Raavi Kondala Rao


Raavi Kondala Rao was an Indian actor, screenwriter, playwright, and journalist who worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He acted in over 400 films. He won Nandi Award for Best Story Writer for Pelli Pusthakam and won Nandi Award for Best Book on Telugu Cinema for Black and White.
He made his film debut with Sobha in 1958 as an actor. Preminchi Choodu won him recognition as an actor. He is known for his collaborations with Bapu-Ramana. He worked as a writer for notable films like Brundavanam, Bhairava Dweepam, Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam.
Besides films, he worked as an editor, writer and columnist for English and Telugu newspapers and magazines. He worked as the associate editor for the then popular film magazine Vijaya Chitra from 1966 to 1990. Later, he joined Chandamama Vijaya production house as a writer and executive producer.

Early life

Raavi Kondala Rao was born on 11 February 1932 in Srikakulam of present-day Andhra Pradesh. His father was a postmaster. His education had been done in Srikakulam. He participated in Satyagraha in 1948 in Rajahmundry against the ban on RSS and Hindu Mahasammelan and was put in jail for three months. In his free time in Rajahmundry Jail, he read many books on literature. He wrote stories under the pen name of 'Mana Oohalu'. A few stories had been published in Chandamama.

Career

Raavi Kondala Rao used to write articles for Mahodaya weekly newspaper. He worked as sub editor for Aanandavani weekly magazine. He was a writer of 'Paata Bangaram' in Sitara magazine, owned by the Eenadu group. He used to write cinema articles for Andhra Jyothi, Vijaya Chitra.
Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao was his inspiration for writing. Later, he was encouraged by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, Gutha Ramineedu to act in films. He also worked as an assistant director for B. N. Reddy, Kamalakara Kameswara Rao, D. V. Narasa Raju. He was the assistant director for Nartanasala, directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. He also worked as an assistant director for Pooja Phalam, directed by B. N. Reddy.

Personal life

Veteran actress Radha Kumari was his wife. She was his co-star in nearly 100 films. His brother R. Kameswara rao was a leading dubbing artist.
Raavi Kondala Rao died of heart attack at a private hospital in Hyderabad, aged 88, on 28 July 2020. He is survived by his son, R. V. Sasikumar.

Partial filmography

Television