
Dr. M. Mohan Babu Pays Respects to the Family of Late Kota Srinivasa Rao
Speaking to the media, Dr. Mohan Babu said, "Kota Srinivasa Rao was a dear friend, someone very close to my heart. I wasn't in Hyderabad on the day of his sudden demise, and his passing left me deeply shocked. I came today to personally offer my condolences to his family.
He fondly remembered a phone call from Kota on the day of the 'Kannappa' release, "Kota called me to say the film was excellent and that Vishnu received great appreciation for his performance. That meant a lot."
Reflecting on their professional journey, Mohan Babu shared: "Back in 1987, I gave him a significant role as a magician and the main villain in my film Veera Pratap, produced under my own banner. Since then, we've acted together in several films, both under my production and others.
Kota was a phenomenal actor, capable of delivering any kind of dialogue with impeccable modulation, whether it was a villain, a comedian, or a character role. He brought life to every performance with absolute ease."
Mohan Babu also emphasized how close Kota was to his own family: "Kota Srinivasa Rao wasn't just a co-star; he was like family. His loss is not just a personal one for us but a huge void for the entire film industry. I pray for eternal peace for his soul and strength for his family during this difficult time."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Mohan Babu pays heartfelt tribute to Late Kota Srinivasa Rao
Veteran Tollywood actor Dr. M. Mohan Babu recently visited the family of the late Kota Srinivasa Rao to offer his heartfelt condolences and pay his respects to the legendary actor. During the emotional visit, Mohan Babu fondly recalled their decades-long friendship and professional journey, expressing deep sorrow over Kota's sudden demise. Speaking to the media, Mohan Babu said, 'Kota Srinivasa Rao was more than a colleague — he was a dear friend, someone incredibly close to my heart. I was not in Hyderabad on the day he passed away, and the news of his death left me in complete shock. Today, I came here to personally express my condolences to his family.' The veteran actor shared a touching memory of a phone call from Kota on the day of the Kannappa release. 'He called to appreciate the film and praised Vishnu's performance. That meant a great deal to me,' he said. Reflecting on their professional association, Mohan Babu added, 'In 1987, I cast Kota in a key role as a magician and the main villain in my production Veera Pratap. Since then, we worked together in several films. His dialogue delivery, modulation, and acting versatility—whether as a villain, comedian, or character artist—were unmatched.' Describing Kota as an integral part of his life, Mohan Babu said, 'He was like family to me. His passing is not just a personal loss but a significant one for the entire film fraternity. I pray for his soul to rest in peace and for his family to find strength in this difficult time.' Kota Srinivasa Rao's absence leaves a void that Tollywood will feel for years to come.


Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
'Kannappa' OTT release: Vishnu Manchu's epic film to start streaming on July 25
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Vishnu Manchu 's mythological action drama 'Kannappa' may have had a modest run at the box office, but it seems to be gearing up for a promising second innings on OTT. As per 123 Telugu website, the film is likely to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on July 25, 2025 — though an official confirmation is still pending. Interestingly, this move reflects a calculated strategy by Vishnu Manchu. During the promotional run-up to the film's theatrical release, the actor-producer shared that he had deliberately chosen not to sell the streaming rights in advance. Instead, he decided to wait and assess the film's post-release value before entering negotiations with digital platforms. Joining the quick-to-stream trend If the reported date holds true, Kannappa will be the latest in a growing trend of Telugu films hitting streaming platforms within a month of theatrical release. With the film not getting much traction from the audiences and also due to negative responses, the theatres occupancy rates for the epic film was mediocre. With the arrival of 'Kannappa' on OTT, it can be expected that more people will get to watch the Vishnu Manchu starrer. A star-studded ensemble in a mythic tale - Did it pay off? The movie is directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh. The Vishnu Manchu starrer promised a visually ambitious retelling rooted in Indian mythology. The film features a stellar lineup including Prabhas, Mohanlal, Kajal Aggarwal, Mohan Babu, and Akshay Kumar. The film received poor reviews from the audiences. ETimes gave the film a rating of 3 stars out of 5 and an excerpt from our review reads, "Sheldon Chau's cinematography captures the beauty of forested landscapes and celestial moments with finesse, giving the film a rich visual texture. Watch it if you enjoy sacred stories with strong visual storytelling and emotional payoff. Kannappa ends on a powerful note that resonates with devotees and admirers of culturally rooted cinema."


Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
'Kannappa' OTT release date now out: When and where to watch epic Telugu film
Vishnu Manchu's ambitious project Kannappa, which hit the big screens on June 27, began its theatrical run with strong anticipation and widespread attention. Backed by a star-studded lineup and a deeply spiritual narrative, the film was expected to perform well commercially. However, the initial momentum quickly faded, and audience turnout dropped significantly within a few days of release. Despite its high-profile ensemble, which includes major actors such as Prabhas, Mohan Babu, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal, the movie struggled to maintain traction at the box office. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Project Management Healthcare MBA Management Technology Data Science healthcare Design Thinking CXO Data Analytics others PGDM Others Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Data Science Leadership MCA Public Policy Finance Operations Management Product Management Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details Touted as a grand-scale devotional epic, the movie generated significant buzz even before release, not only because of its cast but also due to its mythological and spiritual undertones. Yet, it fell short of critical and commercial expectations. With its theatrical journey nearing a quiet end, the film is now shifting focus to its digital release. According to the latest updates, Kannappa is set to stream on Prime Video from July 25, marking a relatively swift move to the OTT space, coming less than a month after its cinema debut. Plot and Production Highlights Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the Telugu-language film was penned by Vishnu Manchu himself and produced under the supervision of veteran actor Mohan Babu. Kannappa traces the powerful transformation of Thinnadu, a tribal hunter known for his fierce and defiant nature, who embarks on a path of spiritual awakening. Initially dismissive of religious beliefs, he evolves into a deeply committed follower of Lord Shiva. The film's central role of Thinnadu, also called Kannappa, is portrayed by Vishnu Manchu. The movie features Mohanlal as Kirata, Prabhas in the divine role of Rudra, Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, and Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati. Supporting characters include Preity Mukhundhan as Nemali, Mohan Babu as Mahadeva Sastri, R. Sarathkumar as Nathanathudu, and Madhoo as Pannaga. With Sheldon Chau handling cinematography, the film showcases visually rich sequences that complement its mythological theme. Created with an estimated production cost of Rs 200 crore, Kannappa runs for approximately 182 minutes. While its original version is in Telugu, the film was simultaneously released in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada, aiming to reach audiences across linguistic regions.