The popular movie actor died at his residence at 4 am after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a monumental legacy of over 750 films.
Renowned Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away in Hyderabad today, leaving behind a monumental legacy of over 750 films.
He died at his residence at 4 am after a prolonged illness. He was 83 years old.
Born on July 10, 1942, in Kankipadu village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao worked at a State Bank branch before pursuing his passion for acting. He made his acting debut in 1978 with the film Pranam Khareedu. Soon, there was no turning back. Rao achieved remarkable success over the course of his film career, and acted not just in Telugu but also in Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and Tamil.
Known for his powerful screen presence and unforgettable characters, Rao leaves behind an irreplaceable void in the Telugu film industry. He was one of the rare actors capable of evoking love, hatred, fear or laughter with just a glance or a single line of dialogue. His effortless ability to switch between villainous, comedic and character roles earned him widespread acclaim. And his distinctive voice brought an extra layer of vibrancy to the characters he portrayed.
Rao also holds the distinction of being one of the most awarded actors in the Nandi Awards history, winning nine of them for his performances in Pratighatana (1985), Gayam (1993), Theerpu (1994), Little Soldiers (1996), Ganesh (1998), Chinna (2000), Prithvi Narayana (2002), Aa Naluguru (2004) and Pellaina Kothalo (2006). In 2015, he was conferred upon the prestigious Padma Shri by then-President Pranab Mukherjee.
In addition to his illustrious film career, Rao made a mark in politics, too, having served as the MLA for the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency from 1999 to 2004, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the time of united Andhra Pradesh. He also lent his voice as a dubbing artist for Tamil actors including Goundamani and Manivannan in popular Telugu-dubbed films.
Away from the arc lights, Rao was a devoted family man. He was married to Rukmini, and is survived by their two daughters. His only son, Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, tragically died in a road accident in 2010 - a loss that deeply affected him. Yet, he continued to immerse himself in his work, perhaps as a way to cope and find solace.
Spanning nearly five decades, Rao's journey through both theatre and cinema inspired generations of actors and stirred audiences with emotions ranging from joy and sorrow to introspection. His passing marks not just the farewell of a storyteller who made us laugh, think and feel, but the end of an era in Indian cinema. The warmth, wit and wisdom that he shared with his audiences will linger. He truly embodied the spirit of a people's actor - humble, sincere and immensely loved - and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations who discover the magic of his performances.