Raavi Kondala Rao

Raavi Kondala Rao (11 February 1932 – 28 July 2020) was an Indian actor, screenwriter, playwright, and journalist who worked in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He acted in over 400 films. He won Nandi Award for Best Story Writer for Pelli Pusthakam (1991) and won Nandi Award for Best Book on Telugu Cinema for Black and White.

He made his film debut with Sobha in 1958 as an actor. Preminchi Choodu (1964) won him recognition as an actor. He is known for his collaborations with Bapu-Ramana. He worked as a writer for notable films like Brundavanam (1992), Bhairava Dweepam (1994), Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996).

Besides films, he worked as an editor, writer and columnist for English and Telugu newspapers and magazines. He worked as the associate editor for the then popular film magazine Vijaya Chitra from 1966 to 1990. Later, he joined Chandamama Vijaya production house as a writer and executive producer.

Early life
Raavi Kondala Rao was born on 11 February 1932 in Srikakulam of present-day Andhra Pradesh. His father was a postmaster. His education had been done in Srikakulam. He participated in Satyagraha in 1948 in Rajahmundry against the ban on RSS and Hindu Mahasammelan and was put in jail for three months. In his free time in Rajahmundry Jail, he read many books on literature. He wrote stories under the pen name of 'Mana Oohalu'. A few stories had been published in Chandamama.

Career
Raavi Kondala Rao used to write articles for Mahodaya weekly newspaper. He worked as sub editor for Aanandavani weekly magazine. He was a writer of 'Paata Bangaram' in Sitara magazine, owned by the Eenadu group. He used to write cinema articles for Andhra Jyothi, Vijaya Chitra.

Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao was his inspiration for writing. Later, he was encouraged by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana, Gutha Ramineedu to act in films. He also worked as an assistant director for B. N. Reddy, Kamalakara Kameswara Rao, D. V. Narasa Raju. He was the assistant director for Nartanasala (1963), directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. He also worked as an assistant director for Pooja Phalam (1964), directed by B. N. Reddy.

Personal life
Veteran actress Radha Kumari was his wife. She was his co-star in nearly 100 films. His brother R. Kameswara rao was a leading dubbing artist.

Raavi Kondala Rao died of heart attack at a private hospital in Hyderabad, aged 88, on 28 July 2020. He is survived by his son, R. V. Sasikumar.

Partial filmography
A Annadammula Anubandham (1975)
 * Adrusta Jathakudu (1971)
 * Anubandham (1984)
 * Andala Ramudu (1973)
 * Aadapille Nayam

B
 * Brahmachari (1968)
 * Bhale Rangadu (1969)
 * Badi Panthulu (1972) as Kanthayya
 * Bharya Bhartalu (1988)
 * Brundavanam (1992)
 * Bullet (1985)
 * Bhairava Dweepam (1994) as Story Writer

C
 * Chantabbai (1986)
 * Chitram Bhalare Vichitram (1992)
 * Chaitanya (1991)
 * Chilipi Dampatulu (1988)
 * Pelli Chesi Choodu (1988)

D
 * Dagudu Moothalu (1964) as Doctor
 * Daiva Balam as assistant director
 * Dandayaatra (1984)
 * Dongala Veta (1978)
 * ''Dharmapeetam Daddarillindi (1986)
 * Donga Kollu (1988)

I
 * Ide Naa Samadhanam (1986) as Royyala Rosaiah

J
 * Jeevitha Chakram (1971)
 * Joker Mama Super Alludu (1992)

K
 * Karna as assistant director for D. V. Narasa Raju
 * Kaboye Alludu (1987)
 * Kotha Pelli Koothuru (1985)

M
 * Moguda Pellama (1975)
 * Madam (1994)
 *  Muhammad bin Tughluq (1972)
 * Mangammagari Manavudu (1984)
 * Maavoori Magaadu (1987)

N
 * Nartanasala as Assistant Director

P
 * Pooja Phalam as assistant director
 * Preminchi Choodu (1965)
 * Padaharella Ammayi (1986)
 * Pralaya Simham (1984) as Inspector Narasimham
 * Parvathalu Panakalu (1992)
 * Pelli Pustakam (1991) as Story writer

R
 * Ramudu Bheemudu (1998)
 * Rangoon Rowdy (1979)
 * Rotation Chakravarthy (1987)
 * Ramudu Bheemudu (1988)
 * Raraju (1984)
 * Rama Rao Gopal Rao a.k.a. Rao Gopal Rao (1984) as College Principal Krishnamachari

S
 * Shakuntala as assistant director
 * Sobha (1958)
 * Shri Krishnarjuna Vijayam (1996)

T
 * Thene Manasulu (1965)

U
 * Ugranethrudu (1988) as Lawyer Tirupathi Rao

V
 * Veera Pandya Katta Brahmanna as assistant for D. V. Narasa Raju

Movies as actor
A
 * Aadapille Nayam
 * Ammayi Pelli
 * Atthalu Kodallu (1971) as Madhava Rao
 * Amaayakuraalu
 * Ali Baba 40 Dongalu(1970)
 * Adrusta Jathakudu (1971)
 * Aggimeedha Guggilam (1968) as 'Prajapramukhulu' Punyakoti
 * Ardha Ratri

B
 * Bangaru Sankellu
 * Bhale Rangadu
 * Brahmachari
 * Brundavanam

C
 * Chalaki Mogudu Chadastapu Pellam
 * Chantabbai
 * Chattaniki Veyyi Kallu (1983) as 'Heccharika' paper editor

D
 * Dasara Bullodu
 * Dagudu Moothalu
 * Daagudu Moothala Daampatyam 
 * Dongala Veta (1978) as Major Bandaramaiah
 * Dongalaku Saval (1979) as Retd. Major Pratapa Rao
 * Dongalaku Donga as Hanumantha Rao

E
 * Edurinti Mogudu Pakkinti Pellam
 * Erra Gulabeelu

G
 * Gandikota Rahasyam

I
 * Idekkadi Nyayam

K
 * Kodalu Diddina Kapuram
 * King
 * Kalam Maarindhi as guest appearance
 * Kutumba Gauravam

M
 * Madam
 * Mee Sreyobhilashi
 * Manishiko Charitra
 * Mugguru Muggure (1978) as Head Museum Guard
 * Muhurtha Balam (1969) as Veerabhadraiah

N
 * Nayakulaku Saval (1984) as Chintapandu Sivaramaiah
 * Neeti-Nijayiti
 * Nijam Chepite Nerama (1983)
 * Nirdoshi

O
 * Oy!

P
 * Prema Khaidi
 * Prema Simhasanam (1981) as Kesava Varma son of Raja Kalyana Varma
 * Preminchi Choodu
 * Pelli Pustakam

R
 * Ramayanamlo Pidakala Veta
 * Repati Koduku
 * Radha Gopalam

S
 * Savasagallu
 * Sirimalle Navvindi
 * Sipayi Chinnayya
 * Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam

V
 * Varakatnam
 * Veerabhimanyu
 * Varudu (2010)
 * Vintha Kapuram (1968) as Rayakota Raghavaiah

Others
 * 365 Days (2015)