Dasari Narayana Rao, the acclaimed director, actor, producer, and politician of the Telugu film industry, passed away on May 30, 2017 at the age of 70. Rao was born in Palakollu in West Godavari district in 1947, and began his cinema career as a director in 1972. His decades-long career included directing many historic movies, including The Professional in 1995 and Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi in 2004. He earned numerous awards and accolades, including four Filmfare Awards and three Nandi Awards, for his writing, film work, and performance. Rao was also a successful politician, having served as a Minister of State in both the United Front and Congress Party-led governments in Andhra Pradesh. He also acted in over 150 different films. He is survived by his wife D. Vijaya, their two sons Arjun and Dharan, and extended family. Lasting memories will be held close by those who knew him.