Gollapudi Maruthi Rao joined All India Radio as Station Incharge and host. He used to write columns and stories in various books. He slowly moved to Theater writing but never left AIR. Annapurna Pictures establisher, Dukkipati Madhusudhan Rao read his stories and novels, also heard his criticism about recent films.
So, he approached him to write for films. Gollapudi did not take up the job immediately and it is lyrics writer Dasaradhi, who convinced him to take screen-writing. He started with dialogues and then wrote screenplays for several films.
Watching his typical body language and acting prowess, Kodi Ramakrishna encouraged him to act in Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya. Gollapudi reluctantly agreed but he became one of the top actors in Telugu Cinema.
Even though Kaikala Satyanarayana, Allu Ramalingaiah, Prabhakar Reddy and Rao Gopal Rao were established as character actors before his introduction, he became as popular as they were and even completed 290 films as character actor.
His performances in films Kallu, Samasaram Oka Chadarangam, Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya and his typical dialogue delivery made him a must in films. Later, he became a comic actor and his nose has become a centre point for many jokes.
Due to prolonged illness, he passed away on 12th December in Chennai at his residence. His is survived by his 2 sons and his younger son died too early. On his younger son's name, Srinivas, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao established a theatre group and an award to encourage stage artists. Telugu Cinema will miss a legend like him.
