the Chair permitted the introduction of the Bill by Krishnam Raju."[16]
Raju died on 11 September 2022, at the age of 82, from bacterial and fungalpneumonia followed bycardiac arrest, at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Hospitals in Hyderabad, India, which he entered for post-COVID-19 issues on 5 August 2022.[10][17]
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Amara Deepam | Shri Krishna / Hari |
| 1984 | Bobbili Brahmanna | Brahmanna / Ravi |
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Jailor Gaari Abbayi | Jailor Chakrapani |
| International | |
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| National | |
