| Sutti Veerabhadra Rao | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mamidipalli Veerabhadra Rao 6 June 1947 East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Died | 30 June 1988 (aged 41) Madras, India |
| Other names | Bhadrudu |
| Occupation | actor, theater artist, Radio artist |
| Height | 5"8 |
| Spouse | Sekhari |
Sutti Veerabhadra Rao or Mamidipalli Veerabhadra Rao (Telugu: సుత్తి వీరభద్రరావు / మామిడిపల్లి వీరభద్రరావు) was a very popular South Indian Film Actor who essayed the roles of Comedian and Character artists, as well as a renowned Radio /Theater Artist.
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Veerabhadra Rao was the only son for his parents, and had two younger sisters. He hailed from the East Godavari District (born at Ayanapuram) of Andhra Pradesh, and moved to Vijayawada on his father's job. He did his schooling in 'AKTP school' and graduated from Andhra University, through 'SRR College', Vijayawada.
Sutti Veerabhadra Rao was one half of the famous "Sutti Janta", the other being Velu. He was a popular Radio and Theater Artist from 1970-1980. He entered the film industry in 1981, and became popular with Naalugu Sthambaalata in 1982. Until his untimely death due to heart attack, at the age of 41, he acted in 200+ films.
Veerabhadra Rao was interested in acting right from his childhood, he used to act in stage plays at school level. During his graduation days at SRR College, Vijayawada, he teamed with Jandhyala who was his classmate, and together, they participated in many competitions at university level. This team went on to become one of the hit teams in film industry with respect to comedy.
After Graduation, with love for theater, he went on to become an employee of All India Radio (AIR), Vijayawada. While working there, he had staged many plays in Thummalapalli Kalakshetram, and Veledandla Hanumantharaya Grandhalayam, Vijayawada. He also participated in lot of plays that were broadcast from AIR. During his tenure with AIR, VJA, he worked with stalwarts of Telugu Theater and literature, like CSR Anajaneyulu, Vinnakota Ramanna Panthulu, Nanduri Subba Rao, C Rama Mohan Rao, Usha Sri, Vinnakota Vijayaram, Indrakanti Sreekanth Sarma, P Pandurangarao (Panduringa), Peri Kameswara Rao, Koka Sanjeeva Rao, A B Anand etc. Sri Balatranpu RajaniKantha Rao (Rajani) is instrumental for his entrance into AIR. Sri Rajani would select his staff only if they could pronounce all the 56 letters of Telugu language, in a clear tone, with correct pronunciation. (The equivalent Telugu word is "Spashtham ga".)
Silamurali is one of his famous plays broadcast from AIR, VJA. Here, he essays the role of the protagonist, who ventures out to release Goddess Saraswathi from the clutches of a sinister who imprisoned her, by sacrificing his voice and life, for the good of human kind.
He entered the Telugu film industry in 1981, with the film Jatara. However, he got noticed in the industry in 1982, through the film Naalugu Sthambaalata by Jandhayla. He became famous in Tollywood for his lengthy dialogs. From 1982 to 1988, he acted in over 200 films. During this period, he essayed different kinds of roles.
He was the main character in many of the earlier films of Naresh and Rajendra Prasad. He was approached by few producers and directors for a guest role, with the belief that his presence would make the film a hit. As a result, there are many films where he is seen, sometimes, even without credits. During his short tenure, he acted with most of the heroes of his time. At the time of his death in 1988, he completed the shooting for the film Choopulu Kalisina Subhavela, but, the voice dubbing remained. Jandhyala gave his voice for the character.
Veerabhadra Rao married Sekhari in 1970 and has two children, a son and a daughter.
He was an avid reader of Literature in Telugu and English. He had his own personal library consisting of some of the books such as Veyi Padagalu and Srimad Bhagavatham. He also had a big collection of plays written in Telugu.
He used to donate huge amounts of money for the needy, and there were many beneficiaries from him. He led a simple life, helping others, and doing what he liked to do. He was religious.
While shooting for a song in the film Choopulu Kalisina Subhavela, there was a sprain on one of his legs. Being a diabetic, he could not recover immediately and was advised to take some rest, as he was working continuously for a long time.
He was admitted in a hospital for recovery. Three days later, a fatal injection resulted in Heart Attack that took away his life. He died in the early hours of 30 June 1988.
Some of his popular films are:
| Year | Film | Director |
| 1988 | Choopulu Kalasina Subhavela | Jandhyala |
| 1988 | Vivaha Bhojanambu | Jandhyala |
| 1988 | O tandri teerpu | Rajachandra |
| 1988 | Neeku Naku Pellanta | Jandhyala |
| 1988 | Chikkadu Dorakadu | Narasimha Rao Relangi |
| 1988 | Sahasam Cheyara Dhimbaka | Narasimha Rao Relangi |
| 1988 | Chinni Krishnudu | Jandhyala |
| 1988 | Pelli Chesi Choodu | Narasimha Rao Relangi |
| 1987 | Dabbevariki Chedu | Narasimha Rao Relangi |
| 1987 | Aha Naa Pellanta | Jandhyala |
| 1986 | Chantabbai | Jandhyala |
| 1986 | Jeevana Poratam | Rajachandra |
| 1986 | Padaharella Ammayi | Krishna Mohan Reddy |
| 1986 | Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam | K. Vasu |
| 1985 | Chattamtho Poratam | K.Bapayya |
| 1985 | Mogudu Pellalu | Jandhyala |
| 1985 | Swathi Muthyam | K. Viswanath |
| 1985 | Oka Radha iddaru Krishnulu | A. Kodanda Rami Reddy |
| 1985 | Rendu Rella Aaru | Jandhyala |
| 1984 | Srivariki Premalekha | Jandhyala |
| 1984 | Babai Abbai | Jandhyala |
| 1984 | Ananda Bhairavi | Jandhyala |
| 1984 | Sundari Subbarao | Narasimha Rao Relangi |
| 1984 | Rustum | A. Kodandarami Reddy |
| 1983 | Konte Kodallu | Kommineni Seshagiri Rao |
| 1983 | Muggurammaiyala Mogudu | |
| 1983 | Puththadi Bomma | Jandhyala |
| 1983 | Palleturi Monagadu | S. A. Chandrasekhar |
| 1983 | Moodu Mullu | Jandhyala |
| 1982 | Brahmaa nee raata taarumaaru | Tripuraneni Varaprasad |
| 1982 | Naalugu Sthambaalaata | Jandhyala |
| 1981 | Erra Mallelu | Dhavala Sathyam |
| 1974 | Dorababu | Tatineni Rama Rao |