Though he had produced only 10 films in a span of 14 years from 1978, Telugu film producer Edida Nageswara Rao had a special place in the hearts of movie lovers and people of Kakinada city as well. Born and brought up in Kakinada, Nageswara Rao pursued his graduation from the Pithapuram Rajah Degree College here, where he donned the grease paint first to enact a drama on the occasion of college day. It was just the beginning.
His classmates and close friends V.B. Rajendra Prasad (became a film producer and director later) and Haranath Raju (later became film hero) encouraged Nageswara Rao’s penchant for theatre.
The trio established Raghava Kala Samithi, a theatre troupe in the city in the early 1950’s and performed several plays including ‘NGO’ and ‘Kappalu’ penned by Acharya Atreya.
Among the trio, it was V.B. Rajendra Prasad, who gained into the tinsel world first and started producing films.
As he knew the talent of his friend Nageswara Rao, he gave him a role in his first production, ANR-starrer ‘Aradhana’ in 1962. Subsequently, Haranath Raju made his debut as a hero with ‘Letha Manasulu’ in 1966.
After playing a few not-so-significant roles in the films, Nageswara Rao turned into producer with ‘Siri Siri Muvva’ in 1978, the film the film that earned good reputation for actress Jayaprada (a native of Rajahmundry) and director K. Viswanath, besides winning awards and rewards.
Nageswara Rao pursued his graduation from the PR College, where he donned the grease paint first to enact a drama on the college day
