Kota Srinivasa Rao passes away at 83, tributes pour in from the Tollywood industry

The Telugu film industry and the state of Andhra Pradesh are mourning the loss of a true icon, Kota Srinivasa Rao. The celebrated actor, who also served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, passed away at his Hyderabad residence this Sunday at the age of 83. For over four decades, Kota Srinivasa Rao captivated audiences with his memorable performances, solidifying his legacy as one of the industry's most respected figures. His contributions extended beyond acting, as he also served the public through his political career.

Kota Srinivasa Rao, born on July 10, 1942, in Kankipadu, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, embarked on his acting career on the stage, honing his craft before transitioning to film. He made his cinematic debut in 1978 with Pranam Khareedhu. Rao's remarkable versatility allowed him to excel in a wide range of roles. He delivered memorable performances in over 750 films, fearlessly embodying villains, eliciting laughter as a comic actor, and bringing depth to emotionally complex supporting characters.

Before his film career, Kota Srinivasa Rao was a celebrated theatre actor, known for his unique voice and impactful dialogue delivery. His role in Ram Charan's 2013 film, Naayak, is one of his most memorable in recent times.

Tollywood mourns the loss

SS Rajamouli mourned his death saying, “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. A master of his craft, a legend who breathed life into every character he portrayed. His presence on screen was truly irreplaceable. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti."

On Sunday, Vishnu Manchu used X, previously known as Twitter, to honor him, stating that he would be deeply missed and celebrated for his contributions.

Sharing his image, Vishnu wrote, “A Legend Beyond Words. 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.”

“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,” he added.

Kartikeya wrote,"KotaSrinivasaRao garu The most versatile actor many generations saw...Thank you for all the memories Sir. Rest in Peace🙏🏻 #RIPKotaSrinivasaRao garu."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also mourned the loss. He tweeted, “The demise of the renowned actor 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 theater 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.”

Kota Srinivasa Rao's final film appearance was in Kabzaa (2023), directed by R. Chandru, which featured a large ensemble cast including Upendra and Shriya Saran. In 2005, Rao made his Hindi debut in Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar, portraying Silver Mani. He also appeared in over a dozen Tamil films and several Malayalam and Kannada movies. Some of his most memorable films include 'Aha Naa Pellanta!,' 'Pratigatana,' and 'Shiva.'