Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao dies at 83: Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu and others mourn the loss

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83-year-old veteran actor-politician Kota Srinivasa Rao, known for his character roles in films, passed away at his home in Hyderabad on Sunday. He had been battling a long-term illness. Notable personalities like Chiranjeevi and Mahesh Babu have expressed their condolences over his demise on social media platforms.

Chiranjeevi remembers his first film with Kota Srinivasa Rao, Mahesh Babu pays tribute

I, a devoted follower, shared my sorrow on X, echoing the sentiments of Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, as we mourn the passing of Kota Srinivasa Rao. In a heartfelt tribute, Chiranjeevi penned a lengthy note, reminiscing about the late actor. In his poignant tweet, he expressed that Srinivasa Rao’s demise has left an indelible mark on him, causing deep sadness. Reflecting on our shared journey, we both commenced our careers in the Telugu film industry with Pranam Khareedu in 1978.

In a nutshell, his acting abilities are unparalleled whether he’s portraying a comical villain, a serious one, or a supporting character. His performances always leave us in awe as if no one else could have done it better. Lately, he has been deeply impacted mentally due to a personal family tragedy. This is conveyed in his tweet.

He stated, “The gap left by an actor like Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao is one that the film industry and movie enthusiasts can’t fill. I send my heartfelt prayers for his soul and offer my deepest sympathies to his relatives, supporters, and admirers.

As a connoisseur of life’s rich tapestry, I was deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Kota Srinivasa Rao. His passing resonates on a profound level for those of us who grew up admiring and learning from him on screen. My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time, may his soul find eternal peace. #PrayersForKSRFamily

SS Rajamouli, Venkatesh Daggubati and Genelia Deshmukh also react

SS Rajamouli, a renowned filmmaker, shared heartfelt condolences and expressed sorrow over the passing of Kota Srinivasa Rao. In his tribute, he referred to the late actor as a “master of his craft” and a true “legend.” Rajamouli emphasized that Rao’s on-screen presence was simply “indescribable” or “irreplaceable”.

The group of Telugu actor Venkatesh Daggubati, actress Genelia Deshmukh, and actor Vishnu Manchu expressed their sentiments on social media following the news of Kota Srinivasa Rao’s demise. Here are their heartfelt messages:

– Venkatesh Daggubati: “Deeply saddened by the sudden demise of our beloved Kota Garu. A legend who made every character he played memorable. My heart goes out to his family and friends during these difficult times.”

– Genelia Deshmukh: “Devastated by the news of Kota Srinivasa Rao garu’s demise. He was a powerhouse of talent, energy, and kindness. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

– Vishnu Manchu: “Shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. A legend who was loved by millions. May his soul rest in peace. My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time.

A brief about Kota Srinivasa Rao’s career

In the course of my illustrious career, I’ve had the privilege to grace the silver screen in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam films. My cinematic journey began with the film “Pranam Khareedu.” Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to appear in over 700 productions, including blockbusters like “S/O Satyamurthy,” “Siva,” “Rakta Charitra,” and “Sarkar.

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2025-07-13 09:37