Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao (1924 – 8 December 2004) was an Indian actor, writer and director. He was the son of film director
Chittajallu Pullayya
Chittajallu Pullayya (Telugu: చిత్తజల్లు పుల్లయ్య; 1898 – 6 October 1967) was an Indian film director and screenwriter. He is one of the earliest film personalities in Telugu cinema being associated with ...
. He directed around 65 films in the Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Oriya languages.
He garnered two
National Film Awards for directing the films ''
Lava Kusa
''Lava Kusa'' (also spelled as ''Lava Kusha'') is a 1963 Indian Hindu mythological film directed by C. S. Rao and his father C. Pullayya. The film was scripted by Sadasivabrahmam, Samudrala Sr. along with C. S. Rao and C. Pullayya. The film w ...
'' (1963) and ''
Desamante Manushuloyi'' (1970). Directors including Muktha V. Srinivasan and K. S. Sethu Madhavan worked as his assistants.
Early life and career
He was born in 1924 in
Kakinada
Kakinada ( formerly called Kakinandiwada, Coringa, and Cocanada; ) is the sixth largest city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and serves as the district headquarters of the Kakinada District. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. J. ...
,
East Godavari
East Godavari is a district in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, India. Its district headquarters is at Rajahmundry. As of census 2011, it became the most populous district of the state with a population of 5,151,549.
In the Madras Pre ...
,
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to t ...
. He started his career in films as a child actor, appearing in two movies directed by his father
Chittajallu Pullayya
Chittajallu Pullayya (Telugu: చిత్తజల్లు పుల్లయ్య; 1898 – 6 October 1967) was an Indian film director and screenwriter. He is one of the earliest film personalities in Telugu cinema being associated with ...
and released in 1936, ''Anasuya'' and ''Dhruva''. He later worked as an assistant to cinematographer
K. Ramnoth, art director V. A. K. Sekhar, and
Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar (8 December 1900 – 26 September 1977) was an Indian dancer and choreographer, best known for creating a fusion style of dance, adapting European theatrical techniques to Indian classical dance, imbued with elements of Indian cla ...
. He assisted his father in the 1953 film ''
Pakkinti Ammayi'' as both actor and screenplay writer.
He made his directorial debut in Tamil film with ''
Ponni'' (1953) and then in Telugu with the feature ''Sri Krishna Tulabaram'' (1955). He directed around 65 movies in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Oriya languages. His popular Telugu movies included ''
Lava Kusa
''Lava Kusa'' (also spelled as ''Lava Kusha'') is a 1963 Indian Hindu mythological film directed by C. S. Rao and his father C. Pullayya. The film was scripted by Sadasivabrahmam, Samudrala Sr. along with C. S. Rao and C. Pullayya. The film w ...
'' (1963), ''Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu'' (1958), ''Santinivasam'' (1960), ''Abhimanam'' (1960), ''Tiger Ramudu'' (1962), ''Valmeeki'' (1963), ''Kanchu Kota'' (1967), ''Govula Gopanna'' (1968), ''
Ekaveera
Ekaveera (Telugu: ఏకవీర) is an Indian novel written by Kavi Samrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu language. It was penned between 1929–31 and was published in Bharathi magazine in 1935. Originally written in Telugu, it has since ...
'' (1969), ''
Jeevitha Chakram
Jeevitha Chakram () is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Vanisri and Sarada, with music composed by Shankar–Jaikishan. It is produced by P. Gangadhar Rao under the Nava Sakthi Produc ...
'' (1971), ''Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham'' (1972), ''Dhanamaa? Daivamaa?'' (1973), ''
Yashoda Krishna
''Yashoda Krishna'' is a 1975 Indian Telugu language, Telugu-language film, directed by C. S. Rao. Baby Sridevi and Rohini (actress), Baby Rohini acted as Bala Krishna and Ramakrishna as Lord Krishna, which also marked actress Rohini (actress), ...
'' (1975), and ''
Mahakavi Kshetrayya
''Mahakavi Kshetrayya'' is a 1976 Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Kshetrayya, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao & C. S. Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara ...
'' (1976). He also acted in a number of movies, which included ''Pelli Sandadi'' (1959), ''Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya'' (1982), ''Jebudonga'' (1987), and ''Kokila'' (1989).
Personal life
He married the daughter of
Kannamba
Pasupuleti Kannamba (''Pasupulēţi Kannāṃba'') (5 October 1911 – 7 May 1968) was an Indian actress, playback singer and film producer of Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ...
and
Kadaru Nagabhushanam
Kadaru Nagabhushanam or K. B. Nagabhushanam (1902 – 18 October 1976) was an Indian film director and producer in the 1940s to 1960s, working in Telugu cinema, Telugu and Tamil cinema. He was the husband of P. Kannamba. They established Ra ...
. After her death, he fell in love with dancer and actress
Rajasulochana
Chittajallu Rajeevalochana (15 August 1935 – 5 March 2013), better known as Rajasulochana, was an Indian classical dancer and actress. She has acted in more than 300 Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi language films.
Early life
She w ...
. They married and had twin daughters. He died on 8 December 2004 in
Chennai
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of ...
.
Filmography
# ''Anasuya'' (1936) (as child actor)
# ''Dhruva'' (1936) (as child actor)
# ''
Pakka Inti Ammayi
''Pakka Inti Ammayi'' is a 1953 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by C. Pullayya. The film featured Anjali Devi as the beautiful neighbour girl. Famous comedian Relangi acted as her lover Subbarayudu and veteran South Indian ...
'' (Telugu, 1953) (actor and screen adaptation)
# ''
Ponni'' (1953) (director)
# ''Pona Machan Thirumbi Vandhan'' (1954) (director)
# ''Sri Krishna Tulabharam'' (Telugu, 1955) (director)
# ''Anna Thamudu'' (1958) (director)
# ''
Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu
''Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu'' () is 1958 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by Sundarlal Nahatha, T. Ashwadanarayana under the Sri Productions banner and directed by C. S. Rao. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Rajasulochana with m ...
'' (1958) (director)
# ''Sri Krishna Maya'' (1958) (director)
# ''Pelli Sandadi'' (1959) (actor)
# ''Naradhar Kalyanam'' (1959) (director)
# ''Sabash Ramu'' (1959) (director)
# ''Sabhash Ramudu'' (1959) (director)
# ''
Abhimanam'' (1960) (director)
# ''
Santhi Nivasam'' (1960) (director)
# ''Pellikani Pillalu'' (1961) (director)
# ''
Tiger Ramudu
''Tiger Ramudu'' is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language action drama film, produced by Patnam Chinna Rao and Vaddi Sriramulu and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Rajasulochana, with music composed by Ghantasala.
Plot
Ramu (Mast ...
'' (1962) (director)
# ''Santhi Nivas'' (1962) (director)
# ''
Lava Kusa
''Lava Kusa'' (also spelled as ''Lava Kusha'') is a 1963 Indian Hindu mythological film directed by C. S. Rao and his father C. Pullayya. The film was scripted by Sadasivabrahmam, Samudrala Sr. along with C. S. Rao and C. Pullayya. The film w ...
'' (Telugu, 1963) (director)
# ''
Valmiki
Valmiki (; Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि, ) is celebrated as the harbinger-poet in Sanskrit literature. The epic ''Ramayana'', dated variously from the 5th century BCE to first century BCE, is attributed to him, based on the attributi ...
'' (Telugu, 1963) (director)
# ''Lava Kusa'' (Tamil, 1963) (director)
# ''
Valmiki
Valmiki (; Sanskrit: वाल्मीकि, ) is celebrated as the harbinger-poet in Sanskrit literature. The epic ''Ramayana'', dated variously from the 5th century BCE to first century BCE, is attributed to him, based on the attributi ...
'' (Kannada, 1963) (director)
# ''
Keelu Bommalu
''Keelu Bommalu'' () is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language film directed by C. S. Rao and produced by P. Gangadhara Rao of Hyderabad Films.
Plot
Drama of a student of religion who comes to realise he is selfish and learns to help others.
Cast
* Gum ...
'' (Telugu, 1965) (director)
# ''Prachanda Bhairavi'' (1965) (director)
# ''Pratignapalana'' (1965) (director)
# ''Kanchukota'' (1967) (director)
# ''Pallava Sevengal'' (1967) (director)
# ''
Bangaru Gaajulu
''Bangaru Gaajulu'' () is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by C. S. Rao from a story written by Rajasri. Produced by Tammareddy Krishna Murthy, it stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Bharathi, and Vijaya Nirmala with the music com ...
'' (1968) (director)
# ''Govula Gopanna'' (1968) (director)
# ''Gramadevathulu'' (1968) (director)
# ''Mana Samsaram'' (1968) (director)
# ''
Niluvu Dopidi
''Niluvu Dopidi'' () is a 1968 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film, produced by U. Visweswara Rao and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna, Devika and Jayalalita, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was ...
'' (1968) (director)
# ''
Nindu Samsaram
''Nindu Samsaram'' () is a 1968 Telugu-language drama film directed by C. S. Rao. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by Master Venu.
Plot
Bhaskar is an honest, truthful gentleman who is in search of a job. Bh ...
'' (1968) (director)
# ''
Ekaveera
Ekaveera (Telugu: ఏకవీర) is an Indian novel written by Kavi Samrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana in Telugu language. It was penned between 1929–31 and was published in Bharathi magazine in 1935. Originally written in Telugu, it has since ...
'' (Telugu, 1969) (director)
# ''Mamaku Tagga Kodalu'' (1969) (director)
# ''Pettandarulu'' (1970) (director)
# ''
Desamante Manushuloy'' (1970) (director)
# ''Malli Pelli'' (1970) (director)
# ''
Marina Manishi
''Marina Manishi'' () is a 1970 Indian Telugu-language action-drama film co-written and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Vijaya Nirmala, with music composed by T. V. Raju.
Plot
The film begins with Raju (N. T. Rama Rao) ...
'' (1970) (director)
# ''
Rendu Kutumbala Katha
''Rendu'' () a 2006 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Sundar C and produced by Khushbu. The film stars R. Madhavan, Madhavan in dual lead roles, with Reema Sen and Anushka Shetty (in her Tamil film debut) a ...
'' (1970) (director)
# ''Bhagyavanthudu'' (1971) (director)
# ''
Jeevitha Chakram
Jeevitha Chakram () is a 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Vanisri and Sarada, with music composed by Shankar–Jaikishan. It is produced by P. Gangadhar Rao under the Nava Sakthi Produc ...
'' (Telugu, 1971) (director)
# ''Rangeli Raja'' (1971) (director)
# ''
Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham'' (1972) (director)
# ''
Desoddharakulu
''Desoddharakulu'' () is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by U. Viswaswara Rao under the Deepthi International banner and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Vanisri, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. A S ...
'' (1973) (director)
# ''
Dhanama? Daivama?
''Dhanama? Daivama?'' () is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by DVS Raju and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Jamuna, with music composed by T. V. Raju.
Plot
Lawyer Ramachandra Rao (N. T. Rama Rao) a disc ...
'' (1973) (director)
# ''Adambaralu Anubhandalu'' (1974) (director)
# ''Anaganaga Oka Thandri'' (1974) (director)
# ''Bandhalu Anubhandhalu'' (1974) (director)
# ''Devudulanti Manishi'' (1975) (director)
# ''Swandam Kariyum Zindabad'' (1975) (director)
# ''
Yashoda Krishna
''Yashoda Krishna'' is a 1975 Indian Telugu language, Telugu-language film, directed by C. S. Rao. Baby Sridevi and Rohini (actress), Baby Rohini acted as Bala Krishna and Ramakrishna as Lord Krishna, which also marked actress Rohini (actress), ...
'' (Telugu, 1975) (director)
# ''
Mahakavi Kshetrayya
''Mahakavi Kshetrayya'' is a 1976 Telugu-language biographical film, based on the life of Kshetrayya, produced by P. Adinarayana Rao under the Anjali Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao & C. S. Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara ...
'' (Telugu, 1976) (director)
# ''
Manchiki Maro Peru
''Manchiki Maro Peru'' () is a 1976 Indian Telugu language, Telugu-language action drama film, produced by M. Manohar under the Sree Ramakrishna Films banner and directed by C. S. Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Krishnam Raju, Padmapriya (actress ...
'' (1976) (director)
# ''Punardatta'' (1976) (director)
# ''Sri Renukadevi Mahatme'' (1977) (director)
# ''Allari Pillalu'' (1978) (director)
# ''Parasuraman'' (1978) (director)
# ''
Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya
''Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya'' () is a 1982 Indian Telugu-language film directed by debutant Kodi Rama Krishna and produced by K. Raghava starring Chiranjeevi, Madhavi and debutant Gollapudi Maruthi Rao.
Released on 22 April 1982, The fi ...
'' (Telugu, 1982) (actor)
# ''Radhamma Mogudu'' (1982) (director)
# ''Bhayankara Bhasmasura'' (1983) (director)
# ''Maro Maya Bazaar'' (1983) (director)
# ''Raja Harishchandra'' (1984) (director)
# ''Satya Harishchandra'' (1984) (Odia, director)
# ''Gruhalakshmi'' (1985) (Odia, director)
# ''Jebu Donga'' (1987) (actor)
# ''
Yogi Vemana
Vemana, popularly known as Yogi Vemana, was an Indian philosopher and poet in the Telugu language. His poems are known for their use of simple language and native idioms. They discuss the subjects of yoga, wisdom and morality.
Early life an ...
'' (Telugu, 1988) (director)
# ''Kokila'' (1989) (actor)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, C. S.
Male actors from Andhra Pradesh
Telugu film directors
1920s births
2004 deaths
People from Kakinada
20th-century Indian film directors
20th-century Indian male actors
Telugu male actors
Odia film directors
Tamil film directors
Malayalam film directors
Indian male film actors
Film directors from Andhra Pradesh
Male actors in Telugu cinema