Sakshi Ranga Rao

Sakshi Ranga Rao (15 September 1942 – 27 June 2005) was a character actor in theater arts and South Indian cinema.

He was born to Lakshmi Narayana and Ranganayakamma as Rangavajhula Ranga Rao of Kondiparru village near Gudivada. He began his career as a stenographer in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He showed passion for theater arts and performed poignant roles on stage. He began his film career with Sakshi in 1967 directed by Bapu. Then onwards, he became known as Sakshi Ranga Rai, also to differentiate himself from S. V. Ranga Rao. He acted in about 450 films over about four decades. The majority of them were comedies.

He had the distinction of acting in most of the Telugu film directed by K. Vishwanath, Bapu and Vamsi. He has acted in successful films like Sirivennela, Swarna Kamalam, April 1st Vidudhala, Joker and Swarabhishekam.

He died after a prolonged illness in 2005 in Chennai at the age of 63 years. Incidentally, it was on stage that Rao collapsed on 5 May 2005 during a rehearsal for the Gurazada play, 'Kanyasulkam'. The apparent cause of his death was diabetes and associated kidney failure. Television actor Saakshi Siva is his youngest son.

Filmography

 * 1) Saakshi (1967) (debut film)
 * 2) Sudigundaalu (1967) as Gumasta
 * 3) Buddhimanthudu (1969)
 * 4) Balaraju Katha (1970)
 * 5) Dharma Daata (1970)
 * 6) Mattilo Manikyam (1971)
 * 7) Kalam Marindi (1972)
 * 8) Andala Ramudu (1973) as Subba Rao's father-in-law
 * 9) Bhakta Tukaram (1973)
 * 10) Muthyala Muggu (1975)
 * 11) Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
 * 12) Amara Deepam (1977) as  Manager
 * 13) Manushulu Chesina Dongalu (1977)
 * 14) Devathalara Deevinchandi (1977)
 * 15) Seetamalakshmi (1978)
 * 16) Siri Siri Muvva (1978)
 * 17) Vayasu Pilichindi (1978)
 * 18) Sankarabharanam (1979)
 * 19) Thoorpu Velle Railu (1979)
 * 20) Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi (1980)
 * 21) Saptapadhi (1980)
 * 22) Subhodayam (1980)
 * 23) Amavasya Chandrudu (1981)
 * 24) Radha Kalyanam (1981)
 * 25) Thyagayya (1981)
 * 26) Manchu Pallaki (1982) at Gita's father
 * 27) Subhalekha (1982)
 * 28) Kalavari Samsaram (1982)  as Subbaramaiah
 * 29) Nelavanka (1983)
 * 30) Rendu Jella Sita (1983)
 * 31) Sagara Sangamam (1983)
 * 32) Sitaara (1983)
 * 33) Janani Janmabhoomi (1984)
 * 34) Chattamtho Poratam (1985)
 * 35) Mogudu Pellalu (1985)
 * 36) Rendu Rella Aaru (1985)
 * 37) Chantabbai (1986)
 * 38) Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986)
 * 39) Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986)
 * 40) Sirivennela (1986)
 * 41) Sankeerthana (1987)
 * 42) Sruthi Layalu (1987)
 * 43) Janaki Ramudu (1988)
 * 44) Swarna Kamalam (1988)
 * 45) Eeshwar (1989)
 * 46) Sutradhaarulu (1990)
 * 47) Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam (1991)
 * 48) Pelli Pustakam (1991)
 * 49) April 1st Vidudhala (1991)
 * 50) Karthavyam (1991) as Constable Ranganayakulu
 * 51) Shanti Kranti (1991)
 * 52) Gharana Mogudu (1992) as  Bhawani's father
 * 53) Swathi Kiranam (1992)
 * 54) Aa Okkati Adakku (1993) as Pellilla Peraiah
 * 55) Detective Naarada (1993)
 * 56) Joker (1993)
 * 57) Kunti Puthrudu (1993)
 * 58) Yamaleela (1994)
 * 59) Vajram (1995)
 * 60) Linga Babu Love Story (1995)
 * 61) Subha Sankalpam (1995)
 * 62) Swarabhishekam (2004)
 * 63) Vijay IPS (2006)