By Usha Muthusamy
HYDERABAD, 13 July 2025: Renowned Tollywood actor and former lawmaker Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at the age of 83 at his Filmnagar residence in Hyderabad on Sunday, after a prolonged battle with health complications and age-related issues. His demise marks the end of an illustrious career spanning over four decades, during which he left an indelible mark on Indian cinema through his versatile performances in over 750 films.
Born on July 10, 1942, in Kankipadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kota Srinivasa Rao hailed from a culturally rich family that encouraged his passion for acting from a young age. He began his journey performing in stage dramas during his student years and even worked at the State Bank of India before dedicating himself fully to cinema. He made his Telugu film debut with “Pranam Khareedu” in 1978 and quickly became one of the most sought-after supporting actors.
Known for his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from menacing villains to endearing comedians and strong character roles, Srinivasa Rao’s talent transcended language barriers. Beyond Telugu cinema, he also acted in 30 Tamil films, 10 Hindi films (including a notable role in Ram Gopal Varma’s “Sarkar” opposite Amitabh Bachchan), 8 Kannada films, and one Malayalam film. His final Telugu film appearance was in “Suvarna Sundari,” released in 2023, and he is also set to be seen posthumously in Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming film, “Hari Hara Veera Mallu.”
Throughout his distinguished career, Kota Srinivasa Rao was honored with nine prestigious Nandi Awards from the Andhra Pradesh government for his exceptional performances. In recognition of his immense contributions to Indian cinema, he was conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2015 by then-President Pranab Mukherjee.
Beyond his cinematic achievements, Kota Srinivasa Rao also served a brief stint in politics, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an MLA from the Vijayawada East constituency from 1999 to 2004.
Tributes have poured in from across the film fraternity and political landscape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, expressed his anguish, stating, “He will be remembered for his cinematic brilliance and versatility. He enthralled audiences across generations with his riveting performances.” Chief Ministers N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and A. Revanth Reddy of Telangana, along with prominent film personalities like Chiranjeevi and Prakash Raj, also conveyed their deep condolences, mourning the loss of a true legend whose artistic legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
