Gummadi (actor)
Gummadi Venkateswara Rao (9 July 1928 – 26 January 2010) was an Indian film actor and producer, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema and a few Tamil films. Known as one of the finest method actors, Gummadi starred in around five hundred feature films. He received critical recognition for his work in Thodu Dongalu (1954) and Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962), for which he has received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Award.[1][2] Gummadi was an official member of the Indian delegation from South India to the Tashkent Film Festival in 1978 and 1982.[3]
Gummadi | |
---|---|
Born | Gummadi Venkateswara Rao 9 July 1927 |
Died | 26 January 2010 82) | (aged
Occupation | Character actor |
Years active | 1950–2010 |
Awards | Padma Shri Rashtrapati Award |
Website | gummadi.com |
Gummadi served as a jury member thrice for the 28th, 33rd and 39th National Film Awards.[4][5][6] He served twice on the state Nandi Awards Committee.[7] In 1977, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honor Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cinema.[8][9] He is widely known for his roles in films such as Maya Bazar (1957), Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1959), Kula Daivam (1960), Kula Gothralu (1962), Jyothi (1976), Nelavanka (1981), Maro Malupu (1982), Ekalavya (1982), Ee Charitra Ye Siraatho? (1982), Gaaju Bommalu (1983) and Pelli Pustakam (1991). In 2008 he starred in Jagadguru Sree Kasi Nayana Charitra which is his last film.[10]
Early life
He was born in Ravikampadu near Kollur mandal, in the erstwhile Madras Presidency (now Andhra Pradesh), India. According to one of his interviews, he studied in ZP High School, Kollur and Hindu College, Guntur.
Early career
Gummadi's acting career extended from 1950 onwards for almost six decades and he worked with three generations of people in the film industry. Though young, he played dignified older people at the beginning. He was a versatile character actor in sociopolitical and mythological movies. He acted in nearly 500 movies. He played the role of father to many lead actors in old Telugu films.
Gummadi Venkateswara Rao first appeared as an actor in 1942, where he played the role of an old man on the stage. He began his cinema career with Adrushtadeepudu (1950) and continued on for about 500 more films portraying roles ranging from the hero, the villain and the character artiste, to roles with a slight comedic bent, such as his guest appearance in Missamma (1955).
Characters played by him
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Personal life
Gummadi was married and had five daughters and two sons. He died of multiple organ failure at Care hospital, Hyderabad on 26 January 2010.[11] His last public appearance was at the screening of Maya Bazar, which had been colourised. Here he expressed his happiness and said that "Watching this great movie in colour probably could have been the only reason for me to have stayed alive for so long."[12]
Written works
- Gummadi has written his memoirs of Telugu cinema in Teepi Gurthulu and Chedu Gnapakalu.
Awards
- Civilian honors
- Padma Shri - Government of India - 1977
- Best acting for Mahamantri Timmarusu (1963)
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for contribution to Telugu cinema
- Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor - Maro Malupu (1982)
- Other Honors
- 1963 - Honorary Doctorate - Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University
- 1976 - Filmfare Special Award for Excellent Performance[13] - Jyothi & Sita Kalyanam
Selected filmography
Year | Film | Character | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
1950 | Adrushta Deepudu | Debut film | |
1953 | Pitchi Pullaiah | Bhopala Rao | |
1954 | Thodu Dongalu | Lokanatham | |
1955 | Kanyasulkam | Sowjanya Rao Pantulu | |
Ardhangi | Zameendaar | ||
Jayasimha | Ranadhir | ||
Missamma | Employer (guest role) | ||
Rani Ratnaprabha | |||
1956 | Chiranjeevulu | Dr. Krishna | |
Edi Nijam | Munusabu | ||
Ilavelpu | Sekhar's father | ||
Pennin Perumai | |||
1957 | Suvarna Sundari | Tata | |
Maya Bazaar | Balarama | ||
Dampatyam | |||
Dongallo Dora | Inspector Ram Murthy | ||
MLA | Damodaram | ||
Premada Putri | |||
Preme Daivam | |||
Sarangadhara | |||
Sati Anasuya | |||
Veera Kankanam | |||
Vinayaka Chaviti | Satrajit | ||
1958 | Aadapettanam | ||
Chenchu Lakshmi | Durvasa | ||
Dongalunnaru Jagratha | |||
Ettuku Pai Ettu | Govindaiah | ||
Intiguttu | |||
1959 | Illarikam | Zamindar | |
Jayabheri | Viswanatha Sastri | ||
Krishna Leelalu | |||
Maa Inti Mahalakshmi | |||
Nammina Bantu | Zamindar Bhujanga Rao | ||
Pelli Sandadi | |||
Raja Makutam | Prachandudu | ||
Sabhash Ramudu | |||
Sati Tulasi | |||
Sipayi Kooturu | |||
1960 | Deepavali | Nagadattudu | |
Harishchandra | Vishwamitra Maharshi | ||
Pelli Kaanuka | |||
Renukadevi Mahatyam | |||
Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani | |||
Shantinivasam | |||
Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | Bhrigu Maharshi | ||
1961 | Bharya Bharthalu | Anand's father | |
Iddaru Mitrulu | Bhanoji Rao | ||
Pandava Vanavasam | Dharmaraaju | ||
Rishyashringar | |||
Rushyashrunga | |||
Santa | |||
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam | Viswamitra Maharshi | ||
Tandrulu Kodukulu | |||
Vagdanam | Ranganatham | ||
Velugu Needalu | |||
1962 | Aradhana | Principal | |
Bhishma | Karna | ||
Constable Koothuru | |||
Kalimilemulu | |||
Khaidi Kannayya | |||
Kula Gothralu | Bhushaiah | ||
Mahamantri Timmarusu | Mahamantri Timmarusu | ||
Siri Sampadalu | |||
1963 | Chaduvukunna Ammayilu | Venkat Rangayya | |
Irugu – Porugu | |||
Lakshadhikari | Seetayya | ||
Mooga Manasulu | Zamindar | ||
Paruvu Prathishta | |||
Punarjanma | Zamindar | ||
Savati Koduku | |||
Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham | Yudhishthira | ||
Tirupathamma Katha | |||
1964 | Aatma Balam | Psychiatrist | |
Dr. Chakravarthy | Inspector Sridhar | ||
Manchi Manishi | |||
Murali Krishna | |||
Pooja Phalam | Diwan Ramakrishnaiah | ||
Ramadasu | Kabir | ||
Varasatwam | |||
1965 | Aatma Gowravam | Ramaiah | |
Antastulu | Zamindar | ||
Chandrahasa | |||
CID | Chalapathi | ||
Keelu Bommalu | |||
Naadi Aada Janme | |||
Preminchi Choodu | Subbarayudu | ||
Satya Harishchandra | |||
1966 | Aastiparulu | Zamindar | |
Bhakta Potana | Pothana | ||
Kanne Manasulu | |||
Navarathri | Radha's father | ||
Palnati Yuddham | |||
Shri Krishna Pandaviyam | |||
1967 | Kambojaraju Katha | ||
Prana Mithrulu | Diwan | ||
Private Master | Sundari's father | ||
Rahasyam | Sriganda Prabhu | ||
Sudigundalu | Defence Lawyer | ||
1968 | Bandhipotu Dongalu | Doctor | |
Bangaru Gaajulu | Chandra Shekaram | ||
Bangaru Sankellu | |||
Govula Gopanna | Chairman Nagaraju | ||
Mana Samsaram | |||
Pala Manasulu | |||
1969 | Adrushtavanthalu | ||
Aadarsa Kutumbam | |||
Aatmiyulu | Jagannadham | ||
Bhale Rangadu | |||
Buddhimanthudu | D.E.O | ||
Manushulu Marali | |||
Shri Rama Katha | |||
Tara Sasankam | |||
1970 | Agni Pareeksha | ||
Akka Chellelu | Dharmayya | ||
Jai Jawan | Madhava Rao | ||
Maro Prapancham | |||
Poola Rangadu | Chalapathi | ||
Sridevi | |||
1971 | Amayakuralu | ||
Bhagyavanthudu | |||
Bharya Biddalu | |||
Dasara Bullodu | Vasu | ||
Mosagallaku Mosagadu | Daanala Dharmayya | ||
Nenu Manishine | |||
Prem Nagar | Lata's father | ||
Sampoorna Ramayanam | Dasharadha | ||
Shri Krishna Satya | |||
Shrimanthudu | |||
Sisindri Chittibabu | |||
Suputhrudu | |||
Vichithra Dampathyam | |||
1972 | Bangaru Babu | Ranganatham | |
Bala Mitrula Katha | Kotaiah | ||
Iddaru Ammayilu | Ramanujam | ||
Kalam Marindi | |||
Koduku Kodalu | Srihari Rao | ||
Neethi Nijayathi | |||
Pandanti Kapuram | |||
Tata Manavadu | Paramatma Rao | ||
Vichitra Bandham | Ahobila Rao | ||
1973 | Jeevana Tarangalu | Venugopal Rao | |
Kannavari Kala | |||
Mallamma Katha | |||
Marapurani Manishi | Ananda Rao | ||
Minaru Babu | |||
Samsaram Sagaram | |||
Vichitra Vivaham | |||
Vintha Katha | |||
1974 | Alluri Seetharama Raju | ||
Ammayi Pelli | |||
Anaganaga Oka Thandri | |||
Bhoomikosam | |||
Devadasu | |||
Dora Babu | |||
Gali Patalu | |||
Intinti Katha | |||
Khaidi Babai | |||
Manushullo Devudu | Father | ||
1975 | Babu | ||
Samsaram | |||
Saubhagyavati | |||
Soggadu | Simhadri | ||
Yashoda Krishna | Nanda | ||
Zamindarugari Ammayi | |||
Lakshmana Rekha | Lawyer | ||
1976 | Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam | ||
Neram Nadi Kadu Akalidi | |||
Manchiki Maro Peru | |||
Oka Deepam Veligindhi | |||
Padavoyi Bharatheeyuda | |||
Secretary | |||
Sita Kalyanam | Dasaradh | ||
Sita Swayamvar | Dasarath | ||
Yavanam Katesindi | |||
1977 | Aalu Magalu | Ranga Rao | |
Chakradhari | |||
Daana Veera Soora Karna | Parasu Ramudu | ||
Indradhanusu | |||
Kalpana | |||
Kurukshetram | Bhishma | ||
Seeta Rama Vanavasam | |||
1978 | Chal Mohana Ranga | ||
Sati Savitri | |||
Akbar Saleem Anarkali | |||
Devadasu Malli Puttadu | Sripathi Raja | ||
Sahasavanthudu | |||
1979 | Captain Krishna | ||
Ganga Bhavani | |||
Intinti Ramayanam | |||
Karthika Deepam | |||
Khiladi Krishnudu | |||
Mande Gundelu | |||
Muddula Koduku | Raobahadoor Ranga Rao | ||
Naa Illu Naa Vaalu | |||
Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam | Hathiram Bhavaji | ||
1980 | Mosagadu | ||
Chandipriya | |||
Buchi Babu | Buchi Babu's grandfather | ||
Dharma Chakram | |||
Gajadonga | |||
Gharana Donga | |||
Gopala Krishnudu | |||
Heema Hemeelu | |||
Kaksha | |||
Kotha Jeevithalu | |||
Sardar Papa Rayudu | |||
Shri Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari Mahatyam | |||
Sreevari Muchatlu | |||
1981 | Agni Poolu | Rajeshwari's father | |
Alludugaru Zindabad | |||
Asha Jyoti | |||
Bhoga Bhagyalu | |||
Premabhishekam | Dr. Venkateswarulu | ||
Prema Mandiram | Bhupati Raja | ||
Sandhya Ragam | |||
1982 | Mondighatam | ||
Gruha Pravesam | |||
Anuraga Devatha | Priest | ||
Bangaru Kanuka | |||
Ee Charitra Ae Siratho | |||
Ekalavya | |||
Jagannatha Rathachakralu | |||
Kaliyuga Ramudu | |||
Maro Malupu | Nandi Award for Best Actor | ||
Raga Deepam | |||
Swayamvaram | |||
1983 | Sangharshana | ||
Prema Pichollu | |||
Adavallu Aligithe | |||
Ee Pillaku Pellavuthundha | |||
MLA Yedukondalu | |||
Mundadugu | Lawyer | ||
Nelavanka | Sitarama Raju | ||
Pelli Choopulu | |||
Police Venkataswamy | |||
Rudrakali | |||
1984 | Rustum | Brahmaiah Naidu | |
Rojulu Marayi | |||
1985 | Raktha Sindhuram | Jagannatham | |
Shri Datta Darshanam | Jamadagni | ||
1986 | Vikram | Commissioner | |
Kiraathakudu | Dharmateja | ||
1987 | Pasivadi Pranam | ||
Thene Manasulu | |||
Majnu | Alekhya's grandfather | ||
Muddu Bidda | |||
1988 | Kanoon Ki Hathkadee | ||
1990 | Bobbili Raja | Sundaraiyah | |
1991 | Pelli Pustakam | Sridhar Rao | Nandi Award for Best Feature Film |
Talli Tandrulu | Venkataramaiah | ||
1992 | Brundavanam | Jagannadham | |
1993 | Muta Mesthri | Chief Minister | |
Gaayam | |||
Rajendrudu Gajendrudu | Elephant's Master | ||
Rajeshwari Kalyanam | |||
Varasudu | Principal | ||
1994 | Govinda Govinda | Doorvasa Maharshi | |
1995 | Maya Bazaar | Balarama | |
Aayanaki Iddaru | Krishna Mohan's father | ||
1996 | Dharma Chakram | ||
2008 | Jagadguru Sri Kasinayana Charitra | Kasinayana |
See also
References
- Ramachandran, T.M. (1973). Film world. 9.
- The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.
- "Profile of Gummadi - Telugu film actor".
- "28th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
- "33rd National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- "39th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- "Actor Gummadi passes away". The Hindu.
- "Gummadi never forgot his mentor". The New Indian Express.
- "Gummadi Awards".
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Gummadi Venkateswara Rao died Breaking News Views. Retrieved on 26 January 2010.
- Gummadi on Mayabazar on YouTube
- "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1979.