Veteran Telugu film star Krishna passed away early this morning (15th November) in Hyderabad. He was 80. He was Telugu film actor Mahesh Babu’s father. He is survived by four children including Mahesh Babu and Telugu film actress Manjula. His eldest son, actor Ramesh Babu, had died in January this year. His wife and Mahesh Babu’s mother, Indira Devi, passed away in September this year. His second wife, actress Vijaya Nirmala, had passed away in 2019.
Krishna had been admitted to a private hospital in Hyderabad yesterday (14th) in a critical condition for cardiac-related issues.
Ghattamaneni Sivarama Krishna started his career in the early 1960s and acted in more than 350 films in his long and chequered career. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in Alluri Sitharama Raju. He debuted as an actor with Thene Manasulu in 1964. He was often referred to as Andhra James Bond for the several spy thrillers he acted in including Gudachari 116 and Mosagallaku Mosagadu which was also the first Telugu cowboy film.
Krishna was also a Telugu film producer and director. His Simhasanam, written, produced and directed by Krishna himself under his banner of Padmalaya Studios, was the first Telugu 70 mm film. It starred Krishna, Jaya Prada and Mandakini. The Hindi version starred Jeetendra in place of Krishna. The veteran actor-producer-director was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2009. He dabbled into politics for a brief stint when he joined the Congress and became an MP in the 1980s. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2009.
Krishna was technologically savvy. He introduced Technicolor film in the Telugu film industry. Among the other firsts to his credit in Telugu filmdom were the first Cinemascope film, the first Stereophonic film, the first DTS film, and the first Dolby digital film.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana chief ministers condoled the death of Krishna and paid rich eulogies to the departed soul.