Renowned actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away in the early hours of Sunday at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad. He was 83 and had been battling illness for the past few days.Kota Srinivasa Rao’s career Born on July 10, 1942 in Kankipadu, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Kota Srinivasa Rao began his illustrious journey in the world of cinema with the 1978 film Pranam Khareedhu. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he carved a unique space for himself in Telugu cinema, featuring in over 750 films.Rao redefined negative roles with his distinctive performances. Before transitioning to films, he was an acclaimed theatre artiste, known for his commanding voice and expressive acting. He is remembered for his role in one of Ram Charan’s hit films Naayak, released in 2013.Kota Srinivasa Rao’s political rolesThroughout his career, he portrayed a variety of characters — from villains and comic roles to emotionally layered supporting characters. He shared screen space with legendary stars and younger actors alike, including Krishna, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun, and Sai Dharam Tej.Some of his most memorable films include Ahana Pellanta, Pratighatana, Yamudiki Mogudu, Khaidi No.786, Shiva, Bobbili Raja, Yamaleela, Santosham, Bommarillu, Athadu, and Race Gurram.Srinivasa Rao also served as an MLA from the Vijayawada East constituency between 1999 and 2004. His on-screen politician roles were also well received in Tollywood. ‘Julayi’, starring Allu Arjun, is one such film in which Rao played the role of an MLA.Work front of Kota Srinivasa RaoOn the work front, he was last seen in Kabzaa (2023), directed by R. Chandru. The film features an ensemble cast including Upendra Rao, Shiva Rajkumar, Kiccha Sudeepa, Shriya Saran, Sudha, Murali Sharma, Dev Gill, Kabir Duhan Singh, Danish Akhtar Saifi, and Posani Krishna Murali.His demise marks the end of an era, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.
