Haasya Brahma Bids Goodbye

Dharmavarapu, known better by his surname alone for his fans and Subbanna for the film fraternity, is the quintessential lecturer for Telugu filmi buffs. He was the butt of jokes of students but always bore it in good humour.

He is best remembered for his role in ‘Nuvvu Nenu’ directed by Teja. The movie which released in early 2000s showed him as a teacher who corners students who bunk classes. Be it as the psychiatrist in Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Jalsa’ or as the milkman in ‘Morning Raga,’ he had done several memorable roles.

He was recently seen in a host of movies including ‘Shadow’ (2013), ‘Bodyguard’ (2012), ‘Businesman’ (2012), ‘Madatha Kaja’ (2011), ‘Dookudu’ (2011), ‘Chukkalanti Ammayi Chakkanaina Abbayi’ (2011), ‘Kathi Kantha Rao’ (2010, ‘Nagavalli’ (2010), ‘Mahesh Khaleja (2010)’ etc.

Dharmavarapu did several hundreds of films in a career spanning about 23 years. The actor who was born in Prakasham district began his career as a writer in Doordarshan TV serials. Jandhyala recognised his talent in acting and introduced him with a film called ‘Jayammu Nishchayammura’. He also directed a film called Thokaleni Pitta.

Lover of Telugu language, he was also a poet, singer, flautist and a comedian. The multi-faceted actor admitted to being a soft-spoken person though he comes across as a heavy-built person. He recalls taking director Raghavendra Rao's advice: Even if we don't take life seriously life seems so hard. Imagine how it would be if we were to take seriously.

He said he was influenced by Muni Manikyam's writing.

"I have the Ongole brand of humour where people give irreverent answers, always with satire as an undercurrent," he often said.

Theatre, radio, TV, movies and politics, Dharmavarapu had an eventful journey across various fields. He considers himself a content man who is easy please. "My credo was to live a simple, happy life. I have no big ambitions.”

The actor had built his home at Dilsukhnagar, away from the film industry at Film Nagar and Jubilee Hills. His friends say it was because he believed in keeping his personal and professional lives separate. From being someone who used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day, he said he turned into someone who kept away from it completely.

In several interviews, he confessed to being a nicotine and alcohol addict but having quit it later.

His last rites will be performed at his native place Komminenivari Palem in Prakasam district.