Celebrities mourn as renowned Telugu Filmmaker, Bapu, dead at 80

Legendary Telugu film director Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana aka Bapu (80) passed away on 31 August, 2014 at a hospital in Chennai. Born on 15 December 1933 in Narsapur, Bapu started his career as a political cartoonist in Telugu Newspaper Andhra Patrika. Bapi’s illustrations, paintings and cartoons are unique and legendary. A trademark has been registered for his writing of Telugu font called Bapu font. He started flmmaking in 1960 with “Sakshi” film starring Krishna and Vijaya Niramala. Bapu joined with his close friend Ramana forming the great writer duo Bapu – Ramana. The two delivered great Telugu literature and blockbuster films like “Mutyala Muggu”, “Mister Pellam” and “Pelli Pusthakam.

Being an ardent devotee of Lord Ram, most of Bapu’s stories were inspired from the Ramayana. Some of his films on Lord Ram include “Sampoorna Ramayanam”, “Ramanjeneya Yuddham” and “Seetha Kalyanam”. His last film in was in 2011 “Sri Rama Rajyam”. Few months after the film released, Ramana passed away and since then Bapu also has been unwell.

My Guru Bapu Garu is no more. Saddened and heart broken will miss him always. pic.twitter.com/si9D16WpgT — Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) August 31, 2014

Bapu has directed about 51 films. Two of his films “Muthyala Muggu” and “Mister Pellam” won national awards. He won Andhra Pradesh state’s Nandi Award six times. In 2011, he was granted with Padma Sri honor by the Government of India. Bapu had also directed some Hindi films like “Seeta Swayamwar”, “Mohobbat”, “Hum Paanch”, “Woh Saat Din” and “Mera Dharam”. He received Filmfare’s lifetime achievement award last year.

Had d greatest honour of accompanying Bapu garu 2 his car at Gama Awards this year!! Greatest LEGEND!! R.I.P sir:((( pic.twitter.com/f95zgVU6yk — DEVI SRI PRASAD (@ThisIsDSP) August 31, 2014

Bapu has two sons and a daughter. His last rites will be performed in Chennai on Septmber 1. Several celebs tweeted their condolences remembering their moments with the film maker.

I am very very proud to say that I belong to Bapu school .. Thank you for everything sir. pic.twitter.com/44XD3ua81t — Nani (@NameisNani) August 31, 2014

One of Bapu’s memorable paintings depicting Lord Ram’s Pattabhishekam here. pic.twitter.com/DSUI0EROPV

— Ratnakar Sadasyula (@ScorpiusMaximus) August 31, 2014

Budugu, the cartoon character created by Bapu, has become synonymous with a brat in Telugu pic.twitter.com/mBjPGmAoye

— Ratnakar Sadasyula (@ScorpiusMaximus) August 31, 2014