Celebrated Telugu actor and former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away in the early hours of Sunday at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad. He was 83. According to family sources, the veteran actor had been unwell for the past few days and succumbed to age-related health complications. His death marks the end of an era in Telugu cinema, where he played an influential role for more than four decades.
Born on July 10, 1942, in Kankipadu, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Kota Srinivasa Rao began his acting journey on stage before making his film debut with Pranam Khareedhu in 1978. He quickly rose to prominence with his powerful screen presence, becoming one of the most recognisable faces in Telugu cinema. Known for his versatility, Rao appeared in over 750 films, effortlessly portraying villains, comic characters, and emotionally complex supporting roles.
Before entering the film industry, he was a noted theatre actor, admired for his distinctive voice and commanding dialogue delivery. His performance in Ram Charan’s 2013 film Naayak remains one of his standout roles in recent years.
SS Rajamouli mourned his death saying, “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. A master of his craft, a legend who breathed life into every character he portrayed. His presence on screen was truly irreplaceable. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti."
Throughout his cinematic career, Rao worked with legends and rising stars alike, including Krishna, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun, and Sai Dharam Tej. Some of his most memorable films include Ahana Pellanta, Pratighatana, Yamudiki Mogudu, Shiva, Khaidi No.786, Bobbili Raja, Yamaleela, Santosham, Athadu, Bommarillu, and Race Gurram.
Apart from acting, Kota Srinivasa Rao also had a political career. He served as an MLA from the Vijayawada East constituency between 1999 and 2004. Interestingly, his on-screen portrayal of politicians was also widely appreciated, including his role as an MLA in Julayi, starring Allu Arjun.
Rao’s last film appearance was in Kabzaa (2023), directed by R. Chandru. The film featured a large ensemble cast, including Upendra, Shiva Rajkumar, Kiccha Sudeepa, and Shriya Saran.
May his soul rest in peace!
Source: News18