Dhulipala Seetarama Sastry

Dhulipala
Born	September 24, 1921 Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died	13 April 2007
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1961 - 2001
Website	http://www.dhulipala.org

Dhulipala (born Dhulipala Seetarama Sastry) (24 September 1921 – 13 April 2007) was an Indian film actor and thespian, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He was noted for playing mythological roles, particularly the role of Shakuni. He began his acting career at the young age of 13. He worked in about 300 films. He shot to fame with Bheeshma and Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam acting along with N. T. Rama Rao.

Awards

• Nandi Award for Best Actor - 1968 - Bandhavyalu

Personal life

He was born on 24-Sep-1921 to Sri Sankaraiah and Smt. Ratnamma of Dachepalli village in Palnadu taluk of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He studied till 8th standard at Dachepalli. Later spent one year in Sankara Vidyalayam, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh studying Vedas. Subsequently worked as Advocate's clerk and simultaneously entered stage, initially portraying female characters. He has been introduced to film industry by his preceptor Mr.Gayudu, who was a great actor, director, writer, singer and music composer too. Initially, Mr.Gayudu was selected for the role of Bheeshma in the movie Bheeshma and NTR was offered the role of Duryodhana. But someone played nasty politics by getting the Art Director of the movie Mr.Vali arrested and made a deal with Mr.Gayudu that if he drops out of the role Bheeshma he has been offered and play the role of Duryodhana instead, he could get vali released. But Mr.Gayudu wasn't ready to accept the deal but for the sake of his friend Mr.Vali, he dropped out of the movie saying that my student Dhulipala is enough to play Duryodhana. He will do it. Hence Dhilipala who was popular on the stage in the role of Duryodhana, has made debut with that film. Mr.Gayudu was the first choice for every lead role in mythological movies but his family members didn't want him to enter the film industry as they are afraid after his uncle , the great actor Dommeti surya Narayana has been assassinated. So they concealed every letter and telegram that they received offering him the chance to work for their movies. Dhilipala has been trained by Mr.Gayudu. Dhulipala entered film industry in 1960 with the movie Bhishma, portraying the role of Duryodhana. He acted in around 300 movies and won several accolades and awards.He was a staunch devotee of Hanuman. Inspired by Swami Jayendra Saraswati of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, he took sanyas in 2001 and established Maruthi Ashram at Guntur City. He attained Samadhi on April 13, 2007. He has two sons.

Selected Filmography

• Murari (film) (2001)
• Choodalani Vundi (1998)
• Mahashakti (1980)
• Jaganmohini (1978)
• Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) .... Shakuni
• Kurukshetram (1977) .... Indra
• Seeta Kalyanam (1976) .... Vasishta Mahamuni
• Mahakavi Kshetrayya (1976)
• Sita Swayamvar (1976) .... Vishwamitra
• Gunavantudu (1975)
• Sree Rama Anjaneya Yuddham (1974)
• Andala Ramudu (1973) .... Secretary
• Bala Bharatam (1972) .... Sakhuni
• Mattilo Manikyam (1971)
• Balaraju Katha (1970)
• Ekaveera (1969) .... Father of Veerabhupati
• Aatmiyulu (1969) .... Veerayya
• Bandhavyalu (1968)
• Undamma Bottu Pedata (1968)
• Shri Krishnavataram (1967) ... Satrajit
• Bobbili Yuddham (1964) .... Narasarayalu
• Nartanasala (1963)
• Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham (1963) .... Gayudu
• Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962)
• Bhishma (1962) .... Duryodhana
• Maya Bazaar (1957/I)