C. S. Rao

For the writer, actor, director and producer, see C. S. Rao (writer).

C. S. Rao
Born	Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao 1924 Kakinada, India
Died	8 December 2004 Chennai, India
Occupation(s)	Actor, Writer, Director
Spouse	Rajasulochana

C. S. Rao (1924, Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao) was an Indian film actor, writer and director. He was the son of director Chittajallu Pullayya. He directed about 70 films in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Oriya languages. He has garnered two National Film Awards for directing blockbuster films like Lava Kusha (1963), and Desamante Manushuloyi (1970). Directors like Muktha V.Srinivasan and K. S. Sethu Madhavan worked as Assistants to him.

Early life and career

He was born in Kakinada and associated with films since boyhood. He started in films directed by his father like Sati Anasuya and Bhakta Dhruva as a child actor. He worked as assistant to cinematographer K. Ramnoth, art director V. A. K. Sekhar and Uday Shankar. He assisted his father in Pakkinti Ammayi (1953), as an actor and screenplay writer.

His directorial debut film in Tamil is Ponni (1953) and in Telugu Sri Krishna Tulabaram (1955). He directed about 70 movies in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Oriya languages. His popular Telugu movies include Lava Kusha (1963), Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu (1958), Santinivasam (1960), Abhimanam (1960), Tiger Ramudu (1962), Valmeeki (1963), Kanchu Kota (1967), Govula Gopanna (1968), Ekaveera (1969), Jeevitha Chakram (1971), Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham (1972), Dhanamaa? Daivamaa? (1973), Yashoda Krishna (1975), Mahakavi Kshetrayya (1976), etc. He has also acted in a few movies Pelli Sandadi (1959), Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya (1982), Jebudonga (1987), Kokila (1989).

Personal life

He married the daughter of Kannamba and Kadaru Nagabhushanam. He fell in love with dancer and actress Rajasulochana and married her, after divorcing his first wife, they had twins. He died on 8 December 2004 in Chennai.

Selected filmography

1. Anasuya (1936) (as child actor)
2. Dhruva (1936) (as child actor)
3. Pakka Inti Ammayi (Telugu, 1953) (actor and screen adaptation)
4. Ponni (1953) (director)
5. Pona Machan Thirumbi Vandhan (1954) (director)
6. Sri Krishna Tulabharam (Telugu, 1955) (director)
7. Anna Thamudu (1958) (director)
8. Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu (1958) (director)
9. Sri Krishna Maya (1958) (director)
10. Pelli Sandadi (1959) (actor)
11. Naradhar Kalyanam (1959) (director)
12. Sabash Ramu (1959) (director)
13. Sabhash Ramudu (1959) (director)
14. Abhimanam (1960) (director)
15. Santinivasam (1960) (director)
16. Pellikani Pillalu (1961) (director)
17. Tiger Ramudu (1962) (director)
18. Santhi Nivas (1962) (director)
19. Lava Kusa (Telugu, 1963) (director)
20. Valmiki (Telugu, 1963) (director)
21. Lava Kusa (Tamil, 1963) (director)
22. Valmiki (Kannada, 1963) (director)
23. Keelu Bommalu (Telugu, 1965) (director)
24. Prachanda Bhairavi (1965) (director)
25. Pratignapalana (1965) (director)
26. Kanchukota (1967) (director)
27. Pallava Sevengal (1967) (director)
28. Bangaru Gaajulu (1968) (director)
29. Govula Gopanna (1968) (director)
30. Gramadevathulu (1968) (director)
31. Mana Samsaram (1968) (director)
32. Niluvu Dopidi (1968) (director)
33. Nindu Samsaram (1968) (director)
34. Ekaveera (Telugu, 1969) (director)

1. Mamaku Tagga Kodalu (1969) (director)
2. Pettandarulu (1970) (director)
3. Desamante Manushuloi (1970) (director)
4. Malli Pelli (1970) (director)
5. Marina Manishi (1970) (director)
6. Rendu Kutumbala Katha (1970) (director)
7. Bhagyavanthudu (1971) (director)
8. Jeevitha Chakram (Telugu, 1971) (director)
9. Rangeli Raja (1971) (director)
10. Shri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham (1972) (director)
11. Desoddharakulu (1973) (director)
12. Dhanama? Daivama? (1973) (director)
13. Adambaralu Anubhandalu (1974) (director)
14. Anaganaga Oka Thandri (1974) (director)
15. Bandhalu Anubhandhalu (1974) (director)
16. Devudulanti Manishi (1975) (director)
17. Swandam Kariyum Zindabad (1975) (director)
18. Yashoda Krishna (Telugu, 1975) (director)
19. Mahakavi Kshetrayya (Telugu, 1976) (director)
20. Manchiki Maro Peru (1976) (director)
21. Punardatta (1976) (director)
22. Sri Renukadevi Mahatme (1977) (director)
23. Allari Pillalu (1978) (director)
24. Parasuraman (1978) (director)
25. Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya (Telugu, 1982) (actor)
26. Radhamma Mogudu (1982) (director)
27. Bhayankara Bhasmasura (1983) (director)
28. Maro Maya Bazaar (1983) (director)
29. Raja Harishchandra (1984) (director)
30. Satya Harishchandra (Telugu, 1984) (director)
31. Gruhalakshmi (1985) (director)
32. Jebu Donga (1987) (actor)
33. Yogi Vemana (Telugu, 1988) (director)
34. Kokila (1989) (actor)