Gummadi (actor)
Gummadi Venkateswara Rao (9 July 1927 – 26 January 2010), known mononymously by his surname Gummadi, was an Indian actor and producer, who worked predominantly in Telugu cinema and a few Tamil films. Known as one of the finest supporting/character actors in Telugu cinema, Gummadi acted in around five hundred feature films. He received critical recognition for his work in Thodu Dongalu (1954) and Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962), for which he received the erstwhile Rashtrapati Award.[1][2] Gummadi was an official member of the Indian delegation from South India to the Tashkent Film Festival in 1978 and 1982.[3]
Gummadi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Gummadi Venkateswara Rao 9 July 1927 |
| Died | 26 January 2010 (aged 82) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1950–2010 |
| Awards | Padma Shri Rashtrapati Award |
Gummadi served as a jury member thrice for the 28th, 33rd and 39th National Film Awards.[4][5][6] He served twice on the state Nandi Awards Committee.[7]
In 1977, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honor Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema.[8][9] He is widely known for his roles in films such as Mayabazar (1957), Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1959), Kula Daivam (1960), Kula Gothralu (1962), Jyothi (1976), Nelavanka (1981), Maro Malupu (1982), Ekalavya (1982), Ee Charitra Ye Siraatho? (1982), Gaaju Bommalu (1983) and Pelli Pustakam (1991).
In 2008, he starred in Jagadguru Sree Kasinayana Charitra, which would be his last film.[10]
Early life
He was born in Ravikampadu in Kollur mandal of Guntur district, in present-day Andhra Pradesh. According to one of his interviews, he studied in ZP High School, Kollur and Hindu College, Guntur.
Early career
Gummadi's acting career extended from 1950 onwards for almost six decades and he worked with three generations of people in the film industry. Though young, he played dignified older people at the beginning. He was a versatile character actor in sociopolitical and mythological movies. He acted in nearly 500 movies. He played the role of father to many lead actors in old Telugu films.
Gummadi Venkateswara Rao first appeared as an actor in 1942, where he played the role of an old man on the stage. He began his cinema career with Adrushtadeepudu (1950) and continued on for about 500 more films portraying roles ranging from the hero, the villain and the character artiste, to roles with a slight comedic bent, such as his guest appearance in Missamma (1955).
Characters played by him
Personal life
Gummadi was married and had five daughters and two sons. He died of multiple organ failure at Care hospital, Hyderabad on 26 January 2010.[11] His last public appearance was at the screening of Maya Bazar, which had been colourised. Here he expressed his happiness and said, "Watching this great movie in colour probably could have been the only reason for me to have stayed alive for so long."[12]
Written works
Gummadi wrote his memoirs of Telugu cinema in Teepi Gurthulu and Chedu Gnapakalu.
Awards
- Civilian honors
- Padma Shri - Government of India - 1977 [13]
- Best acting for Mahamantri Timmarusu (1963)
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for contribution to Telugu cinema (1998)
- Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor - Maro Malupu (1982)
- Other Honors
- 1963 - Honorary Doctorate - Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University
- 1976 - Filmfare Special Award for Excellent Performance[15] - Jyothi and Sita Kalyanam
Selected filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Adrushta Deepudu | Debut film | |
| 1953 | Pichi Pullayya | Bhopala Rao | |
| 1954 | Thodu Dongalu | Lokanatham | |
| 1955 | Kanyasulkam | Sowjanya Rao Pantulu | |
| Ardhangi | Zameendaar | ||
| Jayasimha | Ranadhir | ||
| Missamma | Employer (guest role) | ||
| Rani Ratnaprabha | Dharmapala | ||
| 1956 | Chiranjeevulu | Dr. Krishna | |
| Edi Nijam | Munusabu | ||
| Ilavelpu | Sekhar's father | ||
| Pennin Perumai | |||
| 1957 | Suvarna Sundari | Tata | |
| Maya Bazaar | Balarama | ||
| Dampatyam | |||
| Dongallo Dora | Inspector Ram Murthy | ||
| MLA | Damodaram | ||
| Premada Putri | |||
| Preme Daivam | |||
| Sarangadhara | |||
| Sati Anasuya | |||
| Veera Kankanam | |||
| Vinayaka Chaviti | Satrajit | ||
| 1958 | Aadapettanam | ||
| Chenchu Lakshmi | Durvasa | ||
| Dongalunnaru Jagratha | |||
| Ettuku Pai Ettu | Govindaiah | ||
| Intiguttu | Tirumala Rao | ||
| 1959 | Illarikam | Zamindar | |
| Jayabheri | Viswanatha Sastri | ||
| Krishna Leelalu | |||
| Maa Inti Mahalakshmi | |||
| Nammina Bantu | Zamindar Bhujanga Rao | ||
| Pelli Sandadi | |||
| Raja Makutam | Prachandudu | ||
| Sabhash Ramudu | |||
| Sati Tulasi | |||
| Sipayi Kooturu | |||
| 1960 | Deepavali | Nagadattudu | |
| Harishchandra | Vishwamitra Maharshi | ||
| Pelli Kaanuka | |||
| Renukadevi Mahatyam | |||
| Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani | |||
| Shantinivasam | |||
| Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | Bhrigu Maharshi | ||
| 1961 | Bharya Bharthalu | Anand's father | |
| Iddaru Mitrulu | Bhanoji Rao | ||
| Rishyashringar | |||
| Rushyashrunga | |||
| Santa | |||
| Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam | Vishwamitra Maharshi | ||
| Tandrulu Kodukulu | |||
| Vagdanam | Ranganatham | ||
| Velugu Needalu | |||
| 1962 | Aradhana | Principal | |
| Bhishma | Karna | ||
| Constable Koothuru | |||
| Kalimilemulu | |||
| Khaidi Kannaiah | |||
| Kula Gothralu | Bhushaiah | ||
| Mahamantri Timmarusu | Mahamantri Timmarusu | ||
| Siri Sampadalu | Jagapati Naidu | ||
| 1963 | Chaduvukunna Ammayilu | Venkat Rangayya | |
| Irugu – Porugu | |||
| Lakshadhikari | Seetayya | ||
| Mooga Manasulu | Zamindar | ||
| Paruvu Prathishta | |||
| Punarjanma | Zamindar | ||
| Savati Koduku | |||
| Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham | Yudhishthira | ||
| Tirupathamma Katha | |||
| 1964 | Aatmabalam | Psychiatrist | |
| Aggimeedha Guggilam | as king | ||
| Dr. Chakravarthy | Inspector Sridhar | ||
| Manchi Manishi | |||
| Murali Krishna | |||
| Pooja Phalam | Diwan Ramakrishnaiah | ||
| Ramadasu | Kabir | ||
| Varasatwam | |||
| 1965 | Pandava Vanavasam | Yudhishthira | |
| Aatma Gowravam | Ramaiah | ||
| Antastulu | Zamindar | ||
| Chandrahasa | |||
| CID | Chalapathi | ||
| Keelu Bommalu | |||
| Naadi Aada Janme | |||
| Preminchi Choodu | Subbarayudu | ||
| Satya Harishchandra | |||
| Visala Hrudayalu | Viswanatham | ||
| 1966 | Aastiparulu | Zamindar | |
| Bhakta Potana | Pothana | ||
| Kanne Manasulu | |||
| Navarathri | Radha's father | ||
| Palnati Yuddham | |||
| Shri Krishna Pandaviyam | |||
| 1967 | Kambojaraju Katha | ||
| Poola Rangadu | Chalapathi | ||
| Prana Mithrulu | Diwan | ||
| Private Master | Sundari's father | ||
| Rahasyam | Sriganda Prabhu | ||
| Sudigundalu | Defence Lawyer | ||
| 1968 | Bandhipotu Dongalu | Doctor | |
| Bangaru Gaajulu | Chandra Shekaram | ||
| Bangaru Sankellu | |||
| Chuttarikalu[16] | |||
| Govula Gopanna | Chairman Nagaraju | ||
| Mana Samsaram | |||
| Aggi Meeda Guggilam[17] | |||
| Pala Manasulu | |||
| 1969 | Adrushtavanthalu | ||
| Aadarsa Kutumbam | |||
| Aatmiyulu | Jagannadham | ||
| Bhale Rangadu | |||
| Buddhimanthudu | D.E.O | ||
| Manushulu Marali | |||
| Shri Rama Katha | |||
| Tara Sasankam | |||
| 1970 | Agni Pareeksha | ||
| Akka Chellelu | Dharmayya | ||
| Jai Jawan | Madhava Rao | ||
| Jagath Jetteelu[18] | S.P.
Chandrashekhar |
||
| Amma Kosam[19] | Raghurama Rao | ||
| Maro Prapancham | |||
| Sridevi | |||
| Kathanayika Molla | |||
| 1971 | Amayakuralu | ||
| Bhagyavanthudu | |||
| Bharya Biddalu | |||
| Dasara Bullodu | Vasu | ||
| Mosagallaku Mosagadu | Daanala Dharmayya | ||
| Nenu Manishine | |||
| Prem Nagar | Lata's father | ||
| Sampoorna Ramayanam | Dasharadha | ||
| Shri Krishna Satya | |||
| Shrimanthudu | |||
| Sisindri Chittibabu | |||
| Suputhrudu | |||
| Vichithra Dampathyam | |||
| Pavitra Hrudayalu | Nagendra Babu | ||
| 1972 | Bangaru Babu | Ranganatham | |
| Bala Mitrula Katha | Kotaiah | ||
| Iddaru Ammayilu | Ramanujam | ||
| Kalam Marindi | |||
| Koduku Kodalu | Srihari Rao | ||
| Neethi Nijayathi | |||
| Pandanti Kapuram | |||
| Tata Manavadu | Paramatma Rao | ||
| Vichitra Bandham | Ahobila Rao | ||
| Attanu Diddina Kodalu | |||
| 1973 | Jeevana Tarangalu | Venugopal Rao | |
| Kannavari Kala | |||
| Mallamma Katha | |||
| Marapurani Manishi | Ananda Rao | ||
| Minaru Babu | |||
| Samsaram Sagaram | |||
| Vichitra Vivaham | |||
| Vintha Katha | |||
| 1974 | Alluri Seetharama Raju | ||
| Ammayi Pelli | |||
| Anaganaga Oka Thandri | |||
| Bhoomikosam | |||
| Devadasu | |||
| Dora Babu | |||
| Gali Patalu | Inspector Sekhar | ||
| Intinti Katha | |||
| Khaidi Babai | |||
| Manushullo Devudu | Father | ||
| 1975 | Moguda Pellama | Dharma Rao | |
| Babu | |||
| Samsaram | |||
| Saubhagyavati | |||
| Soggadu | Simhadri | ||
| Yashoda Krishna | Nanda | ||
| Zamindarugari Ammayi | |||
| Lakshmana Rekha | Lawyer | ||
| 1976 | Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam | ||
| Neram Nadi Kadu Akalidi | |||
| Manchiki Maro Peru | |||
| Oka Deepam Veligindhi | |||
| Padavoyi Bharatheeyuda | |||
| Secretary | |||
| Sita Kalyanam | Dasaradh | ||
| Sita Swayamvar | Dasarath | ||
| Yavanam Katesindi | |||
| 1977 | Aalu Magalu | Ranga Rao | |
| Chakradhari | |||
| Janma janmala bandham | |||
| Daana Veera Soora Karna | Parasu Ramudu | ||
| Indradhanusu | |||
| Kalpana | |||
| Kurukshetram | Bhishma | ||
| Seeta Rama Vanavasam | |||
| Savasagallu[20] | |||
| 1978 | Chal Mohana Ranga | ||
| Sati Savitri | |||
| Devadasu Malli Puttadu | Sripathi Raja | ||
| Sahasavanthudu | |||
| Dudu Basavanna | Yadaiah | ||
| 1979 | Captain Krishna | ||
| Akbar Saleem Anarkali | |||
| Ganga Bhavani | |||
| Intinti Ramayanam | |||
| Karthika Deepam | |||
| Khiladi Krishnudu | |||
| Mande Gundelu | |||
| Muddula Koduku | Raobahadoor Ranga Rao | ||
| Naa Illu Naa Vaalu | |||
| Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam | Hathiram Bhavaji | ||
| 1980 | Mosagadu | ||
| Chandipriya | |||
| Buchi Babu | Buchi Babu's grandfather | ||
| Dharma Chakram | |||
| Gajadonga | |||
| Gharana Donga | |||
| Gopala Krishnudu | |||
| Heema Hemeelu | |||
| Kaksha | |||
| Kotha Jeevithalu | |||
| Sardar Papa Rayudu | |||
| Shri Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari Mahatyam | |||
| Sreevari Muchatlu | |||
| 1981 | Agni Poolu | Rajeshwari's father | |
| Alludugaru Zindabad | Raja Bhupathi Rao | ||
| Asha Jyoti | |||
| Bhoga Bhagyalu | |||
| Premabhishekam | Dr. Venkateswarulu | ||
| Prema Mandiram | Bhupati Raja | ||
| Sandhya Ragam | |||
| Jathagadu | Rangaiah | ||
| 1982 | Bangaru Bhoomi[21] | Dharma Rao | |
| Mondighatam | |||
| Gruha Pravesam | |||
| Anuraga Devatha | Priest | ||
| Bangaru Kanuka | |||
| Ee Charitra Ae Siratho | |||
| Ekalavya | |||
| Jagannatha Rathachakralu | |||
| Kaliyuga Ramudu | |||
| Maro Malupu | Nandi Award for Best Actor | ||
| Raga Deepam | |||
| Swayamvaram | |||
| 1983 | Sangharshana | ||
| Prema Pichollu | |||
| Adavallu Aligithe | |||
| Ee Pillaku Pellavuthundha | |||
| MLA Yedukondalu | |||
| Mundadugu | Lawyer | ||
| Nelavanka | Sitarama Raju | ||
| Pelli Choopulu | |||
| Police Venkataswamy | |||
| Rudrakali | |||
| Dharma Poratam | Justice Jagannath | ||
| 1984 | Rustum | Brahmaiah Naidu | |
| Rojulu Marayi | |||
| Devanthakudu | Bapineedu | ||
| Kanchu Kagada | Rangaiah Panthulu | ||
| 1985 | Raktha Sindhuram | Jagannatham | |
| Shri Datta Darshanam | Jamadagni | ||
| Jwala | IG | ||
| 1986 | Driver Babu | Narayana Rao | |
| Vikram | Commissioner | ||
| Kiraathakudu | Dharmateja | ||
| Vijrumbhana[22] | Dharma Rao | ||
| 1987 | Pasivadi Pranam | ||
| Thene Manasulu | |||
| Majnu | Alekhya's grandfather | ||
| Muddu Bidda | |||
| 1988 | Kanoon Ki Hathkadee | ||
| Prema Kireetam | |||
| Nyayaniki Siksha | |||
| Anna Chellelu | |||
| 1989 | State Rowdy | ||
| 1990 | Inspector Rudra | ||
| Bobbili Raja | Sundaraiyah | ||
| 1991 | Pelli Pustakam | Sridhar Rao | Nandi Award for Best Feature Film |
| Brahmarshi Viswamitra | Vashista | ||
| Talli Tandrulu | Venkataramaiah | ||
| 1992 | Brundavanam | Jagannadham | |
| 1993 | Muta Mesthri | Chief Minister | |
| Gaayam | |||
| Major Chandrakanth | |||
| Rajendrudu Gajendrudu | Elephant's Master | ||
| Rajeswari Kalyanam | |||
| Kalachakram | |||
| Varasudu | Principal | ||
| Srinatha Kavi Sarvabhowmudu | |||
| 1994 | Govinda Govinda | Doorvasa Maharshi | |
| 1995 | Maya Bazaar | Balarama | |
| Aayanaki Iddaru | Krishna Mohan's father | ||
| 1996 | Dharma Chakram | ||
| 2001 | Repallelo Radha | ||
| 2008 | Jagadguru Sri Kasinayana Charitra | Kasinayana | |
| 2022 | Pratibimbalu | Posthumous film |
See also
References
- Ramachandran, T.M. (1973). Film world. Vol. 9.
- The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.
- "Profile of Gummadi - Telugu film actor".
- "28th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
- "33rd National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- "39th National Film Awards (PDF)" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- "Actor Gummadi passes away". The Hindu. 27 January 2010.
- "Gummadi never forgot his mentor". The New Indian Express.
- "Gummadi Awards". 9 May 2023.
- "Stars : Star Profiles : Gummadi passed away: A tribute". Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
- Gummadi Venkateswara Rao died Breaking News Views. Retrieved on 26 January 2010.
- Gummadi on Mayabazar on YouTube
- "List Of Telugu Actors Who Received Civilian Awards From The Government Of India". Wirally. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
- "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1979.
- "Chuttarikalu on IMdb". IMDb.
- "Aggi Meeda Guggilam (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- "Jagath Jetteelu (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- "Amma Kosam (1970)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- "Savasagallu (1977)". IMDb. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- "Bangaru Bhoomi (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- "Vijrumbana (1986)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
External links
