Tributes Flow as Veteran Telugu Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away

A Great Loss to Indian Cinema

Kota Srinivasa Rao, a distinguished Telugu actor and former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), passed away early Sunday morning at his home in Filmnagar, Hyderabad. He was 83 years old and had been facing health challenges related to aging, as confirmed by his family.

The news of his passing elicited heartfelt condolences from both political figures and members of the film industry. Notable personalities such as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan paid tribute to his remarkable talent and dedication as a public servant.

Chandrababu Naidu expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, "The loss of the esteemed actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who captured the hearts of cinema lovers with his diverse roles, is profoundly saddening. His contributions to cinema and theatre over nearly four decades, along with his unforgettable performances, will always be cherished. The memorable characters he portrayed, especially as a villain and character actor, will remain in the memories of Telugu audiences. His departure is a significant loss for the Telugu film industry. He served as an MLA from Vijayawada in 1999, dedicating himself to public service. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family."

A Legacy of Versatility

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu tweets, "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 theatre over nearly four decades,… pic.twitter.com/1UlUzaNaMG

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2025

Kota Srinivasa Rao was a legendary figure in Indian cinema, having acted in over 750 films across various languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. He was particularly renowned for his villainous roles, compelling character portrayals, and occasional comedic performances. His last appearance on screen was in the film Suvarna Sundari, released in 2023.

Born on July 10, 1942, in Kankipadu, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Kota grew up in a family that valued culture. Encouraged by his mother, he began performing on stage during his youth while working at the State Bank of India, eventually making his film debut in Pranam Khareedu in 1978.

Throughout his career, he received nine Nandi Awards and was honored with the Padma Shri in 2015 by then-President Pranab Mukherjee. In addition to acting, Kota also contributed his voice to several songs in Telugu cinema.

In his political career, he served as a BJP MLA for Vijayawada East from 1999 to 2004.