Biography

Rao Gopal Rao was born on January 14th 1937 in Ganganaparu, which is near to Kakinada. His first brush towards stage was with the encouragement from his friends. He did a play called Dhanyajeevulu, which gave him lot of applause and made him continue to do the dramas. He started his own association called Associated Amateur Drama Company and did many plays under the banner.

S.V.Rangarao who watched his plays encouraged him a lot and recommended him to Gutta Ramineedu who is making ‘Bhakta Potana (1966)’ in association with Gummadi. Ramineedu liked him a lot and gave him the role of Mamidi Singanamatya role in the film and also made him as his assistant director for the same film, impressed by his knowledge in making of the films. He continued his association with him for the next couple of films as an assistant director for the films like Bangaru Sankellu and Mooga Prema.

Later watching him the role of murari in play of Bhamidipati Radhakrishna’s Keertisheshulu, K.Raghava gave him the chance as a main villan in the film Jagat Kiladilu (1969), but the director was not satisfied with his voice and dubbed his voice for that film. Later Rao Gopal rao used his own voice from the film Gandara Gandadu.

With the film Mutyala Muggu he got the instant reorganization. The film broke records and his dialogues were sold on records, which was an achievement for any one who was rejected by a director in the past.

He had a special kind of relationship with Bapu, the director of Mutyala Muggu.His association with Bapu continued with Mutyala Muggu (1975), followed by Bhakta Kannappa (1976), Gorantadiipam (1978), Manavuri Pandavulu (1978), Kaliyuga Ravanasurudu (1980), Tyagayya (1981), Jaakii (1985), Bullet (1985) etc.

Most of his directors repeated him and created a special character keeping him in mind. Like Raghavendra Rao’s Vetagadu (1979), Gharana Donga (1980), Uriki Monagadu (1981), Kondaviiti Simham (1981), Gaja donga (1981), Justice Chaudari (1982), Devata (1982), Adavi Simhalu (1983), Bobbili Brahmanna (1984), Vajrayudham (1985), Kaliyuga Paandavulu (1986), Gharana Mogudu (1992), Coolie No.1 (1991), Allari priyudu (1993) etc., Jandhyala made him a hero with Rao-Gopalarao and K.Vasu made a film called Gopal Rao Gari Ammayi and another director made Gopal Rao Gari Abbai which was a quite an achievement for a villan in the films.

He did lot good character roles in films like Devata (1982), Brahamastram, Desodharakudu, Inti Donga, Rakshasudu (1986), Station Master, Vintadongalu, Allari Alludu (1993), AA Okkati Adakku (1992),

He is awarded with KALAPRAPOORNA in 1990 by Andhra University and also cultural organizations gave him the title NATAVIRAT. He is felicitated with the Nagayya award in 1987 (previously awarded to Akkineni, Gummadi, Mikkileni and Satyanarayna)

He was appointed as Rajyasabha member by late sri NTR and he completed his six years term with much dignity.

As a producer he made the films like Station Master, Lorry Driver, Bhargvaramudu, Vintadongalu etc.

It was the day of 13th of August 1994.The voice, which modulated thousands of witticisms and punnings turned silent forever as the industry lost a versatile actor.The film Prema & co was released after his death.