Padma Shri awardee and veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away in the early hours of Sunday at his residence in Hyderabad. He was 83. The iconic actor had been suffering from health-related issues and breathed his last at around 4 AM. His death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema, with tributes pouring in from across the political and film spectrum.
A Journey Rooted in Theatre
Born on July 10, 1942, in Kankipadu, Krishna district, Kota Srinivasa Rao began his career in the Indian banking sector but left it behind to pursue his passion for theatre. His deep foundation in stage acting brought a unique edge to his dialogue delivery and screen presence.
Film Career and Breakthrough
Kota made his cinematic debut in 1978 with Pranam Khareedu, which also marked Chiranjeevi’s first film. Although he initially viewed cinema casually, it was the 1985 film Pratighatana that brought him critical acclaim. His portrayal of ‘Gudisela Kaashayya’ in a Telangana dialect turned heads and established him as a powerful performer. Over the next four decades, he went on to act in over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam languages.
Known for his versatility, Kota transitioned effortlessly between villainous, comedic, and character roles. His filmography includes landmark performances in Aha Naa Pellanta, Gaayam, Yamaleela, Money, Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu, Ganesh, Aa Naluguru, Rakhi, Brindavanam, Attarintiki Daredi, and Sarkar (Hindi), among others.
Master of Dialects and Range
Kota was widely admired for his ability to deliver dialogues fluently in various Telugu dialects—Rayalaseema, Telangana, Srikakulam, and Godavari—bringing a sense of realism and depth to his characters. His portrayals spanned from authoritative elders to corrupt politicians, endearing grandfathers to menacing villains.
Accolades and Recognition
Throughout his career, Kota received numerous honours including nine Nandi Awards in categories such as Best Villain, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Character Actor.
Notable recognitions include:
- Special Jury Award for Pratighatana (1985)
- Best Villain for Gaayam (1993)
- Best Character Actor for Aa Naluguru (2004)
- SIIMA Award for Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (2012)
In 2015, he was conferred with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema. He also received the Padma Shri Dr. Allu Ramalingaiah National Award in 2013.
Public Service
In addition to his film career, Kota served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Vijayawada East between 1999 and 2004. Kota Srinivasa Rao’s passing is an irreplaceable loss to the Indian film industry. His immense body of work, ability to embody diverse characters, and contribution to regional and national cinema will be remembered for generations.