[2] He was presented with Kala Prapoorna in 1990 by Andhra University and was honored with "Natavirat" and "Chittoor Nagayya Award" in 1987.
[3][4] Rao was known for his villainous roles in works such as Mutyala Muggu (1975), Bhakta Kannappa (1976), Gorantha Deepam (1978), Manavoori Pandavulu (1978), Kaliyuga Ravanasurudu (1980), Tyagayya (1981), Ooruki Monagadu (1981), Gudachari No.1 (1983), Abhilasha (1983), Khaidi (1983), Challenge (1984), Jaakii (1985), Bullet (1985), Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989), Lorry Driver (1990), Kondaveeti Donga (1990), and Gang Leader (1991).
S. V. Ranga Rao saw his plays and recommended him to Gutta Ramineedu, who was making Bhakta Potana (1966).
[2] Rao was appointed to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council in 1984-85 and Indian Parliament by N. T. Rama Rao, the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.
His son, Rao Ramesh, is a Telugu film actor.