Telugu Film Actor Krishnam Raju Passes Away

Veteran Telugu film actor and former union minister Uppalapati Krishnam Raju passed away while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad for post-COVID-19 complications at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology.

He was 83.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Bahubali star Prabhas is his nephew.

Popularly known as Rebel Star, Raju acted in more than 180 movies in a career spanning over five decades.

He acted in movies ranging from the social, family, romantic and thriller genres to historical and mythological movies. His succesful movies include Amara Deepam, Sita Ramulu, Bhakta Kannappa, Tandra Paparayudu and Katakataala Rudraiah.

Apart from being a two-time Andhra Pradesh Nandi Award winner, Raju also won the Filmfare Best Actor award for Amaradeepam in 1977, Bobbili Brahmanna in 1984 and Tandra Paparayudu in 1986. He was also awarded the Filmfare South Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

Born in Mogalthur in the West Godavari district on January 20, 1940, Krishnam Raju made his film debut in 1966 with Chilaka Gorinka. He started off portraying the anti-hero characters in movies, and slowly switched to enacting the lead characters. He became a household name in Telugu homes with the movies Bhakta Kannappa and Tandra Paparayudu. He also produced several movies under his Gopi Krishna Movies banner.

In his later years, along with films, Raju also pursued a career in politics. He contested as the Congress candidate for Narasapuram in 1991 but couldn't win. Later, he joined the BJP and was elected to the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha from the Kakinada and Narasapuram constituencies.

He served as the Minister of State for External Affairs in the Vajpayee government.

Raju's body was brought to his residence later in the day, and the last rites will be held in Hyderabad on Monday.