Digitalvivek at 17:37, 19 February 2026

2026-02-19T17:37:14Z

New page

{{family name hatnote|Uppalapati|lang=Telugu}}
{{short description|Indian actor and politician (1940–2022)}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Krishnam Raju
| image = Uppalapati Krishnam Raju.jpg
| caption = Raju in 2016
| office = [[Minister of State]]<br/>[[Government of India]]
| term_start = 30 September 2000
| term_end = 22 May 2004
| 1blankname = {{centre|Ministry}}
| 1namedata = {{centre|'''Term'''}}
| 2blankname = [[Ministry of Rural Development (India)|Minister of Rural Development]]
| 2namedata = 29 January 2003 – 22 May 2004
| 3blankname = [[Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution|Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution]]
| 3namedata = 1 July 2002 – 29 January 2003
| 4blankname = [[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]]
| 4namedata = 22 July 2001 – 1 July 2002
| 5blankname = [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]]
| 5namedata = 30 September 2000 – 22 July 2001
| office1 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament<br/>Lok Sabha]]
| term_start1 = 6 October 1999
| term_end1 = 16 May 2004
| constituency1 = [[Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Narasapuram]]
| predecessor1 = [[Kanumuru Bapi Raju]]
| successor1 = [[Chegondi Venkata Harirama Jogaiah]]
| term_start2 = 10 March 1998
| term_end2 = 26 April 1999
| constituency2 = [[Kakinada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kakinada]]
| predecessor2 = [[Gopal Krishna Thota]]
| successor2 = [[Mudragada Padmanabham]]
| birth_name = Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju<ref name="LSProfile" />
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1940|1|20}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2022|9|11|1940|1|20}}
| birth_place = [[Mogalthur]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]] (now in [[Andhra Pradesh]], India)
| death_place = [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]], India
| occupation = Actor, politician
| children = 3
| relatives = [[Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju|U. Suryanarayana Raju]] (brother)<br/>[[Prabhas]] (nephew)
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| otherparty = [[Praja Rajyam Party]]
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Sitadevi|end=d}}
* {{marriage|Shyamaladevi|1996}}
}}
}}

'''Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju''' (20 January 1940 – 11 September 2022) was an Indian actor and politician. He was known for his works in [[Telugu cinema]] and was widely known as "''Rebel Star''" for his rebellious acting style. He was also the winner of the inaugural [[Nandi Award for Best Actor]]. Krishnam Raju starred in more than 183 feature films in his career.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 2014 |title=Krishnam Raju prays at Pedda Dargah |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Krishnam-Raju-prays-at-Pedda-Dargah/article11335270.ece |access-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> He made his film debut with the 1966 film ''[[Chilaka Gorinka]]'' produced and directed by [[K. Pratyagatma]]. Krishnam Raju had won five [[Filmfare Awards South]] and four state [[Nandi Awards]]. Krishnam Raju was also an active [[politician]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sankar |first=K. N. Murali |date=28 July 2015 |title=Krishnam Raju courting BJP again |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/krishnam-raju-courting-bjp-again/article7471817.ece |url-status=live |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011161245/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/krishnam-raju-courting-bjp-again/article7471817.ece |archive-date=11 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 January 2014 |title=Krishnam Raju joins BJP |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/krishnam-raju-joins-bjp/article5556156.ece |url-status=live |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705065150/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/krishnam-raju-joins-bjp/article5556156.ece |archive-date=5 July 2014}}</ref>

Krishnam Raju acted in several successful films such as ''[[Jeevana Tarangalu]]'' (1973), ''[[Krishnaveni (film)|Krishnaveni]]'' (1974), ''[[Bhakta Kannappa]]'' (1976), ''[[Amara Deepam (1977 film)|Amara Deepam]]'' (1977), ''[[Sati Savitri (1978 film)|Sati Savitri]]'' (1978), ''[[Katakatala Rudrayya]]'' (1978), ''[[Mana Voori Pandavulu]]'' (1978), ''[[Rangoon Rowdy]]'' (1979), ''[[Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu]]'' (1979), ''[[Sita Ramulu]]'' (1980), ''Taxi Driver'' (1981), ''[[Trisulam (film)|Trisulam]]'' (1982), ''[[Dharmaatmudu]]'' (1983), ''[[Bobbili Brahmanna]]'' (1984), ''[[Tandra Paparayudu (film)|Tandra Paprayudu]]'' (1986), ''Marana Sasanam'' (1987), ''[[Viswanatha Nayakudu]]'' (1987), ''[[Antima Teerpu (1988 film)|Antima Theerpu]]'' (1988), ''[[Bava Bavamaridi]]'' (1993), ''[[Palnati Pourusham]]'' (1994).

In the late 1990s, he became active in politics. He joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and was elected to the 12th and 13th [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Kakinada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kakinada]] and [[Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Narasapuram]] constituencies. He served as a [[Minister of State]] for the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]] in the [[third Vajpayee Ministry]] from 1999 to 2004. In March 2009, he joined [[Praja Rajyam Party]], founded by [[Chiranjeevi]]. In the [[2009 Indian general election|2009 general elections]], he contested the [[Member of Parliament|MP]] seat from the [[Rajahmundry (Lok Sabha constituency)|Rajahmundry]] constituency and lost.

==Personal life==
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju was born in [[Mogalthur]], [[West Godavari district]], on 20 January 1940, to Uppalapati Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Raju.<ref name="LSProfile" /> He completed his early education at Government Boys School in Mogalthur and later at Taylor's High School, in [[Narasapuram]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]. He graduated with a [[B.Com]], from Badruka College, in [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naidu |first=T. Appala |date=11 September 2022 |title=Krishnam Raju {{!}} Mogaltur's son lived his entire life close to Godavari region |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/mogalturs-son-lived-his-entire-life-close-to-godavari-region/article65878465.ece |access-date=16 September 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Krishnam Raju was first married to Sitadevi, who died.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Krishnamraju birthday 2007 celebrations photo gallery - Telugu cinema actor |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/birthday2007-krishnamraju/pages/image001.html |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=[[Idlebrain.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2019 |title=ఆ క్రెడిట్‌ రెబల్‌స్టార్‌దా? శ్యామలదా?! |url=https://www.sakshi.com/news/family/sakshi-special-interview-krishnam-raju-family-1249856 |website=[[Sakshi (newspaper)|Sakshi]] |language=te}}</ref> He married Shyamaladevi, in 1996, with whom he had three daughters.<ref name="LSProfile">{{Cite web |title=Members : Lok Sabha |url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=202&lastls=13 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011161246/http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/memberbioprofile.aspx?mpsno=202&lastls=13 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |access-date=17 November 2019 |website=164.100.47.194}}{{Non-primary source needed|date=November 2022}}</ref>

Film producer, [[Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju]], was his younger brother and actor [[Prabhas]]' father. Prabhas is his nephew. Another nephew of his, Siddharth Rajkumar, made his acting debut with ''[[Keratam]]'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keratam (2011) {{!}} Keratam Telugu Movie {{!}} Keratam Cast & Crew, Story, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/keratam.html |access-date=25 April 2023 |website=FilmiBeat |language=en}}</ref> Krishnam Raju worked as a journalist for the [[Andhra Ratna]]. He was awarded the second best photographer at the state level. He was fond of cameras and had a collection of cameras. He was the founder of Gopi Krishna Movies.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Rebel Star' of Tollywood Krishnam Raju passes away |date=11 September 2022 |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rebel-star-tollywood-krishnam-raju-passes-away-167755 |publisher=The News Minute}}</ref> At a later age, he suffered from multiple illnesses like [[Heart rhythm]] disorder, heart dysfunction, [[diabetes mellitus]], [[Kidney failure|coronary]] heart disease, chronic lung disease, [[Kidney disease|and]] [[chronic bronchitis]].<ref name=":1" />

==Career==

===Debut and career up to 1967===
Krishnam Raju entered [[Telugu cinema|Tollywood]] in 1966 with the film ''[[Chilaka Gorinka]]'' directed by [[Kotayya Pratyagatma]] alongside [[Krishna Kumari (actress)|Krishna Kumari]]. The film won [[Nandi Award for Best Feature Film#Rajata (Silver) Nandi|Nandi Award for Best Feature Film - Silver]] for that year, however, the film did not produce the expected results for Raju.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=11 September 2022 |title=krishnam raju: సినీ పరిశ్రమను విడిచి వెళ్లిపోవాలనుకున్న కృష్ణంరాజు..! |trans-title=Krishnam Raju: Krishna Raju wanted to leave the film industry..! |url=https://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/movies/krishnam-raju-wants-quit-in-telugu-cinema/0208/122173411 |access-date=11 September 2022 |website=[[Eenadu]] |language=te}}</ref> Later he acted in the mythological film ''[[Sri Krishnavataram]]'' (1967) which also stars [[N. T. Rama Rao]]. In 1968, he appeared in ''[[Nenante Nene]]''. He was at first reluctant to act in the film given the role is of an antagonist and that he debuted in films in a protagonist role. Upon being advised by his peers and co-actors to gain exposure to a diversified character, he took on the role. The film turned out successful. He subsequently received several offers for antagonist roles following the critical praise he garnered in the role. He took upon a few films and later returned to protagonist roles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=M. L. Narasimham |date=21 February 2019 |title=Nenante Nene (1968) |language=en-IN |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/nenante-nene-1968/article26337189.ece |access-date=11 September 2022 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> He acted in many films with the established actors N. T. Rama Rao and [[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]]. He also acted in many films with the established actresses Krishna Kumari, [[Rajasulochana]], [[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]], and [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]].{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

===Breakthrough: 1968–1973===
Krishnam Raju acted alongside [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]] in ''[[Nenante Nene]]'' (1968) and set the trend of handsome villains. Later, he acted in ''Bhale Abbayilu'' (1969), the Telugu remake of [[Yash Chopra]]'s 1965 film ''[[Waqt (1965 film)|Waqt]]''. Later he acted in films such as ''[[Buddhimantudu]]'' (1969), ''[[Manushulu Marali]]'' (1969), ''Malli Pelli'' (1970), and ''Jai Jawan (''1970). He acted opposite Bollywood actress [[Rekha]] in ''Amma Kosam'' (1970) which was her first film as an actress. Later he acted in films such as ''Anuradha'', ''Bhagyavantudu'' ''(''1971), and ''Bangaaru Talli'' (1971), the remake of the critically acclaimed 1957 Hindi film ''[[Mother India]]''. Later he acted in films such as ''Muhammad- bin-Tughluq'' (1972) portraying the role of [[Islamic scholar]] [[Ibn Battuta]], ''Raj Mahal'' (1972), ''Hantakulu Devaantakulu'' (1972) opposite [[Rajasulochana]], ''[[Manavudu Danavudu]]'' (1972) opposite [[Krishna Kumari (actress)|Krishna Kumari]], ''[[Neeti-Nijayiti]]'' (1972) opposite Kanchana and ''Vintha Dampatulu'' (1972) opposite [[Jamuna (actress)|Jamuna]]. Later he acted in films such as ''[[Badi Panthulu]]'' (1972), ''[[Bala Mitrula Katha]]'' (1972), ''[[Jeevana Tarangalu]]'' (1973), and ''Kanna Koduku'' (1973). In most of the films, he acted as an antihero, villain, and supporting roles and in leadership roles in a few films.

===1974–1983===
Krishnam Raju acted in ''[[Bantrothu Bharya]]'' which marks the first collaboration of Krishnam Raju with [[Dasari Narayana Rao]]. Later he acted in the critically acclaimed film ''[[Krishnaveni (film)|Krishnaveni]]'' opposite [[Vanisri]] directed by [[V. Madhusudhana Rao]]. The film marks the debut of Krishnam Raju as a producer, the film was produced under his own production house Gopi Krishna Movies. Later he acted in ''[[Parivartana (1975 film)|Parivartana]]'' opposite Jamuna, Kanchana and [[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]], and ''Bharati'' opposite Jamuna, ''Iddaru Iddare,'' and ''[[Yavvanam Katesindi]]''. Later he acted in ''[[Bhakta Kannappa]]'' portraying the roles of [[Arjuna]] and [[Kannappa Nayanar]] directed by [[Bapu (director)|Bapu]] which is the unique Telugu film to win the [[National Film Award for Best Audiography]]. Later he acted in the [[Crime film|crime]] [[Drama film|drama]] ''[[Manchiki Maro Peru]]''. Later he acted in ''[[Kurukshetram (1977 film)|Kurukshetram]]'' portraying the role of [[Karna]] directed by [[Kamalakara Kameswara Rao]]. Later he acted in ''[[Amara Deepam (1977 film)|Amara Deepam]]'' which marks the first collaboration of Krishnam Raju with [[K. Raghavendra Rao]]. The film earned him [[Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)]] and [[Nandi Award for Best Actor]] for the year 1977. Later he acted in films such as ''[[Jeevana Teeralu]]'', ''Manushulu Chesina Dongalu,'' and ''[[Sati Savitri (1978 film)|Sati Savitri]]''. Later he acted in the lavishly made ''[[Katakatala Rudrayya]]'' which grossed {{INRConvert|75|l}} made on a budget of {{INRConvert|18|l}}. Later he acted in ''[[Mana Voori Pandavulu]]'' which was produced by him and Jaya Krishna. The film garnered [[Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu)]] for the year 1978 and Krishnam Raju shared the award with Jaya Krishna. ''Katakataala Rudraiah'' and ''Mana Voori Pandavulu'' was released within a gap of 10 days and both films became blockbusters.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Krishnam Raju's unique feat |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Krishnam-Rajus-unique-feat/articleshow/36661232.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Later he acted in films such as ''Ramabanam'', ''[[Andadu Aagadu]]'' in which he acts in a role of a [[spy]] which is parallel to [[James Bond filmography|James Bond]], which became a smash hit. Later he acted in ''[[Rangoon Rowdy]]'', ''[[Sri Vinayaka Vijayamu]]'' portraying the role of [[Lord Shiva]]. Later he acted in films such as ''Shivamettina Satyam'', ''Kalyana Chakravarti,'' and ''[[Alludu Pattina Bharatam]]'' which were directed by [[K. Viswanath]]. Later he acted in ''[[Sita Ramulu]]'', ''[[Bebbuli]],'' and ''[[Prema Tarangalu]]'', the Telugu remake of the 1978 Bollywood blockbuster ''[[Muqaddar Ka Sikandar]]''. In 1981, he acted in ''[[Aadavaallu Meeku Joharlu (1981 film)|Aadavaallu Meeku Joharlu]]'' directed by [[K. Balachander]]. In the same year, he acted in ''[[Agni Poolu (film)|Agni Poolu]]'' which was based on [[Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani]]'s [[Agni Poolu (novel)|novel of the same name]]. Later he acted in the musical hit, ''[[Puli Bidda]]'', ''Taxi Driver'', ''[[Ragile Jwala]]'', ''Guvvala Janta'', ''Rama Lakshmanulu'', ''[[Madhura Swapnam]]'', ''[[Talli Kodukula Anubandham]]'', ''[[Nipputo Chelagaatam]]'', ''[[Golconda Abbulu]]'', ''Jaggu'', ''Pralaya Rudrudu,'' and critically acclaimed ''[[Trisulam (film)|Trisulam]]''. Later he acted in ''Nijam Chebite Nerama!'', ''[[Adavi Simhalu]]'', ''[[Puli Bebbuli]]'', ''Kotikokkadu'' and ''[[Dharmaatmudu]]''.

===1984–1990===
In 1984, Krishnam Raju acted in ''[[Yuddham (1984 film)|Yuddham]]'', ''Sardar'', ''[[Babulugaadi Debba]]'', ''Kondaveeti Nagulu'' and ''S. P. Bhayankar''. Later, he acted in the Tollywood industrial hit ''[[Bobbili Brahmanna]]'' which earned him [[Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)]] and [[Nandi Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CineGoer.com – Satyasai Karavadi's Articles – Review – Bobbili Brahmanna |url=http://www.cinegoer.com/sskarticles/bobbilibrahmanna1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929172357/http://www.cinegoer.com/sskarticles/bobbilibrahmanna1.htm |archive-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> He also remade the film in Hindi as ''[[Dharm Adhikari]]'' with [[Dilip Kumar]] and [[Jeetendra]] in 1986. Later, he acted in films such as ''[[Raraju (1984 film)|Raraju]]'', ''Bharatamlo Shankaravam'', ''Rowdy'', ''Bandee'', ''[[Tirugubatu]]'', ''Aggi Raju'', ''[[Bullet (1985 film)|Bullet]]'', ''Ukku Manishi'', ''Ravana Brahma'', ''Neti Yugadharmam,'' and ''[[Ugra Narasimham]]''. In 1986, he acted in ''[[Tandra Paparayudu (film)|Tandra Paparayudu]]'' portraying the role of [[Tandra Paparayudu]] which earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award for the year 1986. The film premiered at the 11th [[International Film Festival of India]]. Later, he acted in films such as ''[[Sardar Dharmanna]]'' and ''Marana Shasanam'' which earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award for the year 1987. In 1987, he acted in ''[[Brahma Nayudu (1987 film)|Brahma Nayudu]]'', ''[[Viswanatha Nayakudu]]'' portraying the role of [[Srikrishnadevaraya]]. Later, he acted in films such as ''Maarana Homam'', ''[[Kirai Dada]]'', ''Maa Inti Maha Raju'', ''[[Antima Teerpu (1988 film)|Antima Teerpu]]'', ''Prithvi Raj'', ''Prachanda Bharatam'', ''[[Dharma Teja]]'', ''Prana Snehitulu'', ''[[Simha Swapnam]]'', ''Shri Ramachandrudu'', ''Bhagawan'', ''[[Two Town Rowdy]]'', ''Yama Dharma Raju'' and ''[[Neti Siddhartha]]''.

===1991–2022===
In 1991, Krishnam Raju acted in ''Vidhata'', ''[[Bava Bavamaridi]]'', ''[[Jailor Gaari Abbayi]]'', ''Andaroo Andare'', and ''[[Gangmaster (film)|Gangmaster]]''. In 1994, he acted in ''[[Palnati Pourusham]]'' & this film was a super hit at the box office. Later, he acted in ''Rikshaw Rudraiah'', ''Simha Garjana'', ''Nayudugaari Kutumbam'', ''Tata Manavadu'', ''Kutumba Gowravam,'' and ''[[Maa Nannaku Pelli]]'' which won [[Nandi Award for Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film]]. In 1997, he entered [[Kannada cinema|Sandalwood]] and acted in two Kannada films viz ''Hai Bangalore'' and ''[[Simhada Mari]]''. Later he acted in ''[[Sultan (1999 film)|Sultan]]'', ''[[Vamsoddharakudu]]'', and ''[[Neeku Nenu Naaku Nuvvu]]'' which won Nandi Award for Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film. Later he acted in ''[[Raam (2006 film)|Raam]]'' and ''[[Billa (2009 film)|Billa]]'', a film of the ''[[Don (franchise)|Don film series]],'' and acted with [[Prabhas]] for the first time. Later he acted in ''[[Thakita Thakita]]'' and ''[[Rebel (2012 film)|Rebel]]''. ''Billa'' marks the second innings of his production house, Gopi Krishna Movies. Krishnam Raju said in an interview that he would produce films continuously under the banner. Later he acted in ''[[Chandee]]'', ''[[Yevade Subramanyam]],'' and the first Indian [[3D film|3D]] [[historical film]], ''[[Rudhramadevi (film)|Rudhramadevi]]'' where he portrays the role of Ganapati Devudu, father of [[Rudrama Devi]]. Raju's last film was ''[[Radhe Shyam]]'' (2022), in which he played the role of Paramahamsa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2021 |title=Prabhas' uncle Krishnam Raju turns into Paramahamsa for Radhe Shyam |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/meet-prabhas-uncle-krishnam-raju-as-paramahamsa-from-radhe-shyam-7682299/ |access-date=11 September 2022 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Political career==

He contested an unsuccessful election in 1992 from [[Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency)|Narasapuram]] on a [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] ticket. After a brief hibernation, he rejoined politics, accepting an invitation from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. He won the [[1998 Lok Sabha elections]] from [[Kakinada (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kakinada]]. He set a record with a thumping majority of over 165,000 votes, the maximum majority compared to any of the other constituencies in [[Andhra Pradesh]] which ensured him a berth at the centre. He was on the advisory committees of the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Information and Broadcasting]] and [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Commerce and Industry]] Ministries during 1998–99.

* 1998 Elected to 12th Lok Sabha
* 1998–99 Member, Committee on Commerce Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
* 1999 Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (2nd term) Whip, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party, Lok Sabha
* 1999–2000 Member, Committee on Finance Member, Committee on members of parliament Local Area Development Scheme
* 2000 Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
* 30 September 2000- Union Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs 22 July 2001
* 22 July 2001- Union Minister of State, Ministry of Defence 30 June 2002
* 1 July 2002 - Union Minister of State, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food onwards and Public Distribution

===Role in the prohibition of cow slaughter===
{{See also|Cattle slaughter in India}}
The Ban on Cow Slaughter Bill, 1999 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by [[Yogi Adityanath]] which provided for a complete prohibition on the slaughter of cows for all purposes. The statement of objects and reasons appended to the Bill stated, "Article 48 of the Constitution enjoins on the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and in particular to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds and prohibiting the slaughter of cow and its progeny. Given the consideration that the cow and its entire progeny must be saved to provide milk, as well as manure, it becomes imperative to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter."

In 2000, Krishnam Raju moved a motion in the [[Lok Sabha]] for the introduction of The Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Bill, 2000 with the following statement of objects and reasons, "Article 48 of the [[Constitution of India|Constitution]] enjoins upon the State to organise [[agriculture]] and [[animal husbandry]] on modern and scientific lines and in particular to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds and prohibiting the [[Animal slaughter|slaughter of cow and its progeny]]. [[G. M. Banatwala]], raised the issue regarding the legislative competence of [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] to enact legislation on the subject. Banatwala referred to the opinion given by the then [[Attorney General of India|Attorney General]], [[M.C. Setalvad]] in the Lok Sabha on 1 April 1984 on the issue, to the effect that it was outside the legislative competence of that House to come forward with any Bill concerning the organisation of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. However, the Chairman of the Lok Sabha in his ruling on the point raised by Banatwala inter alia observed that the Chair does not decide whether the Bill is constitutionally within the legislative competence of the House or not. Further, the House also does not take a decision on the specific question of vires of the Bill. The motion moved by was, therefore, put to the vote of the House and adopted. Accordingly, the Chair permitted the introduction of the Bill by Krishnam Raju."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report of the National Commission on Cattle – Chapter II (13. Private Members' Bills and Resolutions introduced in Parliament) |url=http://www.dahd.nic.in/dahd/reports/report-of-the-national-commission-on-cattle/chapter-ii-executive-summary.aspx#it12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109002416/http://www.dahd.nic.in/dahd/reports/report-of-the-national-commission-on-cattle/chapter-ii-executive-summary.aspx#it12 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |access-date=8 November 2013 |publisher=[[Ministry of Agriculture (India)|DAHD]]}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Main|Krishnam Raju filmography}}

==Death==
Raju died on 11 September 2022, at the age of 82, from bacterial and fungal [[pneumonia]] followed by [[cardiac arrest]], at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Hospitals in Hyderabad, India, which he entered for post-COVID-19 issues on 5 August 2022.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=11 September 2022 |title=Rebel star Krishnam Raju passes away with post-Covid complications |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/110922/veteran-telugu-actor-krishnam-raju-passes-away-at-83.html |access-date=16 September 2022 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/current-affairs/veteran-actor-and-former-union-minister-krishnam-raju-dies-aged-82-122091100103_1.html | title=Veteran actor and former union minister Krishnam Raju dies aged 82 | work=Business Standard | date=11 September 2022 }}</ref>

==Awards==
;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Telugu|Best Actor - Telugu]] - [[Amara Deepam (1977 film)|Amaradeepam]] (1977)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/krishnam-raju-won-filmfare-best-actor-award | title=Krishnam Raju Won Filmfare Best Actor Award | date=31 July 2024 }}</ref>
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Film - Telugu|Best Picture]] - [[Manavuri Pandavulu]] (1978) (award share with Jayakrishna)
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Telugu|Best Actor - Telugu]] - [[Bobbili Brahmanna]] (1984)<ref>https://archive.org/details/krishnam-raju-won-filmfare-best-actor-bobbili-brahmmanna</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/32nd-filmfare-south-telugu-winners| title=Collections | date=1991 }}</ref>
*[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Telugu|Best Actor - Telugu]] - [[Tandra Paparayudu (film)|Tandra Paparayudu]] (1986)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/s.-p-balu-krishnam-raju-won-filmfare | title=S. P Balu Krishnam Raju Won Filmfare | date=19 July 2021 }}</ref>
*[[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South)|Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]] (2006)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/54thAnnualFilmfareAwardssouthLifetimeAchievementandLegendaryawards | title=54th Annual Filmfare awards south Lifetime achievement award winners & Legendary honorary winners | date=27 January 2025 }}</ref>

;[[Nandi Awards]]
;[[Nandi Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Film
! Role
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Amara Deepam (1977 film)|Amara Deepam]]''
| Shri Krishna / Hari
|-
| 1984
| ''[[Bobbili Brahmanna]]''
| Brahmanna / Ravi
|}
; [[Nandi Award for Best Character Actor|Best Character Actor]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Film
! Role
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Jailor Gaari Abbayi]]''
| Jailor Chakrapani
|}
*2014 - [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Award]]

===TSR TV9 National Awards===
* 2012 - Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2015 - Legend Actor of Silver Screen
* 2016 - 5 Decades Star Award

===Zee Telugu Awards===

*2015 - Lifetime Achievement Award

===Gulf Andhra Musical Awards (GAMA)===

*2015 - Lifetime Achievement Award

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0471464}}
* {{Twitter}}

{{Krishnam Raju}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards received by Krishnam Raju
| list =
{{Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu}}
{{Raghupathi Venkaiah Award Recipients|state=collapsed}}
{{Nandi Award for Best Actor}}
{{Nandi Award for Best Character Actor}}
}}{{Portal bar|Biography|Film}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raju, Krishnam}}
[[Category:Krishnam Raju]]
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Politicians from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:India MPs 1998–1999]]
[[Category:India MPs 1999–2004]]
[[Category:Telugu male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Telugu film producers]]
[[Category:Hindi film producers]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Nandi Award winners]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Union ministers of state of India]]
[[Category:Union ministers from United Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian actor-politicians]]
[[Category:Telugu Desam Party politicians]]
[[Category:Ministers for external affairs of India]]
[[Category:People from West Godavari district]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Praja Rajyam Party politicians]]
[[Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Film producers from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India]]

Krishnam Raju - Revision history

Digitalvivek at 17:37, 19 February 2026