Sakshi Ranga Rao

Sakshi Ranga Rao (born Rangavajhula Ranga Rao; 15 September 1942 – 27 June 2005) was an Indian character actor who worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre.[1] He appeared in about 450 films over a career spanning four decades, majority of which were comedies. Rao made his film debut in 1967 with Sakshi from which he derived his stage name. He then went onto to appear in successful films like Sirivennela, Swarna Kamalam, April 1st Vidudhala, Joker and Swarabhishekam.

Saakshi Ranga Rao
Rao in a scene from Sirivennela (1986)
Born
Rangavajhula Ranga Rao

15 September 1942
Kalavakuru, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died27 June 2005(2005-06-27) (aged 62)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationActor
Years active1967–1995
SpouseBala Tripurasundari
Children4; including Saakshi Siva

Life and career

Rangavajhula Ranga Rao in Kalavakuru village in Prakasham district, was born to Lakshmi Narayana and Ranganayakamma.[2] As his father died when he was young, he was raised by Buchchi Ravamma, his mother's sister in Machilipatnam. He began his career as a stenographer in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.[2]

As Rao was interested in film and theatre, he worked as an assistant to the stage artist Kuppili Venkateshwara Rao. He was encouraged by some his friends at Andhra Vishwa Vidyalaya to pursue a full-time career in films. They gathered him some money and sent Rao to Madras.[2]

Director Bapu gave break to Rao with the film Sakshi in 1967. Then onwards, he became known as Sakshi Ranga Rao, also to differentiate himself from S. V. Ranga Rao.[3] He had the distinction of acting in most of the Telugu films directed by K. Vishwanath, Bapu and Vamsi.

Rao married Bala Tripurasundari. They had three children–one daughter and three sons. His youngest son, actor Saakshi Siva works in Telugu films and television.[2]

Rao died after a prolonged illness on 27 June 2005 in Chennai at the age of 63 years. Incidentally, it was on stage that Rao collapsed on 5 May 2005 during a rehearsal for the Gurazada play, 'Kanyasulkam'. The apparent cause of his death was diabetes and associated kidney failure.[4][5]

Filmography
  1. Saakshi (1967) (debut film)
  2. Sudigundaalu (1967) as Gumasta
  3. Bhale Rangadu (1969)
  4. Buddhimanthudu (1969)
  5. Balaraju Katha (1970)
  6. Dharma Daata (1970)
  7. Thaali Bottu (1970) as Rangaiah
  8. Attalu Kodallu (1971) as brother of Suryakantam
  9. Adrusta Jathakudu (1971)
  10. Mattilo Manikyam (1971)
  11. Vinta Samsaram (1971)
  12. Kalam Marindi (1972)
  13. Anta Mana Manchike (1972)
  14. Andala Ramudu (1973) as Subba Rao's father-in-law
  15. Bhakta Tukaram (1973)
  16. Devudamma (1973) as Kotaiah
  17. Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu (1973)
  18. Tulabharam (1974) as Hari
  19. Muthyala Muggu (1975)
  20. Pichi Maraju (1976)
  21. Monagadu (1976) as Avatharam
  22. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
  23. Amara Deepam (1977) as Manager
  24. Edureeta (1977)
  25. Manushulu Chesina Dongalu (1977)
  26. Devathalara Deevinchandi (1977)
  27. Lawyer Viswanath (1978)
  28. Seetamalakshmi (1978)
  29. Mugguru Muggure (1978) as Kotilingam the Museum Guard
  30. Siri Siri Muvva (1978)
  31. Vayasu Pilichindi (1978)
  32. Thoorpu Velle Railu (1979)
  33. Saptapadhi (1980)
  34. Sirimalle Navvindi (1980)
  35. Subhodhayam (1980)
  36. Bhale Krishnudu (1980)
  37. Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi (1980)
  38. Sankarabharanam (1980)
  39. Amavasya Chandrudu (1981)
  40. Thyagayya (1981)
  41. Radha Kalyanam (1981)
  42. Madhura Swapnam (1982)
  43. Manchu Pallaki (1982) at Gita's father
  44. Kalavari Samsaram (1982) as Subbaramaiah
  45. Subhalekha (1982)
  46. Sagara Sangamam (1983)
  47. Sitaara (1983)
  48. Nelavanka (1983)
  49. Rendu Jella Sita (1983)
  50. Janani Janmabhoomi (1984)
  51. Chattamtho Poratam (1985)
  52. Mogudu Pellalu (1985)
  53. Ooriki Soggadu (1985) as Master
  54. Mantradandham (1985)
  55. Rendu Rella Aaru (1985)
  56. Jailu Pakshi (1986)
  57. Chantabbai (1986)
  58. Sirivennela (1986)
  59. Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986)
  60. Kaliyuga Krishnudu (1986)
  61. Sankeerthana (1987)
  62. Sruthi Layalu (1987)
  63. Raaga Leela (1987)
  64. Janaki Ramudu (1988)
  65. Ramudu Bheemudu (1988) as Govindaiah
  66. Rowdy No.1 (1988) as Avadhani
  67. Swarna Kamalam (1988)
  68. Eeshwar (1989)
  69. Sutradhaarulu (1990)
  70. Karthavyam (1990) as Constable Ranganayakulu
  71. Shanti Kranti (1991)
  72. Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam (1991)
  73. Pelli Pustakam (1991)
  74. April 1st Vidudhala (1991)
  75. Dharma Kshetram (1992)
  76. Detective Narada (1992)
  77. Gharana Mogudu (1992) as Bhawani's father
  78. Swathi Kiranam (1992)
  79. Joker (1993)
  80. Kunti Puthrudu (1993)
  81. Aa Okkati Adakku (1993) as Pellilla Peraiah
  82. Yamaleela (1994)
  83. Subha Sankalpam (1995)
  84. Linga Babu Love Story (1995)
  85. Vajram (1995)
  86. Swarabhishekam (2004)
  87. Vijay IPS (2006)

References
  1. Saakshi Siva about his father at the personal website. Archived 11 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "నాన్నకి కారం అంటే ఇష్టం". Sakshi (in Telugu). 17 January 2021.
  3. Raman, Mohan V. (8 November 2014). "What's in a name?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  4. Actor Sakshi Ranga Rao dead, The Hindu.
  5. 'Saakshi' Rangarao is no more at Telugu Cinema.com Archived 7 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
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