Kanta Rao
Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao , more popularly known as Kanta Rao, was an Indian film actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. Regarded as one of the finest method actors, Rao starred in more than four hundred feature films in a variety of genres including mythological, social and folklore. He has also acted in a few Hindi, Kannada and Tamil movies. He has produced about five films under the Hyma Films banner.
In the 1960s, he was one of the primary actors in Telugu cinema, along with N. T. Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Kanta Rao was known for portraying the roles of Narada, Lord Krishna and Arjuna. He played Lakshmana in the blockbuster film Lava Kusa, for which he has won the Rashtrapati Award for best actor in 1963.
He is very familiar with the name of Kattula Kantarao in grandma stories, because he has carried swords in many films while entering the scene.
Early life
Kanta Rao was born to Kesavarao and Seetaramamma at Gudibanda village on 16 November 1923. According to the Hindu calendar, it corresponds to Rudhirodgari Samvatsara Kartika Sudha Ashtami day. He lost his father the next year. His primary education was done in Gudibanda and Khammam. He was exposed to puranas and Hindu epic stories from his grandmother.Career
Surabhi Drama troupe has visited their village. Impressed by their professional performances, he established "Balamitra Natya Mandali" and used to play Gayopakhyanam and Madhuseva plays with his friends. He played the character Brahma in Sri Krishna Leelalu in the group "Surabhi" and subsequently in the plays Madhuseva, Kanakatara and Telugu Talli.He was sent to Tenali to deviate from the drama activities. Tenali used to be very active in drama activities with stalwarts like Pulipati Lakshminarayana. He used to stay in same street where Rentachintala Satyanarayana and Banda Kanakalingeswara Rao used to live.
He then shifted to Madras in 1950 and used stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for H. M. Reddy's Rohini Pictures.
H. M. Reddy gave him chance to play a small role in Nirdoshi in 1951 and as his hero for Pratigna in 1953. He has acted in 450 films and in about 100 films as hero, whereas in others as different character roles. They include some popular roles in films like Jayasimha, Shri Krishna Pandaviyam, Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu, Lava Kusha, Nartanasala, Pandava Vanavasam and Muthyala Muggu. His last movie was Pandurangadu, with Balakrishna, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao in 2008.
He made four films in between 1969 and 1974, Saptaswaralu, Gandara Gandadu, Premajeevulu and Gundelu Theesina Monagadu and lost all his previous earnings. The last film he made was Swathi Chinukulu. Subsequently he shifted to Hyderabad.
Awards
;National honours- Rashtrapati Award for the role of Lakshmana in Lava Kusha.
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the government of Andhra Pradesh in 2000, for lifetime achievement.
- Nandi Award for Best Book, for Anaganaga Oka Raakumaarudu won for the year 2007.
- Visesha Puraskaram in Ramineni Foundation Awards in 2004.
- Mahanati Savitri Award
- C.H. Narayana Rao Award
Filmography
Actor
This is the complete list of his films according to his autobiographical work, Anaganaga Oka Rakumarudu.| Year | Film | Language | Character | Director |
| 1951 | Nirdoshi | Telugu | H. M. Reddy | |
| 1953 | Pratigna | Telugu | Pratap | H. M. Reddy |
| 1955 | Jayasimha | Telugu | Vijayasimha | D. Yoganand |
| 1955 | Kanyadhanam | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1956 | Bhakta Markandeya | Telugu | B. S. Ranga | |
| 1956 | Ilavelpu | Telugu | D. Yoganand | |
| 1956 | Sri Gowri Mahatyam | Telugu | ||
| 1957 | Sati Anasuya | Telugu | K. B. Nagabhushanam | |
| 1958 | Ganga Gowri Samvadamu | Telugu | Narada Muni | V.N. Reddy |
| 1958 | Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham | Telugu | Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana | |
| 1959 | Bhakta Ambarisha | Bolla Subba Rao | ||
| 1959 | Jaya Vijaya | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1959 | Sabash Ramudu | Telugu | C. S. Rao | |
| 1959 | Sati Sukanya | Telugu | Ashwini Devatalu | |
| 1960 | Bhakta Ragunatha | Telugu | Samudrala Raghavacharya | |
| 1960 | Bhatti Vikramarka | Telugu | Bhatti | Jampana Chandrasekhara Rao |
| 1960 | Chivaraku Migiledi | Telugu | Prakasam | Gutha Ramineedu |
| 1960 | Deepavali | Telugu | Narada Muni | Rajanikanth Sabnavis |
| 1960 | Devantakudu | Telugu | Sri Mahavishnu | C. Pullaiah |
| 1960 | Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima | Telugu | Madhava | B. Vittalacharya |
| 1960 | Mangalyam | Telugu | B.S.Narayana | |
| 1960 | Rama Sundari | Telugu | Hunsur Krishnamurthy | |
| 1960 | Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani | Telugu | S. D. Lal | |
| 1960 | Sanchari | Telugu | ||
| 1960 | Santhi Nivasam | Telugu | Raju | C. S. Rao |
| 1960 | Sri Krishna Rayabaram | Telugu | ||
| 1961 | Bikari Ramudu | Telugu | Palagummi Padmaraju | |
| 1961 | Pellikani Pillalu | Telugu | C. S. Rao | |
| 1961 | Sabash Raja | Telugu | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao | |
| 1961 | Sati Sulochana | Telugu | Narada Muni | Rajanikanth Sabnavis |
| 1961 | Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam | Telugu | Narada Muni | N. T. Rama Rao |
| 1961 | Tandrulu Kodukulu | Telugu | K. Hemabharadara Rao | |
| 1961 | Usha Parinayam | Telugu | Anirudha | K. B. Nagabhushanam |
| 1961 | Bhakta Kuchela | Malayalam | Krishnan | P. Subramaniam |
| 1961 | Varalakshmi Vratham | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1962 | Bhishma | Telugu | Salwa | B. A. Subba Rao |
| 1962 | Chitti Tammudu | Telugu | Srihari | K. B. Tilak |
| 1962 | Khaidi Kannayya | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1962 | Madanakaamaraaju Katha | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1962 | Mohini Rukmangada | Telugu | K. S. Prakash Rao | |
| 1962 | Nagarjuna | Telugu | Y. V. Rao | |
| 1962 | Nuvva Nena | Telugu | ||
| 1962 | Padandi Munduku | Telugu | V. Madhusudhana Rao | |
| 1962 | Raktha Sambandham | Telugu | Anand | V. Madhusudhana Rao |
| 1962 | Swarna Gowri | Telugu | ||
| 1963 | Aapta Mitrulu | Telugu | Kadaru Nagabhushanam | |
| 1963 | Manthiri Kumaran | Tamil | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1963 | Constable Kuturu | Telugu | Tapi Chanakya | |
| 1963 | Deva Sundari | Telugu | Hanumappa Vishwanath Babu | |
| 1963 | Edureeta | Telugu | Village Doctor | B. S. Narayana Rao |
| 1963 | Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu | Telugu | Vijayudu | B. Vittalacharya |
| 1963 | Lava Kusha | Telugu | Lakshmana | C. Pullaiah and C. S. Rao |
| 1963 | Manchirojulu Vastayi | Telugu | ||
| 1963 | Nartanasala | Telugu | Lord Krishna | Kamalakara Kameswara Rao |
| 1963 | Somavara Vrata Mahatyam | Telugu | ||
| 1963 | Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham | Telugu | Narada Muni | Kadiri Venkata Reddy |
| 1963 | Tobuttuvulu | Telugu | Ranganath Das | |
| 1963 | Vishnumaya | Telugu | Nammalvar | |
| 1964 | Babruvahana | Telugu | Lord Krishna | Samudrala Raghavacharya |
| 1964 | Bangaru Timmaraju | Telugu | ||
| 1964 | Desa Drohulu | Telugu | ||
| 1964 | Mairavana | Telugu | B. A. Subba Rao | |
| 1964 | Marmayogi | Tamil | B. A. Subba Rao | |
| 1964 | Navagraha Pooja Mahima | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1964 | Sri Satyanarayana Mahatyam | Telugu | Rajanikanth Sabnavis | |
| 1964 | Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani | Telugu | ||
| 1965 | Aada Bratuku | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavaiah | |
| 1965 | Aakaasha Ramanna | Telugu | G. Viswanath | |
| 1965 | Chaduvukunna Bharya | Telugu | K. B. Nagabhushanam | |
| 1965 | Deveta | Telugu | Guest | |
| 1965 | Dorikithe Dongalu | Telugu | ||
| 1965 | Jwaladweepa Rahasyam | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1965 | Pakkalo Ballem | Telugu | S.R. Puttana Kanagal | |
| 1965 | Pandava Vanavasam | Telugu | Lord Krishna | Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao |
| 1965 | Prachanda Bhairavi | Telugu | C. S. Rao | |
| 1965 | Prameelaarjuneeyam | Telugu | Lord Krishna | |
| 1965 | Pratigyna Palana | Telugu | C. S. Rao | |
| 1965 | Sati Sakkubai | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavaiah | |
| 1965 | Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima | Telugu | Pururava Chakravarthi | B. V. Prasad |
| 1965 | Veerabhimanyu | Telugu | Arjuna | V. Madhusudan Rao |
| 1965 | Vijaya Simha | Telugu | B Vittalacharya, S D Lal | |
| 1966 | Ata Bommalu | Telugu | G. Vishwanathan | |
| 1966 | Bhimanjaneya Yuddham | Telugu | Nala Kuber | S. D. Lal |
| 1966 | Bhoolokamlo Yamolokam | Telugu | G. Viswanath | |
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | B. A. Subba Rao | ||
| 1966 | Paduka Pattabhishekam | Telugu | Kadaru Nagabhushanam | |
| 1966 | Palnati Yudham | Telugu | Nalagamaraju | Gutha Ramineedu |
| 1966 | Shri Krishna Pandaviyam | Telugu | Narada Muni | N. T. Rama Rao |
| 1966 | Shri Krishna Tulabharam | Telugu | Narada Muni | Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao |
| 1966 | Srimati | |||
| 1967 | Aggi Dora | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1967 | Chikkadu Dorakadu | Telugu | Dorakadu | B. Vittalacharya |
| 1967 | Devuni Gelichina Maanavudu | Telugu | Hunsur Krishnamurthy | |
| 1967 | Iddaru Monagaallu | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1967 | Kanchu Kota | Telugu | C. S. R. Rao | |
| 1967 | Maa Vadina | Telugu | Kotayya Pratyagatma | |
| 1967 | Pinni | Telugu | ||
| 1967 | Rahasyam | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavaiah | |
| 1967 | Sati Sumati | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavaiah | |
| 1967 | Sri Krishna Mahima | |||
| 1967 | Stri Janma | Telugu | K.S. Prakash Rao | |
| 1968 | Veera Pooja | Telugu | A.V. Seshagiri Rao | |
| 1968 | Aggimeeda Guggilam | Telugu | ||
| 1968 | Bhale Monagaadu | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1968 | Devakanya | Telugu | K. Hemambharadhara Rao | |
| 1968 | Devudichchina Bharta | Telugu | ||
| 1968 | Evaru Monagaadu? | Telugu | ||
| 1968 | Jeevita Bhandam | Telugu | M.S. Gopinath | |
| 1968 | Kumkuma Bharina | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavaiah | |
| 1968 | Pedaraasi Peddamma Katha | Telugu | G. Suryam | |
| 1968 | Rajayogam | Telugu | K. S. R. Das | |
| 1968 | Ranabheri | Telugu | Giduthuri Satyam | |
| 1968 | Sati Arundhati | Telugu | K.V. Nandana Rao | |
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao | |
| 1968 | Bangaru Gaajulu | Telugu | C.S.R. Rao | |
| 1968 | Niluvu Dopidi | Telugu | Guest | C.S.R. Rao |
| 1969 | Bommalu Cheppina Katha | Telugu | G. Viswanath | |
| 1969 | Pancha Kalyani Dongala Rani | Telugu | ||
| 1969 | Raja Simha | Telugu | K. S. R. Das | |
| 1969 | Saptaswaralu | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavaiah | |
| 1969 | Vukku Pidugu | Telugu | K. S. R. Das | |
| 1969 | Gandara Gandadu | Telugu | Manoharudu | K. S. R. Das |
| 1969 | Tarasasankam | Telugu | M. Appa Rao | |
| 1969 | Ekaveera | Telugu | Veerbhupati | C.S.R. Rao |
| 1970 | Merupu Veerudu | Telugu | ||
| 1970 | Maa Manchi Akkayya | Telugu | V Ramachandra Rao | |
| 1970 | Janmabhoomi | Telugu | ||
| 1970 | Suguna Sundari Katha | Telugu | Prasoona | H.S. Venu |
| 1970 | Bhale Ettu Chivaraku Chittu | Telugu | Vedantam Raghavaiah | |
| 1970 | Raite Raju | Telugu | B.S. Srinivas | |
| 1970 | Oke Kutumbham | Telugu | A. Bhimsingh | |
| 1970 | Khadga Veera | Telugu | T. Vishwanathan | |
| 1971 | Prema Jeevulu | Telugu | K. S. R. Das | |
| 1971 | Sri Krishna Vijayamu | Telugu | ||
| 1971 | Kattiki Kankanamu | Telugu | K. S. R. Das | |
| 1971 | Ananda Nilayam | Telugu | ||
| 1971 | Sati Anasooya | Telugu | Subba Rao B.A. | |
| 1971 | Jataka Ratna Midatambhotlu | Telugu | Padmanabham | |
| 1971 | Andam Kosan Pandem | Telugu | ||
| 1971 | Adavi Veerulu | Telugu | P Subramanyam | |
| 1971 | Shri Krishna Satya | Telugu | Narada Muni | Kadri Venkata Reddy |
| 1971 | Chelleli Kapuram | Telugu | K. Viswanath | |
| 1971 | Varalakshmi Vratam | Telugu | B. Vittalacharya | |
| 1972 | Adrusta Devata | Telugu | ||
| 1972 | Shri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham | Telugu | Narada Muni | C. S. R. Rao |
| 1972 | Sree Guruvayoorappan | Malayalam | P. Subramaniam | |
| 1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | Pandu Raju | Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao |
| 1972 | Illu Illalu | Telugu | P. Chandrashekar Reddy | |
| 1972 | Praja Nayakudu | Telugu | V. Madhusudan Rao | |
| 1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | Telugu | V. Ramachandra Rao | |
| 1973 | Neramu Siksha | Telugu | Rajasekharam | K. Viswanath |
| 1973 | Mayadari Malligadu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | |
| 1974 | Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu | Telugu | N. B. Chakravarthi | |
| 1974 | Alluri Seetharama Raju | Telugu | Padalu | V. Ramachandra Rao |
| 1974 | Shri Ramanjaneya Yuddham | Telugu | Narada Muni | Bapu |
| 1974 | Vijaya Ramudu | Telugu | ||
| 1974 | Devi Kanyakumari | Malayalam | P. Subramaniam | |
| 1974 | Devadasu | Telugu | Vijaya Nirmala | |
| 1974 | Bangaru Kalalu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | |
| 1974 | O Seeta Katha | Telugu | Madhava Rao | K. Vishwanath |
| 1974 | Nippulanti Manishi | Telugu | S. D. Lal | |
| 1974 | Tulabharam | Telugu | Pendyala Naganjaneyulu | |
| 1974 | Pooja Pushpaalu | Telugu | ||
| 1974 | Nirnayam | Telugu | ||
| 1974 | Adambaralu - Anubhandhalu | Telugu | C. S. Rao | |
| 1975 | Gajula Kishtayya | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | |
| 1975 | Padi Pantalu | Telugu | ||
| 1975 | Muthyala Muggu | Telugu | Raja Rao Bahadur | Bapu |
| 1975 | Maayaa Maschindra | Telugu | Babubhai Mistri | |
| 1975 | Pellade Bomma | Telugu | ||
| 1975 | Illu Vakili | Telugu | ||
| 1975 | Gunavantudu | Telugu | Adurthi Subba Rao | |
| 1975 | Pooja | Telugu | Murugan Kumaran | |
| 1975 | Eduruleni Manishi | Telugu | K. Bapayya | |
| 1975 | Soubhagyavati | Telugu | P Chandrashekar Reddy | |
| 1975 | Challani Talli | Telugu | K. S. Rami Reddy | |
| 1975 | Rakta Sambhandhaalu | Telugu | M. Mallikarjuna Rao | |
| 1975 | Ammayila Sapadham | Telugu | G. V. R. Seshagiri Rao | |
| 1975 | Annadammula Anubhandham | Telugu | S. D. Lal | |
| 1975 | Bharatamulo oka Ammayi | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | |
| 1976 | Mahatmudu | Telugu | M.S. Gopinath | |
| 1976 | Raajaa | Telugu | K. Raghavendra Rao | |
| 1976 | Vemulavada Bhimakavi | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | America Ammayi | Telugu | Singeetham Srinivasa Rao | |
| 1976 | E Kalapu Pillalu | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Magaadu | Telugu | S. D. Lal | |
| 1976 | Neram Naadi Kaadu Akalidi | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Monagaadu | Telugu | T. Krishna | |
| 1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya | Telugu | C. S. Rao, Adurthi Subba Rao | |
| 1976 | Padavoyi Bharateeyudaa | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | |
| 1976 | Seeta Kalyanam | Telugu | Bapu | |
| 1976 | Sita Swayamvar | Hindi | Bapu | |
| 1976 | Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club | Telugu | Bapu, Chakrapani | |
| 1977 | Kurukshetram | Telugu | Drupada | Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao |
| 1977 | Panchayiti | Telugu | Vijaya Nirmala | |
| 1977 | Jeevanateeralu | Telugu | G. C. Shekhar | |
| 1977 | Yamagola | Telugu | Indrudu | Tatineni Rama Rao |
| 1977 | Andame Anandam | Telugu | Singeetham Srinivasa Rao | |
| 1977 | Edureeta | Telugu | V. Madhusudan Rao | |
| 1977 | Manavadi Kosam | Telugu | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | |
| 1977 | Manchini Penchali | Telugu | ||
| 1977 | Manassakshi | Telugu | P. Sambasiva Rao | |
| 1977 | JanmaJanmala Bhandham | Telugu | P. Chandrashekar Reddy | |
| 1977 | Geeta Sangeeta | Telugu | M.S. Koti Reddy | |
| 1978 | Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi | Telugu | Singeetham Srinivasa Rao | |
| 1978 | Vayasu Pilichindi | Telugu | C. V. Sridhar | |
| 1978 | Manavoori Pandavulu | Telugu | Dharmaiah | Bapu |
| 1980 | Chandipriya | Telugu | V. Madhusudan Rao | |
| 1980 | Vamsa Vruksham | Telugu | Bapu | |
| 1980 | Kaali | Telugu | I. V. Sasi | |
| 1980 | Superman | Telugu | V. Madhusudan Rao | |
| 1980 | Chukkallo Chandrudu | Telugu | ||
| 1980 | Sarada Ramudu | Telugu | Raja Rao | Vasu |
| 1981 | Satyabhama | Telugu | K. Raghavendra Rao | |
| 1981 | Radha Kalyanam | Telugu | Bapu | |
| 1981 | Ooriki Ichina Maata | Telugu | Mannava Balayya | |
| 1982 | Ekalavya | Telugu | Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao | |
| 1982 | Siripuram Simham | Telugu | ||
| 1982 | Swami Vaibhavam | Telugu | ||
| 1985 | Vijetha | Telugu | Venkayya | A. Kodandarami Reddy |
| 1985 | Musugu Donga | Telugu | Boina Subba Rao | |
| 1985 | Mantra Dandam | Telugu | ||
| 1985 | America Alludu | Telugu | K. Vasu | |
| 1985 | Nerasthudu | Telugu | K.S.R. Das | |
| 1985 | Pachani Kapuram | Telugu | ||
| 1986 | Pyaar Ka Sindoor | Hindi | Bapu | |
| 1986 | Simhasanam | Telugu | Krishna Ghattamaneni | |
| 1986 | Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam | Telugu | Shyama | K. Vasu |
| 1988 | Jhansi Rani | Telugu | ||
| 1989 | Mutyamantha Muddu | Telugu | Ravi Raja Pinisetty | |
| 1992 | Soorigaadu | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | |
| 1994 | Mugguru Monagallu | Telugu | K. Raghavendra Rao | |
| 1998 | Kante Kuthurnekanu | Telugu | Dasari Narayana Rao | |
| 2003 | Kabirdas | Telugu | V. V. Raju | |
| 2003 | Nijam | Telugu | Narayana Rao | Teja |
| 2007 | Shankar Dada Zindabad | Telugu | Prabhu Deva | |
| 2008 | Pandurangadu'' | Telugu | K. Raghavendra Rao |
Other movies as actor.
| Year | Film | Character | Director | Notes |
| 2005 | Dhana 51 | R. Surya Kiran | ||
| 2003 | Satyam | R. Surya Kiran | ||
| 1999 | Postman | Muppalaneni Siva | ||
| 1994 | Bangaru Kutumbam | Dasari Narayana Rao | ||
| 1986 | Vikram | V. Madhusudan Rao | ||
| 1981 | Sati Savitri | P. Subba Rao | ||
| 1980 | Ram Robert Rahim | Catholic priest | Vijaya Nirmala | |
| 1980 | Prema Tarangalu | Ranga Rao | S. P. Chitti Babu | |
| 1979 | Yugandhar | K. S. R. Das | ||
| 1979 | Maavuri Devatha | G. Giridhara Rao | ||
| 1978 | Gorantha Deepam | Bapu | ||
| 1976 | Tu Hi Ram Tu Hi Krishna | Narada Muni | Kadri Venkata Reddy | Hindi film |
| 1975 | Alakh Niranjan | Babubhai Mistri | Hindi film | |
| 1974 | Hare Krishna | Hindi film | ||
| 1963 | Valmiki | C. S. Rao |
Producer
- Saptaswaralu
- Gandara Gandadu
- Premajeevulu
- Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu
- Swaati Chinukulu
Personal
His son Raja has acted in Sudigundalu, Prema Jeevulu, Gandara Gandadu, Gundelu Teesina Monagadu, Swati Chinukulu, Ukku Pidugu, Rajasimha, Evaru Monagadu, Maro Prapancham and Manushulu Matti Bommalu.
His son Satyam also has acted in Saptaswaralu, Prema Jeevulu and ''Gandara Gandadu'.
His grandson Sai Eshwar also worked as child artist in Television industry.