The character actor department in Telugu Cinema has been rock steady thanks to wonderful actors it is equipped with. One such amazing actor we have is none other than Navarasa Nata Saarvabhowma Kailkala Satyanarayana. With an active acting career spanning over nearly 40 years, there is no role this gentleman cannot adorn. Let it be social drama, mythology or any genre, Satyanarayana peformed various characters involving aggression, anger, sympathy, comedy and the list is endless!
Satyanarayana was first noticed by DL Narayana who gave him an opportunity to act in his film Sipayi Koothuru in 1959. The main reason behind selecting Satyanarayana was because of his striking resemblance to Sr NTR those days. When the makers of the film wanted somebody who would play the role of dupe to Sr NTR, Satyanarayana looked like the right choice. Right from his debut, Satyanarayana played the role of dupe to Sr NTR in many of the films which came later. With his sheer talent and great opportunities which followed next, Satyanarayana was like a ray of hope in the next generation character actors during late 60s for Telugu Cinema.
70s was a golden time for Satyanarayana where he acted in most of the prominent films of that age such as Prem Nagar, Sr NTR’s Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Secretary, Praanam Khareedu Vetagadu , Adavi Ramudu and so on. His portrayal of Yama Dharma Raja in Sr NTRs Yama Gola was the most noted. After SV Ranga Rao, Satyanarayana could get into the level of such classy character actor roles which was like an optimistic sign for Telugu films.
Satyanarayana’s best asset is to be highly believable in any role he portrays. Let it be the greedy father of a son expecting dowry in K Vishwanath’s Subhalekha, the good natured researcher in Vamshi’s Anweshana, or a considerate head of the family in Dasari Narayana Rao’s Amma Rajeenama- he brings a different stature, unique importance to the character he plays. His marathon of films continued in 90s as well with comedy films like Rajendra Prasad’s Brundaavanam where he played the villain and SV Krishna Reddy’s Yamaleela and Ghatotkachudu are best remembered for his great mythological portrayals.
He also ventured out to become a film producer and Kodama Simham with Chiranjeevi in Cow Boy role was made by him. It is interesting to note that he played a pivotal role in the film as well. Though Satyanarayana shifted his attention more to Politics later, his films are always remembered and whenever his appearance in the film makes us feel that is he an elderly good man in our own family– especially in the family drama roles be played! He made it true with even in his recent appearance Arundhathi directed by Kodi Ramakrishna!
iQlikmovies wishes the great character actor Navarasa Nata Saarvabhowma Kaikala Satyanarayana a very happy birthday and a healthy year ahead!
