D. Madhusudhana Rao

Dukkipati Madhusudana Rao (27 July 1917 – 26 March 2006) was an Indian film producer and screenwriter in Telugu cinema. Throughout his career, he received four National Film Awards and three Nandi Awards for his contributions to the industry. In 1993, he was honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award by the Andhra Pradesh government for his contributions to Telugu cinema.

Madhusudhana Rao co-founded Annapurna Pictures in 1951, a production house responsible for several iconic films, including ''Donga Ramudu'' (1955), '' Thodi Kodallu'' (1957), and '' Doctor Chakravarthy'' (1964). Madhusudhana Rao also played a pivotal role in shaping the career of Akkineni Nageswara Rao. His collaboration with director Adurthi Subba Rao produced some of Telugu cinema's most acclaimed works. He was also instrumental in relocating the Telugu film industry to Hyderabad and was known for his philanthropic efforts, notably as the Founder President of the Filmnagar Cooperative Housing Society. Madhusudhana Rao died on 26 March 2006, at the age of 88.

Early life

Dukkipati Madhusudhana Rao was born on 27 July 1917 in Peyyeru, Gudivada Taluk of Krishna district, to Sitarama Swamy and Gangajalam. He married Suseela Devi in 1937. The couple had four daughters and a son.

Career

In collaboration with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Katragadda Srinivasa Rao, Koratala Prakash Rao, and T. V. A. Surya Rao, he established Annapoorna Pictures on 10 September 1951. The studio's inaugural production was ''Donga Ramudu'' (1955), directed by K. V. Reddy and starring Nageswara Rao and Savitri. Madhusudhana Rao produced several landmark films, including ''Thodi Kodallu'', ''Iddaru Mitrulu'', ''Chaduvukunna Ammayilu'', ''Doctor Chakravarthy'', ''Pula Rangadu'', and ''Atma Gowravam''. ''Iddaru Mitrulu'' is notable for being the first Telugu film to feature a double role.

Most of his films were directed by Adurthi Subba Rao, with whom he created classics like ''Thodi Kodallu'', ''Mangalya Balam'', ''Velugu Needalu'', ''Iddaru Mitrulu'', ''Chaduvukunna Ammayilu'', ''Dr. Chakravarthy'', ''Pula Rangadu'', and ''Vichitra Bandham''. He is also credited with introducing several new talents to the Telugu film industry, including Korrapati Gangadhara Rao, Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Ranganayakamma, K. Viswanath, Ashalatha Kulkarni, Ramakrishna, Jeedigunta Ramachandra Murthy, and Sarada.

Awards

;National Film Award
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu (producer)
*'' Thodi Kodallu'' (1957)
*'' Mangalya Balam'' (1958)
*'' Doctor Chakravarthy'' (1964)

;Nandi Awards
* Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - '' Aatma Gowravam'' (1965)
* Second Best Feature Film - Silver - '' Athmeeyulu'' (1969)
* Third Best Feature Film - Bronze - '' Amaayakuraalu'' (1971)
* Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for lifetime achievement - 1993

Filmography

;As producer

*1987 '' America Abbayi''
*1982 '' Pelleedu Pillalu''
*1978 ''Radha Krishna''
*1977 ''Prema Lekhalu''
*1974 '' Bangaaru Kalalu''
*1972 '' Vichitra Bandham''
*1971 ''Amayakuralu''
*1970 '' Jai Jawan''
*1969 '' Aatmiyulu''
*1967 '' Poola Rangadu''
*1965 '' Aatma Gowravam''
*1964 '' Doctor Chakravarty''
*1963 '' Chaduvukunna Ammayilu''
*1961 ''Iddaru Mitrulu''
*1961 '' Velugu Needalu''
* 1961 ''Thooya Ullam'' (Tamil)
*1959 '' Mangalya Balam''
* 1959 ''Manjal Mahimai''
*1957 ''Todi Kodallu''
*1957 ''Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi'' (Tamil)
*1956 ''Tiruttu Raman'' (Tamil)
*1955 ''Donga Ramudu''

;As writer
*1963 '' Chaduvukunna Ammayilu''
*1962 ''Man-Mauji''
*1958 '' Mangalya Balam''
*1957 ''Todi Kodallu''
*1955 '' Donga Ramudu''

See also

* Raghupathi Venkaiah Award

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, D. Madhusudhana
Telugu film producers
1917 births
2006 deaths
Screenwriters from Andhra Pradesh
Telugu screenwriters
20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
Film producers from Andhra Pradesh
20th-century Indian screenwriters