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Potti Veerayya

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Potti Veerayya
Born
Gattu Veerayya

c. 1946
Phanigiri, Telangana, India
Died25 April 2021 (aged 74 or 75)
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
SpouseMallika (died in 2008[1])
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.[2][3] 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).[4][2]

Early life

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Hailing from Phanigiri village of Suryapeta district, Telangana, he was born as Gattu Veerayya.[5] He was a dwarf by birth and stood just two feet.[4][2] He was attracted to stage plays, drama and films since his childhood.[2][3] Before commencing his career as a film actor, he was a theatre artiste.[4]

Film career

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His passion for acting landed him in Madras where he met actor Sobhan Babu while working in a shop selling flowers for film sets.[2][3] As Veerayya was a dwarf, Sobhan Babu advised him to meet directors like B. Vittalacharya for suitable roles in their films.[3] On his advice, Veerayya met Vittalacharya who cast him in the film Aggidora (1967) featuring Kanta Rao and N. T. Rama Rao.[6] 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).[2][3]

His characters mostly used to be that of a clown or a small demon in folklore films.[5] He has acted in more than 500 films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Malayalam languages.[7] During an interview, he mentioned that Raja Babu and Dasari Narayana Rao had encouraged him in the initial phase of his career.[3]

Knowing his plight, Chiranjeevi had extended monetary help of ₹2 lakh.[5]

Personal life

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He had three daughters.[6] His youngest daughter Vijayadurga is an actor in the Telugu film industry.[8] His wife Mallika died in 2008.[3]

Death

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He died on 25 April 2021, aged 74 or 75, at a private hospital in Hyderabad due to heart-related ailments.[4][2]

Filmography

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Television

References

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  1. ^ "Potti Veerayya's wife is no more". Andhra Studio. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Potti Veerayya no more". The Hindu. 25 April 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Veteran Telugu actor Potti Veerayya passes away in Hyderabad". The Times of India. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Ranjith Kumar, Gabbeta (26 April 2021). "Telugu comedy actor Potti Veerayya passes away". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Veteran actor Potti Veerayya passes away". Telangana Today. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Telugu actor Potti Veerayya passes away". Cinema Express. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  7. ^ "300 film veteran almost in poverty". Oneindia. 29 January 2007. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Veteran actor Potti Veerayya no more". The New Indian Express. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Tarzan Sundari". Spicyonion.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  10. ^ 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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