Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao (27 July 1917 – 26 March 2006) was an Indian film producer and screenwriter in Telugu cinema.[1] As a producer, he received four National Film Awards and three Nandi Awards throughout his career. In recognition of his contributions to Telugu cinema, he was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the Andhra Pradesh government in 1993.
D. Madhusudana Rao | |
---|---|
Born | 27 July 1917 |
Died | 26 March 2006 | (aged 88)
Occupation(s) | Producer, Screen writer |
Spouse | Suseela Devi |
Children | Sitaramaswami Dukkipati
Lalitha Kumari Gandhamaneni Kalyani Polavarapu Lakshmi Kanta Tummala Rama Devi Maddipoti |
Awards | National Film Awards Nandi Awards |
Madhusudhana Rao played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of several actors, most notably Akkineni Nageswara Rao. In 1951, he co-founded Annapurna Pictures, which went on to produce landmark films such as Donga Ramudu (1955), Thodi Kodallu (1957), and Doctor Chakravarthy (1964). His collaboration with director Adurthi Subba Rao resulted in some of Telugu cinema’s most celebrated films. Additionally, he was instrumental in relocating the Telugu film industry to Hyderabad and was recognized for his philanthropy, particularly as the Founder President of the Filmnagar Cooperative Housing Society. He passed away on 26 March 2006 at the age of 88.[2]
Early life
editDukkipati Madhusudhana Rao was born on 27 July 1917 in Peyyeru, Gudivada Taluk of Krishna district, to Sitarama Swamy and Gangajalam. He married Suseela Devi in 1937. The couple had four daughters and a son.[1]
Career
editIn collaboration with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Katragadda Srinivasa Rao, Koratala Prakash Rao, and T. V. A. Surya Rao, he established Annapoorna Pictures on 10 September 1951. The studio's inaugural production was Donga Ramudu (1955), directed by K. V. Reddy and starring Nageswara Rao and Savitri. Madhusudhana Rao produced several landmark films, including Thodi Kodallu, Iddaru Mitrulu, Chaduvukunna Ammayilu, Doctor Chakravarthy, Pula Rangadu, and Atma Gowravam. Iddaru Mitrulu is notable for being the first Telugu film to feature a double role.[1]
Most of his films were directed by Adurthi Subba Rao, with whom he created classics like Thodi Kodallu, Mangalya Balam, Velugu Needalu, Iddaru Mitrulu, Chaduvukunna Ammayilu, Dr. Chakravarthy, Pula Rangadu, and Vichitra Bandham. He is also credited with introducing several new talents to the Telugu film industry, including Korrapati Gangadhara Rao, Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Ranganayakamma, K. Viswanath, Ashalatha Kulkarni, Ramakrishna, Jeedigunta Ramachandra Murthy, and Sarada.[1]
Awards
editNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (producer)
- Thodi Kodallu (1957)[3]
- Mangalya Balam (1958)
- Doctor Chakravarthy (1964)
- Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - Aatma Gowravam (1965)
- Second Best Feature Film - Silver - Athmeeyulu (1969)
- Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - Amaayakuraalu (1971)
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for lifetime achievement - 1993
Filmography
edit- As producer
- 1987 America Abbayi
- 1982 Pelleedu Pillalu
- 1978 Radha Krishna
- 1977 Prema Lekhalu
- 1974 Bangaaru Kalalu
- 1972 Vichitra Bandham
- 1971 Amayakuralu
- 1970 Jai Jawan
- 1969 Aatmiyulu
- 1967 Poola Rangadu
- 1965 Aatma Gowravam
- 1964 Doctor Chakravarty
- 1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu
- 1961 Iddaru Mitrulu
- 1961 Velugu Needalu
- 1961 Thooya Ullam (Tamil)
- 1959 Mangalya Balam
- 1959 Manjal Mahimai
- 1957 Todi Kodallu
- 1957 Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi (Tamil)
- 1956 Tiruttu Raman (Tamil)
- 1955 Donga Ramudu
- As writer
- 1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu
- 1962 Man-Mauji
- 1958 Mangalya Balam
- 1957 Todi Kodallu
- 1955 Donga Ramudu
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Features - Dukkipati Madhusudana Rao Is No More". CineGoer.com. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Renowed [sic] Telugu film producer passes away". Oneindia. 26 March 2006. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ "5th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.