King of villains lives on memories (From: THE HINDU ONLINE)
Sreenivas Paruchuri
Ruby Apartments in Yellareddyguda, is just a nondescript block of
houses like thousands of others in Hyderabad. It is not meant for
the rich and the famous. Yet, here lives a man who once was the
toast of Telugu filmworld. He was the king of villains and his
cruel laugh went on to become such a hit that even children tried
to imitate it. The bad guy of more than 1,350 movies in all South
Indian languages Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam he acted
in two Hindi movies also ``Farz'' and ``Jaadu Tona.'' While for
others it is a dream to act in Hollywood movies, he realised it
long ago when MGM Brothers made one of their movies partly in
India.
Rajanala Kaleswara Rao Naidu, known as `Rajanala' to film buffs
and his innumerable fans, who once owned posh bungalows, cars and
riches that go with such fame is now languishing in penury,
dependant on what his fans dole out.
It is a shock to see a man who could send many a shiver down the
spines of moviegoers with his villainy, lying on an ordinary
single cot with his right leg amputated surrounded by empty
medicine bottles. The single bed-room groundfloor tenement is
sparsely furnished. His second wife Bhoodevi (52), says ``he
lives on memories.'' The drawing room is filled with mementoes
and citations which only have a value but no price.
The travails of Rajanala began when his first wife died in 1969.
He became distraught with life but continued acting. But, when
his 28 year old son died in 1984 that was the end of the world
for him. Rajanala could never recover from the shock and sold
away his properties in Madras. By the time, the making of
mythological and folk movies also declined and Rajanala was edged
out by newcomers in social themes. The villain, in Telugu films
became sophisticated and the punchy dialogue delivery was soon
forgotten leaving no room for someone like Rajanala whose words
were power packed.
Rajanala's entry into Telugu films was with H.M. Reddy's
``Pratigna'' in 1952. Before that he was working as a revenue
inspector in Nellore from 1944-51. A post graduate in Philosophy
from Lucknow university and a voracious reader of English
literature, Rajanala maintained a Rs. 20 lakh worth library
during his heydays between 1950 and 1970. There were many
occasions when his fiery presence on the screen not only
distracted his opponents including the legendary figures of
Telugu film word.
Rajanala moved out from Madras in 1991. Diabetic as he is, his
right leg could not withstand the rigours of outdoor shooting in
Araku valley in 1995 when he was playing a fullfledged role in
Telugu ``Veera levara.'' His leg which was injured during the
shooting had to be amputated at Nizams Institute of Medical
Sciences in November last. That was the end of any hope he had of
surviving through odd roles.
After coming home, the villain of villains, the ``Dushta Nata
Chakravarthi'' as he was called for his exceptional performances,
is finding it hard to make both ends meet.
``Surviving on alms. That is what this life is,'' he says.
Rajanala's face betrays his voice which is controlled and steady
six decades of experience on stage and on screen has its say
there.
Not many know that Rajanala is a singer in the mould of the
legendary Kundanlal Saigal and M. S. Rama Rao. He recalls their
songs and sings ``Pushpavilaapam''. There is no stopping him. The
artiste in him just does not listen to any distractions. ``Nenoka
Pula Mokka Nilchi, Chivaluna Komma Vanchi...'' he is in a
different mood altogether. ``Great songs these. Sri Sri used to
come to my place to read and translate from Wordsworth'', he
switches over to Shakespearean dialogues and breathes fire into
Macbeth and Hamlet in his baritone which has a slight metallic
tinge. Numerology and astrology being his pet subjects, he is
making a living out of the knowledge nowadays (The Andhra Pradesh
Occult Scholars Association has conferred ``Daivagna Ratna''
title on him).
``Wish, you met me during my days of glory. What am I today. A
Kaatikapari?''. He recalls his role of Veerabahu of the same
drama and renders the poems. A vintage stuff.It is time we part,
but he does not like it. ``You do not want to talk about K. N.
Singh, Ajit or Pran. They used to call me Guruji. Great actors
they were. Jeevan was another very good villain.''
The talk veers round Sohrab Modi and Mehboob Pictures, he recalls
fondly his association with Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor.It is
time for him to retire to bed, his wife intervenes. He takes a
pill and says ``good bye friend.''
W. CHANDRAKANTH