Two years ago, the widely acclaimed South Indian actor Allu Arjun won hearts worldwide with his action-packed drama “Pushpa: The Rise – Part 1.” Recently, he made headlines once more by clinching the Best Actor award at the 69th National Film Awards. What many might not know is that Allu Arjun’s grandfather, Allu Ramalingaiah, was a notable actor and filmmaker with a National Award named in his honor.

Allu Ramalingaiah embarked on his film journey back in 1953, making his debut with “Puttillu.” His career boasted an array of unforgettable roles in iconic films like “Mayabazar,” “Missamma,” “Muthyala Muggu,” “Sankarabharanam,” “Saptapadi,” and “Yamagola.” He was admired for his versatility, seamlessly transitioning between villainous and comedic roles, and his contributions earned him the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1990.

In memory of Allu Ramalingaiah’s legacy, the Allu Ramalingaiah Academy of Arts established the Allu Ramalingaiah National Award, which annually honors distinguished personalities in Telugu cinema for their lifetime achievements.

Remarkably, it was revealed by Allu Arjun’s cousin and popular actor, Ram Charan, that their maternal grandfather, Allu Ramalingaiah, was not just a performer but also a freedom fighter. During film promotion of SS Rajamouli’s RRR, Ram Charan disclosed that his grandfather had fought passionately for his rights, an aspect known to only a few. It came to light that Allu Ramalingaiah had been imprisoned for over 15 days due to his involvement in protests.

Allu Ramalingaiah’s Statue

The legacy of Allu Ramalingaiah extends to the Allu family, with notable contributions from figures like Allu Arjun’s father, Allu Aravind, and his cousins, Allu Bobby and Allu Sirish. Their collective efforts have significantly shaped and elevated Indian cinema.

This month, the entire Allu family came together to celebrate the 101st birth anniversary of the revered Padma Shri Dr. Allu Ramalingaiah, a figure whose impact continues to resonate in the world of cinema. The fourth generation of Allu family unveiled  bronze statue of Ramalingaiah.