Rajanala Kaleswara Rao

Rajanala Kaleswara Rao Naidu
Rajanala Kaleswara Rao Naidu
	Rajanala in Hello Brother (1994)
Born	Rajanala Kaleswara Rao Naidu; 3 January 1925; Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died	21 May 1998 (aged 73); Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names	Rajanala; Kalayya; King of Villains
Alma mater	University of Lucknow; Andhra University
Occupation	Actor; Thespian
Years active	1950-1996
Known for	Tenali Ramakrishna; Narthanasala; Gundamma Katha; Dakshayagnam; Chitti Tammudu; Gulebakavali Katha; Shri Krishna Pandaviyam; Palnati Yudham
Spouse(s)	R. B. Devi
Awards	Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards

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Rajanala Kaleswara Rao , popularly known as Rajanala, was an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and few Tamil, Kannada and Bollywood films. In a film career spanning more than forty years, Rajanala starred in more than fourteen hundred feature films in a variety of characters. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rajanala was known for his gruesome portrayals of lead antagonist roles during the Golden age of Telugu cinema. The government of Andhra Pradesh and the film industry felicitated award for his achievement's and contribution to Indian Film Industry. He won several Film fare awards South and Nandi Award.^[1]^[2] well known as numerous comedy roles such as in Jagadeka Veeruni Katha.

Early life and characteristics[edit]

Rajanala was born on January 3, 1925, in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. While working as a revenue inspector in Nellore from 1944 to 1951 he made his entry into theatre. A post graduate in philosophy from University of Lucknow and a voracious reader of English literature. Before coming to Cinema, he won several awards and accolades for his acting in Theatre. He was a noted villain against N.T.Rama Rao, a versatile actor of Telugu filmdom at that time. Rajanala had well proportioned body, he also won MR. Madras for his Physique. Rajanala iconic acting was mostly through the movement of his eyes, he evince the cruelty by widening his eyes to various levels and his maniacal laughter was very famous. Rajanala played many villainous roles, but in real life he was an intellectual and spiritual man. Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, the first actor to star alongside three chief ministers, i.e. NT Rama Rao, M. G. Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, he also had good friends in other film industry Kollywood and Bollywood.^[3]^[4]

Death[edit]

Being a diabetic, his right leg could not withstand the rigors of outdoor shooting in Araku valley in 1995 when he was playing a full-fledged role in Telugu Veera Levara. His leg which was injured during the shooting had to be amputated at Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences. Later Rajanala shifted to Chennai taken cared by his daughter and son in law who was a Businessman . Rajanala had severe cardiac arrest, was admitted in Vijaya Hospital in Chennai. He died on 21 May 1998 in Chennai, aged 73.^[1]^[5]