Madala Ranga Rao passes away

Senior actor and filmmaker Madala Ranga Rao passed away in the early hours of Sunday. Rao, popularly known as the Red Star, had been battling heart-related ailments after suffering a heart attack last year. He was admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad a few days ago.

The Red Star acted in and produced several films with leftist ideologies in the ’80s. Through them, he was able to bring about a revolutionary change in the outlook of the youth. 

Some of his most acclaimed films include Chairman Chelamayya, Mahaprasthanam, Erra Suryudu, Yuvatharam Kadilindi, Praja Sakthi and Erra Mallelu. He was a two-time Nandi Award-winner.