Kota Srinivasa Rao, a veteran Telugu actor who brought a fresh flair to comedic and villainous parts, died early on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in his Hyderabad home. He was eighty-three.
For the past few months, Kota, a senior actor and former Vijayawada BJP MLA, has been ill with age-related ailments.
Throughout a four-decade career, Kota starred in over 750 films and made a lasting impression in parts ranging from humour to villainy to character artist. He became well-known for his distinctive usage of Telangana slang in dialogue.
Beginning of his Journey
The actor started as a theatre performer before moving into movies. Despite being born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, he distinguished himself by using the Telangana accent brilliantly. He became well-known after playing a politician in the critically acclaimed movie Prathighatana, in which he portrayed a malicious comedian with unmatched skill and conviction.
He achieved new heights with his comedy in “Aha Naa Pellanta,” and his iconic lines from Ramgopal Verma’s “Gaayam,” which are still the favourite of meme makers, can never be forgotten.
He entered politics after being inspired by his friend and coactor Babu Mohan. He was elected on the BJP platform and served as an MLA from 1999 to 2004. He won the Vijayawada seat in the united Andhra Pradesh. After realising that politics wasn’t his thing, he later focused on movies.
Shattered following his son’s death
In addition to receiving other honours from state governments and cinema groups, Kota was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2015. An opinionated man, he was devastated when his kid died in a car accident and has been broken ever since. Due to age-related problems, he has been confined to his house and has seldom done any film tasks in recent years.
He will have his page in the Telugu film industry for bringing new life to humour and character parts throughout his time, and his impact on Telugu cinema is immeasurable.
State BJP president N. Ramachander Rao, BRS chairman and former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and chairman Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed their condolences for his passing, saying that the industry has lost an actor of the highest quality.
