Dasari Narayana Rao

Dasari Narayana Rao (4 May 1944 – 30 May 2017) was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, dialogue writer, actor, lyricist, and politician known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Television, and Bollywood. He has directed more than one hundred and fifty feature films in a variety of genres. He is known by the moniker Darsaka Ratna (Jewel among directors). His works emphasize social injustice, corruption and gender discrimination. Rao has received three National Film Awards, nine state Nandi Awards including the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and four Filmfare Awards South including the lifetime Achievement. During his career he has also acted in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada languages.

Rao gained national recognition for directing Hindi films such as, Swarg Narak, Jyoti Bane Jwala, Zakhmi Sher, Sarfarosh, Wafadaar, Prem Tapasya, Pyaasa Sawan, Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar, and Asha Jyoti. Rao holds Limca World Record for directing the most number of films. He directed works such as Tandra Paparayudu (1986), and Surigaadu (1992) which were screened at International Film Festival of India in the panorama section, and Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998) which received the National Film Award Special Mention Feature Film. In 1983, he directed Meghasandesam screened at the Indian panorama, Tashkent Film Festival, and Moscow film festival. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

Early life
He launched a popular daily newspaper named Udayam to counter the effect of Ramoji Rao's newspaper Eenadu.

Political career
Dasari was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the year 2006. He became the Minister of state in Ministry of Coal. Said to be a confidante of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Dasari once again became active in politics after Congress Party came back to power in 2004.

On 11 June 2013 Central Bureau of Investigation booked Dasari Narayana Rao for receiving Rs. 2.25 crores from Naveen Jindal in connection with Coalgate scam, and filed FIR against both.

Death
Rao died on 30 May 2017 from prolonged illness, at the age of 73. His last rites were performed with full state honours. His funeral was held at his farmhouse in Moinabad village, Ranga Reddy district, where his wife Padma was cremated.

Awards

 * National Film Awards
 * Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) – Kante Kuthurne Kanu – 1998
 * National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu As Director – Meghasandesam – 1982
 * National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu As Producer – Meghasandesam – 1982


 * Filmfare Awards
 * Best Director – Gorintaku (1979)
 * Best Director – Premabhishekam (1981)
 * Best Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
 * Lifetime Achievement (2001)


 * Nandi Awards
 * NTR National Award
 * Raghupathi Venkaiah Award - 1990
 * Best Actor – Mestri (2009)
 * Best Actor – Mamagaru (1991)
 * Best Feature Film – Kante Kuthurne Kanu (1998)
 * Best Director - ''Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998)
 * Best Feature Film – Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
 * Best Feature Film – Meghasandesam (1982)
 * Best Feature Film – Swargam Narakam (1975)
 * Best Feature Film – Samsaram Sagaram (1973)
 * Best Feature Film – Tata Manavadu (1972)
 * Best Story - Nanna Garu (1994)
 * Best Story - Kante Kooturne Kanu (1998)


 * Special Jury – Premabhishekam (1981)
 * Nandi Award for Best Dialogue Writer – M.L.A. Yedukondalu (1983)


 * 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

Director

 * Films


 * 1) Tata Manavadu (1972)
 * 2) Samsaram Sagaram (1973)
 * 3) Bantrotu Bharya (1974)
 * 4) Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teere (1974)
 * 5) Radhamma Pelli (1974)
 * 6) Tirupati (1974)
 * 7) Swargam Narakam (1975)
 * 8) Balipeetam (1975)
 * 9) Bharatamlo Oka Ammayi (1975)
 * 10) Devude Digi Vaste (1975)
 * 11) Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
 * 12) Muddabanti Puvvu (1976)
 * 13) O Manishi Tirigi Choodu (1976)
 * 14) Thoorpu Padamara (1976)
 * 15) Yavvanam Katesindi (1976)
 * 16) Paadavoyi Bharateeyuda (1976)
 * 17) Bangarakka (1977)
 * 18) Chillarakottu Chittemma (1977)
 * 19) Idekkadi Nyayam (1977)
 * 20) Jeevitame Oka Natakam (1977)
 * 21) Kanya Kumari (1978)
 * 22) Devadasu Malli Puttadu (1978)
 * 23) Katakataala Rudraiah (1978)
 * 24) Sivaranjani (1978)
 * 25) Swarag Narak (1978)*
 * 26) Gorintaku (1979)
 * 27) Kalyani (1979)
 * 28) Korikale Gurralayite? (1979)
 * 29) Needa (1979)
 * 30) Peddillu Chinnillu (1979)
 * 31) Ravanude Ramudayithe? (1979)
 * 32) Rangoon Rowdy (1979)
 * 33) Yeh Kaisa Insaf (1980)*
 * 34) Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980)*
 * 35) Bandodu Gundamma (1980)
 * 36) Bhola Shankarudu (1980)
 * 37) Buchi Babu (1980)
 * 38) Circus Ramudu (1980)
 * 39) Deeparadhana (1980)
 * 40) Yedanthasthula Meda (1980)
 * 41) Ketugaadu (1980)
 * 42) Natchathiram (1980 - Tamil)
 * 43) Paalu Neellu (1980)
 * 44) Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980)
 * 45) Sita Ramulu (1980)
 * 46) Srivari Muchatlu (1980)
 * 47) Viswaroopam (1981)
 * 48) Swapna (1981)
 * 49) Pyaasa Sawan (1981)*
 * 50) Sangeeta (1981)
 * 51) Addala Meda (1981)
 * 52) Premabhishekam (1981)
 * 53) Prema Mandiram (1981)
 * 54) Bobbili Puli (1982)
 * 55) Golconda Abbulu (1982)
 * 56) Jagannatha Rathachakralu (1982)
 * 57) Jayasudha (1982)
 * 58) Krishnarjunulu (1982)
 * 59) Mehndi Rang Layegi (1982)*
 * 60) O Aadadi O Magadu (1982)
 * 61) Raaga Deepam (1982)
 * 62) Swayamvaram (1982)
 * 63) Yuvaraju (1982)
 * 64) Prem Tapasya (1983)*
 * 65) Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
 * 66) Meghasandesam (1983)
 * 67) M.L.A. Yedukondalu (1983)
 * 68) Police Venkataswami (1983)
 * 69) Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu (1983)
 * 70) Rudrakali (1983)
 * 71) Oorantha Sankranthi (1983)
 * 72) Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984)*
 * 73) Asha Jyoti (1984)*
 * 74) Haisiyat (1984)*
 * 75) Yaadgaar (1984)*
 * 76) Zakhmi Sher (1984)*
 * 77) Abhimanyudu (1984)
 * 78) Jagan (1984)
 * 79) Justice Chakravarthy (1984)
 * 80) Police Papanna (1984)
 * 81) Yuddham (1984)
 * 82) Police Paapanna (1984)
 * 83) Sarfarosh (1985)*
 * 84) Wafadaar (1985)*
 * 85) Brahma Mudi (1985)
 * 86) Edadugula Bandham (1985)
 * 87) Lanchavataram (1985)
 * 88) Pelli Meeku Akshintalu Naaku (1985)
 * 89) Tirugubatu (1985)
 * 90) Aadi Dampatulu (1986)
 * 91) Dharma Peetham Daddarillindi (1986)
 * 92) Tandra Paparayudu (1986)
 * 93) Ugra Narasimham (1986)
 * 94) Aatma Bandhuvulu (1987)
 * 95) Brahma Nayudu (1987)
 * 96) Majnu (1987)
 * 97) Nene Raju Nene Mantri (1987)
 * 98) Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987)
 * 99) Brahma Puthrudu (1988)
 * 100) Intinti Bhagavatam (1988)
 * 101) Kanchana Sita (1988)
 * 102) Praja Pratinidhi (1988)
 * 103) Lankeswarudu (1989)
 * 104) Black Tiger (1989)
 * 105) Naa Mogudu Naake Sontam (1989)
 * 106) Two Town Rowdy (1989)
 * 107) Abhisarika (1990)
 * 108) Amma Rajinama (1991)
 * 109) Niyanta (1991)
 * 110) Ramudu Kadu Rakshasudu (1991)
 * 111) Ahankaari (1992)
 * 112) Surigaadu (1992)
 * 113) Subba Rayudi Pelli (1992)
 * 114) Venkanna Babu (1992)
 * 115) Lady Inspector Renuka (1993)
 * 116) Santaan (1993)*
 * 117) Akka Pettanam Chelleli Kapuram (1993)
 * 118) Kunti Putrudu (1993)
 * 119) Mama Kodalu (1993)
 * 120) Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
 * 121) Nannagaaru (1994)
 * 122) Kondapalli Rattaiah (1995)
 * 123) Maya Bazaar (1995)
 * 124) Orey Rickshaw (1995)
 * 125) Kalyana Praptirastu (1996)
 * 126) Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (1996)
 * 127) Osey Ramulamma (1997)
 * 128) Rowdy Durbar (1997)
 * 129) Greeku Veerudu (1998)
 * 130) Pichchodi Chetilo Raayi (1999)
 * 131) Adavi Chukka (2000)
 * 132) Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
 * 133) Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
 * 134) Chinna (2001)
 * 135) Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
 * 136) Rifles (2002)
 * 137) Fools (2003)
 * 138) Young India (2010)
 * 139) Parama Veera Chakra (2011)
 * 140) Erra Bus (2014)

(Hindi Films are marked as *)


 * TV series
 * Vishwamitra (1995)

Actor

 * Manavati (1952)
 * Swargam Narakam (1975)
 * Yavvanam Katesindi (1976)
 * Sivaranjani (1978)
 * Peddillu Chinnillu (1979)
 * Bhola Shankarudu (1980)
 * Paalu Neellu (1980)
 * Addala Meda (1981)
 * Jayasudha (1982)
 * Swayamvaram (1982)
 * Yuvaraju (1982)
 * Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
 * M.L.A. Yedukondalu (1983)
 * Police Venkataswami (1983)
 * Oorantaa Sankranti (1983)
 * Jagan (1984)
 * Police Papanna (1984)
 * Lanchavataram (1985)
 * Aatma Bandhuvulu (1987)
 * Rotation Chakravarti (1987)
 * Intinti Bhagavatam (1988)
 * Naa Mogudu Naake Sontam (1989)
 * Mama Alludu (1990)
 * Amma Rajinama (1991)
 * Surigaadu (1992)
 * Mamagaaru (1991)
 * Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu (1991)
 * Venkanna Babu (1992)
 * Raguluthunna Bharatham (1992)
 * Pellam Chaatuna Mogudu (1992)
 * Parvatalu Panakalu (1992)
 * Chinnalludu (1993)
 * Mama Kodalu (1993)
 * Ladies Special (1993)
 * Mudhal Paadal (1993; Tamil)
 * Bangaru Kutumbam (1994)
 * Nannagaaru (1994)
 * Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam (1994)
 * O Tandri O Koduku (1994)
 * Kondapalli Rattaiah (1995)
 * Maya Bazaar (1995)
 * Orey Rickshaw (1995)
 * Subhamastu (1995)
 * Mayadari Kutumbam (1995)
 * Madhya Taragati Mahabharatam (1995)
 * Premaku Padi Sutralu (1995)
 * Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (1996)
 * Osey Ramulamma (1997)
 * Hitler (1997)
 * Rukmini (1997)
 * Deergha Sumangalibhava (1998)
 * Greeku Veerudu (1998)
 * Subba Rajugaari Kutumbam (1998)
 * Pichchodi Chetilo Raayi (1999)
 * Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
 * Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
 * Chinna (2001)
 * Adhipathi (2001)
 * Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
 * Fools (2003)
 * Mestri (2009)
 * Young India (2010)
 * Jhummandi Naadam (2010)
 * Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda (2014)
 * Erra Bus (2014)

Writer only

 * Mohammed-bin-Tughluq (1972)
 * Hantakulu Devantakulu (1972)
 * Matrimoorti (1972)
 * Panjaramlo Pasipapa (1973)
 * Kudi Edama Ayite (1979)
 * Bangaaru Koduku (1982)
 * Nampally Nagu (1986)
 * Rotation Chakravarti (1987)
 * Aadivaram Aadavallaku Selavu (2007)
 * Maisamma IPS (2007)
 * Aadi Vishnu (2008)
 * Mestri (2009)
 * Bangaru Babu (2009)

Producer

 * Films


 * Sivaranjani (1978)
 * Sujata (1980)
 * Jayasudha (1982)
 * Meghasandesam (1982)
 * Bahudoorapu Batasari (1983)
 * Justice Chakravarthy (1984)
 * Pelli Neeku Akshintalu Naaku (1985)
 * Ugra Narasimham (1986)
 * Majnu (1987)
 * Rotation Chakravarti (1987)
 * Ayyappa Swami Janma Rahasyam (1987)
 * Intinti Bhagavatam (1988)
 * Mama Alludu (1990)
 * Orey Rickshaw (1995)
 * Rayudugaru Nayudugaru (1996)
 * Rowdy Durbar (1997)
 * Osey Ramulamma (1997)
 * Greeku Veerudu (1998)
 * Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
 * Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
 * Chinna (2001)
 * Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
 * Rifles (2002)
 * Bangaru Babu (2009)


 * TV series
 * Abhishekam (ETV)
 * Gokulamlo Sita (ETV)

Choreographer

 * Young India (2010)

Lyricist

 * Oke Kutumbam (1970)
 * Manushulanta Okkate (1976)
 * Buchchi Babu (1980)
 * Sita Ramulu (1980)
 * Viswaroopam (1981)
 * Swapna (1981)
 * Swayamvaram (1982)
 * Yuvaraju (1982)
 * Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu (1983)
 * Yuddham (1984)
 * Ugra Narasimham (1986)
 * Manavudu Danavudu (1986)
 * Majnu (1987)
 * Brahma Puthrudu (1988)
 * Lankeswarudu (1989)
 * Surigaadu (1992)
 * Greeku Veerudu (1998)
 * Kante Koothurne Kanu (2000)
 * Sammakka Sarakka (2000)
 * Maisamma IPS (2007)

Associate director

 * Oke Kutumbam (1970)
 * Vintha Samsaram (1971)