Hyderabad: The ‘Charlie Chaplin of Telugu cinema’, ‘Nata Kireeti’ Rajendra Prasad turned 64 on Monday. Marking his five-decade-long career in the film industry, fans extended greetings on social media wishing Rajendra Prasad on his birthday.
Making his debut in 1977 with ‘Sneham’, young Rajendra Prasad was the cynosure of all eyes with his comic timing and acting abilities. He later gained recognition with the Chiranjeevi-starrer ‘Manchu Pallaki’ that was released in 1982.
The actor went on to star in several successful comedy films such as ‘Rendu Rellu Aaru’ (1986), ‘Ladies Tailor’ (1986), ‘Aha Naa Pellanta’ (1987), ‘Appula Appa Rao’ (1991), and ‘Mayalodu’ (1993), before touching the peak of his career.
He received the Nandi Award for Best Actor for ‘Erra Mandaram’ in 1991 and for ‘Aa Naluguru’ that was released in 2004.
Rajendra Prasad’s back story of trying his luck in films soon after meeting legendary actor NT Rama Rao on the sets of ‘Tatamma Kala’ in 1974, was a tale that inspired people of later generations who aspired to come into the movie industry.
As a young graduate with a diploma in ceramic engineering, Prasad was refused employment when he travelled to Jabalpur for a job. Later, he happened to meet actor NTR during the shoot of ‘Tatamma Kala’. Prasad was advised by NTR to join acting school in Madras, only followed by the backlash from his father. He is the rare breed of actors who changed the industry’s perspective by proving that comedians too can become protagonists on-screen.