Legendary Telugu filmmaker K Raghavendra Rao turns 80, pens an autobiography on his 48-year-long career

K Raghavdendra Rao, in an illustrious career as a director, producer and now an actor, changed the diktats of a Telugu commercial film since the 70s, giving it a format and a structure that many have tried to emulate over the years. With an enviable success rate of over 75% in a 48-year-long journey spanning more than 100 films, his stature is second to none in Telugu cinema. He turns 80 today.

Commemorating his birthday, the filmmaker had launched his autobiography, Nenu Cinemaki Rasukunna Prema Lekha amid the presence of philanthropist Sudha Murthy and several actors, directors from the film industry recently. The book had him documenting his many highs and lows in the industry, ever since he became an assistant director to Kamalakara Kameswara Rao on the sets of Pandava Vanavasam.

“This birthday is more special because it coincides with the launch of my book, where I have put together my experiences in over 100 films. I still remember the day I entered the industry as an assistant director under Kamalakara Kameswara Rao for Pandava Vanavasam, for which I had given a clap for a shot starring NTR. After working for 10 years as an AD, I helmed by own film Babu, produced by my father, filmmaker K S Prakasa Rao,” he said.

“Ever since Babu, I have seen a lot of successes, failures, highs, lows, won awards, rewards. What else can I say about a career spanning nearly five decades? That’s why I felt it was best to pen all my experiences in a book form. I wanted to take the opportunity to thank my family, friends, producers, actors, writers, crew across 24 filmmaking crafts and audiences who’ve been an integral part of my journey,” Raghavendra Rao added.

The filmmaker shared that he wrote the book with utmost honesty, as frankly as he could. “I’ve neither tried to hide anything nor sensationalise anything, it’s a bitter-sweet experience. One can never come up with rules for filmmaking; many films have proved that recently. The book will be available across all leading stores,” he mentioned. Some of K Raghavendra Rao’s major hits were Adavi Ramudu, Devatha, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Annamayya, Pelli Sandadi.