Adurthi Subba Rao (16 December 1912 – 1 October 1975) was an Indian film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, editor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, Bollywood, and Tamil cinema. Rao is widely regarded as the intellectual fountainhead of Indian drama films. He has garnered seven National Film Awards. Rao made his foray into cinema as Associate to Uday Shankar in the 1948 dance film Kalpana, which was showcased in the “Treasures from National Film Archive of India” at the 39th International Film Festival of India.
Career in Cinema:
Early Career:
- Subba Rao’s entry into cinema was not immediate; he initially worked in theater, where he gained knowledge of direction and storytelling. His transition into the film industry marked a key turning point for his career.
- His early work in the film industry was as an assistant director, and he learned the ropes under more established filmmakers of the time.
Filmography :
| Year | Film Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Thodi Kodallu | Telugu | Won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. |
| 1959 | Mangalya Balam | Telugu | Received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. |
| 1960 | Nammina Bantu | Telugu | Awarded the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. |
| 1961 | Kumudham | Tamil | Won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. |
| 1961 | Iddaru Mitrulu | Telugu | A remake of the Bengali film Tasher Ghar; marked the debut of actress Sharada. |
| 1964 | Doctor Chakravarthy | Telugu | Acclaimed for its narrative and performances. |
| 1964 | Mooga Manasulu | Telugu | Received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. |
| 1965 | Thene Manasulu | Telugu | Notable for being the first Telugu social film shot entirely in color. |
| 1965 | Sumangali | Telugu | Explored themes of love and societal expectations. |
| 1965 | Thodu Needa | Telugu | A remake of the Tamil film Karpagam; addressed family dynamics. |
| 1967 | Poola Rangadu | Telugu | Based on A. J. Cronin’s novel Beyond This Place. |
| 1968 | Sudigundalu | Telugu | Produced by Akkineni Nageswara Rao; delved into philosophical themes. |
| 1969 | Doli | Hindi | Addressed social issues pertinent to the era. |
| 1972 | Jeet | Hindi | A remake of his own Telugu film Poola Rangadu. |
| 1973 | Mayadari Malligadu | Telugu | Featured engaging storytelling and musical scores. |
| 1975 | Gajula Kishtayya | Telugu | One of his final directorial ventures. |
| 1976 | Mahakavi Kshetrayya | Telugu | Biographical film completed posthumously; based on the life of poet Kshetrayya. |
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