Kota Srinivasa Rao: From bank desk to big screen, a career spanning 750 films

India Today

14-07-2025

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 voices.From 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 B.Sc. 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 narrative.His 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, Chiranjeevi.Accolades 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 honours.But 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 alive.Personal 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 initiatives.advertisementThroughout 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 message.Even 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