Acclaimed writer MVS Haranatha Rao passes away

One of the most profound writers of Telugu cinema, MVS Haranatha Rao, has breathed his last on Monday. The thoughtful dialogue-writer of as many as 150 films was born in July 1948. Even as a teenager, he had a keen interest in the literature. Rao started off by writing stage plays, some of which are considered great works in the theatre world.

For example, his plays ‘Lady Champina Puli Netturu’ and ‘Aranya Rodanam’ were adapted into the films ‘Erra Mandaram’ and ‘Ida Prapancham’, respectively. A Left-leaning writer by conviction, Rao famously teamed up with filmmaker T Krishna. ‘Neti Bharatam’ and ‘Desamlo Dongalu Paddaru’ were among the memorable films that came out of this collaboration. His thought-provoking writing style came to the fore through such films as ‘Pratighatana’, ‘Bharata Nari’, ‘Anna’, and ‘Ammayi Kapuram’.

No wonder that he was adjudged the best writer and received the Nandi Award for these movies. Besides the aforementioned films, Rao was also noted as the writer of ‘Swayamkrushi’ and ‘Sutradharulu’. He acted in ‘Rakshasudu’, ‘Swayamkrushi’ and Teja’s ‘Hora Hori’. He is survived by wife and three children.  

TeluguCinema.com extends condolences to Rao’s bereaved family.