Sakshi Ranga Rao


Sakshi Ranga Rao was a character actor in theater arts and South Indian cinema.
He was born to Lakshmi Narayana and Ranganayakamma as Rangavajhula Ranga Rao of Kondiparru village near Gudivada. He began his career as a stenographer in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He showed passion for theater arts and performed poignant roles on stage. He began his film career with Sakshi in 1967 directed by Bapu. Then onwards, he became known as Sakshi Ranga Rai, also to differentiate himself from S. V. Ranga Rao. He acted in about 450 films over about four decades. The majority of them were comedies.
He had the distinction of acting in most of the Telugu film directed by K. Vishwanath, Bapu and Vamsi. He has acted in successful films like Sirivennela, Swarna Kamalam, April 1st Vidudhala, Joker and Swarabhishekam.
He died after a prolonged illness in 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. Television actor Saakshi Siva is his youngest son.

Filmography

  1. Saakshi
  2. Sudigundaalu ... Gumasta
  3. Buddhimanthudu
  4. Balaraju Katha
  5. Dharma Daata
  6. Mattilo Manikyam
  7. Kalam Marindi
  8. Andala Ramudu .... Subba Rao's father-in-law
  9. Bhakta Tukaram
  10. Muthyala Muggu
  11. Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
  12. Amara Deepam ... Manager
  13. Manushulu Chesina Dongalu
  14. Devathalara Deevinchandi
  15. Seetamalakshmi
  16. Siri Siri Muvva
  17. Vayasu Pilichindi
  18. Sankarabharanam
  19. Thoorpu Velle Railu
  20. Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi
  21. Saptapadhi
  22. Subhodayam
  23. Amavasya Chandrudu
  24. Radha Kalyanam
  25. Thyagayya
  26. Manchu Pallaki ... Gita's father
  27. Subhalekha
  28. Kalavari Samsaram ... Subbaramaiah
  29. Nelavanka
  30. Rendu Jella Sita
  31. Sagara Sangamam
  32. Sitaara
  33. Janani Janmabhoomi
  34. Chattamtho Poratam
  35. Mogudu Pellalu
  36. Rendu Rella Aaru
  37. Chantabbai
  38. Kaliyuga Pandavulu
  39. Kaliyuga Krishnudu
  40. Sirivennela
  41. Sankeerthana
  42. Sruthi Layalu
  43. Janaki Ramudu
  44. Swarna Kamalam
  45. Eeshwar
  46. Sutradhaarulu
  47. Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam
  48. Pelli Pustakam
  49. April 1st Vidudhala
  50. Karthavyam .... Constable Ranganayakulu
  51. Shanti Kranti
  52. Gharana Mogudu ... Bhawani's father
  53. Swathi Kiranam
  54. Aa Okkati Adakku .... Pellilla Peraiah
  55. Detective Naarada
  56. Joker
  57. Kunti Puthrudu
  58. Yamaleela
  59. Vajram
  60. Linga Babu Love Story
  61. Subha Sankalpam
  62. Swarabhishekam
  63. Vijay IPS