Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the demise of veteran actor and former BJP MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away at the age of 83 after a prolonged illness.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Anguished by the passing of Shri Kota Srinivas Rao Garu. He will be remembered for his cinematic brilliance and versatility… 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.”
Rao breathed his last at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Known for his iconic performances across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada films, Rao’s career spanned over four decades, with appearances in more than 750 films.
Born on July 10, 1942, in Kanakipadu, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, he began his journey as a stage artist and made his screen debut in 1978 with the film ‘Pranam Khareedu’, starring Chiranjeevi.
A recipient of multiple accolades including the Padma Shri (2015) and several Nandi Awards, Kota also served as a BJP MLA from Vijayawada East (1999–2004).
The actor had been battling age-related health issues in recent days. His declining health had sparked concern among fans after a recent photo went viral on social media. He had also suffered a personal tragedy in 2010, when his only son, Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, died in a road accident.
Tributes poured in from across the film and political fraternity in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, remembering Rao’s contributions to Indian cinema and public life.
(With inputs from IANS)