The curtains have fallen on one of Indian cinema's most versatile performers, as veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao breathed his last at his Filmnagar residence in Hyderabad during the early hours of Sunday. The 83-year-old thespian, who had been courageously battling age-related ailments in recent days, leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning over four decades in the film industry.
The legendary performer's declining health had become evident when producer Bandla Ganesh recently shared a photograph on social media, which left fans deeply concerned about his wellbeing. Surrounded by his devoted wife and two daughters during his final moments, Srinivasa Rao's passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in South Indian cinema.
Born on 10th July 1942 in Kanakipadu village within Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Kota Srinivasa Rao's journey to stardom began on the theatrical stage before transitioning to the silver screen. His cinematic debut came in 1978 with 'Pranam Khareedu', featuring megastar Chiranjeevi in the lead role, marking the beginning of an illustrious career that would span over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada languages.
Initially establishing himself through character and comedic roles, Srinivasa Rao's career trajectory took a dramatic turn with 'Pratighatana' in 1985, where he redefined the antagonist archetype on screen. His distinctive voice modulation and impeccable dialogue delivery, coupled with his ability to speak Telugu in various regional dialects with remarkable fluency, set him apart from his contemporaries.
The versatile actor shared screen space with Tollywood's biggest luminaries, including legendary Krishna, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, and Pawan Kalyan. His memorable performances in acclaimed films such as 'Aha! Naa Pellanta', 'Yamudiki Mogudu', 'Khaidi No. 786', 'Shiva', 'Bobbili Raja', 'Yamaleela', 'Bommarillu', 'Santosham', 'Athadu', and 'Race Gurram' cemented his position as an indispensable figure in South Indian cinema.
Perhaps most notably, Srinivasa Rao formed an iconic comedic partnership with popular comedian Babu Mohan, appearing together in approximately 60 films. Their on-screen chemistry became synonymous with box office success, with their collaborative presence often considered a guarantee for a film's commercial triumph.
Beyond his cinematic achievements, Srinivasa Rao demonstrated his commitment to public service by serving as a BJP MLA representing the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency from 1999 to 2004. His contributions to Indian cinema were formally recognised in 2015 when he received the prestigious Padma Shri award, alongside multiple Nandi Awards throughout his career.
The actor's personal life was marked by profound tragedy when he lost his only son, Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, in a devastating road accident in Hyderabad in 2010. This personal loss deeply affected the veteran performer, yet he continued to grace the silver screen with his powerful performances.
Following news of his demise, tributes have poured in from leading film personalities and political leaders across both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, acknowledging his immense contribution to Indian cinema and his lasting impact on generations of film enthusiasts.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

Legendary Telugu cinema icon passes away after prolonged illness at Hyderabad residence

Sarkar Actor Kota Srinivas Rao Dies at 83

Legendary Telugu cinema icon passes away after prolonged illness at Hyderabad residence

July 13, 2025 | 15:24 IST