K. S. R. Das

He was a pioneer of full-length action films and introduced cowboy-themed films to Indian cinema. Notable films such as Rowdy Rani (1970) and Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971) set new trends in the action genre. Although primarily recognized for his action films, Das also directed family dramas, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. Das collaborated with several South Indian stars, including N. Rama Rao, Krishna, with whom he directed over 30 films, as well as Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Vishnuvardhan. His work was both commercially successful and influential in shaping the action genre in Indian cinema. Das received several awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Puttanna Kanagal Award.

• Name — K. S. R. Das • Birth Name — Konda Subbarama Das • Born — 5 January 1936 • Birthplace — Venkatagiri, Nellore, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India) • Died — 8 June 2012 • Place of death — Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — * Film director • editor • screenwriter • Spouse — Nagamani Devi • Years Active — 1966–2000 • Children — 3

K. S. R. Das was born on January 5, 1936, in a small village near Venkatagiri in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. From a young age, Das was captivated by cinema, frequently traveling to nearby towns to watch films.

Das began his career in 1953 as a booking clerk at Krishna Mahal in Guntur district. He later worked as a film representative for Anjali Pictures until 1956, gaining valuable industry experience. He was introduced to S. Bhavanarayana of Gowri Productions, where he worked as an editor, contributing to around 40 films. Das made his directorial debut with the Telugu film Loguttu Perumallakeruka in 1966, starring Sobhan Babu and Rajasri. Although the film did not achieve commercial success, it marked the beginning of his directorial career.

Das gained widespread recognition with the 1969 film Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka, which marked the beginning of his successful collaboration with actor Krishna. Over the years, he directed over 30 films with Krishna, including notable hits like Bangaru Kutumbam (1971) and Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971). The latter, often regarded as the first Indian cowboy film, became a trendsetter and was dubbed into multiple languages, including English. Known for his action-oriented films, Das introduced the concept of full-fledged action films to Telugu cinema with Rowdy Raani (1970). His film Mosagallaku Mosagadu was a milestone in Indian cinema. Despite his reputation for action films, Das also demonstrated his versatility by directing family dramas like Annadammula Savaal, Mama-Allulla Savaal, Girija Kalyanam.

In 1975, Das expanded his scope by entering the Kannada film industry. He directed over 20 Kannada films, including significant works such as Sahodarara Savaal, Snehithara Savaal, Chinnadhantha Maga, and Bangaaradha Gudi. His film Khaidhi was a major success and played a crucial role in boosting Dr. Vishnuvardhan's career. Das directed a total of 12 films with Vishnuvardhan and also worked on the acclaimed film Thirugubaana with Ambareesh.

Throughout his career, K. S. R. Das collaborated with many leading actors in the South Indian film industry, including Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Vishnuvardhan, and Sobhan Babu. Notably, he directed over 30 films with Krishna and 12 films with Vishnuvardhan. Das's prolific output includes around 100 films across Telugu, Kannada, and other languages, solidifying his reputation as one of the most successful directors of his era. In addition to his primary directorial work, K. S. R. Das also served as a second unit director for action sequences. He contributed to Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974) following the sudden demise of Ramachandra Rao, who had directed the film's initial ten days of shooting. Although Krishna wished to credit Das as the film's director, Das declined, honoring Ramachandra Rao's vision and was credited as the second unit director. For Kaalaantakulu (1978), Das assisted K. Viswanath by directing the action sequences, as Viswanath sought help in areas where Das's expertise was particularly strong.

K. S. R. Das married Nagamani Devi in 1964. They had three children: two daughters and a son. The family lived in Bangalore for many years before moving to Chennai later in life. As per Nagamani Devi, despite acquiring some assets after relocating to Bangalore, their investments in films led to significant financial losses. Das died on June 8, 2012, at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, due to age-related health issues. His son, who worked as a producer in the Kannada film industry, also died in August 2014.

Sources: • Year — Film — Credited as — Language — Notes • Director — Writer • 1966 — Loguttu Perumallukeruka — Telugu • 1968 — Rajayogam — Telugu • 1969 — Raja Simha — Telugu • 1969 — Gandaragandudu — Telugu • 1969 — Gandaragolam — Telugu • 1969 — Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka — Telugu • 1969 — Ukkupidugu — Telugu • 1970 — Rowdy Rani — Telugu • 1971 — Bangaru Kutumbam — Telugu • 1971 — C.I.D. Raju — Telugu • 1971 — James Bond 777 — Telugu • 1971 — Kathiki Kankanam — Telugu • 1971 — Mosagallaku Mosagadu — Arudra — Telugu • 1971 — Prema Jeevulu — Telugu • 1971 — Rowdilaki Rowdeelu — Telugu • 1972 — Gunfighter Johnny — Telugu • 1972 — Hanthakulu Devanthakulu — Telugu • 1972 — Kathula Rathaiah — Telugu • 1972 — Penning Saval — Telugu • 1972 — Pilla? Piduga? — Telugu • 1972 — Pistolwali — Telugu • 1972 — Uriki Upakari — Telugu • 1972 — Vooriki Upakari — Telugu • 1972 — Rani Mera Naam — Hindi • 1973 — Apna Farz — Hindi • 1973 — Bahadur Ladkiyan — Hindi • 1973 — Hifazat — Hindi • 1973 — Rani Aur Jaani — Hindi • 1973 — Manchivaalaku Manchivadu — Telugu • 1975 — Kalla Kulla — M. D. Sundar — Kannada • 1975 — Maavoori Ganga — Telugu • 1976 — Bhale Dongalu — Telugu • 1976 — Doralu Dongalu — Telugu • 1976 — Kallanum Kullanum — Telugu • 1976 — Bangarada Gudi — Venus Mahija Samasthe — Kannada • 1977 — Lakshmi Nivasa — Jayalakshmi Art Enterprises — Kannada • 1977 — Sahodarara Savaal — M. D. Sundar — Kannada • 1977 — Devudunadu Jagratha — Telugu • 1977 — Dongalaku Donga — Telugu • 1977 — Eenati Bandham Yenatido — Telugu • 1978 — Agent Gopi — Telugu • 1978 — Annadammula Savaal — Telugu — Remake of Sahodara Savaal • 1978 — Dongala Veta — Telugu • 1978 — Kiladi Kittu — M. D. Sundar — Kannada • 1978 — Chor Ka Bhai Chor — Hindi • 1979 — Diler — Hindi • 1979 — Iddaru Asadhyule — Telugu • 1979 — Evvadabba Sommu — Telugu • 1979 — Bangaru Gudi — Telugu • 1979 — Captain Krishna — Telugu • 1979 — Dongalaku Saval — Telugu • 1979 — Yugandhar — Salim–Javed — Telugu — Remake of Hindi film Don • 1979 — Samajaniki Saval — yes — No — Telugu • 1980 — Chesina Basalu — Telugu • 1980 — Devudichina Koduku — Telugu • 1980 — Mr. Rajanikant — Telugu • 1980 — Mama-Allulla Sawal — Telugu • 1980 — Sri Venkateswara Vrata Mahatyam — Telugu • 1981 — Snehitara Savaal — Ajantha Combines — Kannada • 1981 — Jeevakke Jeeva — J. Balasubramaniam — Kannada • 1981 — Black Cobra — Telugu • 1981 — Rahasya Gudachari — Telugu • 1981 — Girija Kalyanam — Telugu • 1981 — Mayadari Alludu — Telugu • 1982 — Talli Kodakala Anubandham — Cheruvu Anjaneya Sastry — Telugu • 1982 — Billa Ranga — Telugu • 1982 — Bangaru Koduku — Telugu • 1982 — Shamsher Shankar — Telugu • 1982 — Karmika Kallanalla — M. D. Sundar — Kannada • 1983 — Thirugu Bana — Kannada • 1983 — Chinnadantha Maga — Kannada — Remake of Talli Kodukula Anubandham • 1983 — Naan Ninaithal — Tamil • 1983 — Roshagadu — Paruchuri Brothers — Telugu • 1983 — Puli Bebbuli — Telugu • 1983 — Adadani Saval — Telugu • 1983 — Agni Samadhi — Telugu • 1983 — Puli Debba — Telugu • 1983 — Siripuram Monagadu — Telugu • 1984 — Bhale Ramudu — Telugu • 1984 — Taqatwala — Telugu • 1984 — Dongalu Baboi Dongalu — Telugu • 1984 — Nayakulaku Saval — Telugu • 1984 — Khaidi — Kannada — Remake of Telugu film Khaidi • 1985 — Kartavya — Kannada • 1985 — Nanna Prathigne — Kannada • 1985 — Ide Naa Ghattam — Telugu • 1985 — Nerasthudu — Telugu • 1986 — Cowboy No. 1 — Telugu • 1986 — Khaidi Rani — Telugu • 1986 — Kutra — Telugu • 1987 — Sathyam Shivam Sundaram — Kannada • 1987 — Muddayi — Telugu • 1988 — Dorakani Donga — Telugu • 1988 — Mulzim — Hindi • 1989 — Ondagi Balu — Kannada • 1989 — Rudra — Kannada — Dubbed in Tamil as Kushboo Kushboothan • 1989 — Pardhudu — Telugu • 1990 — Dharma — Telugu • 1990 — Inspector Rudra — Telugu • 1992 — Shivanaga — Kannada — Also editor • 1992 — Nanna Shathru — V. R. Bhaskar — Kannada • 1995 — State Rowdy — Kannada • 2000 — Billa Ranga — Kannada • 2000 — Nagulamma — Telugu — Dubbed in Tamil as Nagathamman