Veteran actor-comedian and former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao breathed his last in the early hours of Sunday (July 13) in Hyderabad due to an illness. He was 83. The news of his demise left celebrities and fans heartbroken. Several political leaders, his industry peers and close friends arrived at his residence to pay their last respects to the veteran actor. Actor Brahmanandam, who was a close friend of Rao for 40 years, also mourned the demise of the legendary star.
While talking to the press, Brahmanandam recalled the time in Tollywood when he, Kota and Babu Mohan would be cast in every film. He said, "Kota Srinivasa Rao and I have acted together in hundreds of films. I don’t need to specifically tell everyone how great an actor he was. There was a decade when Kota, Babu Mohan and I would be in every film made. We worked together 18-20 hours per day."
Brahmanandam tried to control his tears and spoke about his friendship with Srinivasa Rao. "For four decades now, arey orey anukuntu kalisi unnam (we’ve been close friends). Today, I cannot come to terms with Kota’s death. I believe Kota will be alive as long as there’s acting. He is a great man, he is the son of Nataraja, and he would speak without reservations. His death is a void that cannot be replaced," he said.
Brahmanandam and Kota shared the screen space in films like Aha Naa Pellanta, Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu, and Muta Mestri, among others.
About Kota Srinivasa Rao
Kota Srinivasa Rao, whose career spanned nearly five decades, acted in over 750 films in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. He made his debut in the 1978 Telugu drama Pranam Khareedu.
He pulled off both villainous, and comic roles with ease. Rao was also a terrific character artist. The antagonist in Gaayam, the comedian in Money and Aha Naa Pellanta, and his layered roles in Aa Naluguru and Bommarillu, are some of his memorable acts. His last appearance was in the 2023 Telugu film Suvarna Sundari.
Apart from his acting career, Kota Srinivasa Rao also tried his hands in politics. He served as the MLA from Vijayawada, from 1999 until 2004.
He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2015, for his contribution to Indian cinema, and earned nine Nandi Awards.
