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Rajendra Prasad (actor)

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Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad in 2019
Born
Gadde Rajendra Prasad[1]

(1956-07-19) 19 July 1956 (age 68)[1]
Nimmakuru, Andhra State, India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1977–present
SpouseVijaya Chamundeswari
Children2
RelativesRama Prabha (mother-in-law)

Gadde Rajendra Prasad (born 19 July 1956) is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu films. He is a recipient of four Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards, three SIIMA Awards, and three Santosham Film Awards.

Prasad made his debut in 1977 with Sneham and gained recognition with Manchu Pallaki (1982). He then went on to star in several successful comedy films such as Rendu Rellu Aaru (1986), Ladies Tailor (1986), Aha Naa-Pellanta! (1987), Appula Appa Rao (1991), and Mayalodu (1993).[1] He received a Nandi Award for Best Actor for Erra Mandaram (1991) and Aa Naluguru (2004). He has also received an Honorary doctorate from Andhra University.[2] In 2012, he starred in the medical thriller Dream, for which he won the Royal Reel Award at the Canada International Film Festival.[3][4]

He is fondly called "Nata Kireeti" and has been honored with the title "Hasya Kireeti" by the Telugu Alliances of Canada, in Mississauga.[5] He was also honored to walk the green carpet at the IIFA film festival held in 2009, marking his performance in the English-language film, Quick Gun Murugun.[6]

Early life

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Prasad was born into a middle-class family, to Gadde Venkata Narayana and Manikyamba, in Nimmakuru, Andhra Pradesh. His parents hailed from Dondapadu, Gudivada mandal, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.[1][7] His father was a teacher. Prasad graduated with a diploma in ceramic engineering before entering the film industry. He joined a company but had to resign from the job because he was too young. After witnessing the shooting of Tatamma Kala, he aspired to join the industry. Upon the suggestion of brothers N.T.R and N. Trivikrama Rao, he joined an acting school.

Personal life

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Prasad is married to Vijaya Chamundeswari. She is the niece and adoptive daughter of film actress Rama Prabha. They have a son and a daughter.[8] His daughter Gayatri died on 4 October 2024 due to heart attack.[9]

Career

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Early career (1977 – 1985)

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Prasad made his debut as an actor on the silver screen with the film Sneham (1977), directed by Bapu. Initially, he worked as a dubbing artist and played many supporting roles. He played a supporting role in the film Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju, starring Krishna, which fetched him a chance in 14 films.

Breakthrough as a lead & comedy actor (1985 – 2004)

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Prasad with ventriloquist Ramdas Padhye during the filming of Ammo Bomma (2001).

He was identified by director Vamsy to play a lead role in his film, Preminchu Pelladu. He rose to fame with Vamsy's Ladies Tailor. He continued to act in supporting roles while also playing lead roles. In a career of over 45 years, he acted in more than 200 Telugu films and few Tamil films. Prasad has been called a great comedy actor[10] and is fondly called the King of Comedy and Natakireeti in Andhra Pradesh.[11]

His collaboration with the director Jandhyala in Aha Naa Pellanta established him as an overnight star. He also made successful collaborations with directors Vamsy, E. V. V. Satyanarayana, S. V. Krishna Reddy and Relangi Narasimha Rao. Notably, Relangi made 32 films (out of 70 as a director) with Prasad.

Critically acclaimed roles (2004 – 2011)

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One major role which garnered him a lot of accolades was in the movie Aa Naluguru, for which he won the State Nandi Award for the second time in his career.[12] Critically acclaimed films such as Mee Sreyobhilashi and Onamalu made him one of the most promising actors in Telugu film industry. He acted as Lord Hanuman in the blockbuster multi-star film Devullu.

In 2009, Prasad played the titular role in the English-language film, Quick Gun Murugun. The film was screened at the London Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, the New York Asian Film Festival and at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.[13]

Supporting roles (2011 – present)

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Prasad celebrating his birthday on the sets of Nannaku Prematho (2016) with Jr. NTR.

He played remarkable characters as supporting artist in films such as Julai, Aagadu, S/O Satyamurthy, Srimanthudu and Nannaku Prematho as well as elderly characters in films like Dagudumoota Dandakore.

Telugu people who emigrated abroad would take Prasad's movies along with them, such was the popularity and impact of his films on at least two generations of Telugu people. The then prime minister P. V. Narasimha Rao too was a huge fan of Prasad.[14]

In 2015, he was elected President of Movie Artist Association (MAA), over actress Jayasudha.[15]

His recent film, Senapathi, is currently streaming on Aha.[16]

Awards

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Nandi Awards[17]
South Indian International Movie Awards
CineMAA Awards

Santosham Film Awards

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Telugu Book of Records Awardee

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  • For continuously 10 years published as a Cover page picture on Ballem Cinema Directory 2016.

Filmography

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Main article: Rajendra Prasad filmography

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Rachamalla, Suresh (19 July 2020). "#HBDRajendraprasad : నవ్వుల రారాజుకు 64వ పుట్టినరోజు శుభాకాంక్షలు.. ప్రత్యేక కథనం." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  2. ^ Narasimham, M. l (19 March 2010). "Here comes the Creator". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  3. ^ "COMING SOON". www.canadafilmfestival.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013.
  4. ^ Krishnamoorthy, Suresh (4 March 2013). "'Dream' hops to Canada in flying colours". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  5. ^ Eenadu daily, Eenadu Cinema, page 16, 11 April 2013
  6. ^ "Mind it!". The Hindu. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  7. ^ Eenadu Telugu newspaper daily, 19 July 2016
  8. ^ "Chiranjeevi, Samantha at Rajendra Prasad's son wedding". Rediff. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Actor Rajendra Prasad's daughter Gayatri passes away". The Times of India. 5 October 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Stars : Star Profiles : Rajendra Prasad". Archived from the original on 18 April 2012.
  11. ^ "Dr Rajendra Prasad News". filmibeat.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Aa Naluguru – Telugu cinema different perspective – analysis on latest Telugu movies". idlebrain.com. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  13. ^ "MoMA Celebrates Contemporary Indian Cinema". Huliq. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  14. ^ "Rajendra Prasad Never be Ignored". 14 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Rajendra Prasad beats Jayasudha to win MAA president Post". The Hans India. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  16. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (31 December 2021). "'Senapathi' movie review: Rajendra Prasad, Naresh Agastya impress in this fairly engrossing crime drama". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "Nitya, Nag bag awards on star-studded night". The Hindu. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
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