Veteran Telugu film actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away in the early hours of today (13th July) at his residence at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad following prolonged illness. He was 83.
Kota Srinivasa Rao made his debut with Pranam Khareedhu in 1978. He had acted in more than 750 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi in a career spanning more than four decades. He became very popular for his versatile performances, particularly in villainous and character roles. Among his notable films are Aha Naa Pellanta!, Pratigatana, Khaidi Number 786, Shiva and Yamaleela. Among his well-known Hindi films is Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015 for his immense contribution to Indian cinema. He had also received a number of other awards, including nine Nandi Awards.
Besides being an actor, Kota Srinivasa Rao also served as a BJP MLA from the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency from 1999 to 2004.
