Veteran character artist-comedian-villain of over 300 films, Mada Venkateswara Rao, who breathed his last at a private hospital late on Saturday evening, is best remembered for his roles as a eunuch in about 90 films. Mada, as he is popular, was being treated for respiratory problems since his admission on October 14. He was born on October 10, 1950.
The body was being preserved in a freezer box and the funeral is to be held on Wednesday because his daughter is expected from the United States of America.
Among those who encouraged and patronised Mada are the legendary NTR, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and directors Bapu, Dasari Narayana Rao and K. Raghavendra Rao. He got his break with ‘Chillara Kottu Chittemma’ (1977) in which Mr. Dasari Narayana Rao gave him the role of a eunuch ‘Puvvula Kommaiah’. There had been no looking back since and he did films on a regular basis.
Varied roles
Apart from playing Puvvula Kommaiah, his role in Bapu’s ‘Muthyala Muggu’ turned the spotlight of fame on him despite the fact that his screen presence was per se, limited. At practically every meeting and function that he was asked to speak, he acknowledged the support he got from stalwarts.
His roles in films with NTR, like ‘Driver Ramudu’, ‘Srimad Virata Parvam’ and ‘Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu’ were very well received by the audience. He was one of those who acted with every reigning star of the day, be it NTR, ANR, Krishna or Sobhan Babu.
He essayed the role of a villain in ‘Radhakrishna’, starring Sobhan Babu.
Before entering films, Mada was an engineer with the electricity department, dabbling in stage acting and frequenting Ravindra Bharathi. For some reason, including non-patronage by new-age directors around the late 90s, Mada had virtually become a recluse. He did star in a film in 2013, but it sank without a trace.
Veteran character artist-comedian-villain Mada Venkateswara Rao acted in over 300 films
