As a character actor he received critical appreciation for his performance in notable works such as "Velugu Needalu" (1961), "Chitti Tammudu" (1962), "Aaradhana" (1962), "Aatma Balam" (1964), "Sumangali" (1965), "Gudi Gantalu" (1965), "Nava ratri" (1966), "Aame Evaru?" (1966), "Aastiparulu" (1966), "Jarigina Katha" (1969), "Bala Mitrula Katha" (1972), "Badi Pantulu" (1972), "Bharya Biddalu" (1972), "Devudu Chesina Manushulu" (1973). He portrayed British official Rutherford in the biographical film "Alluri Sita Rama Raju" (1974), and essayed Pontius Pilate in the hagiographical film "Karunamayudu" (1978). He then appeared in works such as "Veta" (1986), "Chantabbai" (1986), "Pasivadi Pranam" (1987), and "Dharma Kshetram" (1992).Bobbili Simham (1994) .He has won the Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for his works in some of these films. A recipient of the Tamil Nadu state's Kalaimamani, the Government of India has honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1992 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.