Kantha Rao is no more

Veteran actor T.L.Kantha Rao passed away on Sunday night (March 22, 2009) at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad after prolonged illness. Famous for his sword fights in mythological films, Kantha Rao is regarded as one of the greatest film icons in Telugu Film Industry. He was the third biggest star after NTR, ANR in 1960’s. He was popularly called as Katti Veerudu or Kattula Kantha Rao. Born on November 23 in 1923 in Gudibanda village in Nalgonda district, he made his debut with as actor with Nirdoshi (1951). He turned ‘hero’ with the film Pratigna (1952) and went on to become a big star by doing folklore movies more often. He acted more than 300 films.

Kantha Rao was suffering from cancer and he was admitted to Yashoda Hospital four days ago following severe illness. The last breath came around 9.30pm on Sunday night and with that an era has ended in Telugu film industry. Although he rose to superstardom, Kantha Rao had to go through severe financial crisis in his last days.

Kantha Rao acted as lead hero in nearly 60 films and half of them are folklore movies. Thus he became hugely popular for sword-fighting on screen. Kanta Rao was also very famous for portraying the role of Narada in mythological movies. He played other roles, notable being those of Lord Krishna, Arjuna, Panduraj and Lakshmana

His close friendship with legendary NTR was well-known to Telugu film fraternity. NTR treated him like his own brother and they had acted together in nearly 50 films.

He was last seen in Megastar Chiranjeevi’s Shankardada Zindabad (2007). He was the only star hailing from Telangana region to become superstar.

Some of his notable films are -

Nirdoshi (1951)
Pratigna (1953)
Jayasimha (1955)
Bhakta Ambarisha( 1959)
Shantinivasam(1960)
Chivaraku Migiledi(1960)
Bhatti Vikramarka(1960)
Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima (1960)
Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam(1961)
Khadga Veerudu( 1961)
Bhishma(1962)
Raktha Sambandham(1962)
Madanakaamaraaju Katha (1962)
Maya Mohini(1962)
Khaidi Kannayya( 1962)
Edureeta(1963)
Lava Kusha(1963)
Nartanasala (1963)
Guruvuni Minchina Sishyudu (1963)
Vishnumaya( 1963)
Constable Kuturu( 1963)
Usha Parinayam( 1964)
Pandava Vanavasam(1965)
Prameelaarjuneeyam (1965)
Aakaasha Ramanna (1965)
Veerabhimanyu (1965)
Vijayasimha( 1965)
Chandrahasa( 1965)
Sri Simhachala Kshtra Mahima( 1965)
Jwaaladweepa Rahasyam( 1965)
Bhoolokamlo Yamolokam (1966)
Aggi Dora (1967)
Rahasyam(1967)
Chikkadu Dorakadu(1967)
Ekaveera(1969)
Vukku Pidugu( 1969)
Rajasimha( 1969)
Neramu Siksha (1973)
Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)
Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu (1974)
Yamagola (1975)
Muthyala Muggu (1975)
Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club (1976)
Seeta Swayamvar (1976)
Andame Anandam (1977)
Kurukshetram (1977)
Edureeta (1977)
Vayasu Pilichindi (1978)
Manavoori Pandavulu (1978)
Vamsa Vriksham (1980)
Kaali (1980)
Radha Kalyanam (1981) 
Pyaar Ka Sindoor (1986)
Simhasanam (1986)
Nijam (2003)
Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007)

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