Veteran Telugu actor and Padma Shri recipient Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at the age of 83 on July 13, 2025 at his residence in Hyderabad—just three days after celebrating his birthday on July 10 Telugu360+15Wikipedia+15Devdiscourse+15.
🎭 A Stellar Career Spanning 750+ Films
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Debut & Cinematic Rise: Made a powerful screen debut in Pranam Khareedu (1978). Over the next four decades, he captivated audiences with iconic roles across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema Dead or Kicking+6Wikipedia+6Indiatimes+6.
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Versatility Personified: Known for his commanding portrayals—villains, character artists, and comedic gems. Garnered nine Nandi Awards, and a SIIMA Award in 2012 for Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Sakshi Post+5Wikipedia+5Dead or Kicking+5.
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National Recognition: Conferred with the Padma Shri in 2015 for his exceptional contributions to Indian cinema FilmiBeat+15Wikipedia+15Indiatimes+15.
🏛️ The Statesman: From Stage to Sabha
Beyond his cinematic endeavors, Rao transitioned to politics. He served as a BJP MLA from Vijayawada East (1999–2004), reflecting his multifaceted persona as both artist and legislator The Economic Times+9Wikipedia+9Indiatimes+9.
🕊️ Farewell on His 83rd Birthday
Rao passed away peacefully in the early hours of July 13, 2025, at his Jubilee Hills home in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, following an illness The Economic Times+2FilmiBeat+2The Economic Times+2.
💬 Tributes & Mourning
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Chiranjeevi and SS Rajamouli were among the first filmmakers to publicly grieve his loss; Rajamouli penned a heartfelt tribute The Economic Times+15The Indian Express+15The Times of India+15.
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Industry heavyweights such as Mahesh Babu, Sreenu Vaitla, and Chandrababu Naidu conveyed their condolences, calling his passing “an irreparable loss to Telugu cinema” The Indian Express.
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Fans and contemporaries alike mourned the departure of a man who was “an institution of acting,” and whose expressive depth and timing left an indelible mark The Indian Express.
⚙️ Legacy & Impact
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Unforgettable Performances: Rao’s portrayals in Aha Naa Pellanta!, Bommarillu, Rakta Charitra, Athadu, Leader, and dozens more stand testament to his artistic breadth Wikipedia+1The Indian Express+1.
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Cultural Influence: With over 750 films and multiple awards—including the Padma Shri—he stood as a pillar of character acting in South Indian cinema India TV News+5Wikipedia+5Sakshi Post+5.
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Enduring Inspiration: Remembered not only as a fine actor but also as a humble public service advocate; his simplicity and authenticity earned admiration even in politics .
🌟 Final Tribute
Kota Srinivasa Rao’s passing on July 13, 2025—symbolically coinciding with his 83rd birthday week—marks the poignant conclusion of an era. He leaves behind not just a treasure of performances but a cultural legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
May his soul rest in peace, and his work endure as a celebration of artistic excellence.
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