Hyderabad: Popular Telugu actor, writer Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, 80, passed away in Chennai. He was unwell since quite some time and breathed his last in Lifeline Hospitals at Chennai due to age-related ailments on Thursday.
Born on April 14, 1939 in Vizianagaram, Maaruthi Rao ventured into the film industry with Chiranjeevi’s film “Intlo Ramaiah Veedilo Krishnaiah” at the age of 40. The film directed by Kodi Rama Krishna catapulted both the hero and Gollapudi into fame and stardom. He went on to portray varied roles as a villain, character artiste, comedian, father roles and unique style of portraying villainism with a touch of comedy and went on to act in over 290 Telugu films.
He authored various books, novels and plays. His noted literary works and plays like Rendu Rellu Aaru, Patita, Karuninchani Devatalu, Mahanatudu, Kaalam Venakku Tirigindi, Aasayaalaku Sankellu, have won numerous State Awards. He is survived by a son. Maruti Rao had three sons.
Gollapudi worked as Station Incharge and host in All India Radio. He used to write columns and stories in various books. He was a member of the Script Scrutiny Committee of National Film Development Corporation and served as a Jury Member at International Film Festival of India for Indian Panorama section in 1996. He is known for scripting landmark films like Doctor Chakravarthy, Tharangini, Samsaram Oka Chadharangam, Kallu and so on. He has garnered six Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards. In 1997, he established the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Foundation, which presents the Gollapudi National Award, for the best first film of a director in Indian Cinema.
