Krishnam Raju
Krishnam Raju is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Krishnam Raju began their career in 1990 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 36 years. With 30 credits to their name, Krishnam Raju remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 30+ years, Krishnam Raju's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 86
Biography
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju, known as the 'Rebel Star' of Telugu cinema, was a leading actor who appeared in over 183 films across a career spanning more than five decades. He won the inaugural Nandi Award for Best Actor and five Filmfare Awards South, with notable roles in films such as Rudramadevi (2015), where he played Ganapati Devudu, and Billa (2009) alongside his nephew Prabhas. Raju was known for his rebellious screen persona and frequently took on authoritative, larger-than-life roles in Telugu commercial cinema, a style that earned him his enduring 'Rebel Star' moniker. His final screen appearance was in Radhe Shyam (2022/2023), and he passed away on September 11, 2022, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as one of Tollywood's most iconic senior actors.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Telugu cinema
Won inaugural Nandi Award for Best Actor
Established as major star with hit films earning nickname 'Rebel Star'
Appeared in India's first 3D historical film
View film →Final film appearance alongside nephew Prabhas
View film →Iconic Roles
Bobbili Brahmanna
A righteous and brave village head whose powerful performance earned Krishnam Raju the Filmfare Best Actor (Telugu) and Nandi Award for Best Actor, cementing his 'Rebel Star' status.
Tandra Paparayudu
The titular historical figure who fought against tyranny; Krishnam Raju's portrayal won him both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and a Nandi Award, considered one of his career-defining performances.
Rudramadevi
Father of Rudramadevi in India's first 3D historical film, a dignified supporting role that marked his return to big-screen prominence alongside younger stars.
Radhe Shyam
A spiritual guru and his final screen role, appearing alongside nephew Prabhas in this pan-India release, widely noted as a graceful swan-song performance.
Defining Moments
Portrayal of the 'handsome villain' archetype alongside Kanchana, setting a new template for antagonists in Telugu cinema
His early villain roles in films like this are credited with establishing the 'charming antagonist' archetype that influenced generations of Telugu cinema villains
Dual role performance as Arjuna and Kannappa Nayanar, showcasing remarkable versatility in a mythological drama that won the National Film Award for Best Audiography
Widely regarded as one of his most acclaimed performances, demonstrating his range beyond action roles and cementing his status as a serious actor in Telugu cinema
Lead dramatic performance that earned him the Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) and the Nandi Award for Best Actor, redefining his image from action hero to dramatic lead
First major awards recognition that established him as one of Telugu cinema's foremost dramatic actors, a milestone in his 'Rebel Star' career arc
Starring in his 100th film, also notable as the first Indian film shot entirely in Burma, marking an unprecedented milestone in Indian cinema history
Both a personal career landmark and a historic achievement for Indian cinema, reflecting his superstar stature at the peak of his career
Playing the murdered father Bhupathi whose death drives the entire revenge narrative, reuniting with nephew Prabhas in a high-profile commercial blockbuster
His emotionally impactful supporting role in a major Telugu production marked a celebrated late-career return, and his real-life uncle-nephew bond with Prabhas added layers to the on-screen dynamic
View film →Krishnam Raju by the Numbers
If you watched every Krishnam Raju film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 1 day and 4h. Most-paired with Brahmanandam — 3 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 7 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Krishnam Raju.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Krishnam Raju has worked most frequently with Sarath (2 films), Brahmanandam (3 films), Prabhas (3 films), Suman (2 films), and Anushka Shetty (2 films).
Did You Know?
Krishnam Raju is popularly known as 'Rebel Star' in Telugu cinema for his rebellious acting style and choice of roles.
He won the inaugural Nandi Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film 'Bhakta Kannappa' in 1976.
He entered politics in the 1990s and served as a Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State for External Affairs.
He is the uncle of popular Telugu actors Prabhas and Prabodh.
He made his acting debut in the 1966 Telugu film 'Chilaka Gorinka'.
Legacy & Influence
Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju, popularly known as the 'Rebel Star' of Telugu cinema, carved a unique and enduring legacy through a career spanning over five decades. His impact is defined by a distinct on-screen persona that broke away from conventional hero archetypes. Krishnam Raju specialized in portraying rebellious, often angry young men who challenged social injustice and oppressive systems, a style that earned him his iconic nickname and resonated deeply with audiences, particularly the youth and rural masses, during the 1970s and 1980s. His performances were marked by intense dialogue delivery, a commanding screen presence, and a raw emotional energy that set him apart from his contemporaries. While he delivered numerous commercial successes in action and drama genres, he also demonstrated versatility in mythological and historical roles later in his career, as seen in films like 'Rudramadevi'. Beyond acting, Krishnam Raju served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Union Minister of State for External Affairs, bringing a dimension of public service to his profile. His contribution lies in successfully establishing and sustaining the 'rebel hero' image as a viable and beloved mainstream staple in Telugu cinema, influencing the narrative style and characterizations of subsequent generations of actors. His career trajectory from a romantic lead to an action rebel and later to character roles showcases his adaptability and lasting appeal.