A Legend Beyond Words—Veteran Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away at 83

(OT Webdesk)Renowned Telugu actor and Padma Shri awardee Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 83 due to age-related health issues.

A towering figure in Indian cinema, his demise marks the end of a golden era for Telugu film lovers.

Born in Andhra Pradesh, Rao began his illustrious journey with the 1978 film Pranam Khareedu. Over the decades, he delivered over 500 performances across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema.

His unmatched versatility allowed him to portray everything from fierce villains to comedic relief with equal finesse.

Rao’s national breakthrough came with Sarkar (2005), where he played the memorable role of Silver Mani.

Beyond the screen, he also stepped into politics, serving as an MLA from Vijayawada in 1999, balancing civic responsibility with cinematic excellence.

Awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, Rao’s impact spanned beyond film sets, touching lives and shaping generations of actors.

Tributes have poured in from across the country, with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and actor Vishnu Manchu expressing profound grief over the loss.

As fans mourn his passing, the legacy of Kota Srinivasa Rao lives on—in laughter, drama, and every scene etched into cinematic history.