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Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao’s passing has left the film industry in mourning. Many actors and filmmakers including Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, SS Rajamouli, Ram Gopal Varma and others expressed condolences over his passing.
The actor passed away on Sunday, July 13, following a prolonged illness. He was 83.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu and other politicians have also expressed grief over Kota Srinivasa Rao’s demise.
Fellow comedy actors Brahmanandam and Babu Mohan, who have worked with Kota Srinivasa Rao in many films and are celebrated for their on-screen chemistry with him, broke down in tears when visiting the actor’s residence to pay their respects.
They recalled their long association with Srinivasa Rao.
Babu Mohan, who acted in several films with Srinivasa Rao, said he lost his brother.
Many members of the Telugu film industry paid their last respects to the veteran actor. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Chiranjeevi, Rajendra Prasad, Prakash Raj, Brahmanandam and Babu Mohan were among the eminent Tollywood actors who visited Kota's house to pay homage.
The film personalities laid wreaths and consoled the bereaved family members.
The last rites will be performed later in the day at Maha Prasthanam in Jubilee Hills.
Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at the age of 83 on July 13 at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad, after battling a prolonged illness over the past few days. Hailing from the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Kota Srinivasa Rao began his film career with the 1978 movie ‘Pranam Khareedhu’. Over the course of more than four decades, he appeared in over 750 films, leaving a lasting mark on Telugu cinema.
Chiranjeevi remembered Kota Srinivasa Rao’s remarkable contribution to Indian cinema. He wrote in Telugu, “The news of the passing of legendary actor and multi-talented personality Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao garu has deeply saddened me. We both began our film careers together with the movie ‘Praanam Khareedu’. Since then, he acted in hundreds of films, portraying a wide range of characters. With his distinctive and unique style, Sri Kota captured the hearts of Telugu audiences and became a permanent fixture in their memories.
“Whether it was a comedic villain, a serious antagonist, or a supporting role, every character he played was performed so brilliantly that only he could have done them justice. His recent personal tragedy within the family affected him emotionally in a profound way. The absence of a gifted actor like Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao is an irreplaceable loss to the film industry and to all cinema lovers. Praying for peace to his soul, I extend my deepest condolences to his family members, well-wishers, and fans.”
Popular actor Jr NTR also paid tributes on 'X'. "Kota Srinivasa Rao garu... that name is enough. Unparalleled acting prowess. A great actor who breathed life into every role with his unique style. The moments I shared and acted with him in my cinematic journey will remain unforgettable forever. I pray for peace to his soul. I express my deepest condolences to his family members and loved ones," he posted.
Actor Venkatesh stated that Kota Srinivasa Rao left behind a timeless legacy. "A legend in every sense, he brought greatness to every role. He'll be deeply missed. I'll forever be grateful for the moments we shared on and off the screen. May his soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to his family," he said.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma said that Kota Srinivasa Rao was undoubtedly one of the greatest actors cinema has ever seen. "The effect of his contribution to my films Shiva, Gaayam, Money, Sarkar and Raktacharitra is immeasurable.. Sir Kotasrinivasarao Gaaru, you might have gone, but your characters will live forever," he wrote.
Actor Manchu Vishnu described Srinivasa Rao as a phenomenal actor, an unmatched talent, and a man whose presence lit up every frame he was in. "Whether it was a serious role, a villain, or comedy, he brought life into every character with a rare mastery that only a few are blessed with. I had the good fortune of working with him in quite a few films, and I grew up watching him in many more. His work shaped my admiration for cinema. To his family, my deepest condolences. We may have lost him physically, but his art, his laughter, and his soul will live on in every scene he graced. Rest in peace, sir. You will be missed. You will be remembered. Always."
Actors Tanikella Bharani, Ajay Ghosh, Rao Ramesh, Shivaji Raja, director Trivikram, producers Suresh Babu, K Atchi Reddy, Tammireddy Bharadwaj and others also paid tributes.
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy condoled the demise of the renowned film actor and said that Kota Srinivasa Rao, who captivated audiences with his unique acting style, leaves behind an irreplaceable void in the film industry. The Chief Minister conveyed his deep sympathies to the actor’s family members.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu said that the demise of Kota Srinivasa Rao, who won the affection of cinema audiences with his versatile roles, is deeply saddening.
“His artistic contributions to the fields of cinema and theatre over nearly four decades, and the roles he portrayed, will remain unforgettable. The numerous memorable roles he played as a villain and character artist will forever stay etched in the hearts of Telugu audiences. His passing is an irreparable loss to the Telugu film industry. In 1999, he won as an MLA from Vijayawada and served the public. I express my profound condolences to his family members,” CM Naidu posted on the social media platform 'X'.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer also expressed profound grief and sadness on the passing away of versatile Tollywood actor and former MLA Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao in Hyderabad on Sunday.
The Governor said Srinivasa Rao made a lasting impact with memorable roles performed on stage and on screen over the last four decades, and had won the hearts of crores of Telugu people. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has also condoled the death of popular actor and former MLA Srinivasa Rao.
"The news of the passing away of multi-faceted genius Kota garu, who played a variety of roles in over 700 movies in almost all languages, is a huge loss to the cine industry," said Pawan Kalyan, who is also a leading actor of Telugu films.
Pawan Kalyan recalled that it was with his elder brother Chiranjeevi that Kota Srinivas Rao began his cinematic journey through ‘Pranam Khareedu’.
"Acting in over half a dozen movies with him will be a lasting memory," said the Jana Sena leader, who conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh also expressed heartfelt condolences on the demise of Kota Srinivasa Rao.
"In his four-decade cinematic journey, Kota Srinivasa Rao garu portrayed numerous distinctive roles, earning a special place in the hearts of Telugu audiences. With his unique acting, he breathed life into countless characters. He also earned acclaim for acting in other languages," Lokesh posted on 'X'.
The TDP leader recalled that in 1999, Srinivasa Rao won as an MLA from the Vijayawada East constituency and gained recognition as a good leader through public service.
Nara Lokesh termed his demise as an irreparable loss to the Telugu film industry.
Born in Kanakipadu of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh on July 10, 1942, Kota Srinivasa Rao was a stage artist before making his debut as an actor in 1978 with ‘Pranam Khareedu’ starring Chiranjeevi in the lead.
In the initial phase of his career, he played characters and comic roles and went on to establish himself as a villain with Pratighatana (1985).
He is seen as an actor who redefined the antagonist on the screen. He was popular for speaking Telugu in different dialects flawlessly.
Kota Srinivasa Rao acted with top Tollywood actors, including superstar Krishna, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu and Pawan Kalyan.
Srinivasa Rao acted in about 60 films with popular comedian Babu Mohan. At one time, the pair was considered a guarantee for a film’s success.
Srinivasa Rao was also a recipient of several awards, including the Padma Shri and Nandi Awards. In 2015, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema.
The actor also served as a BJP MLA from Vijayawada East Assembly constituency from 1999 to 2004.
He had lost his only son, Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, in a road accident in Hyderabad in 2010.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
With IANS inputs