Many still remember his performance as the antagonist in the Tamil blockbuster ‘Saamy’ (2003), which introduced him to a new generation of fans beyond Andhra Pradesh.
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Hyderabad woke up to the news on Sunday as veteran actor and former politician Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at the age of 83. The performer, who had been unwell for the past few days, breathed his last at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad, in the early hours of the morning.
Kota Srinivasa Rao was a towering figure in Telugu cinema and theatre, with a career spanning nearly five decades. Starting his film journey in 1978 with ‘Pranam Khareedu’, he went on to appear in more than 750 films, a staggering achievement by any measure.
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His distinct voice, impeccable comic timing, and ability to slip seamlessly into roles; be it as a villain, a character artist, or a supporting actor, made him a household name across South India.
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While Rao’s primary body of work was in Telugu cinema, he also left his mark in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and even Hindi films.
Many still remember his performance as the smooth-talking antagonist in the Tamil blockbuster ‘Saamy’ (2003), which introduced him to a new generation of fans beyond Andhra Pradesh.
Some of his most memorable roles include critically acclaimed performances in ‘Gaayam’, ‘Siva’, ‘Aha Naa Pellanta’, ‘Money’, ‘Leader’, ‘Attarintiki Daredi’, ‘Athadu’, and ‘Bommarillu’. His ability to switch between intense roles in films like ‘Rakta Charitra’ and light-hearted comic parts in ‘Hello Brother’ or ‘Little Soldiers’ made him a versatile force in Indian cinema.
Over the years, Kota Srinivasa Rao received numerous awards, including nine prestigious Nandi Awards in various acting categories. In 2012, he received the SIIMA Award for his role in ‘Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum’.
Three years later, in 2015, he received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, acknowledging his immense contribution to the arts.
But Kota wasn’t just a film personality; he also played an active role in public life. Between 1999 and 2004, he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Vijayawada East in Andhra Pradesh.
His last film appearance was in ‘Kabzaa’ (2023), where he shared the screen with stars like Upendra, Shiva Rajkumar, Kiccha Sudeepa, and Shriya Saran.
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