Film director K. Ajay Kumar, whose original name is K. Anka Rao, was born on March 1, 1954, to Kethineni Kotaiah and Anjamma. He had an elder brother, Prasada Rao, and a younger brother, Rama Rao. His elder brother was adopted by their grandmother’s family.
His native village is Pedakondapalem in the Vinukonda region of Guntur district. However, he completed his schooling up to the 10th standard in his grandmother’s village, Santhamavuluru, and later finished his matriculation in Narasaraopet. He pursued his degree at J.K.C. College (Jagarlamudi Kuppuswamy College) in Guntur.
After graduation, he attempted to secure a Sub-Inspector (SI) job through the then State Minister Chebrolu Hanumaiah, but the effort did not succeed.
From a very young age, Ajay Kumar had a deep passion for cinema. While studying in Narasaraopet, he frequently visited Satyanarayana Talkies, where he not only watched films but also learned film projection. This gave him the opportunity to watch the same movies countless times and understand filmmaking from close quarters.
The theatre operator had a relative named Koteswara Rao, a sound engineer at Gemini Studios, and Ajay Kumar constantly requested an introduction to him. However, when some of his relatives informed his father that he was spending all his time at the theatre, his father arrived unexpectedly and forcibly took him back home.
Later, while staying under the supervision of a lecturer relative named Koteswara Rao in Guntur, he completed his studies. After graduation, he obtained permission from his family to go to Madras, claiming that he would pursue the Chartered Accountancy (CA) course like his friends. Though he enrolled for CA, his real ambition was to enter the film industry.
During this period, he met auditor Ram Mohan Rao, who handled the accounts of director K. Raghavendra Rao. Through his recommendation, Ajay Kumar joined K. Raghavendra Rao as an apprentice assistant director for the film “Nippulanti Nijam.”
After completing that project, he worked under veteran director V. Madhusudhana Rao in the direction department for films such as “Mr. Vijay,” “Jebu Donga,” and “Jeevitha Chakram.”
When A. Kodandarami Reddy, who had earlier worked as a co-director under V. Madhusudhana Rao, became an independent director with “Sandhya,” Ajay Kumar joined him as an associate director. He subsequently worked on around ten films, including classics like “Abhilasha,” “Challenge,” and “Rakshasudu.”
While working for Creative Commercials under producer K. S. Rama Rao, the producer recognized Ajay Kumar’s talent and gave him his first opportunity as a director with “Konguchatu Krishnudu.” The film’s success led to another prestigious assignment—”Matrudevobhava.”
Based on the Malayalam film “Akashadoothu,” the Telugu remake was carefully adapted to suit local sensibilities and went on to become an even bigger success than the original. The song “Raalipoye Puvva Neeku Raagalenduke” from the film earned lyricist Veturi Sundararama Murthy the National Film Award.
Ajay Kumar later directed several films including “Jeevitha Khaidi,” “Allarodu,” “Vaddu Bava Tappu,” “Kutumba Gauravam,” “Simha Garjana,” “Mummy Mee Aayana Vachadu,” “Preminchanu Ninne,” “Rowdy Sheeter,” and “Neetho Vastha.” He also directed the Hindi film “Tulsi,” starring Manisha Koirala.
A memorable moment in his career came when the premiere show of “Preminchanu Ninne,” produced by Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao, was attended at Hyderabad’s Sudarshan Theatre by then Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Ramoji Rao, Chairman of the Eenadu Group and Ramoji Film City.
Ajay Kumar currently serves as the President of the Joint Committee formed under the Telugu Film Directors Association, established under the leadership of Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao. The committee aims to produce films on a rotational basis, selecting quality stories through a dedicated panel without imposing budget limitations—a unique initiative that is considered remarkable in the history of filmmaking.
Coming from a financially stable family even before entering the film industry, Ajay Kumar did not experience the hardships that many aspiring filmmakers often face.
His wife is Sujatha. The couple has two daughters. Their elder daughter is married to a veterinary doctor, while their younger daughter is married to a software engineer. Both daughters are settled in the United States.
Indeed, K. Ajay Kumar’s life stands as an inspiring example of determination, passion, and unwavering commitment to cinema.
