Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju (20 January 1940 – 11 September 2022) was an Indian actor and politician. He was known for his works in Telugu cinema and was widely known as "Rebel Star" for his rebellious acting style. He was also the winner of the inaugural Nandi Award for Best Actor. Krishnam Raju starred in more than 183 feature films in his career.[2] He made his film debut with the 1966 film Chilaka Gorinka produced and directed by K. Pratyagatma. Krishnam Raju had won five Filmfare Awards South and three state Nandi Awards. Krishnam Raju was also an active politician.[3][4]
Krishnam Raju acted in several successful films such as Jeevana Tarangalu (1973), Krishnaveni (1974), Bhakta Kannappa (1976), Amara Deepam (1977), Sati Savitri (1978), Katakatala Rudrayya (1978), Mana Voori Pandavulu (1978), Rangoon Rowdy (1979), Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu (1979), Sita Ramulu (1980), Taxi Driver (1981), Trisulam (1982), Dharmaatmudu (1983), Bobbili Brahmanna (1984), Tandra Paprayudu (1986), Marana Sasanam (1987), Viswanatha Nayakudu (1987), Antima Theerpu (1988), Bava Bavamaridi (1993), Palnati Pourusham (1994), Billa (2009), Rebel (2012), Rudrama Devi (2015).
In the late 1990s, he became active in politics. He joined Bharatiya Janata Party and was elected to the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha from Kakinada and Narasapuram constituencies. He served as a Minister of State for the Ministry of External Affairs in the third Vajpayee Ministry from 1999 to 2004. In March 2009, he joined Praja Rajyam Party, founded by Chiranjeevi. In the 2009 general elections, he contested the MP seat from the Rajahmundry constituency and lost.
Personal life
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju was born in Mogalthur, West Godavari district, on 20 January 1940, to Uppalapati Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Raju.[1] He completed his early education at Government Boys School in Mogalthur and later at Taylor's High School, in Narasapuram, Andhra Pradesh. He graduated with a B.Com, from Badruka College, in Hyderabad, Telangana.[5] Krishnam Raju was first married to Sitadevi, who died.[6][7] He married Syamaladevi, in 1996, with whom he had three daughters.[1]
Film producer, Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju, was his younger brother and actor Prabhas' father. Prabhas is his nephew. Another nephew of his, Siddharth Rajkumar, made his acting debut with Keratam (2011).[8] Krishnam Raju worked as a journalist for the Andhra Ratna. He was awarded the second best photographer at the state level. He was fond of cameras and had a collection of cameras. He was the founder of Gopi Krishna Movies.[9] At a later age, he suffered from multiple illnesses like Heart rhythm disorder, heart dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, chronic lung disease, and chronic bronchitis.[10]
