The Telugu Film Producers Council has stopped all film-related activities on Wednesday, November 16, to mourn the death of actor Krishna, widely known as the ‘superstar’ of Telugu cinema. A few film distributors have also called for cancelling the morning shows in movie theatres in Andhra Pradesh as a mark of respect to the late actor, who appeared in nearly 350 films.
The 79-year-old actor had passed away on Tuesday, November 15, after suffering a cardiac arrest earlier on Monday. The late actor was a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan award for his contribution to cinema. Along with acting, Krishna had also produced and directed about 17 films. He is credited for experimenting with different genres in his films, and introducing new technologies to Telugu cinema. Most of his movies were superhits at the box-office, earning him the tag of ‘superstar.’
His film Alluri Seetharama Raju, a biopic of the freedom fighter, was recognised for introducing cinemascope lenses in Telugu cinema. Krishna also introduced the Telugu audience to the cowboy genre, and espionage thrillers similar to James Bond movies. He made his debut as a male lead in 1965 through the film Thene Manasulu. He also had a brief stint in politics, and was elected as the Member of Parliament from Eluru constituency in 1989, representing the Congress party.
Meanwhile, the Telangana state government has announced that it will conduct the last rites of the veteran actor with state honours, acknowledging the departed actor’s immense contribution to Telugu cinema. The last rites would be performed at the Gachibowli Stadium on Wednesday evening. Large crowds are expected to turn up and pay their final respects to the beloved actor. The actor’s mortal remains were kept for VIP viewing at his house in Nanakramguda, Hyderabad. The cremation will take place at Vaikunta Mahaprasthanam in Jubilee Hills.
On Tuesday, several celebrities and politicians including Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the residence of the late actor, to pay their respects and express condolence to his family members. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also visited Hyderabad on Wednesday and paid his respects.
The actor’s death is being considered the end of an era in Telugu cinema, as many of his contemporaries who were massive stars – including NT Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Sobhan Babu and Krishnam Raju – have also passed away. Krishna is survived by his children Mahesh Babu, Padmavathi, Manjula and Priyadarshini. His firstborn son Ramesh Babu passed away in January this year, and his wife Indira Devi passed away in September. Actor Vijaya Nirmala, who was also wedded to Krishna, passed away earlier in June 2019.