Yaragudipati Varada Rao Biography 
Yaragudipati Varada Rao was one of the most talented and revolutionary film makers of yesterdays of south Indian cinema. He is known as a producer, director and actor in Telugu cinema. Famous actress Lakshmi, of Julie fame is his daughter and Aishwarya Sivachandran, known for lead and supporting roles is his granddaughter. He has also directed a few movies in Tamil and Kannada, though concentrated most on Telugu film industry. The first talkie in Kannada language called Sati Sulochana, was directed by Rao.
He was born in May 1903 at Nellore, Andhra Pradesh in a wealthy family. He was interested in theater since academic years and soon after completing his education, he entered the world of theater. He also did a few stage shows and moved to Kolhapur and finally to Mumbai to pursue his dreams to become an actor in silent movies then. By the late 1920s, he moved back to Chennai. Prakash, impressed by his good looks, casted him in lead role in many of his silent films like Garuda Garva Bhangam, Gajendra Moksham, and Rose of Rajasthan. By early 1930’s Rao quit acting and concentrated on direction. Pandava Nirvana (1930), Pandava Agnathavaas (1930) and Hari Maya (1932) are his earliest movies as a director.
He got the privilege to direct the first talkie of Kannada language - Sati Sulochana. This movie was produced by Chamanlal Doongaji who launched South India Movietone. Sathi Sulochana was shot at Chatrapathi Cinetone, in Kolhapur and made on a big budget of 40,000 rupees which was a huge amount in those days. His first wife, Rajam played lead heroine in his movie, Hari Maya (1932). Chintamani, released in 1937 was his most successful movie in Tamil through which M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar achieved stardom. Vishwamohini was his Telugu film released in 1940. M. S. Subbulakshmi acted in his Tamil movie, Savithri.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 24, 2014
.jpeg "Lakshmi Menon (actress)")
