Veteran Mythological 'Shakuni' actor Dhulipala dead

Hyderabad, Apr 13 (UNI) Veteran actor Dhulipala Sitarama Sastry, who was popular for his mythological roles, died of illness today in Guntur.

The 88-year-old veteran actor is best known for his impeccable portrayal of two key characters in the EPIC ''Mahabharat'', 'Shakuni' as well as 'Dhuryodhana' in films based on Mahabharat.

Born in 1921 in Guntur district, Dhulipala had been active in stage plays since childhood. Though he made a living by working with a lawyer as his clerk, his first love was stage.

He began his acting career by playing women characters on stage.

In his teens, he started playing Duryodhana and Keechaka. In 1941, he started ''Star Theatres'', a drama company and started giving stage performances of mythological characters.

His life took a turn when he participated in the competition of plays at Madras Pachaiappas College in 1959. One of the judges, actor G Varalakshmi, noticed his talent and asked him to act in films. She also introduced him to the then top director B A Subbarao. He offered him the role of Dhuryadhona in 'Bheeshma' (1962). N T Rama Rao acted the title role.

Since then NTR and he became close. Later in 1965, NTR gave him the role of Shakuni in his film ''Sri Krishna Pandaviyam'' that fetched him instant recognition.

Earlier, C S R Anjaneyulu and Lingamurthy were known for that role but with his unique style and dialogue delivery Dhulipala became popular.

Dhulipala has acted in more than 300 films. ''Dana Veera Sura Karna'', ''Sri Krishna Pandaviyam'','' Undamma Bottu Pedutha'', ''Kathanayakudu'', ''Atma Gouravam'' were some of his memorable films. His last films were ''Choodalani Undi'' and ''Sri Anjaneyam''.

A decade ago, he left films and started living as a Sanyasi.

He built an ashram near Guntur and was revered by his devotees as Sri Maruti Sevendra Saraswati.

UNI