Padma Shri Conferred on Veteran Telugu Actor Rajendra Prasad
Hyderabad, June 23 (TNT): Veteran Telugu film actor Gadde Babu Rajendra Prasad, popularly known as Rajendra Prasad, has been conferred the Padma Shri in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema and the performing arts.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Shri Award, one of the highest civilian awards of the country, at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.
Widely regarded as one of Telugu cinema’s most accomplished actors, Rajendra Prasad has entertained audiences for over four decades with his distinctive style of comedy and versatile performances across a wide range of roles.
Born on April 15, 1955, in Patamata Lanka of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, Rajendra Prasad was raised in a family that valued education and social responsibility.
A graduate in Ceramic Engineering, he chose to pursue his passion for acting and joined the Chennai Film Institute, where he earned a Gold Medal in acting and mime.
Making his film debut in 1977, Rajendra Prasad went on to act in more than 286 films across six languages.
Known for his impeccable comic timing and ability to portray relatable middle-class characters, he carved a unique place for himself in Indian cinema.
Apart from acting, he demonstrated his talents in mime, mimicry, music and playback singing, while also contributing to the creative aspects of filmmaking.
His performances in family dramas, social entertainers and comedy films earned him widespread acclaim and a loyal fan following.
During his illustrious career, he received eight Nandi Awards from the Andhra Pradesh Government and several other national and international honours.
He also earned recognition at international film festivals, including in Canada, and was conferred the title “Nata Kireeti” by renowned poet Dr. C. Narayana Reddy.
In a rare distinction, Andhra University awarded him the prestigious Kala Prapoorna honorary doctorate at the age of 43, making him one of the youngest recipients of the honour.
Rajendra Prasad has also played an active role in the film fraternity.
In 2015, he was elected President of the Movie Artists Association (MAA) and worked for the welfare of artists and the growth of the industry.
Beyond cinema, he has been actively involved in philanthropic and social service activities.
He has supported the education of underprivileged children, assisted orphanages, promoted health awareness through social organisations and contributed to relief efforts during natural calamities.
Through his cultural platform, Nata Kala Vedika, he has encouraged theatre artists and promoted Telugu literary and theatrical traditions.
He has also championed causes related to women’s empowerment, child welfare and yoga.
Known for bringing laughter and joy to millions of viewers across generations, Rajendra Prasad remains one of the most beloved and respected figures in Telugu cinema.
The Padma Shri honour recognises his exceptional contribution to the arts, his enduring popularity and his commitment to social service.
TNT TS
