Raghupathi Venkaiah Award

The Raghupathi Venkaiah Award is an annual award designed to recognise people for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the Telugu film industry.

The award was introduced by the Andhra Pradesh State Government in 1981, in honour of Raghupathi Venkaiah, a pioneer of the Indian film industry. At the state government's Nandi Awards ceremony, the winner is presented with a golden Nandi Award, a gold medal, a citation, and a cash prize of 50,000 rupees.

• 2005: M S Reddy (producer, writer, and director)
• 2004: Krishnaveni (actress and producer)
• 2003: V B Rajendra Prasad (producer)
• 2002: P Susheela (playback singer)
• 2001: Allu Rama Lingaiah (actor)
• 2000: TLKantharao
• 1999: Santha Kumari (actress and producer)
• 1998: Gummadi (actor)
• 1997: V Madhusudhana Rao
• 1996: Inturi Venkateswara Rao
• 1995: K S Prakash Rao
• 1994: Anjali Devi (actress)
• 1993: Dukkipati Madhusudhan Rao (producer)
• 1992: S Rajeswara Rao (composer)
• 1991: K Viswanath (Film director)
• 1990: Dasari Narayana Rao (actor, director, and producer)
• 1989: Akkineni Nageswara Rao (actor)
• 1988: D V SRaju
• 1987: B Nagi Reddy (producer)
• 1986: Bapu-Ramana
• 1985: Bhanumati (actor, producer, singer, music director, and writer)
• 1984: Kosaraju Raghavaiah Choudary
• 1983: M A Rahman
• 1982: B A Subba Rao (producer)
• 1981: P Pullaiah (director and producer)
• 1980: L V Prasad

[edit] Awardee distinction

• P. Pullaiah and Santha Kumari are the only couple who have been won the award. Pullaiah won the award in 1981 and Santha Kumari won it in 1998.