Popular producer cum actor Atluri Pundareekakshaiah passed away on Thursday morning at 6 AM in a private hospital in Chennai. He was suffering from a prolonged illness and was admitted in the hospital some time ago. He was survived by two sons.
Born in Chautipalli village in Krishna district, the 87 year old actor cum producer entered the film industry in 1952 through the film ‘Palletooru’. As an actor Atluri did about 20 films in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada languages. In Telugu, he shot to fame for his antagonist role as Muddu Krishnaiah in Vijaya Shanti’s ‘Karthavyam’. Some of his other films in Telugu were Police Brothers, Rajeshwari Kalyanam, Praana Daata, Thodu Dongalu, Pitchi Pullayya, Ammalakkalu, etc.
Being a relative to Late N T Rama Rao, he established National Art Theatre and produced several hit films with him like Sri Krishnavataram, Jayasimha, Mahamantri Thimmarusu, Manushullo Devudu, Maavari Manchitanam, Melukolupu, Bhale Thammudu, Aaradhana, etc., and also won the national award for the film ‘Mahamantri Thimmarusu’.
Ragalahari extends its sincere condolences to Atluri Pundarikakshaiah’s family members.
