Krishnam Raju

Who is Krishnam Raju?

Uppalapati Venkata Krishnam Raju is a former popular Telugu film actor. He was popularly known as 'Rebel Star' for his rebellious acting style.

Krishnam Raju starred in more than 183 Telugu films in his career and was a prominent actor of the 1970s and 1980s in Tollywood. He entered the films in 1966 with Chilaka Gorinka produced and directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma. He won 5 Filmfare Awards including Filmfare Lifetime achievement Award and 2 Nandi Awards.

After late 1990s he became active in politics. He joined Bharatiya Janata Party and was elected to 12th and 13th Lok Sabha from Kakinada and Narasapur constituencies. He served as a minister of state for external affairs in the Third Vajpayee Ministry from 1999 to 2004. On 24 March 2009 he has joined Praja Rajyam Party founded by southern megastar Chiranjeevi. In 2009 State assembly elections he contested for M.P. seat from Rajamundry constituency and had Murali Mohan as a major opponent who contested on behalf of Telugu Desam Party. While both were film actors, both of them lost election to incumbent MP, Undavalli Arun Kumar of Indian National Congress.

He has a nephew, Prabhas, who is also known as 'Rebel Star' and who is currently one of the most popular actors in Tollywood.