Dasari Narayana Rao was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, lyricist, and politician known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, in addition to Hindi cinema. He has directed more than 150 feature films in a variety of genres. He holds the Limca World Record for directing the most number of films in the world. For some reason he is known by the moniker Darsaka Ratna. His works emphasize social injustice, corruption and gender discrimination. Narayana Rao has received two National Film Awards, nine state Nandi Awards including the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and four Filmfare Awards South including the Lifetime Achievement. During his career he had also acted in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films.
Prema Tarangalu is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language film directed by S. P. Chitti Babu. The film stars Krishnam Raju, Jayasudha, and Chiranjeevi. It is a remake of the Hindi film Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978).
Meghasandesam is a 1982 Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao under his Taraka Prabhu Films banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha and music composed by Ramesh Naidu. This film is the 200th movie of Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The film was featured in the Indian Panorama section at the 9th International Film Festival of India, and the Moscow film festival. It won four Awards including Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 30th National Film Awards "For its lyrical and aesthetic qualities", the Filmfare award for Best Telugu Film and Nandi award for Best Feature Film. The film won nine Nandi Awards.
Siri Siri Muvva is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Viswanath. It stars Jaya Prada and Chandra Mohan. K. Viswanath later remade the film in Hindi with leading lady Jaya Prada, as Sargam, in 1979. Siri Siri Muvva was screened at the International Film Festival of India, and Moscow International Film Festival, and has received two National Film Awards.
Chelleli Kapuram is 1971 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Viswanath. Produced by Mannava Balayya under the banner of Amrutha films. The film was remade in Tamil as Anbu Thangai.
Karthika Deepam is a 1979 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Laxmi Deepak and starring Sobhan Babu, Sridevi and Sharada. The music score by Satyam are memorable. Sobhan Babu won Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu). The film was declared a blockbuster at the box office.
Neramu Siksha is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language film directed by K. Viswanath who co-wrote the film with M. Balayya. The film is an adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment (1866). The film received positive reviews from critics. The film was remade in Tamil as Needhikku Thalaivanangu (1976) and in Hindi as Shikshaa (1979).
Seetamalakshmi is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language film written and directed by K. Viswanath. The film stars Talluri Rameswari and Chandra Mohan. It was released on 27 July 1978. It won two state Nandi Awards and a Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu for Talluri Rameswari. Seetamalakshmi was remade in Tamil as Enippadigal (1979), and in Hindi as Sitara (1980).
Sivaranjani is 1978 Indian Telugu-language musical drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. The film is about a village girl Sivaranjani who goes on to become a famous film actress, played by Jaya Sudha. Later it was remade in Tamil as Natchathiram in 1980.
Mallepoovu or Malle Poovu is a 1978 Telugu-language drama film directed by V. Madhusudan Rao. It is remake of 1957 Hindi film Pyaasa produced and directed by Guru Dutt.
Balipeetam is a 1975 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. The film stars Sobhan Babu and Sarada in the lead roles. It is produced by Y. Sunil Chowdary. It is based on the popular socialist novel Balipeetam written by Ranganayakamma.
Tandra Paparayudu is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language biographical war film directed by Dasari Narayana Rao and produced by U. Suryanarayana Raju. The film stars Krishnam Raju, Jaya Prada, Jayasudha, Sumalatha, Pran and Mohan Babu. It is based on the life of 18th century warrior Tandra Paparayudu, the General of Bobbili, and General Bussy. Made on a big-budget of ₹1.5 crore, Tandra Paparayudu was a major box-office failure. The film was featured at the 11th International Film Festival of India. It won two Nandi Awards.
Kurukshetram is a 1977 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film produced by A. S. R. Anjaneyulu and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. It stars Krishna, Sobhan Babu, Krishnam Raju and Kaikala Satyanarayana while Jamuna, Vijaya Nirmala, Anjali Devi and Gummadi played other important roles.
Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam is a 1994 Telugu film directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy and produced by Mohan Babu under the banner of his production company Sri Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures. It stars Mohan Babu and Meena in lead roles, while Dasari Narayana Rao, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, Annapoorna, Brahmanandam and Babu Mohan played other pivotal roles. The film is a remake of the Hindi film Krantiveer.
Ugra Narasimham is a 1986 Telugu-language action drama film written, directed and produced by Dasari Narayana Rao under Tharaka Prabhu Films banner. The film stars Krishnam Raju, Jaya Prada and Mohan Babu. The music was composed by Satyam.
Buchi Babu is a 1980 Indian Telugu-language comedy film, produced by Venkat Akkineni, Nagarjuna Akkineni under the Annapurna Studios banner, and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jaya Prada, with music composed by Chakravarthy.
Bahudoorapu Batasari is a 1983 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sujatha with music composed by Ramesh Naidu. The film was recorded as a Super Hit at the box office. The film won two Nandi Awards.
Kalyani is a 1979 Telugu-language drama film, produced by Venkat Akkineni, Nagarjuna Akkineni under the Annapurna Studios banner and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Murali Mohan, Jaya Sudha and music composed by Ramesh Naidu. The film is based on Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani's novel Raagamayi.
Devadasu Malli Puttadu is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisri, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. It is produced by Srinivasulu and Pandurangappa. The film is a sequel to Devadasu (1953). It's an idea sparked the mindset of director Dasari Narayana Rao, who wanted to provide a storybook ending to Bengali tragic, iconic love tale Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Devadas.
