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Renowned Telugu actor and Padma Shri awardee, Kota Srinivasa Rao, passed away on Sunday in Hyderabad at the age of 83. The news of his demise has left the Indian film industry and his fans heartbroken, with tributes pouring in from fellow actors, political leaders, and admirers of his work.

Kota Srinivasa Rao, who had been reportedly battling age-related health issues, breathed his last on Sunday morning. Although the cause of death is believed to be due to ill health, no official medical statement has been released yet. Many actors and celebrities paid tribute to him through social media.

Actor Vishnu Manchu was among the first to pay an emotional tribute on social media. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he shared a heartfelt message along with a picture of the late actor, “A Legend Beyond Words. My heart is heavy with the loss of Sri. Kota Srinivas 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.”

He further 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.”

Furthermore, Telugu mega star Chranjeevi also shared, " Legendary actor, multifaceted genius  Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao is no more, a 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." 

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Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his condolences, recognising the actor’s contribution to cinema and public service. He wrote, “The demise of the renowned actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who won the affection of cinema audiences with his versatile roles, is deeply saddening. His artistic contributions to the fields of cinema and theater over nearly four decades, and the roles he portrayed, will remain unforgettable. The numerous memorable roles he played as a villain and character artist will forever stay etched in the hearts of Telugu audiences. His passing is an irreparable loss to the Telugu film industry. In 1999, he won as an MLA from Vijayawada and served the public. I express my profound condolences to his family members.”

On the other hand, popular director SS Rajamouli also shared a heartfelt note on X, which read, "Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. A master of his craft, a legend who breathed life into every character he portrayed. His presence on screen was truly irreplaceable. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti."

About Veteran Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao

Kota Srinivasa Rao began his acting career with the 1978 Telugu movie Pranam Khareedu. He further went on to feature in more than 500 films across several languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. Known for his powerful presence in both villainous and character roles, he left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

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In 2005, he made his Hindi movie debut in Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar, playing the memorable role of Silver Mani. He also acted in over a dozen Tamil films and earned immense respect across South India. In 2015, Kota Srinivasa Rao was honoured with the Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to the arts.

His passing marks the end of an era in Telugu cinema.