Remembering KS Prakash Rao

The documentary features his interview recorded in 1991 on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of Telugu Talkies, where he recollected his entry into films. He called it hap-chance and unexpected. In spite of his suspicions about the stability and the longevity of a career in films he was urged to take it up by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, director and producer known for films like ‘Malapilla’. Prakash Rao reluctantly complied and took up acting as his foray into films. During his brief stint as an actor he portrayed roles of both protagonist and antagonist.

Speaking about the contrast between the first generation films and later years, “The technical knowhow has vastly improved.” He expressed doubt about the capability as story tellers of later generations. According to him cinema was born an orphan, it survived and thrived only due to the foresight and entrepreneurial approach by the producers. He had always strived to maintain a certain level of sincerity in his films. But he does admit that circumstances especially financial constraints can lead to compromising one’s values and that is inevitable in a volatile industry such as film making. No matter what the subject of a film is, ensuring that the audience can enjoy it had become paramount and this leads to the making of formula films.

The seeds sown by KS Prakash Rao to usher in a new perspective of filming songs as a director inadvertently bloomed with K Raghavendra Rao who took a leaf from his father’s book and carved his trademark in picturisation of songs. Following a strong set back he began directing films from other production houses and his greatest film came to him in this way.

‘Prem Nagar’ set itself apart in all departments of film making be in music, screen play, cinematography, songs, script or narration and as its director KS Prakash Rao deserves lion’s share of the credit. Towards the end of the interview he expressed his extreme contentment with the kind of work he had done and showed the zeal of a youngster to make more films.

The screening of the documentary as a part of ‘Cinema Cinema’ series was attended by SV Rama Rao, director P Sambasiva Rao, K Krishna Mohan Rao, film producer and eldest son of KS Praskash Rao and his family. They shared their memories of KS Prakash Rao’s humility, tolerance, encouraging and inspiring attitude, with the audience. 2014 marks the centenary year of his birth and the event at Lamakaan was an apt commemoration to his exemplary contribution to Telugu Cinema.