'Red Star' Madala Ranga Rao, the yesteryear artist and producer, is no more. The acclaimed actor breathed his last earlier on Sunday. He had been hospitalized at Hyderabad's Star Hospitals following severe breathing problems and a heart stroke recently.

A Leftist by persuasion, Ranga Rao was known for films dealing with revolutionary ideas in the 1980s. 'Erra Mallelu', 'Viplava Shankam', 'Swarajyam', 'Erra Sooryudu', 'Erra Pavuralu', 'Janam Manam', and 'Praja Shakti' are some of his popular works. 'Yuvatharam Kadilindi (1980) won a Nandi Award for its right-minded theme. He acted in 70 films, and produced 15.

As an actor and a producer, Ranga Rao always tried to depict injustice and oppression on the silver screen with the aim of creating awareness against exploitation.

IndiaGlitz condoles the death of Madala. May he attain 'Sadgati'.