Allu began his film career in 1953 with Puttillu and his last film Jai was in the year before his death. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990 by the Government of India, and received the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2001.
Allu played memorable roles in classics like Mayabazar (as one of the Sarma-Sastry duo), Missamma, Muthyala Muggu, Sankarabharanam (his speech preceding the song "Dorakunaa Ituvanti Seva" commenting on the downfall of modern-day music, and the scene where he admonishes Somayajulu), Saptapadi, Yamagola ("Taalamu vesitini, gollemu marachitini!"), and numerous movies of the 80s, where he played a soft and unhated villain with the likes of Raogopal Rao and Nagabhushanam. His comedic timing and his nasal voice distinguished his many comic performances.
Other Undertakings
Allu Ramalingiah was also a homoeopathic doctor and a freedom fighter.
He was arrested by the British colonial police during Quit India Movement.
Was featured in dramas for Praja Natya Mandali before joining films and awarded the title 'Hasya Kala Prapoorna' by Nritya Kala Mandali.
His social service and concern for others can be seen in his active support of the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust. Posthumously, he had his eyes donated to the Chiranjeevi Eye Bank.
Awards
Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in the year 2001.
Padma Shri award by Government of India for his outstanding contribution to Telugu cinema as a comedy actor for the year 1990. He is the second awardee of Padmashri after Relangi in 1970.
A statue of Rama Lingaiah stands unveiled at Ramakrishna Beach in Visakhapatnam.
Filmfare Award South for Lifetime Achievement, awarded in 1999
Filmography
Actor
2003
Kalyana Ramudu (as Allu Rama Lingaiah)
2002
Indhiran
2002
Indra as
Subba Rayudu
2002
Premaku Swagatam (as Allu Rama Lingaiah)
2001
Mrugaraaju
2000
Devullu
1998
Choodalani Vundi
1997
Nenu Premisthunanu
1996
Maavichiguru
1995
Bhale Bullodu as
Radha's grand father
1995
Big Boss as
Kukkalakunta Subbarao
1995
Alluda Majaaka! as
Tata Rao
1994
Bangaru Kutumbam
1994
Parugo Parugu
1994
Kadhalan as
Shruti's Grandfather (as Allu Rama Lingaiah)
1994
Gandeevam
1993
Aa Okkati Adakku as
Sahadevudu
1993
Manbhumigu Maistri
1993
Mogudugaru
1993
Nippu Ravva as
Lawyer Buildup Masthan Rao
1993
Mechanic Alludu
1993
Mutamestri
1992
Aswamedham
1992
Chakravyuham as
Somayaju;lu's friend
1992
Aapathbandavudu as
Sripathi's Father
1992
Peddarikam as
Lawyer
1992
Chanti
1992
Killer
1992
Mera Farz Mera Karz
1991
Pranadata
1991
Rowdy Alludu
1991
Naa Pellam Naa Ishtam
1991
Gang Leader
1991
Nirnayam
1990
Raja Vikramarka as
Joginatham
1990
Kodama Simham as
Bar Owner
1990
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
1990
Kondaveeti Donga
1989
Bala Gopaludu as
Comedian
1989
Chalaki Mogudu Chadastapu Pellam
1989
State Rowdy
1989
Vijay
1989
Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu
1988
Aakhari Poratam
1988
Donga Ramudu
1988
Mugguru Kodukulu as
Meesala Pedda Venkata Rayudu
1988
Bazaar Rowdy as
Ambhujam's Father
1988
Brahma Puthrudu as
Tatarao
1988
Khaidi No. 786
1988
Yamudiki Mogudu as
Chitragupta
1988
Manchi Donga
1987
Rowdy babai
1987
Bharatamlo Arjunudu (as Allu Rama Lingaiah)
1987
Punnami Chandrudu
1987
Donga Mogudu
1986
Ravana Brahma
1986
Jailupakshi
1986
Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu
1986
Raakshasudu as
Narasimham
1986
Chantabbai
1986
Simhasanam
1986
Magadheerudu
1986
Kiraathakudu as
Raghupathi
1985
Muchataga Mugguru
1985
Vijetha as
Anjayaneyulu
1985
Adavi Donga as
Avadhani
1985
Puli as
Narasimham (as Allu Rama Lingaiah)
1985
Jwala
1985
Maharaju
1985
Donga
1985
Chattamtho Porattam as
Brahmaiah
1984
Sri Madvirat Veera Brahmendra Swamy Charitra as
Karanam
1984
Rustum
1984
Katha Nayakudu as
Kunti Kanakaiah, M. L. A.
1984
Inti Guttu
1984
Bobbili Brahmanna
1984
Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu
1984
Srimathi Kaavali
1984
Anubandham
1984
Hero
1984
Goonda
1983
Adavi Simhalu
1983
Bahudoorapu Batasari as
Father of Avataram
1983
Chattaniki Veyi Kallu
1983
Moogavani paga
1983
Mundadugu
1983
Rama Rajyamlo Bheermaraju as
Kailasam
1983
Rendu Jella Seetha
1983
Sangarshana
1983
Manthrigari Viyyankudu as
Kobbarikayala SubbaRao
1983
Prajarajyam
1983
Puli Bebbuli
1983
Prema Pichollu
1982
Bangaru Bhoomi
1982
Justice Chowdhary
1982
Nireekshana
1982
Vamsha Govravam
1982
Yuvaraju
1982
Eenadu
1982
Mondighatam
1982
Billa Ranga
1982
Idi Pellantara
1982
Bobbili Puli
1982
Gopala Krishnudu as
Vasanth
1982
Subhalekha as
Lawyer Chillara Bhavani Sankaram (guest)
1981
Aggirava as
Bhairavaiah
1981
Agni Poolu
1981
Guru Shishyulu
1981
Maa Voori Pedda Manushulu
1981
Nayudu gari abbai
1981
Kirayi Rowdylu as
Supreme
1981
Kondaveeti Simham
1981
Saptapadhi
1981
Nyayam Kavali as
Type institute owner
1981
Todu Dongalu
1981
Parvathi Parameswarulu as
Narada
1981
Srivari Muchatlu as
Father of Priya (Jayasudra)
1980
Bhale Krishnudu
1980
Deeparadhana as
Govindayya
1980
Sandhya
1980
Seeta Ramulu as
Father of Ravi (Mohan Babu)
1980
Sardar Papa Rayudu as
Nyayapathi
1980
Pasupu Parani
1980
Maayadhaari Krishnudu
1980
Sannayi Appanna
1980
Anbukku Naan Adimai (Telugu Version)
1980
Ram Robert Rahim
1980
Mosagadu
1980
Sankarabharanam
1979
Dongalaku Saval as
Lingam
1979
Mande Gundelu
1979
Sungara Ramudu
1979
Annai Oru Aalayam (Telugu Version)
1979
Kothala Raayudu
1979
Tiger as
Ramadasu
1979
Vetagadu
1978
Gorantha Deepam
1978
Love Marriage
1978
Sivaranjani
1978
Lawyer Vishwanath as
Pakshiraju Seetaramayya 'Pakshi'
1978
Manavoori Pandavulu as
Kannappa
1978
Shri Rama Raksha
1978
Amara Prema
1978
Pottelu Punnamma
1978
Anna Dammula Saval
1977
Devathalara Deevinchandi
1977
Premalekhalu
1977
Tholireyi Gadichindi
1977
Ardhangi
1977
Yamagola as
Chitraguptudu
1977
Kalpana as
Kalidas
1977
Savasagallu
1976
Bangaru Manishi as
Bhaja Govindam
1976
Manushulanta Okkate as
Diwan
1976
Secretary
1976
Shri Rajeshwari Vilas Coffee Club
1976
Monagadu
1976
Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam
1976
Bhakta Kannappa
1975
Chikati Velugulu
1975
Muthyala Muggu as
Joginadham
1975
Ramuni Minchina Ramudu as
Brother of the mother (S. Varalakshmi) of Raghu (1 of NTR's dual roles)