The Bapu who took Tollywood places dies at age 80

Hyderabad: Bapu, one of the most renowned and respected directors of Telugu cinema, died at a private hospital in Chennai on Sunday evening. He was 80.

Bapu, whose real name was Sattiraju Lakshminarayana, was also a painter, illustrator, cartoonist and designer. In 2013, he was awarded the Padma Shri, for his contribution to Indian art and cinema.

In 1967, Bapu, who worked as  a publicity designer, started his film career as a director with Sakshi. He carved his niche with his touch of nativity and Telugu culture. Most of his films were based on realistic family issues and relationships and especially the female protagonist, which looked at a complete typical Telugu girl, called “Bapu Bomma”.

His films like Sampoorna Ramayanam, Ramanjaneya Yuddham and Seeta Kalyanam became milestones in Telugu cinema. Bapu worked with all popular actors of the Telugu film industry like N.T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna Krishnam Raju, Sobhan Babu, Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna. His last film was the mythological Sri Rama Rajyam in which Balakrishna played Rama and Nayanthara, Seetha that released last year.

Sakshi was showcased at the Tashkent film festival in 1968. Seeta Kalyanam was screened at the BFI London Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, San Reno and Denver International Film Festivals in 1978, and is part of a course at the British Film Institute. Some of his memorable films included Sakshi, Andala Ramudu, Muthyala Muggu, Budhimanthudu, Manavoori Pandavulu, Sampoorna Ramayanam, Seetha Kalyanam, Radha Kalyanam, Mr Pellam, Pelli Pustakam, Thyagayya, Bhakta Kannappa and Sreenatha Kavisarvabhouma.

Bapu also directed 12 Hindi films including Hum Paanch, Seeta Swayamvar, Anokha Bhakt, Bezubaan, Woh Saat Din, Pyari Behna, Mohobbat, Mera Dharam, Diljala and Prem Pratigya.

Remembering Bapu: Telugu film personalities recalled their association with the legendary filmmaker

MY MENTOR: – Vijayanirmala
Lead actor in Bapu’s first film Sakshi Once the day’s shoot was over, he used to draw lines of his next day’s shooting. He always drew his thoughts on paper so that everyone was comfortable when the shooting started. He inspired me to take up direction. Because I did not know drawing, I used toys

I LEARNT ACTING FROM HIM – Chiranjeevi
This was my second film in my career and it helped me to develop as an actor. Bapu’s star in Manavuri Pandavulu

A MEMORABLE GIFT – Balakrishna
Every moment I spent with Bapu garu while shooting the film was unforgettable. The film is a memorable gift for me from him. ‘Lord Rama’ in Sri Rama Rajyam

HE PRAISED ME – Mohan Babu
At a function Bapu told his friend Ramana about my performance in a particular film. That was the most memorable for me.