Rajendra Prasad | |
|---|---|
 Rajendra Prasad in 2019 | |
| Born | Gadde Babu Rajendra Prasad[1] (1956-07-19)19 July 1956 (age 69)[1] Nimmakuru,Andhra State, India |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse | Vijaya Chamundeswari |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Rama Prabha (mother-in-law) |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2026) |
Gadde Babu Rajendra Prasad (born 19 July 1956) is an Indian actor known for his work predominantly inTelugu cinema. Prasad made his debut in 1977 withSneham and gained recognition withManchu Pallaki (1982). He then went on to star in several successful comedy films such asRendu Rellu Aaru (1986),Ladies Tailor (1986),Aha Naa-Pellanta! (1987),Appula Appa Rao (1992), andMayalodu (1993).[1] He received aNandi Award for Best Actor forErra Mandaram (1991) andAa Naluguru (2004). He has also received anHonorary doctorate fromAndhra University.[2]
In 2012, he starred in the medical thrillerDream, for which he won the Royal Reel Award at theCanada International Film Festival.[3][4] He is fondly called "Nata Kireeti" and has been honored with the title "Hasya Kireeti" by the Telugu Alliances ofCanada, inMississauga.[5] He was also honored to walk the green carpet at theIIFA film festival held in 2009, marking his performance in the English-language film,Quick Gun Murugun.[6]
He is a recipient of four stateNandi Awards, threeSIIMA Awards, and threeSantosham Film Awards. In 2026, he was awarded thePadma Shri, India's fourth highestcivilian honour, for his contribution toIndian cinema.[7]
Prasad was born into a middle-class family, to Gadde Venkata Narayana and Manikyamba, inNimmakuru,Andhra Pradesh. His parents hailed fromDondapadu,Gudivada mandal,Krishna district,Andhra Pradesh.[1][8] His father was a teacher. Prasad graduated with a diploma inceramic engineering before entering the film industry. He joined a company but had to resign from the job because he was too young. After witnessing the shooting ofTatamma Kala, he aspired to join the industry. Upon the suggestion of brothersN.T.R andN. Trivikrama Rao, he joined an acting school.
Prasad is married to Vijaya Chamundeswari. She is the niece and adoptive daughter of film actressRama Prabha. They have a son and a daughter.[9] His daughter Gayatri died on 4 October 2024 due to heart attack.[10]
Prasad made his debut as an actor on the silver screen with the filmSneham (1977), directed byBapu. Initially, he worked as a dubbing artist and played many supporting roles. He played a supporting role in the filmRamarajyamlo Bheemaraju, starringKrishna, which fetched him a chance in 14 films.
He was identified by directorVamsy to play a lead role in his film,Preminchu Pelladu. He rose to fame withVamsy'sLadies Tailor. He continued to act in supporting roles while also playing lead roles. In a career of over 45 years, he acted in more than 200Telugu films and fewTamil films. Prasad has been called agreat comedy actor[11] and is fondly called theKing of Comedy andNatakireeti inAndhra Pradesh.[citation needed]
His collaboration with the directorJandhyala inAha Naa Pellanta established him as an overnight star. He also made successful collaborations with directorsVamsy,E. V. V. Satyanarayana,S. V. Krishna Reddy andRelangi Narasimha Rao. Notably, Relangi made 32 films (out of 70 as a director) with Prasad.
One major role which garnered him a lot of accolades was in the movieAa Naluguru, for which he won the StateNandi Award for the second time in his career.[12] Critically acclaimed films such asMee Sreyobhilashi andOnamalu made him one of the most promising actors in Telugu film industry. He acted asLord Hanuman in the blockbuster multi-star filmDevullu.
In 2009, Prasad played the titular role in the English-language film,Quick Gun Murugun. The film was screened at the London Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, the New York Asian Film Festival and atThe Museum of Modern Art, New York.[13]
He played remarkable characters as supporting artist in films such asJulai,Aagadu,S/O Satyamurthy,Srimanthudu andNannaku Prematho as well as elderly characters in films likeDagudumoota Dandakore.
Telugu people who emigrated abroad would take Prasad's movies along with them, such was the popularity and impact of his films on at least two generations of Telugu people. The then prime ministerP. V. Narasimha Rao too was a huge fan of Prasad.[citation needed]
In 2015, he was elected President of Movie Artist Association (MAA), over actressJayasudha.[14]
His recent film,Senapathi, is currently streaming onAha.[15]
