Rao 's play '' Bhukailasa '' was thrice made into films ; in 1938 and 1940 by Sundar Rao Nadkarni , and in 1958 by K. Shankar . It was in this play that Rajkumar , who would go on to become one of Kannada cinema 's finest actors , made his breakthrough as a theatre actor , playing the role of Narada . In 1951 , Rao formed his own film production company , RNR Pictures . The 1957 film '' Premada Putri '' was produced under this banner and Rao directed it , also playing a supporting role in the film . At the 5th National Film Awards , the film was awarded the Best Feature Film in Kannada . The production company existed till 1964 . Following this , he appeared in the roles of a father in films such as '' Shri Kannika Parameshwari Kathe '' ( 1966 ) and '' Karulina Kare '' ( 1970 ) . For his role in his 1968 film '' Hannele Chiguridaga '' , that co-stars Rajkumar , he won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor . His last appearance came in the 1974 film '' Professor Huchuraya ''
5th National Film Awards
5th National Film Awards
R. Nagendra Rao