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Potti Veerayya

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Indian actor and comedian (1946–2021)

Potti Veerayya
Birth nameGattu Veerayya
Bornc. 1946
Phanigiri, Telangana, India
Died25 April 2021 (aged 74 or 75)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
NationalityIndian
SpouseMallika (died in 2008)
Children2

Potti Veerayya (c. 1946 – 25 April 2021) was an Indian actor and comedian who predominantly acted in Telugu films. A dwarf by birth, he acted in more than 500 films, mostly in Telugu along with Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam films. He acted in notable films like Aggi Veerudu (1969), Tata-Manavadu (1972), Radhamma Pelli (1974), Jaganmohini (1978), Yugandhar (1979), Gaja Donga (1981), Tarzan Sundari (1983).

Early life

Hailing from Phanigiri village of Suryapeta district, Telangana, he was born as Gattu Veerayya. He was a dwarf by birth and stood just two feet. He was attracted to stage plays, drama and films since his childhood. Before commencing his career as a film actor, he was a theatre artiste.

Film career

His passion for acting landed him in Madras where he met actor Sobhan Babu while working in a shop selling flowers for film sets. As Veerayya was a dwarf, Sobhan Babu advised him to meet directors like B. Vittalacharya for suitable roles in their films. On his advice, Veerayya met Vittalacharya who cast him in the film Aggidora (1967) featuring Kanta Rao and N. T. Rama Rao. Later, he acted in films like Aggi Veerudu (1969), Tata-Manavadu (1972), Radhamma Pelli (1974), Jaganmohini (1978), Yugandhar (1979), Gaja Donga (1981), Attagaari Pettanam (1981), Tarzan Sundari (1988).

His characters mostly used to be that of a clown or a small demon in folklore films. He has acted in more than 500 films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam languages. During an interview, he mentioned that Raja Babu and Dasari Narayana Rao had encouraged him in the initial phase of his career.

In 2007, OneIndia reported that he was living in poverty. Knowing his plight, Chiranjeevi had extended monetary help of ₹2 lakh.

Personal life

He had three daughters. His youngest daughter Vijayadurga is an actor in the Telugu film industry. His wife Mallika passed away in 2008.

Death

He died on 25 April 2021, aged 74 or 75, at a private hospital in Hyderabad due to heart-related ailments.

Filmography

References

  1. "Potti Veerayya's wife is no more". Andhra Studio. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  2. ^ "Unsung multi-lingual actor in penury". Oneindia. 25 January 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Potti Veerayya no more". The Hindu. 25 April 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Veteran Telugu actor Potti Veerayya passes away in Hyderabad". The Times of India. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  5. ^ Ranjith Kumar, Gabbeta (26 April 2021). "Telugu comedy actor Potti Veerayya passes away". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Veteran actor Potti Veerayya passes away". Telangana Today. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Telugu actor Potti Veerayya passes away". Cinema Express. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  8. "300 film veteran almost in poverty". Oneindia. 29 January 2007. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  9. "Veteran actor Potti Veerayya no more". The New Indian Express. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  10. "Tarzan Sundari". Spicyonion.com. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  11. Jeevi (4 February 2005). "Movie review - 786 (Khaidi Premakatha)". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2024.

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