Just a few days ago, we heard the sad news of veteran actress Sowcar Janaki’s demise, and now the Telugu film industry has lost another senior actor, GV Narayana Rao (73). The Movie Artistes’ Association (MAA) announced the news through its social media handles. GV Narayana Rao acted in more than 100 Telugu films and also produced a few films during his career.
Narayana Rao made his acting debut with K Balachander’s Anthuleni Katha in 1976 and received the Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film. He also won a Special Jury Award for Oka Oori Katha in 1977.
When GV Narayana Rao joined the Madras Film Institute in his early days, popular actors Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi were his batchmates, and all three shared a close bond. Narayana Rao later turned producer and made films with Chiranjeevi, including Devanthakudu (1984) and Yamudiki Mogudu (1988). Chiranjeevi encouraged him as a producer and gave him the opportunity to produce these two films, both of which went on to become successful.
Narayana Rao played lead roles in nearly 40 films before transitioning to character roles. Some of the popular films in which he acted include Anthuleni Katha, Mutyala Pallaki, Guppedu Manasu, Oorukichina Maata, Devanthakudu, Chilakamma Cheppindi, Gang Leader and Hitler.
Narayana Rao was born in Kurumaddali village in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, on September 9, 1953. He completed his education in Guntakal and later learnt classical dance forms Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi from renowned gurus Gidugu Visalakshi and Nataraja Ramakrishna. He also learnt acting from AR Krishna.
Narayana Rao was a theatre artiste and acted in several plays during his student days. He performed in plays such as Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, Pratapa Rudreeyam and Manchutera, apart from several other stage productions. Late actors Kota Srinivasa Rao, Nutan Prasad and Devadas Kanakala were among his co-artistes during his theatre days.
Narayana Rao also acted in a few television serials and continued to remain associated with the Telugu entertainment industry for several decades.