Sakshi Ranga Rao Explained

Saakshi Ranga Rao
Birth Name:Rangavajhula Ranga Rao
Birth Place:Kalavakuru, Madras Presidency, British India
Death Place:Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1967–1995
Spouse:Bala Tripurasundari
Children:4; including Saakshi Siva

Sakshi Ranga Rao (born Rangavajhula Ranga Rao;  – 27 June 2005) was an Indian character actor who worked in Telugu cinema and theatre.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] [5]

Filmography

  1. Saakshi (1967) (debut film)
  2. Bangaru Pichika (1968)
  3. Sudigundaalu (1968) as Gumasta
  4. Bhale Rangadu (1969)
  5. Buddhimanthudu (1969)
  6. Balaraju Katha (1970)
  7. Dharma Daata (1970)
  8. Thaali Bottu (1970) as Rangaiah
  9. Pagabattina Paduchu[6] (1971) as Hanumanthu
  10. Basthi Bul Bul[7] (1971) as Ranga Rao
  11. Pattindalla Bangaram (1971) as Drama Company Owner
  12. Attalu Kodallu (1971) as brother of Suryakantam
  13. Adrusta Jathakudu (1971)
  14. Mattilo Manikyam[8] (1971) as Seethapathi aka Panthulu
  15. Vinta Samsaram (1971)
  16. Kalam Marindi (1972)
  17. Anta Mana Manchike (1972)
  18. Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973) as Papa Rao
  19. Andala Ramudu (1973) as Subba Rao's father-in-law
  20. Nindu Kutumbam[9] (1973) as Avatharam
  21. Bhakta Tukaram (1973)
  22. Devudamma (1973) as Kotaiah
  23. Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu (1973)
  24. Meena[10] (1973) as Narayana, Meena's driver
  25. Mayadari Malligadu[11] (1973) as Karanam Kamayya
  26. Tulabharam (1974) as Hari
  27. Mangalya Bhagyam[12] (1974) as Pullachari
  28. Muthyala Muggu (1975)
  29. Padi Pantalu[13] (1976) as Panthulu, Guravayya's accountant
  30. Siri Siri Muvva (1976)
  31. Alludochadu[14] (1976) as Panasayya
  32. Pichi Maraju (1976)
  33. Aadavalu Apanindhalu (1976)
  34. Iddaru Iddare[15] (1976) as Bhujangam
  35. Monagadu (1976) as Avatharam
  36. Raaja[16] (1976) as Pawn Broker Prakash
  37. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
  38. Amara Deepam (1977) as Manager
  39. Eenati Bandham Yenatido[17] (1977) as Kanakaiah
  40. Edureeta (1977)
  41. Manassakshi (1977)
  42. Manushulu Chesina Dongalu (1977)
  43. Devathalara Deevinchandi (1977)
  44. Love Marriage[18] (1978) as Dance Director
  45. Nayudu Bava[19] (1978) as Gopalam
  46. Patnavasam[20] (1978) as Ramanatham
  47. Dongala Veta[21] (1978) as Seth
  48. Lawyer Viswanath (1978)
  49. Seetamalakshmi (1978)
  50. Dongala Veta (1978)
  51. Mugguru Muggure (1978) as Kotilingam the Museum Guard
  52. Siri Siri Muvva (1978)
  53. Vayasu Pilichindi (1978)
  54. Thoorpu Velle Railu (1979)
  55. Andadu Aagadu[22] (1979) as Ling Papa Rao
  56. Tiger (1979)
  57. I Love You (1979) as Club Owner
  58. Saptapadhi (1980)
  59. Sirimalle Navvindi (1980)
  60. Subhodhayam (1980)
  61. Bhale Krishnudu (1980)
  62. Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi (1980)
  63. Alludu Pattina Bharatam (1980)
  64. Sankarabharanam (1980)
  65. Amavasya Chandrudu (1981)
  66. Thyagayya (1981)
  67. Radha Kalyanam (1981)
  68. Madhura Swapnam (1982)
  69. Pratigna[23] (1982) as Karanam
  70. Manchu Pallaki (1982) as Gita's father
  71. Kalavari Samsaram (1982) as Subbaramaiah
  72. Kalahala Kapuram[24] (1982) as Drunkard
  73. Subhalekha (1982)
  74. Sagara Sangamam (1983)
  75. Bezawada Bebbuli (1983)
  76. Sitaara (1983)
  77. Amarajeevi (1983)
  78. Nelavanka (1983)
  79. Rendu Jella Sita (1983)
  80. Lanke Bindelu[25] (1983) as Aachari
  81. Koteeswarudu (1984) as Ranganatham
  82. Janani Janmabhoomi (1984)
  83. Railu Dopidi (1984) as Arjun's father
  84. Chattamtho Poratam (1985)
  85. Punnami Ratri[26] (1985) as Brahmanandam
  86. Mogudu Pellalu (1985)
  87. Vande Mataram (1985)
  88. Bhale Tammudu (1985)
  89. Ooriki Soggadu (1985) as Master
  90. Mantradandham (1985)
  91. Rendu Rella Aaru (1985)
  92. Jailu Pakshi (1986)
  93. Dharmapeetam Daddarillindi (1986)
  94. Santhi Nivasam (1986)
  95. Maruthi (1986)
  96. Poojaku Panikiraani Puvvu (1986)
  97. Brahmastram (1986) as Lingaraju
  98. Chantabbai (1986)
  99. Sirivennela (1986)
  100. Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986)
  101. Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986)
  102. Chanakya Sapadham[27] (1986) as Dr. Arogyam
  103. Chakravarthy (1987) as Avatharam
  104. Sankeerthana (1987)
  105. Danavudu (1987)
  106. Marana Homam (1987)
  107. Saradhamba (1987)
  108. Chakravarthy (1987)
  109. Kalarathrilo Kannepilla (1987)
  110. Krishna Leela (1987)
  111. President Gari Abbai (1987) as Seshavatharam
  112. Sruthi Layalu (1987)
  113. Raaga Leela (1987)
  114. Nyayam Kosam (1988) as Narayana
  115. Janaki Ramudu (1988)
  116. Aadade Aadharam (1988)
  117. Ramudu Bheemudu (1988) as Govindaiah
  118. Rowdy No.1 (1988) as Avadhani
  119. Bharya Bhartalu (1988) as Aachari
  120. Marana Mrudangam (1988)
  121. Swarna Kamalam (1988)
  122. Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata (1989)
  123. Preminchi Choodu (1989)
  124. Lankeswarudu (1989)
  125. Sutradhaarulu (1990)
  126. Rambha Rambabu (1990)
  127. Chevilo Puvvu (1990)
  128. Karthavyam (1990) as Constable Ranganayakulu
  129. Shanti Kranti (1991)
  130. Manchi Roju (1991 film) (1991)
  131. Erra Mandaram (1991)
  132. Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam (1991)
  133. Mugguru Attala Muddula Alludu (1991)
  134. Pelli Pustakam (1991)
  135. April 1st Vidudhala (1991)
  136. Dharma Kshetram (1992) as Madhava Rao
  137. Aa Okkati Adakku (1992)
  138. Sukravaram Mahalakshmi (1992)
  139. Detective Narada (1992)
  140. Sahasam (1992)
  141. Gharana Mogudu (1992) as Bhawani's father
  142. Swathi Kiranam (1992)
  143. Joker (1993)
  144. Kunti Puthrudu (1993)
  145. Nippu Raava (1993)
  146. Vinta Kodallu (1993)
  147. Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru (1994) as Kanakachari
  148. Presidentgari Alludu (1994) as Ranga Rao
  149. Yamaleela (1994)
  150. Madam (1994)
  151. Subha Sankalpam (1995)
  152. Street Fighter[28] (1995) as Insurance Officer
  153. Linga Babu Love Story (1995)
  154. Vajram (1995)
  155. Sampradayam[29] (1996) as Rangaiah
  156. Shri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996)
  157. Swarabhishekam (2004)
  158. Vijay IPS (2006)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Saakshi Siva about his father at the personal website . https://web.archive.org/web/20100911033500/http://saakshisivaa.com/beloved_father . 11 September 2010 . saakshisivaa.com.
  2. Web site: te:నాన్నకు స్వాతిముత్యంలో అవకాశం రాలేదు Special Interview With Sakshi Ranga Rao Son Siva – Sakshi . https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/family/special-interview-sakshi-ranga-rao-son-siva-1338456 . Sakshi . te . 17 January 2021 . 3 April 2021 . 16 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210416214832/https://www.sakshi.com/telugu-news/family/special-interview-sakshi-ranga-rao-son-siva-1338456 . live.
  3. News: What's in a name? . Raman . Mohan V. . 8 November 2014 . . subscription . 2018-05-14 . en-IN . 0971-751X . 20 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180620181605/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/whats-in-a-name/article6578238.ece . live.
  4. Web site: Actor Sakshi Ranga Rao dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060820061125/http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/28/stories/2005062818720500.htm . 2006-08-20 . . dead.
  5. Web site: 'Saakshi' Rangarao is no more at Telugu Cinema.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20090507185613/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/starsprofile/tribute_saakshirangarao.php. dead . 7 May 2009.
  6. Web site: Pagabattina Paduchu . AVclub. 21 April 2023. 21 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230421185440/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/pagabattina-paduchu-1971. live.
  7. Web site: Basthi Bul Bul (1971) . 2023-10-18 . Indiancine.ma . 23 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023162427/https://indiancine.ma/OHE . live.
  8. Web site: Mattilo Manikyam (1971) . 2024-03-02 . Indiancine.ma.
  9. Web site: Nindu Kutumbam on Moviebuff.com . 2023-10-05 . Moviebuff.com . 10 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231010004337/https://www.moviebuff.com/nindu-kutumbam . live.
  10. Web site: Meena (1973) . 2024-01-30 . Indiancine.ma.
  11. Web site: Mayadari Malligadu (1973) . 2024-05-09 . Indiancine.ma.
  12. Web site: Mangalya Bhagyam (1974) . 2023-06-13 . Indiancine.ma . 13 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230613195925/https://indiancine.ma/QJH . live.
  13. Web site: Padi Pantalu (1976) . 2024-04-10 . Indiancine.ma.
  14. Web site: Alludochadu (1976) . 2024-04-21 . Indiancine.ma.
  15. Web site: Iddaru Iddare (1976) . 2024-11-17 . Indiancine.ma.
  16. Web site: Raaja (1976) . 2023-05-01 . Indiancine.ma . 1 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230501193746/https://indiancine.ma/RTZ . live.
  17. Web site: Eenati Bandham Enatido (1977) . 2024-03-28 . Indiancine.ma.
  18. Love Marriage Telugu Full Length Movie Ranganath, JayaChitra . en . 2024-04-25 . www.youtube.com.
  19. Web site: Nayudu Bava (1978) . 2023-12-09 . Indiancine.ma . 9 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209073909/https://indiancine.ma/TFL . live.
  20. Web site: Patnavasam (1978) . 2023-12-13 . Indiancine.ma . 13 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231213185348/https://indiancine.ma/THH . live.
  21. Web site: Dongala Veta (1978) . 2023-04-26 . Indiancine.ma . 26 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230426122415/https://indiancine.ma/SYO . live.
  22. Web site: Andhadu Aagadu (1979) . 2024-03-29 . Indiancine.ma.
  23. Web site: Prathignya (1982) . Indiancine.ma . 17 April 2023 . 17 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417154242/https://indiancine.ma/WYB/info . live.
  24. Web site: Kalahala Kapuram (1982) V CINEMA – Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date . 2023-10-24 . www.vcinema.com . en . 7 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161434/https://www.vcinema.com/movie/about:blank . live .
  25. Web site: Lanke Bindelu (1983) . 2023-06-27 . Indiancine.ma . 27 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195937/https://indiancine.ma/XSI . live.
  26. Web site: Punnami Rathri 1985 Full Movie Online – Watch HD Movies on Airtel Xstream Play . 2023-12-18 . Airtel Xstream (Airtel TV) . en . 18 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231218113732/https://www.airtelxstream.in/movies/punnami-rathri/HUNGAMA_MOVIE_24001945 . live.
  27. Web site: Chanakya Sapadam (1986) . 2024-01-20 . Indiancine.ma.
  28. Web site: Street Fighter (1995) . 2023-07-04 . Indiancine.ma . 4 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704191057/https://indiancine.ma/AOWQ . live.
  29. Web site: FilmiClub . Sampradayam (1996) Complete Cast & Crew . 2024-03-26 . FilmiClub . en-US.

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