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Krishnam Raju, a famous Telugu actor from the sixties and seventies and a former Union Minister for Defence and External Affairs, passed away on September 11, 2022. He was 83 years old and had been undergoing treatment for a short illness at AIG Hospital. He left us at around 3.30 am and is survived by his wife and three daughters.
In addition to his stellar film career, Krishnam Raju was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1998 and 1999 as a BJP candidate. He also served as a Union Minister of State for four years during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s last term as the Prime Minister of India from 1999 to 2004.
For more information on Krishnam Raju, you can explore details about his wife, the cause of his passing, his brothers, his achievements in acting and politics, the awards he received, and other significant aspects of his life.
Krishnam Raju Biography
Check summarized details about Krishnam Raju in the table below:
| Krishnam Raju Biography | |
| Born | January 20, 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Mogalturu, Andhra Pradesh |
| Age | 82 years at the time of death |
| Death | September 11, 2022 (Hyderabad) |
| First Wife | Seeta Devi (died) |
| Second Wife | Syamala Devi (m. 1996) |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Other Political Affiliations | Praja Rajyam Party |
| Occupation | Actor, Politician |
| Children | Sai Praseedha, Sai Pradeepti, Sai Prakeerti |
| Awards | Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, Filmfare Award for Best Actor-Telugu, Nandi Award for Best Actor |
Krishnam Raju Early Life
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju, born on January 20, 1940, is related to film producer U. Suryanarayana Raju as his younger brother and actor Prabhas as his nephew. In the past, Krishnam Raju pursued a career in journalism, working for the Andhra Ratna.
He even received recognition as the Second Best Photographer at the State level. Beyond his journalism career, Krishnam Raju had a passion for photography and owned a collection of cameras. He was also the proprietor of Gopi Krishna Movies.
Krishnam Raju Education
Krishnam Raju, born on January 20, 1940, in Mogalthur, West Godavari District, has an interesting family background. His father’s name is Uppalapati Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Raju. In 1996, he tied the knot with U. Syamala Devi, and the couple is blessed with three daughters.
Notably, his late brother, U. Suryanarayana Raju, was a producer, and his nephew happens to be the famous Prabhas. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Krishnam Raju also made a mark as a journalist for the Andhra Ratna.
Krishnam Raju Second Wife
Krishnam Raju’s marital journey began with Seeta Devi, but sadly, she passed away. In 1996, he found love again and tied the knot with Syamala Devi. They are proud parents to three daughters: Sai Praseedha, Sai Pradeepti, and Sai Prakeerti.
Krishnam Raju Acting Career
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju, born on January 20, 1940, isKrishnam Raju made his entry into Tollywood in 1966 with the movie “Chilaka Gorinka,” directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma and co-starring Krishna Kumari. While this debut film received the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film – Silver that year, it didn’t quite meet the expected success.
In 1967, Krishnam Raju took on a role in the mythological film “Sri Krishnavataram,” which also featured N.T. Rama Rao.
In 1968, Krishnam Raju appeared in “Nenante Nene.” Initially hesitant to play an antagonist role since his debut had been as a protagonist, he eventually accepted the role after advice from his colleagues and co-actors. The film turned out to be a success, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Throughout his career, Krishnam Raju collaborated with renowned actors like Akkineni Nageswara Rao and N.T. Rama Rao. He also shared the screen with established actresses such as Jamuna, Kanchana, Krishna Kumari, and Rajasulochana.
Krishnam Raju Political Career
In 1998, Krishnam Raju was elected to the 12th Lok Sabha. In the following year, 1998-99, he served as a member of the Committee on Commerce and was part of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
In 1999, Krishnam Raju was re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha as a member of the BJP Parliamentary Party. He was also involved in the Committee on Finance and played a role in the Committee on the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.
In the year 2000, he became a member of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. From 2000 to 2001, Krishnam Raju held the position of Union Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Moving forward to 2001-2002, he took on the role of Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence. In 2002, he was appointed as the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
Krishnam Raju Filmography
The filmography of Krishnam Raju is given in the table below:
| Krishnam Raju Filmography | |
| Year | Films |
| 1966 | Chilaka Gorinka |
| 1967 | Sri Krishnavataram |
| 1970 | Malli Pelli |
| 1970 | Drohi |
| 1971 | Anuradha |
| 1972 | Raj Mahal |
| 1973 | Gandhi Puttina Desam |
| 1974 | Tulsi |
| 1974 | Harathi |
| 1976 | Amma Nana |
Krishnam Raju Awards
The table below provide you information about awards achieved by Krishnam Raju:
| Krishnam Raju Awards | |
| Awards | Year |
| 1977 | Filmfare Award South- Best Actor Award (Telugu) |
| 1978 | Filmfare Award South- Best Picture Award |
| 1984 | Filmfare Award South- Best Actor |
| 1977 | Nandi Awards (Best Actor) |
| 1984 | Nandi Awards (Best Actor) |
| 1994 | Nandi Awards (Best Character Actor) |
| 2015 | Lifetime Achievement Award (Gulf Andhra Musical Awards) |
Krishnam Raju Net Worth
Krishnam Raju, a prominent figure in Tollywood as a film actor and politician, has amassed a substantial fortune. In 2022, his net worth stands at $41 million or approximately Rs. 325 crore in Indian Rupees.
He commands a fee of 2 crores for each movie he takes part in, which contributes to his monthly income of 50 lakhs and an annual income of 2 crores. His influence and success are notable in the world of Indian cinema, particularly in the Telugu film industry.
Krishnam Raju Assets
Many people in the industry believe that Krishnam Raju possesses a unique ability to excel in specific roles. In movies like Krishnaveni, Bhakta Kannappa, Amara Deepam, Mana Voori Pandavulu, Katakatala Rudraiah, Seetha Ramulu, Thrishoolam, Bobbili Bhahmanna, Tandra Paparayudu, and more, he showcased remarkable versatility.
Whether it was portraying a religious character with grace or taking on the role of a historical figure or even an angry young man, he delivered performances that truly stood out. Krishnam Raju’s exceptional acting skills were duly recognized when he received the President’s Award for his role in Amaradeepam and the Filmfare Award for his performance in Mana Voori Pandavulu.
FAQs on Krishnam Raju Biography
When did Krishnam Raju pass away?
Krishnam Raju passed away on September 11, 2022.
How old was Krishnam Raju at the time of his death?
He was 82 years old when he passed away.
What was Krishnam Raju political affiliation?
Krishnam Raju was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Praja Rajyam Party during his political career.
Can you provide information about Krishnam Raju family?
Krishnam Raju was survived by his wife, Syamala Devi, and three daughters, Sai Praseedha, Sai Pradeepti, and Sai Prakeerti. His late brother, U. Suryanarayana Raju, was a film producer, and his nephew is the well-known actor Prabhas.
What notable awards did Krishnam Raju receive in his acting career?
Krishnam Raju received several awards, including the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, the Filmfare Award for Best Actor-Telugu, and Nandi Awards for Best Actor.
