Kallu Chidambaram

Kolluri Chidambaram Rao or better known as Kallu Chidambaram is a Telugu comedian and actor. He was born on October 10, 1945, in Vasantha Rao Veedhi, Andhra Pradesh. He is a Civil Engineer by profession and has worked in Visakhapatnam Port Trust as an Assistant Engineer before he became an actor.

His career started during the 1960s, after bagging the lead role in the stage play, Brahmachari. Later, he was seen in several dramas like Tholu Bommalata, Railu Bandi, Gap Chup, Treatment, and Vasikaranam. Since then, he dedicated himself to the theatre that spanned for 14 years. Through those years, he was seen staging plays in different sides of the Telugu country. The veteran actor had an eye problem all through his career, but this does not stop him from making a name for himself in Tollywood. In fact, he bagged his very first movie role as a blind man in 'Kallu', a neo-realistic film, which was helmed by cinematographer-turned-director M.V. Raghu in 1988. Kallu had won the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze), Nandi Award for Best First Film of a Director and another Nandi award for Chidambaram. He also earned the Kalasagar Award for his brilliant performance in the film. This is also, where he got his name Kallu.

After the success of his debut film, Chidambaram started acting in films like ' Kondaveeti Donga Click to look into! >> Read More... ', 'Chanti', 'Money', ' Ammoru Fictional drama, no matter what, has always been a >> Read More... ', 'Mrigaraju', '786 Khaidi Prema Katha', 'Glamour', 'Kalachakram', 'Tholi Pata', 'Premaku Sye', 'April 1 Vidudala', ' Govinda Govinda Click to look into! >> Read More... ', 'Aa Okkati Adakku', 'Money', ' Jamba Lakidi Pamba Click to look into! >> Read More... ' and many more. Because of his squint eye and North Andhra dialect, he swiftly enticed the attention of the audience and even though he never became the main comedian in a film but he has earned much attention from the public.

In the year 2009, he founded the Sakala Kalakalrula Samakhya, which brought thousands of artists (of a different genre) to one roof and together, they have served the needs of the artists by arranging pensions, giving scholarships, providing for their medical needs and more. They are also conducting monthly events. A true philanthropy, Chidambaram ensured that he supported the Sakala members and that he will always be remembered.

Chidambaram died on October 18, 2015, in Vizag Care Hospital in Visakhapatnam. He was survived by his wife and four children. The actor was said to be suffering from a respiratory problem, and he was currently in a life support before he died. He was last seen in the devotional film, 'Sri Sai Sankalpam' in 2013.