Veteran Telugu Actor Kota Srinivas Rao Dies at 83

Swift Summary:

• Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivas Rao passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at his residence in Hyderabad due to age-related health issues. He was 83 years old.
• Known for redefining villainous and comedy roles, Kota acted in over 750 films across a career spanning four decades. His dialog delivery in the Telangana dialect made him highly popular.
• Kota began his journey as a theatre artist before transitioning into film. Notable roles include his comic portrayal in Aha Naa Pellanta and memorable dialogues from Gaayam.
• He briefly served as a BJP MLA from Vijayawada between 1999-2004 but later returned to films after realizing politics wasn’t suited for him.
• Kota received the Padma Shri award in 2015 along with multiple honors from state governments and film associations. Personal tragedy struck after losing his son to a road accident, which affected him deeply.
• Several prominent figures including Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and BRS Chief K Chandrashekar Rao expressed condolences on his demise.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

Kota Srinivas Rao’s passing marks the end of an era for Telugu cinema. His versatility-spanning comedy, drama, villainy, and character roles-revolutionized filmmaking during his active years. A native of Andhra Pradesh who embraced Telangana linguistic nuances, he bridged cultural gaps onscreen while leaving behind a legacy that resonates even today through memes and fan recalls.Apart from being recognized with awards like the Padma Shri, Kota’s brief stint as an MLA highlights how actors sometiems venture into politics but may lack long-term interest or alignment with its demands-a reality he was candid about later on.

As India mourns this stalwart’s contributions to regional cinema and culture alike, it may also serve as inspiration for upcoming actors navigating similar paths between creativity and public service. His influence will undoubtedly continue shaping telugu cinema’s trajectory for generations to come.

Read more: The Hindu