Latest news with #KotaSrinivasaRao
Hans India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Dr. M. Mohan Babu Pays Respects to the Family of Late Kota Srinivasa Rao
Tollywood senior actor Dr. M. Mohan Babu garu visited the family of the late Kota Srinivasa Rao, expressing his deep condolences and reminiscing about their long-standing bond. Recalling their shared memories, Mohan Babu spoke about the close friendship and warmth he had with Kota Srinivasa Rao and expressed his grief over not being in Hyderabad on the day of his passing. 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."
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Kota Srinivasa Rao's Wealth: Who Will Inherit The Late Actor's Massive Fortune?
Many images spring to mind when the name Kota Srinivasa Rao is mentioned. The veteran actor, who entertained nearly three generations and portrayed a myriad of distinctive roles on the silver screen, passed away on July 13, 2025. His close friends mourned his loss with tears, while discussions have since turned to the substantial assets he accumulated during his lifetime. Kota Srinivasa Rao enjoyed a long and illustrious career, dazzling audiences with his extraordinary acting skills across diverse roles, be it as a comedian, villain, or character artist. He remains a towering figure in Tollywood, holding an indelible place in the Telugu film industry's history. Before entering cinema, Kota Srinivasa Rao worked at the State Bank of India but chose to leave a promising job and a comfortable salary to pursue his passion for acting. Over a career spanning 45 years, he featured in more than 800 films, building a massive fan base. His debut came with the film Pranam Kharidhu in 1978, and he steadily rose to prominence. Whatever the role, Kota Srinivasa Rao immersed himself fully, earning widespread acclaim. Beyond villainous parts, he also delighted audiences with his comic, emotional, and serious performances. Notably, his collaborations with Babu Mohan in over 60 films showcased his impeccable comic timing. Films such as Aha! Naa Pellanta!! (1987), Mamagaru (1991), Hello Brother (1994), and Athadu (2005) remain cherished classics among fans. Kota Srinivasa Rao also dabbled in politics, serving as an MLA for Vijayawada from 1999 to 2004. His contributions to cinema earned him nine Nandi Awards and the prestigious Padma Shri. Throughout his career, he demonstrated sound financial acumen, investing wisely in real estate. Reports suggest he owned several open plots around Hyderabad and a luxurious property in Hyderabad's Film Nagar, with his total movable and immovable assets estimated to be over Rs 100 crore. The question of his heirs has now become a topic of much speculation. His only son, Anjaneya Prasad, tragically died in a road accident in June 2010. While Kota Srinivasa Rao is survived by two well-settled daughters, his son's two children, his grandsons, are widely expected to inherit his estate.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prakash Raj pays honest tribute to Kota Srinivasa Rao; talks about his sarcasm: ‘Not everybody liked him…'
Veteran actor-comedian Kota Srinivasa Rao died in Hyderabad on Sunday. He was 83 and died due to age-related issues at his Filmnagar residence. Prakash Raj paid an honest tribute while speaking to the press at Kota's last rites, calling him a 'sarcastic' person whom not everyone liked. (Also Read: Angry Jr NTR scolds fans for chanting 'Jai NTR' at Kota Srinivasa Rao's funeral, internet applauds gesture of respect) Kota Srinivasa Rao was straightforward and sarcastic, says Prakash Raj, remembering his colleague and friend. Prakash Raj on Kota Srinivasa Rao Prakash spoke to the press on Sunday after paying his last respects to Kota. He spoke of how, before he came to the Telugu film industry, he would watch the veteran's films and be inspired by him. 'When I came here, I had the privilege of working with such a unique person in many films,' said Prakash. He then spoke candidly about Kota's sarcastic and straightforward nature, which did not sit well with everyone. 'Not everybody liked him because he never tried to please anyone. As an actor, he had a clear picture of how to play his character and wanted people to appreciate good cinema. He even fought for the importance of Telugu artists in Tollywood. People thought he was envious of others getting opportunities, but I saw the honesty in his plea.' Given that Prakash was also at the forefront of this conversation, seeing as how he's from Karnataka, he claimed that Kota defended him when it came down to it. 'Someone once brought me up when he said that, but he defended me, saying I learnt Telugu, so I belonged here. But it's not like I never faced his sarcasm. I took it happily, because he earned the right to do that,' said Prakash. Prakash also spoke of how Kota experienced a 'lot of pain' in his life, but persevered and never used it for gain. He ended his tribute with, 'Thank you, Kota garu, for everything. We love you, we miss you.' About Kota Srinivasa Rao Kota Srinivasa Rao was one of the most notable actors in Telugu cinema and theatre. In his long and illustrious career, he also acted in numerous Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films. Debuting with Pranam Khareedu in 1978, he played everything from silly characters to chilling villains. His last film will be Krish and Jyothi Krisna's Hari Hara Veera Mallu with Pawan Kalyan, which will be released on 24 July.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Brahmanandam breaks down as he pays tribute to friend of 40 years, Kota Srinivasa Rao: ‘Cannot come to terms…'
Veteran actor-comedian Kota Srinivasa Rao died at age 83 on Sunday in Hyderabad due to an illness. Numerous celebrities, including his close friend Brahmanandam, went to his Filmnagar home to pay their respects. Talking to the press after meeting the grieving family, Brahmanandam broke down while remembering his friend. (Also Read: Prakash Raj pays honest tribute to Kota Srinivasa Rao; talks about his sarcasm: 'Not everybody liked him…') Brahmanandam couldn't hold back tears as he spoke to the press about one of his closest friends, Kota Srinivasa Rao. Brahmanandam breaks down while talking about Kota Srinivasa Rao Brahmanandam recollected how there was a 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.' While trying to hold back tears, Brahmanandam continued to talk about their friendship and said, '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.' Brahmanandam and Kota worked together in numerous films like Aha Naa Pellanta, Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu, Muta Mestri and more. About Kota Srinivasa Rao Kota Srinivasa Rao is one of the most prolific actors in Tollywood, having also worked in other south Indian languages and Hindi over the years. He began his career with the 1978 film Pranam Khareedu and had since acted with numerous stars, including Chiranjeevi, Krishna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR and others. He scaled back on signing films after the pandemic due to ill health. Having last been seen in the 2023 Kannada film Kabzaa and Suvarna Sundari in Telugu the same year, his last film will be Krish and Jyothi Krisna's Hari Hara Veera Mallu with Pawan Kalyan. The film will be released on 24 July.
India Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kota Srinivasa Rao: From bank desk to big screen, a career spanning 750 films
There's a poignant moment in the Telugu film 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum', where Kota Srinivasa Rao delivers a line that now feels like an epitaph to his own legacy: "Adi kala, nidralo kanedi. Idi kala, nidra lepedi Kala ante, bathukunichede kadu, bathukunu nerpedhi kuda." Which translates to: 'Art is not something you dream of in sleep; it is something that awakens you. Art does not merely reflect life, it teaches you how to live.'advertisementThese weren't just lines written for the screen. For Kota Srinivasa Rao, they were a lived truth. Through every glare, pause, smile, and silenced breath, he taught audiences not just how to watch cinema, but how to feel it. With his death, Indian cinema didn't just lose a veteran actor, it lost one of its most sincere a bank desk to the big screenBorn on July 10, 1942 in Kankipadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kota's life wasn't always aligned with the world of cinema. The son of a doctor, he completed a degree and began his professional career as a cashier at the State Bank of India. Acting, in those early years, remained a parallel passion, refined through college plays and theatre. His cinematic journey began in 1978 with 'Pranam Khareedu', starring a then-rising Chiranjeevi. From that point, there was no turning back. His filmography eventually crossed over 750 titles, spanning Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam films. A master of every emotion Rao was not the kind of actor who played roles. He absorbed them. Whether it was the terrifying politician in 'Gaayam', the intense antagonist in 'Ganesh', the comedic miser in 'Aha Naa Pellanta', the well-meaning father in 'Bommarillu', the frustrating loan shark in 'Aa Naluguru', or the tender grandfather in 'Brindavanam', every performance was layered with truth and depth. In a career with more than 750 films, not all the films worked, but his performance was consistently praised and added weight to the film's ability to evoke laughter and fear within a single scene became his hallmark. He seamlessly worked across generations, sharing screen space with the likes of Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh and Balakrishna, as well as Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Prabhas and Allu Arjun. Not once did he allow star power to diminish his presence. In Tamil cinema too, he made a strong impression with his roles in 'Saamy' and 'Ko'.Even in Hindi cinema, where his appearances were brief, he left a mark. Films like 'Sarkar', 'Baaghi' and 'Luck' showcased his ability to lend gravitas with minimal screen time. His final on-screen role is going to be in 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' with Pawan Kalyan, a fitting close to a career that began with Pawan's brother, and influenceadvertisementKota Srinivasa Rao won nine Nandi Awards across categories for villain, supporting, and character roles. His performances in 'Aa Naluguru', 'Little Soldiers' and 'Pellaina Kothalo' are often cited among his finest. In 2012, he received the SIIMA Award for his role in 'Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum'. Three years later, he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian the true measure of his legacy was the enduring connection he built with audiences. He didn't need to be the lead to lead a scene. He commanded attention through sheer performance.A brief yet bold political turnRao entered politics in 1999, winning as MLA from Vijayawada East on a BJP ticket. However, after completing his term, he gradually distanced himself from active politics. In time, he realised that his heart truly lay in cinema, a space where he felt more rooted, honest, and loss, public graceIn 2010, the actor faced a devastating personal tragedy when he lost his only son, Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, in a road accident. Prasad, an aspiring actor, had acted alongside him in 'Gaayam 2'. Rao took a step back from films after the loss and later channelled his grief into public service by collaborating with the government on road safety his career, he was unapologetically candid. He often criticised the casting of non-Telugu-speaking actors in villain roles and stood firm in his belief that language and authenticity mattered. Off-screen, he mentored young actors, urging them to focus on craft, humility, and wisdom.A legacy carved in truthKota Srinivasa Rao was many things—actor, politician, mentor, critic, but above all, he was an honest artiste. He never sought stardom or visibility. He believed in the script, the craft, and the when portraying the greediest or most corrupt characters, he humanised them. That was his gift. In a world increasingly driven by image, Kota remained a performer rooted in substance. His legacy will live on in every actor who understands that commanding a scene has nothing to do with the number of lines or screen time. It is about depth, intensity, and an unwavering honesty to the role. And Kota's legacy will echo long after the lights dim.- Ends
