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{{Short description|Indian actor (1923–2009)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kantha Rao
| image = Rajanala and Kanta Rao.jpg
| caption = left side
| birth_name = Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1923|11|16}}
| birth_place = [[Kodada]], [[Hyderabad State]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2009|03|22|1923|11|16}}
| death_place = [[Hyderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| othername = {{ubl|Nata Prapoorna|Kattula Kanta Rao}}
| yearsactive = 1950s–1990s
| spouse = {{ubl|Suseela|{{marriage|Hymavathi|1950}}}}
| website =
| occupation = Actor
}}
'''Tadepalli Lakshmi Kantha Rao''' (16 November 1923 – 22 March 2009) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in [[Telugu cinema]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/25/stories/2007022516760300.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125105409/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/25/stories/2007022516760300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-25|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2007-02-25|title=Exposure in films decried}}</ref> Regarded as one of the finest [[method actor]]s, Rao appeared in more than 400 feature films, starring in many, in a variety of genres including mythological, social and folklore. After a success string in folklore and swashbuckling films, he became popularly referred to as ''Kattula Kantha Rao''. He has also acted in a few [[Hindi]], [[Kannada]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and [[Malayalam]] movies. He has produced about five films under the Hyma Films banner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earlytollywood.blogspot.com/2008/02/t-l-kantha-rao.html|title=T L KANTHA RAO ~ Early Tollywood|author=Murali Krishna|access-date=13 March 2009|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619063035/http://earlytollywood.blogspot.com/2008/02/t-l-kantha-rao.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1960s, he was one of the primary actors in Telugu cinema, along with [[N. T. Rama Rao]] and [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]]. Kantha Rao was known for portraying the roles of [[Narada]], [[Lord Krishna]] and [[Arjuna]] in mythological films. He played [[Lakshmana]] in the blockbuster film ''[[Lava Kusa (1963 film)|Lava Kusa]]'', for which he received ''Vishehsa Puraskaram'' in 1963.<ref>{{cite news|author=Social Post |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/news/2009/kantha-rao-died-250309.html |title=Kantha Rao becomes a memory | News – Oneindia Entertainment |publisher=Oneindia |date=25 March 2009 |access-date=2012-11-03|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102172110/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/news/2009/kantha-rao-died-250309.html |archive-date=2013-11-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Ramachandran|first=T.M.|title=Film world|year=1973|volume=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Times of India directory and year book including who's who|year=1984|publisher=Times of India Press}}</ref>

==Early life==
Rao was born into a Telugu Brahmin family to Kesavarao and Seetaramamma at [[Kodad]] of [[Suryapet district]] in present-day [[Telangana]] on 16 November 1923.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tanmayi|first=Bhawana|title=Kantha Rao biopic to go on floors soon|url=https://telanganatoday.com/kantha-rao-biopic-to-go-on-floors-soon|access-date=2020-09-20|website=Telangana Today|language=en-US}}</ref> According to the [[Hindu calendar]], it corresponds to Rudhirodgari Samvatsara [[Kartika (month)|Kartika]] Sudha Ashtami day. He lost his father the next year. His primary education was done in Gudibanda and [[Khammam]]. He was exposed to puranas and Hindu epic stories from his grandmother.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

==Career==
Surabhi Drama troupe has visited their village. Impressed by their professional performances, he established "Balamitra Natya Mandali" and used to play ''[[Gayopakhyanam]]'' and ''Madhuseva'' plays with his friends. He played the character Brahma in ''Sri Krishna Leelalu'' in the group "Surabhi" and subsequently in the plays ''Madhuseva'', ''Kanakatara'' and ''Telugu Talli''.

Rao was sent to [[Tenali]] to distract from the drama activities. Tenali used to be very active in drama activities with stalwarts like Pulipati Lakshminarayana. He used to stay in same street where Rentachintala Satyanarayana and [[Banda Kanakalingeswara Rao]] used to live.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

He then shifted to [[Madras]] in 1950 and used to stay with T. Krishnamachari, who used to work as assistant director for [[H. M. Reddy]]'s Rohini Pictures.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

H. M. Reddy gave him a chance to play a small role in ''[[Nirdoshi (1951 film)|Nirdoshi]]'' in 1951 and as his hero for ''Pratigna'' in 1953. He has acted in 450 films and in about 100 films as hero, whereas in others as different character roles. They include some popular roles in films like ''[[Jayasimha (1955 film)|Jayasimha]]'' (1955), ''[[Shri Krishna Pandaviyam]]'' (1966), ''Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu'' (1963), ''[[Lava Kusha]]'' (1963), ''[[Nartanasala (1963 film)|Nartanasala]]'' (1963), ''[[Pandava Vanavasam]]'' (1965) and ''[[Muthyala Muggu]]'' (1975). His last movie was ''[[Pandurangadu]]'', with Balakrishna, directed by [[K. Raghavendra Rao]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/23/stories/2009032360700400.htm |title=Kanta Rao passes away |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107094753/http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/23/stories/2009032360700400.htm |archivedate=7 November 2012 }}</ref>

He produced four films between 1969 and 1974, ''[[Saptaswaralu]]'', ''Gandara Gandadu'', ''Premajeevulu'' and ''Gundelu Theesina Monagadu'' and lost all his previous earnings. The last film he made was ''Swathi Chinukulu''. Subsequently, he moved to [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ntippi.tripod.com/tollywood/legends/kantharao.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305185900/http://ntippi.tripod.com/tollywood/legends/kantharao.html|url-status=dead |title=Planet-Bollywood - Photo Album|archivedate=5 March 2012|website=ntippi.tripod.com}}</ref>

==Awards==
;National honours
* Visesha Puraskaram in [[Ramineni Foundation Awards]] in 2004.
* Mahanati Savitri Award
* C.H. Narayana Rao Award

;[[Nandi Awards]]
* [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]] by the government of [[Andhra Pradesh]] in 2000, for lifetime achievement.
* Nandi Award for Best Book, for ''Anaganaga Oka Raakumaarudu'' won for the year 2007.

==Filmography==
===Telugu films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of Kantha Rao Telugu film credits
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|-
| 1951
| ''[[Nirdoshi (1951 film)|Nirdoshi]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1955
| ''[[Jayasimha (1955 film)|Jayasimha]]''
| Vijayasimha
|
|-
| rowspan="1"|1956
| ''[[Ilavelpu]]''
|
|
|-
| 1957
| ''[[Sati Anasuya]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3"|1959
| ''[[Jaya Vijaya]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sabash Ramudu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sati Sukanya]]''
| Ashwini Devatalu
|
|-
| rowspan="9" |1960
| ''[[Bhatti Vikramarka]]''
| Bhatti
|
|-
| ''[[Chivaraku Migiledi]]''
| Prakasam
|
|-
|''[[Rama Sundari]]'' || || <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLkABAAAQBAJ&q=kurubara+lakkanu+elizabeth+raniyu&pg=PA129|title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema|isbn=9781135943189|last1=Rajadhyaksha|first1=Ashish| last2=Willemen|first2=Paul| date=10 July 2014|publisher=Routledge}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chintamani]]''
|Prathapa Simha
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-02-25 |title=Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chintamani (1960) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/sahasra-siracheda-apoorva-chintamani-1960/article8280717.ece |access-date=2024-02-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Deepavali (1960 film)|Deepavali]]''
| Narada Muni
|
|-
| ''[[Sanchari]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Kanakadurga Pooja Mahima]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kanakadurga Pooja Mahima (1960) |url=https://indiancine.ma/JNU |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Madhava
|
|-
| ''[[Santhi Nivasam (1960 film)|Santhi Nivasam]]''
| Raju
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Krishna Rayabaram]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1961
| ''[[Sabash Raja]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sati Sulochana]]''
| Narada Muni
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam]]''
| Narada Muni
|
|-
| ''[[Usha Parinayam]]''
| [[Aniruddha]]
|
|-
| ''[[Varalakshmi Vratham]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="8" |1962
|''Madana Kama Raju Katha''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Bhishma (1962 film)|Bhishma]]''
| Salwa
|
|-
| ''[[Chitti Tammudu]]''
| Srihari
|
|-
| ''[[Khaidi Kannayya]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Nuvva Nena]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Padandi Munduku]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Rakta Sambandham (1962 film)|Raktha Sambandham]]''
| Anand
|
|-
| ''[[Swarna Gowri]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="11" |1963
| ''[[Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham]]''
| Narada Muni
|
|-
| ''[[Valmiki (1963 Telugu film)|Valmiki]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Aapta Mitrulu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Deva Sundari]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Edureeta]]''
| Village Doctor
|
|-
|''[[Somavara Vrata Mahatyam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Somavara Vratha Mahathyam (1963) |url=https://indiancine.ma/KXL |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Chandrangada
|
|-
| ''[[Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu]]''
| Vijayudu
|
|-
| ''[[Lava Kusa (1963 film)|Lava Kusa]]''
| [[Lakshmana]]
|
|-
| ''[[Nartanasala (1963 film)|Nartanasala]]''
| Lord Krishna
|
|-
| ''Vishnumaya''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Thobuttuvulu]]'' || Shankar
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |1964
| ''[[Babruvahana]]''
| [[Lord Krishna]]
|
|-
| ''[[Desa Drohulu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Marmayogi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani 1964 Full Movie Online - Watch HD Movies on Airtel Xstream Play |url=https://www.airtelxstream.in/movies/thotalo-pilla-kotalo-rani/EROSNOW_MOVIE_6691258 |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Airtel Xstream (Airtel TV) |language=en}}</ref>
|Vijaya
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam|Sri Satyanarayana Mahatyam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="9" |1965
| ''[[Aada Brathuku|Aada Bratuku]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Devata (1965 film)|Devata]]''
| Cameo
|
|-
| ''[[Dorikithe Dongalu]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Pratigna Palana]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pratigna Palana (1965) {{!}} V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date |url=https://www.vcinema.com/movie/about:blank |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=www.vcinema.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Rajasekharudu
|
|-
|''[[Aakasaramanna]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aakasaramanna (1965) |url=https://indiancine.ma/LKT |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| ''[[Jwala Dweepa Rahasyam|Jwaladweepa Rahasyam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Pandava Vanavasam]]''
| [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima]]''
| Pururava Chakravarthi
|
|-
| ''[[Veerabhimanyu]]''
| [[Arjuna]]
|
|-
| rowspan="7" |1966
| ''[[Bhimanjaneya Yuddham]]''
| Nala Kuber
|
|-
| ''[[Mohini Bhasmasura 1966 Telugu Film|Mohini Bhasmasura]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mohini Bhasmasura 1966 Telugu Movie Cast Crew,Actors,Director, Mohini Bhasmasura Producer,Banner,Music Director,Singers & Lyricists |url=https://moviegq.com/movie/mohini-bhasmasura-5475/cast-crew |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=MovieGQ |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Vishnu]]
|
|-
| ''[[Paduka Pattabhishekam 1966 film|Paduka Pattabhishekam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paduka Pattabhishekamu 1966 Telugu Movie Cast Crew,Actors,Director, Paduka Pattabhishekamu Producer,Banner,Music Director,Singers & Lyricists |url=https://moviegq.com/movie/paduka-pattabhishekamu-6360/cast-crew |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=MovieGQ |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Rama]]
|
|-
| ''[[Palnati Yuddham (1966 film)|Palnati Yuddham]]''
| Nalagamaraju
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam]]''
| [[Narada|Narada Muni]]
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Krishna Tulabharam (1966 film)|Sri Krishna Tulabharam]]''
| [[Narada|Narada Muni]]
|
|-
| ''[[Srimathi 1966 film|Srimathi]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Srimathi (1966) |url=https://indiancine.ma/MFI |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Ravi
|
|-
| rowspan="7" |1967
| ''[[Chikkadu Dorakadu (1967 film)|Chikkadu Dorakadu]]''
| Dorakadu
|
|-
| ''[[Kanchu Kota]]''
|Narendra
|
|-
|''[[Iddaru Monagallu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iddaru Monagallu (1967) |url=https://indiancine.ma/MLN |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|''[[Devuni Gelichina Manavudu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devuni Gelichina Manavudu (1967) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ALLN |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Vijayadattudu
|
|-
| ''[[Pinni]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Aggi Dora]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aggi Dora (1967) |url=https://indiancine.ma/MHM |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Jayanth
|
|-
| ''[[Rahasyam (1967 film)|Rahasyam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |1968
| ''[[Rajayogam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Veeranjaneya]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Bangaru Gaajulu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Niluvu Dopidi]]''
| Guest
|
|-
|''[[Evaru Monagadu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Evaru Monagadu (1968) |url=https://indiancine.ma/MWV |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Inspector Sekhar
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1969
|''[[Devudichina Bharta]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devudichina Bharta on Moviebuff.com |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/devudichina-bharta |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Moviebuff.com}}</ref>
|Sridatta
|
|-
| ''[[Saptaswaralu]]''
| Saranga
|
|-
|''[[Ukku Pidugu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukku Pidugu (1969) CINEMA |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/ukkupidugu |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.moviebuff.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Vasantha Rayalu
|
|-
| ''[[Tarasasankam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Ekaveera]]''
| Veerbhupati
|
|-
|''[[Gandara Gandadu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gandara Gandadu 1969 Telugu Movie Info |url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/film/gandara-gandadu}}</ref>
|Manoharudu
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1970
| ''[[Oke Kutumbham]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Suguna Sundari Katha]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suguna Sundari Katha |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/suguna-sundari-katha/cast/2000129873/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Prasuna
|
|-
|''[[Merupu Veerudu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merupu Veerudu (1970) |url=https://indiancine.ma/BHKQ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1971
| ''[[Sri Krishna Vijayamu]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Kathiki Kankanam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kathiki Kankanam (1971) |url=https://indiancine.ma/OLT |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| ''[[Ananda Nilayam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Krishna Satya]]''
| [[Narada|Narada Muni]]
|
|-
| ''[[Chelleli Kapuram]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Andam Kosam Pandem]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andam Kosam Pandem (1971) |url=https://indiancine.ma/OFZ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Madhavudu
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1972
| ''[[Sri Krishnanjaneya Yuddham]]''
| [[Narada|Narada Muni]]
|
|-
| ''[[Bala Bharatam]]''
| [[Pandu|Pandu Raju]]
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1973
| ''[[Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973 film)|Devudu Chesina Manushulu]]''
| Suresh
|
|-
|''[[Mayadari Malligadu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mayadari Malligadu (1973) |url=https://indiancine.ma/PUA |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Jailor
|
|-
| ''[[Neramu Siksha]]''
| Rajasekharam
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1974
| ''[[Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974 film)|Alluri Seetharama Raju]]''
| Padalu
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham]]''
| Narada Muni
|
|-
| ''[[Devadasu (1974 film)|Devadasu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[O Seeta Katha]]''
| Madhava Rao
|
|-
| ''[[Nippulanti Manishi (1974 film)|Nippulanti Manishi]]''
|Police Inspector who takes care of a young Vijay
|
|-
| ''[[Nirnayam (1991 film)|Nirnayam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1975
| ''[[Muthyala Muggu]]''
| Raja Rao Bahadur
|
|-
| ''[[Pooja (1975 film)|Pooja]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Maya Machhindra]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Eduruleni Manishi (1975 film)|Eduruleni Manishi]]''
|Sarkar
|
|-
| rowspan="8" |1976
|''[[Padi Pantalu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Padi Pantalu (1976) |url=https://indiancine.ma/RAZ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Ex-Army man and Gopi's mentor
|
|-
| ''[[Mahatmudu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''Raaja''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raaja (1976) |url=https://indiancine.ma/RTZ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Indiancine.ma |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501193746/https://indiancine.ma/RTZ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Gajapathi Varma
|
|-
|''[[Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shri_rajeshwari_vilas_coffee_club |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| ''[[America Ammayi (film)|America Ammayi]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Magaadu (1976 film)|Magaadu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Mahakavi Kshetrayya]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Seetha Kalyanam (1976 film)|Seeta Kalyanam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1977
| ''[[Kurukshetram (1977 film)|Kurukshetram]]''
| [[Drupada]]
|
|-
| ''[[Yamagola]]''
| Indrudu
|
|-
| ''[[Edureeta]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="7" | 1978
| ''[[Vayasu Pilichindi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Agent Gopi]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agent Gopi (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/STH |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Intelligence Chief
|
|-
| ''[[Manavoori Pandavulu]]''
| Dharmayya
|
|-
| ''[[Patnavasam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patnavasam (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/THH |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Indiancine.ma |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213185348/https://indiancine.ma/THH |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Ramaiah
|
|-
|''[[Sahasavanthudu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sahasavantudu (1978) |url=https://indiancine.ma/TJN |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Jumra
|
|-
| ''[[Gorantha Deepam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Lawyer Viswanath]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="7" |1979
| ''[[Yugandhar]]''
|Inspector Varma
|
|-
|''[[Andadu Aagadu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andhadu Aagadu (1979) |url=https://indiancine.ma/AMIP |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Inspector General of Police
|
|-
|''[[Korikale Gurralaithe]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Korikale Gurralaithe (1979) |url=https://indiancine.ma/TYE |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Jagannatha Rao
|
|-
|''[[Maa Voori Devatha]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maa Voori Devatha (1979) |url=https://indiancine.ma/AMKA |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Dr. Sanjeeva Rao
|
|-
|''[[Samajaniki Saval]]''
|Prakash's ([[Chakrapani (actor|Chakrapani]]) father
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samajaniki Sawal (1979) |url=https://indiancine.ma/UGK |access-date=2025-11-01 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Mande Gundelu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="9" | 1980
| ''[[Chandipriya]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Mahalakshmi (1980 film)|Mahalakshmi]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mahalakshmi (1980) |url=https://indiancine.ma/UXK |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Indiancine.ma |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521175008/https://indiancine.ma/UXK |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Kalidasu
|
|-
| ''[[Vamsa Vruksham]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Kaali (1980 film)|Kaali]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Superman (1980 film)|Superman]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Chukkallo Chandrudu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sarada Ramudu]]''
| Raja Rao
|
|-
| ''[[Ram Robert Rahim]]''
| Catholic priest
|
|-
| ''[[Prema Tarangalu]]''
| Ranga Rao
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |1981
| ''[[Satyabhama]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Radha Kalyanam (1981 film)|Radha Kalyanam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Kondaveeti Simham]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Oorukichina Maata]]''
| Pratapa Rao
|
|-
| ''[[Sati Savitri (1978 film)|Sati Savitri]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1982
| ''[[Kaliyuga Ramudu]]''
| Peter the Trumpet Player
|
|-
| ''[[Shamsher Shankar]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shamsher Shankar (1982) |url=https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/shamsher-shankar-1982 |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829062814/https://www.avclub.com/film/reviews/shamsher-shankar-1982 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Hanumantha Rao
|
|-
| ''[[Ekalavya]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Krishnavataram]]''
|
|
|-
| ''Pratigna''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prathignya (1982) |url=https://indiancine.ma/WYB |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=Indiancine.ma |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417234528/https://indiancine.ma/WYB |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Bhushayya
|
|-
| ''[[Golconda Abbulu]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="8" |1983
| ''[[Moodu Mullu]]''
| Dharmaiah
|
|-
| ''[[Amarajeevi (1983 film)|Amarajeevi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Chattaniki Veyi Kallu|Chattaniki Veyyi Kallu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chattaniki Veyi Kallu |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/chattaniki-veyi-kallu/cast/2030372570/ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Raghunath, Commissioner of Police
|
|-
| ''[[Moogavani Paga]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moogavani Paga (1983) |url=https://indiancine.ma/XUS |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Indiancine.ma |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418010013/https://indiancine.ma/XUS |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Ramaiah
|
|-
| ''[[Puli Debba]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puli Debba |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/puli-debba |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MovieBuff |language=en |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422092832/https://www.moviebuff.com/puli-debba |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Srimannarayana
|
|-
|''[[Mayagadu (1983 film)|Mayagadu]]''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=8q4bXWADthk |title=Mayagadu Telugu Full Length Movie HD {{!}} Mohan babu {{!}} Kavitha {{!}} Chakravarthy @skyvideostelugu |date=2018-03-26 |last=SkyVideos Telugu |access-date=2024-10-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|Dr. Rama Rao
|
|-
| ''[[Poratam]]''
| Ranganayakulu
|
|-
| ''[[Lanke Bindelu]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lanke Bindelu (1983) |url=https://indiancine.ma/XSI |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Indiancine.ma |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627195937/https://indiancine.ma/XSI |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Kanthaiah
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1984
| ''Sardar''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sardar (1984) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ZDL |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Indiancine.ma |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413213216/https://indiancine.ma/ZDL |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Gangadharam
|
|-
|''Padmavyuham''
|
|
|-
|''[[Sundari Subbarao]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sundari Subbarao on Moviebuff.com |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/sundari-subbarao |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Moviebuff.com}}</ref>
|Jagannatham
|
|-
| rowspan="8" |1985
| ''[[America Alludu]]''
| Raghava Rao
|
|-
| ''[[Vijetha (1985 film)|Vijetha]]''
| Venkayya (guest)
|
|-
| ''[[Mantra Dandam 1985|Mantra Dandam]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mantradandam (1985) {{!}} V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date |url=https://www.vcinema.com/movie/about:blank |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=www.vcinema.com |language=en |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707161434/https://www.vcinema.com/movie/about:blank |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Vishnu Dutta
|
|-
|''Vajrayudham''
|
|
|-
|''[[Musugu Donga]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Musugu Donga Cast and Crew |url=https://www.vcinema.com/movie/musugu-donga-1985}}</ref>
|Veerayya
|
|-
|''[[Nerasthudu]]''
|Ramanna Master
|<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIxU60VCweE |title=NERASTHUDU {{!}} EXCLUSIVE TELUGU FULL MOVIE {{!}} MOHAN BABU {{!}} MADHAVI {{!}} KANTHARAO {{!}} V9VIDEOS |date=2025-08-16 |last=v9 Videos |access-date=2025-11-08 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Nyayam Meere Cheppali]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Pachani Kapuram]]''
| Ananda Rao
|
|-
| rowspan="10" | 1986
| ''[[Simhasanam (1986 film)|Simhasanam]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Tandra Paparayudu (film)|Tandra Paparayudu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam]]''
| Shyama
|
|-
| ''[[Vikram (1986 Telugu film)|Vikram]]''
|
|
|-
|''Srimathi Kanuka''
|
|
|-
|''Chaitanyam''
|
|
|-
|''Vivaha Bandham''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Desoddharakudu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Santhi Nivasam (1986 film)|Santhi Nivasam]]''
| Dr. Rao
|
|-
|[[Chanakya Sapatham|''Chanakya Sapadham'']]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chanakya Sapadam (1986) |url=https://indiancine.ma/AASV |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>
|Sasi's father
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1987
| ''[[Viswanatha Nayakudu]]''
|
|
|-
|''Ummadi Mogudu''
|
|
|-
|''Rotation Chakravarthy''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1988
| ''[[Jhansi Rani (1988 film)|Jhansi Rani]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Ramudu Bheemudu (1988 film)|Ramudu Bheemudu]]''
|
|
|-
|1989
|''[[Swathi Chinukulu]]''
|
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Alludu Diddina Kapuram]]''
|
|
|-
|1993
|''Naga Jyothi''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1994
| ''[[Mugguru Monagallu (1994 film)|Mugguru Monagallu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Bangaru Kutumbam]]''
|
|
|-
|''Atha Kodalu''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Alludu Poru Ammayi Joru]]''<ref>{{Citation |title=ALLUDI PORU AMMAI JORU {{!}} TELUGU FULL MOVIE {{!}} SUMAN {{!}} VENITHA {{!}} CHANDRA MOHAN {{!}} TELUGU CINEMA ZONE | date=14 October 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6XMo_95YH8 |access-date=2023-05-18 |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518054014/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6XMo_95YH8 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Headmaster
|
|-
|1996
|''Puttinti Gowravam''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1998 || ''Naga Shakthi''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiancine.ma/BGXO|title=Naga Shakthi (1998)|website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref> ||
|
|-
|''[[Kante Koothurne Kanu]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="1" | 1999
| ''[[Postman]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |2003
| ''[[Kabirdas]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Nijam]]''
| Narayana Rao
|
|-
| ''[[Satyam (2003 film)|Satyam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Simhachalam (film)|Simhachalam]]''
| Somayajulu
|
|-
| ''[[Seetayya]]''
|
|
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Chinna (2001 film)|Chinna]]'' || Judge ||
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Dhana 51]]''
|
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Shankar Dada Zindabad]]''
|
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Pandurangadu]]''
|
|
|}

=== Other language films ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of Kantha Rao other language film credits
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" | Language
|-
|1957
|''Mahiravana''
|
| rowspan="5" |Kannada
|-
| rowspan="2" |1960
|''[[Ranadheera Kanteerava]]''
|
|-
|''[[Aasha Sundari]]''
|
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Nagarjuna (film)|Nagarjuna]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1963
|''[[Valmiki (1963 Kannada film)|Valmiki]]''
|
|-
| ''[[Manthiri Kumaran]]''
|
| Tamil
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972 film)|Sree Guruvayoorappan]]''
|
| rowspan="2" | Malayalam
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Devi Kanyakumari (film)|Devi Kanyakumari]]''
|
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Alakh Niranjan]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
|1978
|''[[Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu]]''
|
|Tamil
|-
|}

===Producer===
* ''[[Saptaswaralu]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Gandara Gandadu]]'' (1969)
* ''[[Premajeevulu]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Gundelu Teesina Monagaadu]]'' (1974)
* ''[[Swaati Chinukulu]]'' (1989)

==Personal life==
Rao was married to Suseela and had a daughter in 1942. The daughter died of smallpox during infancy. They had a son in 1945 named after his father as Keshav. He married Hymavathi in 1950 and subsequently Suseela died of illness. His son also died of typhoid fever in his childhood. He has four sons and a daughter by Hymavathi, named Pratap, Keshav, Suseela, Raja and Satyam, in that order.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanradio.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=22|title=Actor Kanta Rao passed away at 85 Years |work=Deccan Radio |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709005557/http://www.deccanradio.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=22 |archivedate=2011-07-09}}</ref>

His son Raja (Rajeswara Rao) has acted in ''[[Sudigundalu]]'', ''Prema Jeevulu'', ''Gandara Gandadu'', ''Gundelu Teesina Monagadu'', ''Swati Chinukulu'', ''Ukku Pidugu'', ''Rajasimha'', ''Evaru Monagadu'', ''Maro Prapancham'' and ''Manushulu Matti Bommalu''.

His son Satyam also has acted in ''Saptaswaralu'', ''Prema Jeevulu'' and ''Gandara Gandadu''.
His grandson Sai Eshwar also worked as child artist in Television industry.

==Death==
Rao died at [[Yashoda Hospitals|Yashoda Hospital]], Hyderabad on 22 March 2009 due to cancer complications.

==See also==
* [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0710564}}

{{Raghupathi Venkaiah Award Recipients|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rao, Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta}}
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from liver cancer in India]]
[[Category:Telugu male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Telangana]]
[[Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Film producers from Telangana]]
[[Category:Nandi Award winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rashtrapati Award]]
[[Category:People from Nalgonda]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]

Kantha Rao - Revision history

GeorgeGirdleston at 13:01, 6 May 2026