Rajanala (actor)

{{Infobox person

| name = Rajanala

| image = Raja .jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Rajanala in Hello Brother (1994)

| birth_date = {{birth-date|3 January 1925}}

| birth_place = Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India

| death_date = {{d-da|21 May 1998|3 January 1925}}

| death_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

| birth_name = Rajanala Kaleswara Rao

| othername = {{ubl|Rajanala|Kalayya|King of Villains}}

| alma_mater = {{ubl|University of Lucknow|Andhra University}}

| occupation = {{ubl|Actor|Thespian}}

| years active = 1950–1996

| spouse = R. B. Devi

| known_for = {{ubl|Tenali Ramakrishna|Narthanasala|Gundamma Katha|Dakshayagnam|Chitti Tammudu|Gulebakavali Katha|Shri Krishna Pandaviyam|Palnati Yudham}}

| awards = Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards

}}

Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, known mononymously by his surname as Rajanala, was an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Telugu theatre, and a few Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. In a film career spanning more than four decades, Rajanala acted in more than 1400 feature films in a variety of characters.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} 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 him for his achievements and contribution to Indian Film Industry. He won several Filmfare Awards South and Nandi Award.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/The-original-swashbuckler/article15937778.ece|title=The original swashbuckler|date=3 April 2009|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/starring-nt-ramarao-rajasulochana-kannamba-gummadi-padmanabham-rajanala/article8223231.ece|author=M.L. Narasimham|title=Rajamakutam (1960)|date=11 February 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018}}

Early life and characteristics

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.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-manchi-manasuku-manchi-rojulu/article7403694.ece|author=M.L. Narasimham|title=Manchi manasuku manchi rojulu (1958)|date=9 July 2015|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-jayasimha/article6317743.ece|author=M.L. Narasimham|title=Jayasimha (1955)|date=14 August 2014|work=The Hindu|access-date=15 July 2018}}

Death

Being a diabetic, his right leg could not withstand the rigours 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 and was admitted in Vijaya Hospital in Chennai. He died on 21 May 1998 in Chennai, aged 73.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3kj66r|title=Rajanala Kaleswara Rao Jayanthi Special - Video Dailymotion|access-date=15 July 2018}}

Filmography

Pratigya (1953)
Vaddante Dabbu (1954)
Jayasimha (1955) as Mahaveerudu
Suvarna Sundari (1957)
Dongallo Dora (1957)
Kutumba Gowravam (1957)
Vinayaka Chaviti (1957)
Vaddante Pelli (1957) as Raghunath
Sati Anasuya (1957)
Raja Nandini (1958) as Tirumala Nayak
Sri Krishna Maya (1958) as Indra
Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham{{Cite web |title=Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham movie cast and crew |url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/film/sri-ramanjaneya-yuddham}} (1958) as Anjaneya
Karthavarayuni Katha (1958)
Dongalunnaru Jagratha (1958)
Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu (1958)
Pelli Sandadi (1959)
Raja Malaya Simha (1959)
Raja Makutam (1959)
Mahishasura Mardini (1959) (Kannada)
Banda Ramudu (1959)
Rechukka Pagatichukka (1959)
Vachina Kodalu Nachindi (1959)
Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960)
Runanubandham (1960) as Veerabhadram
Anna Chellelu (1960) as Aggi Pidugu Jaggadu
Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani (1960) as Mathivadana Maharaju
Vimala (1960) as Ugrasimha
Aasha Sundari (1960) (Kannada) as Kapalabhairava
Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima{{Citation|title=Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima (1960) - IMDb|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1510777/}} (1960) as Meghanathudu
Pillalu Thechina Challani Rajyam{{Cite web |title=Pillalu Thechina Challani Rajyam (1960) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ALDN |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1960) as Mahasena
Usha Parinayam (1961)
Nagarjuna (1961) (Kannada) as Anjaneya
Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961) as Threesokanandudu
Taxi Ramudu (1961) as Nagu
Khaidi Kannaiah (1962)
Siri Sampadalu (1962) as Bhujangam
Gulebakavali Katha (1962) as Vakraketu
Gaali Medalu (1962)
Chitti Tammudu (1962)
Dakshayagnam (1962)
Gundamma Katha (1962)
Swarna Manjari (1962) as Rajaguru Mahendra Shakthi
Madana Kamaraju Katha (1962) as Bhoothapathi
Paruvu Prathishta (1963) as Narendra
Bandipotu (1963) as Soorasimha
Valmiki (1963) (Kannada)
Valmiki (1963)
Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963) as Keertisena
Ramudu Bheemudu (1964) as Panakala Rao
Vaarasatwam (1964) as Narasimham
Devatha (1964)
Sabhash Suri (1964) as Seshu
Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani{{Cite web |title=Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani 1964 Full Movie Online - Watch HD Movies on Airtel Xstream Play |url=https://www.airtelxstream.in/movies/thotalo-pilla-kotalo-rani/EROSNOW_MOVIE_6691258 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Airtel Xstream (Airtel TV) |language=en}} (1964) as Durjaya
Desa Drohulu (1964)
Aggi Pidugu (1964) as Veerendrudu
Bobbili Yudham (1964) as Vijayaramaraju
Pratigna Palana (1965) as Arindhava
Pandava Vanavasam (1965) as Saindhava
Mangamma Sapadham (1965)
Aakasaramanna{{Cite web |title=Aakasaramanna (1965) |url=https://indiancine.ma/LKT |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1965) as Narasinga Rayulu
C.I.D. (1965)
Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima (1965) as Indra
Vijaya Simha{{Citation|title=Vijaya Simha (1965) - IMDb|url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8870582/}} (1965) as Prathap
Dorikithe Dongalu (1965) as Sudarsanam
Satya Harishchandra (1965)
Jwala Dweepa Rahasyam (1965) as Bhallataka Varma
Veerabhimanyu (1965) as Duryodhana
Aada Brathuku (1965)
Sri Krishna Pandaviyam (1966)
Pidugu Ramudu (1966) as Gajendra Varma
Palnati Yudham (1966)
Goodachari 116 (1966)
Sri Krishna Tulabharam (1966) as Indra
Aame Evaru? (1966)
Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1967) as Veerabahu
Kanchu Kota (1967)
Devuni Gelichina Manavudu{{Cite web |title=Devuni Gelichina Manavudu (1967) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ALLN |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1967) as Mahabaludu
Bhama Vijayam (1967) as Kalinga Bhupati Kamavardhanudu
Nindu Manasulu (1967) as Seshu
Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967)
Sri Krishnavataram (1967) as Sisupala
Ave Kallu (1967) as Rajasekhar
Farz (1967) (Hindi)
Apoorva Piravaigal (1967) (Tamil)
Rahasyam (1967) as Virupaksha
Niluvu Dopidi (1968)
Ranabheri (1968){{Cite web |title=Rana Bheri (1968) |url=https://indiancine.ma/NCL |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Indiancine.ma}} as Ranamallu
Aggi Meeda Guggilam (1968)
Bandhavyalu (1968) as Panakala Swamy
Tikka Sankaraiah (1968) as Sodabuddi Subbayya
Nene Monaganni (1968) as Bhadrayya
Deva kanya (1968) as Kamapala, Maharaja of Kamarupa
Baghdad Gajadonga (1968)
Ramu (1968)
Bhagya Chakramu (1968)
Pedarasi Peddamma Katha (1968)
Devudichina Bharta{{Cite web |title=Devudichina Bharta on Moviebuff.com |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/devudichina-bharta |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Moviebuff.com}} (1969) as Ghantasura
Ukku Pidugu{{Cite web |title=Ukku Pidugu (1969) CINEMA|url=https://www.moviebuff.com/ukkupidugu |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.moviebuff.com |language=en}} (1969) as Jwalabhairava
Jarigina Katha (1969) as Bhujangam
Varakatnam (1969)
Raja Simha (1969) as Udayanamaha Maharaju
Gandara Gandadu{{Cite web |title=Gandara Gandadu 1969 Telugu Movie Info |url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/film/gandara-gandadu}} (1969) as Ranjith
Gandikota Rahasyam (1969) as Pratapa Rudrudu
Mooga Nomu (1969)
Bhale Tammudu (1969) as Gun / Ganapathi
Saptaswaralu (1969)
Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka (1969)
Basti Kiladilu (1970)
Merupu Veerudu{{Cite web |title=Merupu Veerudu (1970) |url=https://indiancine.ma/BHKQ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1970)
Ananda Nilayam (1971)
Sri Krishna Vijayamu (1971) as Lord Shiva
Raitu Bidda (1971) as Pullayya
Pagabattina Paduchu (1971) as Sekharam
Sati Anasuya (1971)
Bhale Papa{{Citation |title=BHALE PAPA {{!}} TELUGU FULL MOVIE | date=June 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBzMFedwyHQ |access-date=2024-01-07 |language=en}} (1971) as Sankar, leader of a gang of bandits
Kathiki Kankanam (1971) as Durjaya
Andam Kosam Pandem (1971) as Sambharudu
Suputhrudu (1971) as Nagabhushanam
Mattilo Manikyam{{Cite web |title=Mattilo Manikyam (1971) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ONG |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1971) as Bhujanga Rao
Pavitra Hrudayalu (1971)
Chinnanati Snehitulu (1971) as Nagabhushanam
Debbaku tha Dongala Mutha (1971) as Phool Shah
Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham (1972) as Anjaneya
Attanu Diddina Kodalu (1972) as Jagapati
Sri Krishna Satya (1972) as Satrajit
Inspector Bharya (1972) as Nagabhushanam
Oka Nari Vanda Thupakulu{{Cite web |title=Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu (1973) |url=https://indiancine.ma/PVL |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1973) as Bhujangam
Desoddharakulu (1973) as Tata Rao
Doctor Babu (1973) as Pothuraju
Jeevana Tarangalu (1973) as Pundarikakshaiah
Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974) as Major Goodall
Nippulanti Manishi (1974) as Narendra Varma
Galipatalu (1974)
Mallela Manasulu{{Citation |title=MALLELA MANASULU {{!}} TELUGU FULL MOVIE {{!}} S V RANGA RAO {{!}} ANJALI DEVI {{!}} TELUGU CINEMA ZONE | date=19 May 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZh04qBjzjA |access-date=2024-01-30 |language=en}} (1975) as Kodandam/Balaji
Kotha Kapuram (1975) as Shavukaru Sagaraiah
Annadammula Anubandham (1975) as Jailor
Yashoda Krishna (1975) as Indra
Andharu Bagundali{{Cite web |title=Andharu Bagundali (1976) |url=https://indiancine.ma/QRA |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1976) as Businessman soliciting company
Magaadu (1976)
Maa Daivam (1976)
Kotalo Paga (1976) as Veerabhadra Bhupathi
Aradhana (1976)
Muthyala Pallaki (1976) as Meesala Rosi Reddy
Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) as Drona
Chanakya Chandragupta (1977)
Agent Gopi{{Cite web |title=Agent Gopi (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/STH |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1978) as Boss No. 1
Yuga Purushudu (1978) as Benerjee
Mugguru Muggure (1978)
Dudu Basavanna (1978) as Bangaraiah
Lawyer Viswanath (1978)
Rajaputra Rahasyam (1978)
Pottelu Punnamma{{Cite web |title=Pottelu Punnamma - Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pottelu_punnamma |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}} (1978) as Judge
Dongala Veta{{Cite web |title=Dongala Veta (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/SYO |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1978) as Balwantha Rao
Nindu Manishi (1978) as Public Prosecutor
Devadasu Malli Puttadu (1978) as Raja Ranga Raju
Dongalaku Saval (1979) as Major Chandrasekhar
Seethe Ramudaithe{{Cite web |title=Seethe Ramudaithe (1979) |url=https://indiancine.ma/UHA/info |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=IndianCine.ma |language=en}} (1979) as Bhairavaiah
Evadabba Sommu (1979) as Nalla Trachu Nagu
Gandharva Kanya (1979) as Vikrama Varma
Maa Voori Devatha{{Cite web |title=Maa Voori Devatha (1979) |url=https://indiancine.ma/AMKA |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1979) as Madhavaiah
Sri Madvirata Parvam (1979) as Drona
Nakili Manishi (1980)
Sivamethina Satyam{{Cite web |title=Sivamethina Satyam (1980) |url=https://indiancine.ma/UHM |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=Indiancine.ma}} (1980) as Singh
Kiladi Krishnudu (1980) as Manager
Mama Allulla Saval (1980) as Judge
Srirasthu Subhamasthu{{cite web |title=Srirasthu Subhamasthu (1981) |url=https://indiancine.ma/WDL/info |website=Indiancine.ma |access-date=19 April 2023}} (1981)
Patalam Pandu{{Cite web |title=Patalam Pandu cast |url=https://www.vcinema.com/movie/patalam-pandu-1981}} (1981) as Chellayya
Pagabattina Simham (1982) as Ramapuram Zamindar
Bobbili Puli (1982)
Nijam Chepithe Nerama (1983) as Govt. Official
Chattaniki Veyyi Kallu{{Cite web |title=Chattaniki Veyi Kallu |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/chattaniki-veyi-kallu/cast/2030372570/ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}} (1983) Rangaiah, Commissioner of Police
Bhale Thammudu (1985)
Surya Chandra (1985)
Punnami Ratri{{Cite web |title=Punnami Rathri 1985 Full Movie Online - Watch HD Movies on Airtel Xstream Play |url=https://www.airtelxstream.in/movies/punnami-rathri/HUNGAMA_MOVIE_24001945 |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=Airtel Xstream (Airtel TV) |language=en}} (1985) as Zamindar
Vishakanya{{Cite web |title=Vishakanya 1985 Info |url=https://telugu.filmibeat.com/movies/visha-kanya.html |website=Filmibeat}} (1985) as Maharaju
Kashmora (1986) as Vishachi
Number One (1994)
Hello Brother (1994) as Rajanala
Jailor Gaari Abbayi (1994)
Telugu Veera Levara (1995) as Goodall
Puttinti Gowravam{{Citation |title=PUTTINTI GOWRAVAM {{!}} TELUGU FULL MOVIE {{!}} KRISHNA {{!}} SOUNDARYA {{!}} V9 VIDEOS | date=9 January 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqGqjxUHSfA |access-date=2023-06-03 |language=en}} (1996) as Party Leader