Chiranjeevi Pays Tribute to Kota Srinivasa Rao After Veteran Actor Passes Away at 83
Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi mourns the death of Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad just days after his 83rd birthday
Telugu cinema icon Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away in Hyderabad during the early hours of Sunday, just two days after celebrating his 83rd birthday. The celebrated actor and former BJP MLA had reportedly been battling age-related health issues for the past few days.
The funeral was held at Filmnagar in Jubilee Hills, where Chiranjeevi was seen offering heartfelt floral tributes. The Telugu megastar appeared visibly emotional as he stood beside Rao’s mortal remains, interacting briefly with the bereaved family members and close friends of the late actor.
Chiranjeevi Offers Emotional Tribute
In a video widely shared online, Chiranjeevi is seen placing flowers at Kota Srinivasa Rao’s feet, showering petals on his photograph, and folding his hands in silent prayer. His presence at the funeral reflected the deep respect he held for Rao, both as a colleague and a friend.
Later, Chiranjeevi took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to express grief and recall their early professional journey together.
“With the film ‘Pranam Khareedu’, he and I began our cinema careers at the same time. Thereafter, he acted in hundreds of films, captivating Telugu audiences with his distinctive style,” Chiranjeevi wrote.
He further praised Rao’s acting versatility:
“Be it a comedic villain, a serious villain, or a supporting character, every role he played was performed with such brilliance that it felt only he could do it justice.”
Describing the void left by Rao’s passing, Chiranjeevi added,
“The film industry and cinephiles will never overcome the loss of an actor like Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao. I express my profound condolences to his family, well-wishers, and fans.”
A Stalwart of Indian Cinema
Kota Srinivasa Rao had an illustrious career that spanned over four decades, with appearances in more than 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema. He was best known for portraying a wide range of characters — from comedic villains and strict politicians to benevolent elders — with unmatched skill.
His contribution wasn’t limited to the film industry. Rao also served as a BJP MLA from the Vijayawada East constituency between 1994 and 2004. In 2015, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contribution to the arts.
The loss of Kota Srinivasa Rao marks the end of an era in Telugu cinema. Tributes continue to pour in from the film fraternity, political leaders, and fans across the country.
