Madala Ranga Rao, popularly known as “Red Star”, passed away in early hours of Sunday at a private hospital.
Former actor and film maker Madala Ranga Rao, who was known for making and starring in films with leftist ideologies, breathed his last in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital. He was admitted in the hospital for the past few months and was undergoing treatment for heart related problems.
Madala Ranga Rao had undergone a heart surgery in Chennai last year. He suffered a massive heart attack again on Saturday and was immediately rushed to Star Hospital and put on a ventilator support system. Besides, Madala was also undergoing dialysis in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Madala Ranga Rao was born in Ongole district and he was an active member of the controversial Praja Natyamandali. He started his career with saitirical Telugu film “Chairman Chelamaiah”. He started his own banner Navataram Pictures and produced Yuvatharam Kadilindhi in 1979. The success of Yuvatharam Kadilindhi inspired Ranga Rao to produce films like Maroo Kurukshethram, Mahaa Prasthaanam, Navoodayam, Viplavasankham, Erra Pavuraalu, Janam-Manam, Praja Sakthi, Erra Mallellu, Balipeetam Pai Bharatha Naari, Tholipoddhu, Erra Suryudu, Swarajyam etc.
His production ventures dealt with some contentious issues like oppression, corruption, marginalization etc. Madala Ranga Rao also won the best actor award several times for his riveting performances in plays produced by the organization.
Madala Ranga Rao was the first Telugu film-maker to go on a hunger strike before the Censor Office. When the censor board refused to certify his Viplavasankham, he protested before the office and several bigwigs from the Tamil industry like M.G.R. and Sivaji Ganesan came forward and supported him.
In yet another showdown, Madala Ranga Rao filed a case against the censor board when they refused to certify his movie Praja Sakthi. Later he emerged victorious.
www.tollywood.net is expressing their deepest condolences over the demise of Madala Ranga Rao. May his soul rest in peace.