Renowned actor and Padma Shri recipient Kota Srinivasa Rao breathed his last in Hyderabad on Sunday (July 13) at the age of 83. Rao’s passing has left the Telugu film industry and fans across the country in mourning. Actors such as Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja, Genelia D’Souza, Vishnu Manchu, and many others shared heartfelt messages on social media.Vishnu Manchu calls Kota Srinivasa Rao an inspirationVishnu Manchu took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to honour the late actor with an emotional tribute. He shared a picture of Rao and wrote:“A Legend Beyond Words. My heart is heavy with the loss of Sri Kota Srinivasa Garu. A phenomenal actor, an unmatched talent, and a man whose presence lit up every frame he was in. Whether it was a serious role, a villain, or comedy—he brought life into every character with a rare mastery that only a few are blessed with.”
Vishnu added,“I had the good fortune of working with him in quite a few films, and I grew up watching him in many more. His work shaped my admiration for cinema. To his family, my deepest condolences. We may have lost him physically, but his art, his laughter, and his soul will live on in every scene he graced. Rest in peace, sir. You will be missed. You will be remembered. Always.”Megastar Chiranjeevi calls Kota Srinivasa Rao a multifaceted geniusMegastar Chiranjeevi also shared his deep condolences in a note on X (formerly Twitter):“Legendary actor, multifaceted genius Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao is no more—news that has deeply saddened us. With the film Pranam Khareedu, he and I began our cinema careers at the same time. Thereafter, he acted in hundreds of films, portraying countless diverse roles, captivating Telugu audiences with his unique and distinctive style, and securing a permanent place in their hearts.Be it a comedic villain, a serious villain, or a supporting character—every role he played was performed with such brilliance that it felt only he could do it justice. Recently, the personal tragedy in his family deeply affected him mentally. The void left by an actor like Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao is one that the film industry and cinephiles will never overcome. Praying for peace to his soul, I express my profound condolences to his family members, well-wishers, and fans. 🙏”Mohan Babu also wrote: “Dear Kota, You will be missed. Deeply. Your talent, your presence, your soul—unforgettable. At a loss for words. Praying for his family. Om Shanti!”Ravi Teja wrote, “Grew up watching him, admiring him, and learning from every performance. Kota Babai was like family to me, I cherish the lovely memories of working with him. Rest in peace, Kota Srinivasa Rao garu 🙏Om Shanti.”Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his sorrow over the actor’s demise.Reports indicate that Rao had been unwell in recent days due to age-related health issues and passed away at his residence in Hyderabad. Kota Srinivasa Rao’s journey in cinema began with the 1978 film Pranam Khareedu. He carved a niche for himself with more than 750 film credits spanning the Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada industries.
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