The Telugu film industry and its fans woke up on Sunday morning to the heartbreaking news of veteran actor and former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao’s death. He was 83 and died in the early hours of July 13. Soon after the news broke, tributes poured in from across the Telugu film industry, fans, and members of both the film and political fraternities.
Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi called Rao a “multifaceted genius” in his long post on X. Recollecting his illustrious career, he noted his commanding screen presence and expressed grief over the “void” left by him.
Actor Ravi Teja, who collaborated with Srinivasa Rao in over 10 films – including ‘Nee Kosam’, ‘Annayya’, ‘Mirapakay’, and ‘Power’ – expressed deep sorrow and recalled the late actor’s profound influence on his career.
He wrote on X, “Grew up watching him, admiring him, and learning from every performance. Kota Babai was like family to me, I cherish the lovely memories of working with him. Rest in peace, Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. Om Shanti (sic).”
Actor Vishnu Manchu also shared a heartfelt note, remembering their time together on set. A section of his tribute read, “My heart is heavy with the loss of Sri. Kota Srinivas garu. 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 (sic).” He further offered condolences to Rao’s family and said the actor would always be missed.
Mohan Babu, too, expressed his grief on X, writing, “Dear Kota, You will be missed. Deeply. Your talent, your presence, your soul – unforgettable. At a loss for words. Praying for his family. Om Shanti (sic).”
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ABOUT KOTA SRINIVASA RAO
Kota Srinivasa Rao’s film career spanned nearly five decades, beginning with his debut in the 1978 Telugu drama ‘Pranam Khareedu’. He went on to act in over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema. Known for his exceptional versatility, Rao seamlessly transitioned between villainous, comedic, and character roles – earning nine Nandi Awards and the prestigious Padma Shri in 2015.
Some of his most memorable performances include the menacing antagonist in ‘Gaayam’, the comic genius in ‘Money’ and ‘Aha Naa Pellanta’, and the emotionally layered roles in ‘Aa Naluguru’ and ‘Bommarillu’. Even in his later years, he remained active in the industry, with his final screen appearance in the 2023 Telugu film ‘Suvarna Sundari’.
His passing was also mourned by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. In addition to his contributions to cinema, Kota Srinivasa Rao had an active political career, serving as the MLA from Vijayawada.
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