Gollapudi Maruthi Rao was born at Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh on 14th April 1939 in a middle class family. His parents Subba Rao and Annapoorna lived all their lives at Visakhapatnam. He had his education at C.B.M. High School, AVN college and at Andhra University.His first short story "Aaasa Jeevi" appeared in "Renadu ", a local paper from Proddatur on 9.12.1954. Maruthi Rao had his own theatre group called Raghava Kala Niketan during his school days.He produced, directed and acted the main lead in the plays - Aadadi (Pinisetty), Kukkapilla Dorikindi, Swayamvaram (Ravi Kondala Rao), Reaharsals (Somanchi Yagnanna sastry), Vapas (D.V. Narasaraju), Mahanubhavulu (an adoption of Gogol's "An Inspector Calls" by Somanchi Yagnanna sastry)
He graduated himself to the university theatre, where he played "Snanalagadi" written by Srivatsava and directed by K.V. Gopalaswamy, Registrar of Andhra University, and "Manastatwalu", a play by Bhamidipati Radhakrishna. Manastatwalu was presented at Talkatora Gardens, New Delhi in the 5th Inter University Youth Festival. Maruthi Rao was the recipient of Best Radio Play Award for his "Anantham". He received the award from Dr B.V. Keskar, Minister for Information & Broadcasting. "Manastatwalu" was enacted for Andhra Association, New Delhi. Shri V.V.Giri was its president.
Maruthi Rao Started his career as a sub Editor in Andhra Prabha in 1959 and he worked in the 1st editorial team that started the 2nd edition at chittoor on 13.1.1960 (Sankranthi Day).
He was selected as a Transmission Executive and posted at AIR, Hyderabad. "Vandemataram", the first Telugu play written on Chinese Aggression was produced, directed and presented by him at chittoor, Tirupathi, Madanapalle and Nagari. The proceeds for the performances were given to PM's Defence fund.
Maruthi Rao was married on 17.11.1961 to Sivakama Sundari at Hanamkonda. She came from an illustrious family of scholars and musicians. Her father was a teacher to celebrities like Dr C.Narayana Reddy and Kaloji Narayana Rao. Her uncle was famous writer and critic Dr. Sripada Gopalakrishna Murthi. Another uncle is Padmabhushan Sripada Pinakapani, the doyen of Manodharma Sangeetham Bani.
Maruthi Rao had three sons - Subbarao, Ramakrishna & Srinivas.
He wrote his first Script (Screenplay) for the film "Dr.Chakravarthi" in 1963. His first full length work (Story &Dialogues) received the 1st Nandi Award for Best Story Writing instituted by Andhra Pradesh Government.
Maruthi Rao Worked at Hyderabad, Vijayawada and was promoted as Programme Executive and posted at Sambalpur. He later worked as Programme Executive at Chennai and Cuddapah. Maruthi Rao was promoted at Assistant Station Director and incharge of AIR, Cuddapah in 1981. He resigned the job after starting his acting career.
His first lead role as actor in INTLO RAMAYYA VEEDHILO KRISHNAYYA was a resounding success and he never looked back afterwards. He acted in more than 250 films.
Maruthi Rao lost his youngest son Srinivas while he was shooting his debut venture "Prema Pusthakam" on 12.8.1992. Maruthi Rao and his Family instituted a Trust to perpetuate the memory of his son - Gollapudi Srinivas.The Trust felicitates the Best New Director of a feature film each year with a cash prize of 1.5 lakhs, a gold plated memento designed by famous artist, director Bapu.It is called Gollapudi Srinivas National Award. Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Lecture by an eminent personality on one aspect of cinema. The Lecture carries an honorarium of Rs.15000/-. Maruthi Rao's two sons - Subba Rao and Ramakrishna run an IATA approved Travel Agency- Maruthi Airlinks (P) Ltd. The company conducts tours, arranges packages for international tours, domestic & international ticketing.
Source: Gollapudi Maruthi Rao's Official Website[1]. Fair use under Educational and Information Purpose.
Filmography
* Intlo Ramayya,Veedhilo Krishnayya
* Idi Pellantara?
* Tarangini
* Trisoolam
* Yuddham
* Padmavyuham
* Tandava Krishnudu
* Devantakudu
* Nirdoshi
* James Bond 999
* S.P.Bhayankar
* Merupudaadi
* Bhaagyalakshmi
* Kurukshestramlo Seetha
* Srimati Kaavali
* Challenge
* Maarchandi Mana Chattalu
* Mangammagari Manavadu
* Ramayanamlo Bhagavatam
* Bharyamani
* Ee Charitra Inkennallu
* Kutumba Gowravam
* Daanavudu
* Kurra Chestalu
* Jagan
* Pralaya Simham
* Moodilla Mutchata
* Kathanayakudu
* Sri Katna Leelalu
* Apanindalu Aadavallakena?
* Rowdy
* Maro Monagadu
* Bandhee
* Donga
* Sravana Sandhya
* Anaadiga Aadadi
* Aakrandana
* Muddula Krishnayya
* Swathi Mutyam
* Prathidhwani
* Punya Stree
* Mr.Bharath
* Seetharama Kalyanam
* Pavithra
* Konte Kaapuram
* Idena Nyaayam?
* Aadi Dampathulu
* Samaajamlo Stree
* Neti Yugadharmam
* Desoddaarakudu
* Iddaru Mitrulu
* Dharma Peetham Daddarillindhi
* Captain Nagarjuna
* Naa Pilupe Prabhanjanam
* Kaliyuga krishnudu
* Mannemlo Monagadu
* Adavi Raja
* Maamaa Kodalla Savaal
* Sakkanodu
* Dhairyavanthudu
* Bharya Bharthala Savaal
* Samsaaram
* Inspector Pratap
* Kaliyuga Karnudu
* Chuttalabbayi
* Menamaama
* Doctorgari Abbayi
* Yamudiki Mogudu
* Bhaarayaa Bharthala Bhaagotham
* Muralikrishnudu
* Rowdy No.1
* Dongagaaroo Swagatham
* Jamadagni
* Bhaaryaa Bharthalu
* Balamurali M.A
* Marana Mrudangam
* Chikkadu Dorakadu
* Pelli Chesi Choodu
* Agni Keratallu
* O Bharya Katha
* Sankellu
* Vaarasudochchadu
* Idem Pellam Baaboy
* Siva
* Neti Charitra
* Khaidi Dada
* Jayasimha
* Kodama Simham
* Iddaroo Iddare
* Alludugaru
* Puttinti Pattucheera
* Padmavathi Kalyanam
* Mastari Kapuram
* Raja Vikramaarka
* Ankitham
* Saahasa Putrudu
* Golmal Govindam
* Dabbu Bhale Jabbu
* Saahasam
* Manishiko Charitra
* Palletoori Monagadu
* Abhilasha
* Raju Rani Jakie
* Alaya Sikharam
* Amayaka Chakravarthi
* Rangula Puli
* Goodhachari No.1
* Sivudu Sivudu Sivudu
* Pandanti Kapuraniki Pannendu Sutralu
* Simhapuri Simham
* Subha Muhurtham
* Triveni Sangamam
* Chandi Rani
* Maa Intiki Randi
* Poratam
* Manishiki Maroperu
* Konte Kodallu
* Bharyabarthala Anubandham
* Mangalya Bandham
* Kotha pelli Koothuru
* Maapallelo Gopaludu
* Chitapata Chinikulu
* Punnami Ratri
* Dongallo Dora
* Illale devatha
* Suvarna Sundari
* Illalu vardhillali
* Aparaadhi
* Kathula Kondayya
* Sreevaaru
* Musugu Donga
* Monagadu
* Donga Mogudu
* Samsaram Oka Chadarangam
* Bhargava Ramudu
* O Premakatha
* Thandri Kodukula Challenge
* Ummadi Mogudu
* Dongaadochchadu
* Allari Krishnayya
* Kaaboye Alludu
* Marana Saasanam
* Sahasa Saamrat
* Tayaramma Thandava Krishna
* Pellilloy Pellillu
* Muvva Gopaludu
* Akshintalu
* Pratispandana
* Agniputrudu
* Madana Gopaludu
* Sreenivasa Kalyanam
* Bhale Mogudu
* Maa Voori Monagadu
* Kiraayi Dada
* Sivude Sankarudu
* Jebu Donga
* Donga Kaapuram
* Prema
* Mutyamantha Muddu
* Manchikutumbam
* Simhaswapanam
* Bhale Dampathulu
* Vikky Dada
* Bandhuvulosthunnaru Jaagratha
* Muddula Mamayya
* Goodhachari 117
* Dorokithe Dongalu
* Yamapaasam
* Chettukinda Pleader
* Asoka Chakravarthy
* Dhruva Nakshatram
* Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham
* Soggadi Kaapuram
* Swathi Chinukulu
* Gaduggai
* Saarvabhowmudu
* Tatayya Pelli Manavadi Sobhanam
* Dongapelli
* Indrudu Chandrudu
* Guru Sishyulu
* Poleesu Bharya
* Maa Inti Katha
* Stuartpuram Police Station
* Sreevaari Chindulu
* Samsaara Veena
* Assembly Rowdy
* Aaditya 369
* Bhargav
* Prema Entha Madhuram
* Jeevana Chadarangam
* Athintlo Adde Mogudu
* Raguluthunna Bharatham
* Soorigaadu
* Ayyayyo Brahmayya
* Sundarakaanda
* Jagannadham & Sons
* Balaramakrishnulu
* Parvatalu Panakalu
* Prema Pustakam
* Vintha Mogudu
* Bhagat
* Gharana Donga
* President Gari Alludu
* Anna
* Gharana Alludu
* Bhale Pellam
* Bhale Mamayya
* Parugo Parugu
* Bangaru Mogudu
* Muddula Priyudu
* Janata Ki Adalat
* Hey Ram
* Murari
* Telangana
* Subhasankalpam
* Maa Balaji
* Vandemataram
* Velugu Needalu
* Bhargava Ramudu
* Ardhangi
