**Kota Srinivasa Rao** (10 July 1942 – 13 July 2025) was a legendary Indian actor and politician, primarily known for his work in Telugu cinema and theatre. He also appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam films. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Rao acted in over 750 films, earning acclaim for his versatility, particularly in villainous, character, and comedic roles[1][2][3].
Highlights of his career include:
– Debut film: *Pranam Khareedu* (1978)
– Notable movies: *Aha Naa Pellanta*, *Pratigatana*, *Khaidi Number 786*, *Shiva*, *Yamaleela*
– Awards: Nine state Nandi Awards for villain, character actor, and supporting roles; SIIMA Award for *Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum* (2012); Padma Shri in 2015 for his contribution to Indian cinema[1][2].
Before entering films, he was a stage artist and initially worked as a State Bank employee. He was known for his unique voice, impeccable dialogue delivery, and fluency in speaking Telugu in various dialects, contributing to his distinct screen presence[3][4].
Apart from his film career, Rao served as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA representing Vijayawada East in Andhra Pradesh from 1999 to 2004[1][2][4].
Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away on 13 July 2025 at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad, due to prolonged illness, just two days after his 83rd birthday. His death has been mourned deeply by the Telugu film industry and fans[2][3][4]. His final film appearance will be in *Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1*, set for release in July 2025[1].