Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu (1907-63)

Born in Guntur Dist., AP. Actor and singer in stage mythologicals since early youth. Became one of the first major Telugu stars. Film début as Ram in East India Film’s Ramadasu. Early roles in Telugu mythologicals, esp. Krishna in Draupadi Vastrapaharanam and the title roles in Tukaram and in P. Pullaiah’s Shri Venkateswara Mahatyam. Changed to socials with Raja Sandow’s Choodamani; became a comic villain in L.V. Prasad’s Grihapravesham, repeating the character in e.g. Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu. Other famous roles include the villainous farmer in Rojulu Marayi, Ramappa Panthulu in Kanyasulkam and Kuchela in Krishna Kuchela. Best known for K.V. Reddy’s Maya Bazaar, setting the standard for the image of the popular Mahabharata character, Shakuni.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1933: Ramadasu; 1936: Draupadi Vastrapaharanam; 1937: Tukaram; 1939: Shri Venkateswara Mahatyam; Jayapradha; 1941: Choodamani; Talliprema; 1942: Sumati; 1945: Mayalokam; Paduka Pattabhishekham; 1946: Grihapravesham; 1947: Ratnamala; 1948: Bhakta Siriyala; 1949: Laila Majnu; 1950: Vali Sugriva; Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha; 1951: Saudamini; Akasharaju; Patala Bhairavi/Pataal? Bhairavi; Agni Pareeksha; 1952: Dharmadevata; Manavati; Prema/Kathal; 1953: Devadasu; Paropakaram; Vayyari Bhama; Chandirani; 1954: Anta Manavalle; Iddaru Pellalu; Sati Sakkubai; Kanyadana/ Kanyadanam; Chakrapani; 1955: Ante Kavali; Rojulu Marayi; Kanyasulkam; 1956: Bhale Ramudu/Prema? Pasam; Bhakta Markandeya; 1957: Repu Neede; Bhale Bhava; Bhale Ammayilu; Vaddante Pelli; Maya Bazaar; Suvarna Sundari; 1958: Ettuku Pai Ettu; Dongalunnaru Jagratha; Parvati Kalyanam; Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu; 1959: Pelli Sandadi; Rechukka Pagatichukka; Vachina Kodalu Nachindi; 1960: Jagannatakam; Nityakalayanam Pachathoranam; Rani Ratnaprabha; Bhakta Raghunath; Annapurna; Runanubandham; 1961: Jagadeka Veeruni Katha/Jagathala? Prathapan; Bava Maradallu; Bhakta Jayadeva; Pelli Pilupu; Krishna Kuchela; Bikari Ramudu; 1962: Kalimilemulu; Chitti Tamudu; 1963: Irugu Porugu; Savati Koduku; 1964: Peetalameeda Pelli; Babruvahana; Bobbili Yuddham; 1967: Vasantsena; 1968: Chellelikosam.

Actor