Why was Krishnam Raju called Rebel Star?

Krishnam
Raju, a veteran actor in the Telugu film industry and a former Union minister,
died aged 83 in Hyderabad on Sunday. He is survived by his wife and three
daughters. Krishnam Raju rose to fame in the 1960s and 70s and eventually
turned into a staple in Telugu cinema. Raju, who is Bahubali star Prabhas’
uncle saw immense success and then changed tact in the industry earning him the
moniker – rebel star.

In his
55-year-long film career, Raju has acted in 183 films. He came to be known as
the rebel star because he got into acting as a hero after he debuted with
Chilaka Gorinka in 1966 but later went on to become a villain, a space that
earned him greater success. Bhakta Kannappa and Bobbili Brahmana were among the
most successful films of Raju’s initial career.

Krishnam
Raju’s death was condoled across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Saddened
by the passing away of Shri UV Krishnam Raju Garu. The coming generations will
remember his cinematic brilliance and creativity. He was also at the forefront
of community service and made a mark as a political leader. Condolences to his
family and admirers.”

Telangana
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said in a statement that the death of
Krishnam Raju, who acted as a hero in many films and won the hearts of
moviegoers as a ‘Rebel Star’ with his unique acting style, is a great loss for
the Telugu silver screen.

He added Krishnam
Raju had served the people of the country as a Lok Sabha member and a Union
Minister and through the field of political administration.

In Andhra
Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy said, “The death of former Union
Minister and famous film actor Rebel Star Krishnam Raju is sad. His services to
the people as an actor and a political leader are memorable.”

According
to the hospital in Hyderabad where Krishnam Raju was being treated, the
actor-turned-politician succumbed to severe pneumonia and its complications.”