Sakshi Ranga Rao


Sakshi Ranga Rao was an Indian character actor who worked in Telugu cinema and theatre. He appeared in about 450 films over a career spanning four decades, majority of which were comedies. Ranga Rao made his film debut in 1967 with Sakshi from which he derived his stage name. He then went onto to appear in successful films like Sirivennela, Swarna Kamalam, April 1st Vidudhala, Joker and Swarabhishekam.

Life and career

Rangavajhula Ranga Rao in Kalavakuru village in Prakasam district, was born to Lakshmi Narayana and Ranganayakamma. As his father died when he was young, he was raised by Buchchi Ravamma, his mother's sister in Machilipatnam. He began his career as a stenographer in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.
As Ranga Rao was interested in film and theatre, he worked as an assistant to the stage artist Kuppili Venkateswara Rao. He was encouraged by some his friends at Andhra Viswa Vidyalaya to pursue a full-time career in films. They gathered him some money and sent Ranga Rao to Madras.
Director Bapu gave break to Ranga Rao with the film Sakshi in 1967. Then onwards, he became known as Sakshi Ranga Rao, also to differentiate himself from S. V. Ranga Rao. He had the distinction of acting in most of the Telugu films directed by K. Vishwanath, Bapu and Vamsi.
Ranga Rao married Bala Tripurasundari. They had three children–one daughter and three sons. His youngest son, actor Saakshi Siva works in Telugu films and television.
Ranga Rao died after a prolonged illness on 27 June 2005 in Chennai at the age of 63 years. Incidentally, it was on stage that Ranga Rao collapsed on 5 May 2005 during a rehearsal for the Gurazada play, 'Kanyasulkam'. The apparent cause of his death was diabetes and associated kidney failure.

Filmography

Films

  1. Saakshi
  2. Bangaru Pichika
  3. Sudigundaalu as Gumasta
  4. Bhale Rangadu
  5. Buddhimanthudu
  6. Balaraju Katha
  7. Dharma Daata
  8. Thaali Bottu as Rangaiah
  9. Pagabattina Paduchu as Hanumanthu
  10. Basthi Bul Bul as Ranga Rao
  11. Pattindalla Bangaram as Drama Company Owner
  12. Attalu Kodallu as brother of Suryakantam
  13. Adrusta Jathakudu
  14. Mattilo Manikyam as Seethapathi aka Panthulu
  15. Vinta Samsaram
  16. Kalam Marindi
  17. Muhammad bin Tughluq
  18. Anta Mana Manchike
  19. Devudu Chesina Manushulu as Papa Rao
  20. Andala Ramudu as Subba Rao's father-in-law
  21. Nindu Kutumbam as Avatharam
  22. Bhakta Tukaram
  23. Devudamma as Kotaiah
  24. Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu
  25. Meena as Narayana, Meena's driver
  26. Mayadari Malligadu as Karanam Kamayya
  27. Tulabharam as Hari
  28. Mangalya Bhagyam as Pullachari
  29. Muthyala Muggu
  30. Padi Pantalu as Panthulu, Guravayya's accountant
  31. Siri Siri Muvva
  32. Alludochadu as Panasayya
  33. Pichi Maraju
  34. Aadavalu Apanindhalu
  35. Iddaru Iddare as Bhujangam
  36. Monagadu as Avatharam
  37. Raaja as Pawn Broker Prakash
  38. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
  39. Amara Deepam as Manager
  40. Eenati Bandham Yenatido as Kanakaiah
  41. Edureeta
  42. Manassakshi
  43. Manushulu Chesina Dongalu
  44. Devathalara Deevinchandi
  45. Love Marriage as Dance Director
  46. Nayudu Bava as Gopalam
  47. Patnavasam as Ramanatham
  48. Dongala Veta as Seth
  49. Lawyer Viswanath
  50. Seetamalakshmi
  51. Dongala Veta
  52. Mugguru Muggure as Kotilingam the Museum Guard
  53. Siri Siri Muvva
  54. Vayasu Pilichindi
  55. Thoorpu Velle Railu
  56. Andadu Aagadu as Ling Papa Rao
  57. Tiger
  58. I Love You as Club Owner
  59. Saptapadhi
  60. Sirimalle Navvindi
  61. Subhodhayam
  62. Bhale Krishnudu
  63. Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi
  64. Alludu Pattina Bharatam
  65. Sankarabharanam
  66. Amavasya Chandrudu
  67. Thyagayya
  68. Radha Kalyanam
  69. Madhura Swapnam
  70. Pratigna as Karanam
  71. Manchu Pallaki as Gita's father
  72. Kalavari Samsaram as Subbaramaiah
  73. Kalahala Kapuram as Drunkard
  74. Subhalekha
  75. Sagara Sangamam
  76. Ikanaina Marandi
  77. Bezawada Bebbuli
  78. Sitaara
  79. Amarajeevi
  80. Nelavanka
  81. Rendu Jella Sita
  82. Lanke Bindelu as Aachari
  83. Koteeswarudu as Ranganatham
  84. Janani Janmabhoomi
  85. Railu Dopidi as Arjun's father
  86. Chattamtho Poratam
  87. Punnami Ratri as Brahmanandam
  88. Mogudu Pellalu
  89. Vande Mataram
  90. Mayadari Maridi
  91. Bhale Tammudu
  92. Ooriki Soggadu as Master
  93. Mantradandham
  94. Rendu Rella Aaru
  95. Jailu Pakshi
  96. Dharmapeetam Daddarillindi
  97. Santhi Nivasam
  98. Maruthi
  99. Poojaku Panikiraani Puvvu
  100. Vivaha Bandham
  101. Brahmastram as Lingaraju
  102. Chantabbai
  103. Sirivennela
  104. Sri Vemana Charithra
  105. Kaliyuga Pandavulu
  106. Kaliyuga Krishnudu
  107. Chanakya Sapadham as Dr. Arogyam
  108. Chakravarthy as Avatharam
  109. Sankeerthana
  110. Marana Homam
  111. Dayamayudu
  112. Saradhamba
  113. Chakravarthy
  114. Ida Prapancham
  115. Krishna Leela
  116. President Gari Abbai as Seshavatharam
  117. Sruthi Layalu
  118. Raaga Leela
  119. Nyayam Kosam as Narayana
  120. Janaki Ramudu
  121. Aadade Aadharam
  122. Ramudu Bheemudu as Govindaiah
  123. Rowdy No.1 as Avadhani
  124. Station Master
  125. Bharya Bhartalu as Aachari
  126. Marana Mrudangam
  127. Swarna Kamalam
  128. Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata
  129. Swathi Chinukulu
  130. Two Town Rowdy
  131. Preminchi Choodu
  132. Lankeswarudu
  133. Manchi Kutumbam
  134. Sutradhaarulu
  135. Rambha Rambabu
  136. Chevilo Puvvu
  137. Idem Pellam Baboi as Rajashekharam
  138. Karthavyam as Constable Ranganayakulu
  139. Shanti Kranti
  140. Manchi Roju (1991 film)
  141. Erra Mandaram
  142. Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam
  143. Mugguru Attala Muddula Alludu
  144. Pelli Pustakam
  145. April 1st Vidudhala
  146. Dharma Kshetram as Madhava Rao
  147. Aa Okkati Adakku
  148. Sukravaram Mahalakshmi
  149. Kalarathrilo Kannepilla
  150. Detective Narada
  151. Sahasam
  152. Gharana Mogudu as Bhawani's father
  153. Swathi Kiranam
  154. Joker
  155. Kunti Puthrudu
  156. Chittemma Mogudu
  157. Nippu Ravva
  158. Vintha Kodallu
  159. Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru as Kanakachari
  160. Presidentgari Alludu as Ranga Rao
  161. Yamaleela
  162. Madam
  163. Subha Sankalpam
  164. Street Fighter as Insurance Officer
  165. Lingababu Love Story
  166. Desa Drohulu
  167. Vajram
  168. Sampradayam as Rangaiah
  169. Neti Savithri
  170. Shri Krishnarjuna Vijayam
  171. Swarabhishekam
  172. ''Vijay IPS''

Television