The internet showed love and appreciation for Telugu star Jr. NTR after he chastised his supporters during Kota Srinivasa Rao’s funeral on Sunday. After the funeral, the actor was speaking to the media and honoring the late acting great when his admirers started chanting his name. After leaving the dais, NTR returned to correct the record.
Jr. NTR scolds his fans at Kota Srinivasa Rao’s death
In a video from the funeral that has been shared widely on social media, Jr. NTR addresses the reporters gathered there, talking about Kota Srinivasa Rao’s legacy and impact on Telugu cinema. “Let’s celebrate the legacy he left behind through his unforgettable performances, across all our mediums, without sorrow,” he said in Telugu. As NTR finished his statement and turned around, a few fans (gathered off camera) began chanting ‘Jai NTR’ (Hail NTR). Upon hearing this, NTR turned around and came back. Pointing a finger at the fans, he said, “No, Jai Kota Srinivasa Rao!”
Fans continued chanting NTR’s name even as others present appreciated the actor’s respectful gesture. One user on Twitter wrote, “What a gesture of respect.” Another commented, “The star is respectful, but the fans are being foolish.” Many criticised the fans for putting the actor in an awkward position. “What kind of fan base is this? So inappropriate,” another user added.
Kota Srinivasa Rao died
Known for his highly lauded performances, veteran Telugu actor and former BJP MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away in Hyderabad on Sunday from age-related illnesses. He was eighty-three. Rao starred in over 750 Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films throughout a career that lasted roughly 50 years. In addition to being Chiranjeevi’s first film, Pranam Khareedu marked his debut in 1978.
He starred in several critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies throughout the years, such as Pratighatana, Satruvu, Ahana Pellanta, Hello Brother, Money, Siva, and Gaayam. His most well-known role in Hindi cinema was costarring with Amitabh Bachchan in Ram Gopal Varma’s.
Rao, a Padma Shri laureate, was a BJP MLA from 1999 to 2004 representing Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada East assembly constituency. In addition to the film industry, Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid their respects to him after his passing.
