Hyderabad, July 13, 2025 — Renowned Telugu actor and former BJP legislator Kota Srinivasa Rao, celebrated for his commanding screen presence and versatile performances, passed away in Hyderabad on Sunday due to age-related ailments. He was 83.
Rao, who had been battling health issues for several years, breathed his last in the early hours at his residence, film industry sources confirmed.
His death triggered an outpouring of grief from political leaders, film personalities, and fans alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, describing Rao as a stalwart of Indian cinema and a dedicated public servant.
“Anguished by the passing of Shri Kota Srinivas Rao Garu. He will be remembered for his cinematic brilliance and versatility. He enthralled audiences across generations with his riveting performances. He was also at the forefront of social service and worked towards empowering the poor and downtrodden. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, superstar Chiranjeevi, and numerous film industry figures expressed their condolences.
Born near Vijayawada in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kota Srinivasa Rao was a theatre artist before becoming a towering figure in cinema. He entered films with the 1978 Telugu movie Pranam Khareedu, which also marked the debut of megastar Chiranjeevi. Over the next four decades, he acted in nearly 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi languages.
His career featured acclaimed roles in films like Pratighatana, Satruvu, Ahana Pellanta, Hello Brother, Money, and Ram Gopal Varma’s Siva and Gaayam. Rao also made his mark in Bollywood, appearing alongside Amitabh Bachchan in Varma’s Sarkar.
Beyond acting, Rao served as a BJP MLA from Vijayawada East between 1999 and 2004. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cinema and arts.
Known for his impeccable dialogue delivery, Rao skillfully portrayed characters speaking in Telangana and Rayalaseema dialects, contributing to his widespread appeal. Despite a brief controversy early in his career over a character resembling the late N T Rama Rao in Mandaladheesudu, Rao revealed that NTR himself appreciated his performance.
Rao also played an active role in the Telugu film industry’s historic shift from Chennai to Hyderabad, undertaking a hunger strike to support the move.
On Sunday afternoon, his funeral was held at the Maha Prasthanam crematorium in Hyderabad, attended by a host of leaders and celebrities, including former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Andhra CM Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and numerous film personalities who paid their respects to the veteran artist.
Kota Srinivasa Rao leaves behind an indelible legacy on stage, screen, and public life a towering figure whose contribution to cinema and society will be cherished for generations.
