R. Nagendra Rao

Actor, Director

Holalkere, Karnataka, India

Rattihalli Nagendra Rao (23 June 1896 – 9 February 1977) was an Indian theatre actor, film actor and director in South Indian cinema. After a career in theatre, Rao's career in films was those of an actor, director, producer, screenwriter and an occasional composer. He is considered one of the most influential personalities in the history of South Indian cinema. For his performance in Hannele Chiguridaga (1968), Rao won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. Recognizing his contribution to cinema, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India in 1976. He had four children, three of who were involved in films. His second son was R. N. Krishna Prasad, a cinematographer, third son, R. N. Jayagopal, a screenwriter and lyricist and the youngest, R. N. Sudarshan, an actor.
Rattihalli Nagendra Rao (23 June 1896 – 9 February 1977) was an Indian theatre actor, film actor and director in South Indian cinema. After a career in theatre, Rao's career in films was those of an actor, director, producer, screenwriter and an occasional composer. He is considered one of the most influential personalities in the history of South Indian cinema. For his performance in Hannele Chiguridaga (1968), Rao won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. Recognizing his contribution to cinema, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India in 1976. He had four children, three of who were involved in films. His second son was R. N. Krishna Prasad, a cinematographer, third son, R. N. Jayagopal, a screenwriter and lyricist and the youngest, R. N. Sudarshan, an actor.