Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away at 83 — A Titan of Indian Cinema Bids Adieu
Renowned Telugu actor and former legislator Kota Srinivasa Rao, who left an unforgettable legacy in Indian cinema with his powerful and versatile performances, passed away early Sunday morning at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad. He was 83 and had been grappling with health issues and age-related ailments, his family confirmed.
Rao is survived by his wife, Rukmini, and two daughters. His only son, Kota Prasad Rao, tragically died in a road accident in 2010.
A veteran with over 750 films to his credit, Rao was known for effortlessly portraying a wide range of roles — from menacing antagonists and character-driven leads to comic reliefs. He was a prominent figure not only in Telugu cinema but also appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam films. His last on-screen appearance in Telugu was in the 2023 movie Suvarna Sundari.
Born on July 10, 1942, in Kankipadu, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao grew up in a culturally inclined family. Encouraged by his father, Kota Seetharama Anasuyamma, he began performing in stage plays during his youth. Before entering films, he worked at the State Bank of India and remained active in theatre.
Rao made his film debut with Pranam Khareedu in 1978. Over the years, he became one of the most respected and sought-after supporting actors in the Telugu film industry. He also lent his voice to a few songs in Telugu films.
Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away at 83 — A Titan of Indian Cinema Bids Adieu
His talent earned him nine Nandi Awards, Andhra Pradesh’s highest recognition for excellence in cinema. In 2015, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India’s top civilian awards, presented by the then-President Pranab Mukherjee.
Beyond films, Rao also served in public life. Representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he was elected as an MLA from Vijayawada East and served from 1999 to 2004.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his passing, stating on X (formerly Twitter): “Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Kota Srinivasa Rao Garu. His memorable performances across generations will always be cherished. He also made significant contributions to society through his public service.”
Leaders including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, AP Governor Abdul Nazeer, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and many members of the film fraternity paid their respects.
Naidu wrote, “Heartfelt condolences on the passing of Padma Shri awardee Kota Srinivasa Rao, who captivated generations with his extraordinary talent. My deepest sympathies to his loved ones.”