Veteran producer-director T. Rama Rao breathed his last today (20th April) in the early hours in a hospital in Madras. He was 83. Tatineni Rama Rao is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
T. Rama Rao was a very popular director of the 1980s. In all, he had made around 70 films in Hindi and Telugu between 1966 and 2000. He had directed such stars as Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, N.T. Rama Rao and Dharmendra in his chequered career of 34 years. He was known for his social films. Among his well-known Hindi films are Andhaa Kaanoon, Bulandi, Jung, Lok Parlok, Judaai, Maang Bharo Sajana, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Watan Ke Rakhwale, Inquilaab, John Jani Janardhan, Haqeeqat, Naseeb Apna Apna, Sadaa Suhagan, Dosti Dushmani, Naache Mayuri, Sansar, Insaf Ki Pukar, Ravan Raaj and Muqabla. Several of his Hindi films were remakes of South films, some of which were his own. Navarathri (Telugu) was his first film. It starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Telugu Yamagola, starring NTR, was a blockbuster. Telugu Pachani Kapuram (remake of K.C. Bokadia’s Pyar Jhukta Nahin), starring Krishna and Sridevi, boasted of super-hit songs which are remembered even today.
An interesting feature of T. Rama Rao’s films was that he succeeded in all kinds of genres. He made social films, family dramas, romantic films, inspirational stories and even action fares with the same flair. He launched Rajinikanth in Hindi when he remade Tamil hit Sattam Our Iruttarai as Andhaa Kaanoon in which Amitabh Bachchan made a special appearance. He had also directed Kamal Haasan in Yeh Toh Kamaal Ho Gaya.