K. S. R. Das

K. S. R. Das
Born
Konda Subbarama Das

(1936-01-05)5 January 1936
Venkatagiri, Nellore, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died8 June 2012(2012-06-08) (aged 76)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations
  • Film director
  • editor
  • screenwriter
Years active1966–2000
SpouseNagamani Devi
Children3

Konda Subbarama Das (5 January 1936 – 8 June 2012), popularly known as K. S. R. Das (also spelled as K. S. R. Doss), was an Indian film director and editor known for his work in Telugu and Kannada cinema. Active primarily in the 1970s and 1980s, Das was known for his action films and made significant contributions to South Indian cinema.[1]

Throughout his career, K. S. R. Das directed nearly 100 films across multiple Indian languages, with the majority in Telugu, and additional projects in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. He was a pioneer of full-length action films and introduced cowboy-themed films to Indian cinema. Notable films such as Rowdy Rani (1970) and Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971) set new trends in the action genre.[2] Although primarily recognized for his action films, Das also directed family dramas, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.

Das collaborated with several South Indian stars, including N. T. Rama Rao, Krishna, with whom he directed over 30 films, as well as Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Vishnuvardhan.[1] His work was both commercially successful and influential in shaping the action genre in Indian cinema. Das received several awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Puttanna Kanagal Award.[3]

Early life

K. S. R. Das was born on January 5, 1936, in a small village near Venkatagiri in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.[4] From a young age, Das was captivated by cinema, frequently traveling to nearby towns to watch films.[5]

Career

Early career

Das began his career in 1953 as a booking clerk at Krishna Mahal in Guntur district. He later worked as a film representative for Anjali Pictures until 1956, gaining valuable industry experience. He was introduced to S. Bhavanarayana of Gowri Productions, where he worked as an editor, contributing to around 40 films.[5]

Das made his directorial debut with the Telugu film Loguttu Perumallakeruka in 1966, starring Sobhan Babu and Rajasri. Although the film did not achieve commercial success, it marked the beginning of his directorial career.[5]

Rise to Prominence

Das gained widespread recognition with the 1969 film Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka, which marked the beginning of his successful collaboration with actor Krishna. Over the years, he directed over 30 films with Krishna, including notable hits like Bangaru Kutumbam (1971) and Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971). The latter, often regarded as the first Indian cowboy film, became a trendsetter and was dubbed into multiple languages, including English.[6]

Known for his action-oriented films, Das introduced the concept of full-fledged action films to Telugu cinema with Rowdy Raani (1970). His film Mosagallaku Mosagadu was a milestone in Indian cinema.[2] Despite his reputation for action films, Das also demonstrated his versatility by directing family dramas like Annadammula Savaal, Mama-Allulla Savaal, Girija Kalyanam.[5]

Kannada cinema

In 1975, Das expanded his scope by entering the Kannada film industry. He directed over 20 Kannada films, including significant works such as Sahodarara Savaal, Snehithara Savaal, Chinnadhantha Maga, and Bangaaradha Gudi. His film Khaidhi was a major success and played a crucial role in boosting Dr. Vishnuvardhan's career. Das directed a total of 12 films with Vishnuvardhan and also worked on the acclaimed film Thirugubaana with Ambareesh.[3]

Collaborators

Throughout his career, K. S. R. Das collaborated with many leading actors in the South Indian film industry, including Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Vishnuvardhan, and Sobhan Babu. Notably, he directed over 30 films with Krishna and 12 films with Vishnuvardhan. Das's prolific output includes around 100 films across Telugu, Kannada, and other languages, solidifying his reputation as one of the most successful directors of his era.[7]

In addition to his primary directorial work, K. S. R. Das also served as a second unit director for action sequences. He contributed to Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974) following the sudden demise of Ramachandra Rao, who had directed the film's initial ten days of shooting. Although Krishna wished to credit Das as the film's director, Das declined, honoring Ramachandra Rao's vision and was credited as the second unit director. For Kaalaantakulu (1978), Das assisted K. Viswanath by directing the action sequences, as Viswanath sought help in areas where Das's expertise was particularly strong.[5]

Personal life

K. S. R. Das married Nagamani Devi in 1964. They had three children: two daughters and a son. The family lived in Bangalore for many years before moving to Chennai later in life. As per Nagamani Devi, despite acquiring some assets after relocating to Bangalore, their investments in films led to significant financial losses.[8]

Das died on June 8, 2012, at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, due to age-related health issues.[7] His son, who worked as a producer in the Kannada film industry, also died in August 2014.[8]

Legacy

K. S. R. Das made a significant impact on the Telugu film industry. His contributions to the action genre and his ability to craft engaging, high-energy narratives established him as a prominent director in the field.

Awards

Filmography

Sources:[5]

Year Film Credited as Language Notes
Director Writer
1966Loguttu PerumallukerukaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1968RajayogamGreen tickRed XTelugu
1969Raja SimhaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1969GandaraganduduGreen tickRed XTelugu
1969GandaragolamGreen tickRed XTelugu
1969Takkari Donga Chakkani ChukkaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1969UkkupiduguGreen tickRed XTelugu
1970Rowdy RaniGreen tickRed XTelugu
1971Bangaru KutumbamGreen tickRed XTelugu
1971C.I.D. RajuGreen tickRed XTelugu
1971James Bond 777Green tickRed XTelugu
1971Kathiki KankanamGreen tickRed XTelugu
1971Mosagallaku MosagaduGreen tickArudraTelugu
1971Prema JeevuluGreen tickRed XTelugu
1971Rowdilaki RowdeeluGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Gunfighter JohnnyGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Hanthakulu DevanthakuluGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Kathula RathaiahGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Penning SavalGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Pilla? Piduga?Green tickRed XTelugu
1972PistolwaliGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Uriki UpakariGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Vooriki UpakariGreen tickRed XTelugu
1972Rani Mera NaamGreen tickRed XHindi
1973Apna FarzGreen tickRed XHindi
1973Bahadur LadkiyanGreen tickRed XHindi
1973HifazatGreen tickRed XHindi
1973Rani Aur JaaniGreen tickRed XHindi
1973Manchivaalaku ManchivaduGreen tickRed XTelugu
1975Kalla KullaGreen tickM. D. SundarKannada
1975Maavoori GangaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1976Bhale DongaluGreen tickRed XTelugu
1976Doralu DongaluGreen tickRed XTelugu
1976Kallanum KullanumGreen tickRed XTelugu
1976Bangarada GudiGreen tickVenus Mahija SamastheKannada
1977Lakshmi NivasaGreen tickJayalakshmi Art EnterprisesKannada
1977Sahodarara SavaalGreen tickM. D. SundarKannada
1977Devudunadu JagrathaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1977Dongalaku DongaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1977Eenati Bandham YenatidoGreen tickRed XTelugu
1978Agent GopiGreen tickRed XTelugu
1978Annadammula SavaalGreen tickRed XTeluguRemake of Sahodara Savaal
1978Dongala VetaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1978Kiladi KittuGreen tickM. D. SundarKannada
1978Chor Ka Bhai ChorGreen tickRed XHindi
1979DilerGreen tickRed XHindi
1979Iddaru AsadhyuleGreen tickRed XTelugu
1979Evvadabba SommuGreen tickRed XTelugu
1979Bangaru GudiGreen tickRed XTelugu
1979Captain KrishnaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1979Dongalaku SavalGreen tickRed XTelugu
1979YugandharGreen tickSalim–JavedTeluguRemake of Hindi film Don
1979 Samajaniki Saval yes No Telugu
1980Chesina BasaluGreen tickRed XTelugu
1980Devudichina KodukuGreen tickRed XTelugu
1980Mr. RajanikantGreen tickRed XTelugu
1980Mama-Allulla SawalGreen tickRed XTelugu
1980Sri Venkateswara Vrata MahatyamGreen tickRed XTelugu
1981Snehitara SavaalGreen tickAjantha CombinesKannada
1981Jeevakke JeevaGreen tickJ. BalasubramaniamKannada
1981Black CobraGreen tickRed XTelugu
1981Rahasya GudachariGreen tickRed XTelugu
1981Girija KalyanamGreen tickRed XTelugu
1981Mayadari AlluduGreen tickRed XTelugu
1982Talli Kodakala AnubandhamGreen tickCheruvu Anjaneya SastryTelugu
1982Billa RangaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1982Bangaru KodukuGreen tickRed XTelugu
1982Shamsher ShankarGreen tickRed XTelugu
1982Karmika KallanallaGreen tickM. D. SundarKannada
1983Thirugu BanaGreen tickRed XKannada
1983Chinnadantha MagaGreen tickGreen tickKannadaRemake of Talli Kodukula Anubandham
1983Naan NinaithalGreen tickRed XTamil
1983RoshagaduGreen tickParuchuri BrothersTelugu
1983Puli BebbuliGreen tickRed XTelugu
1983Adadani SavalGreen tickRed XTelugu
1983Agni SamadhiGreen tickRed XTelugu
1983Puli DebbaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1983Siripuram MonagaduGreen tickRed XTelugu
1984Bhale RamuduGreen tickRed XTelugu
1984TaqatwalaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1984Dongalu Baboi DongaluGreen tickRed XTelugu
1984Nayakulaku SavalGreen tickRed XTelugu
1984KhaidiGreen tickGreen tickKannadaRemake of Telugu film Khaidi
1985KartavyaGreen tickGreen tickKannada
1985Nanna PrathigneGreen tickGreen tickKannada
1985Ide Naa GhattamGreen tickRed XTelugu
1985NerasthuduGreen tickRed XTelugu
1986Cowboy No. 1Green tickRed XTelugu
1986Khaidi RaniGreen tickRed XTelugu
1986KutraGreen tickRed XTelugu
1987Sathyam Shivam SundaramGreen tickGreen tickKannada
1987MuddayiGreen tickRed XTelugu
1988Dorakani DongaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1988MulzimGreen tickRed XHindi
1989Ondagi BaluGreen tickGreen tickKannada
1989RudraGreen tickRed XKannadaDubbed in Tamil as Kushboo Kushboothan
1989PardhuduGreen tickRed XTelugu
1990DharmaGreen tickRed XTelugu
1990Inspector RudraGreen tickRed XTelugu
1992ShivanagaGreen tickGreen tickKannadaAlso editor
1992Nanna ShathruGreen tickV. R. BhaskarKannada
1995State RowdyGreen tickRed XKannada
2000Billa RangaGreen tickRed XKannada
2000NagulammaGreen tickRed XTeluguDubbed in Tamil as Nagathamman

References

  1. 1 2 "Veteran film director KSR Das is no more". Business Standard. 24 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Director K S R Das passed away". The Times of India. 9 June 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Veteran director KSR Doss dies at 73". NDTV. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "Renowned veteran director KSR Das is no more". 123Telugu.com. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Interview: Director K. S. R. Das". TeluguCinema.com. 11 April 2007. Archived from the original on 11 December 2008.
  6. ↑ "Revisiting Mosagallaku Mosagadu: Superstar Krishna's Western still holds magic". The Indian Express. 31 May 2023. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 "Kannada film director KSR Doss passes away". IBNLive. 9 June 2012. Archived from the original on 25 August 2014.
  8. 1 2 డా. పురాణపండ వైజయంతి (5 January 2015). "ఆయన మంచితనాన్ని... చేతగాని తనంగా చూశారు!". Sakshi (in Telugu). Archived from the original on 20 February 2019.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.