• Source: K. S. R. Das

      • Konda Subbarama Das (5 January 1936 – 8 June 2012), popularly known as K. S. R. Das (also spelled as K. S. R. Doss), was an Indian film director and editor known for his work in Telugu and Kannada cinema. Active primarily in the 1970s and 1980s, Das was known for his action films and made significant contributions to South Indian cinema.
      Throughout his career, K. S. R. Das directed nearly 100 films across multiple Indian languages, with the majority in Telugu, and additional projects in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. He was a pioneer of full-length action films and introduced cowboy-themed films to Indian cinema. Notable films such as Rowdy Rani (1970) and Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971) set new trends in the action genre. Although primarily recognized for his action films, Das also directed family dramas, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.
      Das collaborated with several South Indian stars, including Krishna, with whom he directed over 30 films, as well as Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Vishnuvardhan, and N. T. Rama Rao. His work was both commercially successful and influential in shaping the action genre in Indian cinema. Das received several awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Puttanna Kanagal Award.


      Early life


      K. S. R. Das was born on January 5, 1936, in a small village near Venkatagiri in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. From a young age, Das was captivated by cinema, frequently traveling to nearby towns to watch films.


      Career




      = Early career

      =
      Das began his career in 1953 as a booking clerk at Krishna Mahal in Guntur district. He later worked as a film representative for Anjali Pictures until 1956, gaining valuable industry experience. He was introduced to S. Bhavanarayana of Gowri Productions, where he worked as an editor, contributing to around 40 films.
      Das made his directorial debut with the Telugu film Loguttu Perumallakeruka in 1966, starring Sobhan Babu and Rajasri. Although the film did not achieve commercial success, it marked the beginning of his directorial career.


      = Rise to Prominence

      =
      Das gained widespread recognition with the 1969 film Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka, which marked the beginning of his successful collaboration with actor Krishna. Over the years, he directed over 30 films with Krishna, including notable hits like Bangaru Kutumbam (1971) and Mosagallaku Mosagadu (1971). The latter, often regarded as the first Indian cowboy film, became a trendsetter and was dubbed into multiple languages, including English.
      Known for his action-oriented films, Das introduced the concept of full-fledged action films to Telugu cinema with Rowdy Raani (1970). His film Mosagallaku Mosagadu was a milestone in Indian cinema. Despite his reputation for action films, Das also demonstrated his versatility by directing family dramas like Annadammula Savaal, Mama-Allulla Savaal, Girija Kalyanam.


      = Kannada cinema

      =
      In 1975, Das expanded his scope by entering the Kannada film industry. He directed over 20 Kannada films, including significant works such as Sahodarara Savaal, Snehithara Savaal, Chinnadhantha Maga, and Bangaaradha Gudi. His film Khaidhi was a major success and played a crucial role in boosting Dr. Vishnuvardhan's career. Das directed a total of 12 films with Vishnuvardhan and also worked on the acclaimed film Thirugubaana with Ambareesh.


      = Collaborators

      =
      Throughout his career, K. S. R. Das collaborated with many leading actors in the South Indian film industry, including Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, Vishnuvardhan, and Sobhan Babu. Notably, he directed over 30 films with Krishna and 12 films with Vishnuvardhan. Das's prolific output includes around 100 films across Telugu, Kannada, and other languages, solidifying his reputation as one of the most successful directors of his era.
      In addition to his primary directorial work, K. S. R. Das also served as a second unit director for action sequences. He contributed to Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974) following the sudden demise of Ramachandra Rao, who had directed the film's initial ten days of shooting. Although Krishna wished to credit Das as the film's director, Das declined, honoring Ramachandra Rao's vision and was credited as the second unit director. For Kaalaantakulu (1978), Das assisted K. Viswanath by directing the action sequences, as Viswanath sought help in areas where Das's expertise was particularly strong.


      Personal Life


      K. S. R. Das married Nagamani Devi in 1964. They had three children: two daughters and a son. The family lived in Bangalore for many years before moving to Chennai later in life. As per Nagamani Devi, despite acquiring some assets after relocating to Bangalore, their investments in films led to significant financial losses.
      Das died on June 8, 2012, at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, due to age-related health issues. His son, who worked as a producer in the Kannada film industry, also died in August 2014.


      Legacy


      K. S. R. Das made a significant impact on the Telugu film industry. His contributions to the action genre and his ability to craft engaging, high-energy narratives established him as a prominent director in the field.


      Awards


      Puttanna Kanagal Award from Karnataka State Government


      Filmography


      Sources:


      References




      External links


      K. S. R. Das at IMDb
      Interview with K.S.R. Das

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