Dasari Narayana Rao
Dasari Narayana Rao (4 May 1942 – 30 May 2017) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, producer, lyricist, and politician, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema.[1] Over his four decade career, he directed more than 150 feature films, earning a Limca World Record for directing the most films in the world.[2] He was known by the epithet "Darsaka Ratna" ("Jewel among directors") and was recognized for addressing social issues such as gender discrimination, casteism, corruption and injustice through his films. Narayana Rao received numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards, 16 Nandi Awards including the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and five Filmfare Awards South including the Lifetime Achievement. In addition to his work in Telugu cinema, Narayana Rao directed notable Hindi films like Swarag Narak (1978), Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980), Aaj Kaa M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984), Asha Jyoti (1984) and others.[3][4] He directed works such as Tandra Paparayudu (1986), and Surigaadu (1992) which were screened at International Film Festival of India in the Panorama section,[5][6] and Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998) which received the National Film Award Special Mention Feature Film in addition to a Kannada films.
Dasari Narayana Rao

Pallekarthik · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Dasari Narayana Rao
- Born
- 4 May 1942
- Birthplace
- Palakollu, Madras Presidency, British India
- Died
- 30 May 2017
- Place of death
- Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Occupation
- * Film director
- Spouse
- Dasari Padma
- Awards
- National Film Awards
- Nationality
- British Raj, India and Dominion of India.
- Education
- Sri Y N College.
- Honours
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.
- Languages
- Telugu.
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Dasari Narayana Rao (4 May 1942 – 30 May 2017) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, producer, lyricist, and politician, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema.[1] Over his four decade career, he directed more than 150 feature films, earning a Limca World Record for directing the most films in the world.[2] He was known by the epithet "Darsaka Ratna" ("Jewel among directors") and was recognized for addressing social issues such as gender discrimination, casteism, corruption and injustice through his films. Narayana Rao received numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards, 16 Nandi Awards including the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and five Filmfare Awards South including the Lifetime Achievement. In addition to his work in Telugu cinema, Narayana Rao directed notable Hindi films like Swarag Narak (1978), Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980), Aaj Kaa M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984), Asha Jyoti (1984) and others.[3][4] He directed works such as Tandra Paparayudu (1986), and Surigaadu (1992) which were screened at International Film Festival of India in the Panorama section,[5][6] and Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998) which received the National Film Award Special Mention Feature Film in addition to a Kannada films.
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Dasari Narayana Rao (died 2017) was an actor, choreographer and film director, among other activities, a national of the British Raj and the Dominion of India. The actor was born in Palakollu and died in Hyderabad.
Dasari Narayana Rao was educated at Sri Y N College. The actor held the position of member of Rajya Sabha.
Languages used include Telugu. Honours include Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South and Raghupathi Venkaiah Award.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 29 September 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
In 1983, he directed Meghasandesam which screened at the Indian Panorama, the Tashkent Film Festival, and the Moscow film festival. The film also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.[7][8] During his career he also acted in several Telugu and Tamil films.[9] He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the year 2000 and served as the Minister of state for Coal[13] in the Manmohan Singh government.

Avanthika Movie Team with Director Dasari Narayana Rao (Movie director Sriraj, Producer Thummalapalli Ramasathyanaraya, Herohin Poorna, Director Relangi Narasimharao, Producer C. Kalyan)
Pranayraj1985

Avanthika Movie Opening by Director Dasari Narayana Rao
Pranayraj1985
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Dasari Narayana Rao • Office — Minister of State for Coal and Mines • Term Start — 23 May 2004 • Term End — 27 November 2004 • Succeeded — Himself • Preceded — Prahlad Singh Patel • Prime Minister — Manmohan Singh • Office1 — Minister of State for Coal • Term Start1 — 27 November 2004 • Term End1 — 6 April 2008 • Succeeded1 — Santosh Bagrodia • Preceded1 — Himself • Prime Minister1 — Manmohan Singh • Office2 — Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha • Term Start2 — 3 April 2000 • Term End2 — 2 April 2012 • Constituency2 — Andhra Pradesh • Born — 4 May 1942 • Birthplace — Palakollu, Madras Presidency, British India • Died — 30 May 2017 • Place of death — Hyderabad, Telangana, India • Occupation — * Film director • producer • screenwriter • actor • lyricist • politician • Party — Indian National Congress • Spouse — Dasari Padma • Children — 3 including Arun Kumar • Awards — National Film Awards
Film career
Film career
Prior to films, Dasari worked in theatre staging plays. He entered film industry to become an actor but worked as ghost writer for 25 films and made his debut as dialogue writer with Jagath Jatteelu (1970) however it was Mohammed Bin Thuqlaq which gave him recognition.[10]
Political career
Political career
In the late 1990s, Dasari Narayana Rao announced plans to launch a regional political party in Andhra Pradesh called Telugu Talli Party.[11] Dasari campaigned for the Indian National Congress (INC) during the 1996, 1998 and 1999 general elections.[12] He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the year 2000. He became the Minister of State for Coal. Said to be a confidante of Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Dasari once again became active in politics after INC came back to power in 2004.[14] On 11 June 2013 the Central Bureau of Investigation booked Dasari Narayana Rao for receiving ₹2.25 crores from Naveen Jindal in connection with the Coal scam, and filed FIR against both.[15][16]
Business
Business
He launched a popular daily Telugu-language newspaper, Udayam, to counter the influence of Ramoji Rao's newspaper Eenadu.[17]
Death
Death
Dasari Narayana Rao died on 30 May 2017 from prolonged illness, at the age of 75.[19] 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.[20]
Actor
Actor
• 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) • Dabbevariki Chedu (1987) • Rotation Chakravarti (1987) • Intinti Bhagavatam (1988) • Muthyamantha Muddu (1989) • Naa Mogudu Naake Sontam (1989) • Mama Alludu (1990) • Chevilo Puvvu (1990) as himself • Amma Rajinama (1991) • Mamagaaru (1991) • Seetharamayya gari Manavaralu (1991) • Venkanna Babu (1992) • Surigaadu (1992) • Raguluthunna Bharatham (1992) • Pellam Chaatuna Mogudu (1992) • Parvatalu Panakalu (1992) • Chinnalludu (1993) • Mama Kodalu (1993) • Ladies Special (1993) • Mudhal Paadal (1993)[24] Tamil • Bangaru Kutumbam (1994) • Nannagaaru (1994) • Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam (1994) • O Tandri O Koduku (1994) • Kondapalli Rattaiah (1995) • Maya Bazaar (1995) • Orey Rikshaw (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) • Pichodi 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) • Parama Veera Chakra (2011) • Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda (2014) • Erra Bus (2014)
Lyricist
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)
Television
Television
• Director • Vishwamitra (1989) • Thoorpu Padamara (2007-2010) • Abhishekam (2008-2017) • Shivaranjani (2010-2011) • Kumkuma Rekha (2010-2013) • Producer • Abhishekam (ETV) • Gokulamlo Sita (ETV)
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1942
Dasari Narayana Rao born at Palakollu.
2017
Dasari Narayana Rao died at Hyderabad.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Palakollu.
Birth place
Hyderabad.
Death place
As director, writer, and producer
• Year — Film — Credited as — Language — Notes • Director — Writer — Producer • 1970 — Oke Kutumbam — Associate — Telugu • 1971 — Vintha Samsaram — Associate — Telugu • 1972 — Mohammed-bin-Tughluq — Dialogues — Telugu • Hantakulu Devantakulu — Telugu • Matrimoorti — Telugu • 1973 — Panjaramlo Pasipapa — Telugu • Thatha-Manavadu — Telugu • 1974 — Samsaram Sagaram — Telugu • Bantrothu Bharya — Telugu • Evariki Vaare Yamuna Teere — Telugu • Radhamma Pelli — Telugu • Tirupati — Telugu • 1975 — Swargam Narakam — Telugu • Balipeetam — Telugu • Bharatamlo Oka Ammayi — Telugu • Devude Digivaste — Telugu • 1976 — Manushulanta Okkate — Telugu • Muddabanti Puvvu — Telugu • Thoorpu Padamara — Telugu • Yavvanam Katesindi — Telugu • Paadavoyi Bharateeyuda — Telugu • 1977 — O Manishi Tirigi Choodu — Telugu • Bangarakka — Telugu • Chillarakottu Chittemma — Telugu • Idekkadi Nyayam — Telugu • Jeevitame Oka Natakam — Telugu • Kanya - Kumari — Telugu • 1978 — Devadasu Malli Puttadu — Telugu • Katakatala Rudrayya — Telugu • Sivaranjani — Telugu • Swarag Narak — Hindi • 1979 — Gorintaku — Telugu • Kalyani — Telugu • Korikale Gurralayite? — Telugu • Needa — Telugu • Peddillu Chinnillu — Telugu • Ravanude Ramudayithe? — Telugu • Rangoon Rowdy — Telugu • Kudi Edama Ayite — Telugu • 1980 — Yeh Kaisa Insaf — Hindi • Jyoti Bane Jwala — Hindi • Bandodu Gundamma — Telugu • Buchi Babu — Telugu • Circus Ramudu — Telugu • Yedanthasthula Meda — Telugu • Ketugaadu — Telugu • Natchathiram — Tamil • Sardar Papa Rayudu — Telugu • Sita Ramulu — Telugu • Sujata — Telugu • 1981 — Swapna — Telugu • Deeparadhana — Telugu • Paalu Neellu — Telugu • Srivari Muchatlu — Telugu • Viswaroopam — Telugu • Pyaasa Sawan — Hindi • Sangeeta — Telugu • Addala Meda — Telugu • Premabhishekam — Telugu • Prema Mandiram — Telugu • 1982 — Bobbili Puli — Telugu • Golconda Abbulu — Telugu • Jayasudha — Telugu • Krishnarjunulu — Telugu • Mehndi Rang Layegi — Hindi • O Aadadi O Magadu — Telugu • Raaga Deepam — Telugu • Swayamvaram — Telugu • Yuvaraju — Telugu • Meghasandesam — Telugu • Bangaaru Koduku — Telugu • 1983 — Prem Tapasya — Hindi • Bahudoorapu Batasari — Telugu • M.L.A. Yedukondalu — Telugu • Police Venkataswami — Telugu • Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu — Telugu • Rudrakali — Telugu • Oorantha Sankranthi — Telugu • 1984 — Bhola Shankarudu — Telugu • Aaj Kaa M.L.A. Ram Avtar — Hindi • Asha Jyoti — Hindi • Haisiyat — Hindi • Yaadgaar — Hindi • Zakhmi Sher — Hindi • Abhimanyudu — Telugu • Jagan — Telugu • Justice Chakravarthy — Telugu • Police Papanna — Kannada • Yuddham — Telugu • 1985 — Sarfarosh — Hindi • Wafadaar — Hindi • Brahma Mudi — Telugu • Edadugula Bandham — Telugu • Lanchavataram — Telugu • Pelli Meeku Akshintalu Naaku — Telugu • Tirugubatu — Telugu • 1986 — Aadi Dampatulu — Telugu • Dharma Peetham Daddarillindi — Telugu • Tandra Paparayudu — Telugu • Ugra Narasimham — Telugu • Nampally Nagu — Telugu • 1987 — Aatma Bandhuvulu — Telugu • Brahma Nayudu — Telugu • Majnu — Telugu • Nene Raju Nene Mantri — Telugu • Viswanatha Nayakudu — Telugu • Rotation Chakravarti — Telugu • Ayyappa Swami Janma Rahasyam — Telugu • 1988 — Brahma Puthrudu — Telugu • Kanchana Sita — Telugu • Praja Pratinidhi — Telugu • Intinti Bhagavatam — Telugu • 1989 — Lankeswarudu — Telugu • Black Tiger — Telugu • Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham — Telugu • Two Town Rowdy — Telugu • 1990 — Abhisarika — Telugu • Mama Alludu — Telugu • 1991 — Amma Rajinama — Telugu • Niyanta — Telugu • Ramudu Kadu Rakshasudu — Telugu • 1992 — Ahankaari — Telugu • Surigaadu — Telugu • Subba Rayudi Pelli — Telugu • Venkanna Babu — Telugu • 1993 — Santaan — Hindi • Akka Pettanam Chelleli Kapuram — Telugu • Kunti Putrudu — Telugu • Mama Kodalu — Telugu • 1994 — Bangaru Kutumbam — Telugu • Nannagaaru — Telugu • 1995 — Kondapalli Rattayya — Telugu • Maya Bazaar — Telugu • Orey Rikshaw — Telugu • 1996 — Rayudugaru Nayudugaru — Telugu • 1997 — Osey Ramulamma — Telugu • Rowdy Durbar — Telugu • 1998 — Greeku Veerudu — Telugu • 1999 — Pichodi Chetilo Raayi — Telugu • 2000 — Adavi Chukka — Telugu • Kante Koothurne Kanu — Telugu • Sammakka Sarakka — Telugu • 2001 — Chinna — Telugu • 2002 — Kondaveeti Simhasanam — Telugu • Rifles — Telugu • 2003 — Fools — Telugu • 2007 — Aadivaram Aadavallaku Selavu — Telugu • Maisamma IPS — Telugu • 2008 — Premabhishekam — Telugu • Adivishnu — Telugu • 2009 — Mestri — Telugu • Bangaru Babu — Telugu • 2010 — Young India — Telugu — Also choreographer • 2011 — Parama Veera Chakra — Telugu • 2014 — Erra Bus — Screenplay — Telugu
Awards
• National Film Awards • Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) – Kante Kuthurne Kanu – 1998 • National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu – Meghasandesam – 1982 (As director and producer) • Filmfare Awards • Special Jury Award - Swargam Narakam & Balipeetam (1975)[21] • Best Director – Gorintaku (1979) • Best Director – Premabhishekam (1981) • Best Film – Meghasandesam (1982) • Lifetime Achievement (2001) • Nandi Awards • NTR National Award[22] • Raghupathi Venkaiah Award - 1990 • Best Actor – Mestri (2009) • Best Actor – Mamagaru (1991) • Second Best Feature Film - Silver – 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 -Samsaram Sagaram (1973)[23] • Best Story - Nanna Garu (1994) • Best Story - Kante Kooturne Kanu (1998) • Special Jury – Premabhishekam (1981) • 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 • Allu Ramalingaiah Memorial Award • 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
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Hooli, Shekhar H. Dasari Narayana Rao's death marks the end of an era in Telugu film industry. International Business Times. 31 May 2017.
- 2.K Rajani Kanth. Newsmaker: Dasari Narayana Rao. Business Standard. 13 June 2013.
- 3.Dasari Narayana Rao passes away: Best films of the multifaceted filmmaker. The Indian Express. 30 May 2017.
- 4.Dasari Narayana Rao - the Bollywood side of his multi-faceted career. The Times of India. 2017-05-30. 0971-8257.
- 5.Directorate of Film Festival. iffi.nic.in.
- 6.Directorate of Film Festival. iffi.nic.in.
- 7.30 June 2011 – Ranjana Dave. The meaning in movement. The Asian Age. 30 June 2011.
- 8.YouTube WzuN5R5_bRQ Dr. DasariNarayanarao Open Heart With RK Abn Andhrajyothy
- 9.Dasari Narayana Rao lashes out. The Times of India.
- 10.Keen on providing realistic fare. The Hindu. 19 June 1998.
- 11.Rediff On The NeT : The Rediff Interview/ Dasari Narayana Rao. m.rediff.com.
- 12.From films to Rajya Sabha: Dasari Rao a man with many hats. The Economic Times. 2013-06-12. 0013-0389.
- 13.Digital Sansad. rajyasabha.nic.in.
- 14.Dasari Narayana Rao portfolio changed. The Hindu Business Line.
- 15.Coalgate Scam: CBI files FIR accusing Naveen Jindal and Dasari Narayan Rao of fraud. timesofindia-economictimes.
- 16.Dasari Narayana Rao/article5934080.ece?homepage=true. The Hindu.
- 17.Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao's son kidnapped – Hindustan Times.
- 18.'Tata Manavadu': Telugu movie completes 40 years. IBNLive.
- 19.Tollywood director and former Union minister Dasari Narayana Rao dies at 75. The Times of India. 30 May 2017.
- 20.Dasari Narayana Rao gets rare state honour on his last rites. The Times of India.
- 21.Sobhan received best actor award for Jeevanajyoti
- 22.NTR National Award to Dasari Narayana Rao and Raghupathi Venkaiah Award to Tammareddy Krishnamurthy for 2007.
- 23.Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008).
- 24.The Indian Express - Google News Archive Search.
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Dasari Narayana Rao received Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South. Recorded as film director, actor, politician, screenwriter and choreographer.
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