Chiranjeevi Breaks Down At Veteran Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao's Funeral, Shares Moving Memory

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Chiranjeevi attends Kota Srinivasa Rao's funeral in Hyderabad and pays an emotional tribute. The actor recalls their cinematic beginnings and praises Rao's legendary career.
Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi paid his last respects to legendary actor and former BJP MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad in the early hours of Sunday, just two days after celebrating his 83rd birthday. The funeral was held in the Filmnagar locality of Jubilee Hills, where Chiranjeevi was seen visibly emotional and heartbroken as he offered floral tributes to the veteran actor.
In a video that surfaced online, Chiranjeevi is seen placing flowers near Kota Srinivasa Rao's feet, showering petals on his photograph, and folding his hands in prayer. The megastar also interacted with the late actor's family and friends, silently standing in front of Rao's mortal remains with a heavy heart.
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Following the news of the veteran actor's demise, Chiranjeevi took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to share a heartfelt note recalling their early days in the film industry.
He wrote, 'With the film 'Pranam Khareedu', he and I began our cinema careers at the same time. Thereafter, he acted in hundreds of films, portraying countless diverse roles, captivating Telugu audiences with his unique and distinctive style, and securing a permanent place in their hearts."
'Be it a comedic villain, a serious villain, or a supporting character, every role he played was performed with such brilliance that it felt only he could do it justice," Chiranjeevi added.
The megastar also reflected on the irreplaceable loss to Telugu cinema and its audiences: 'The void left by an actor like Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao is one that the film industry and cinephiles will never overcome." He concluded, 'Praying for peace to his soul, I express my profound condolences to his family members, well-wishers, and fans."
Kota Srinivasa Rao reportedly passed away due to age-related health issues. He had not been keeping well for the past few days and breathed his last at his residence in Hyderabad.
A stalwart of Telugu cinema, Rao appeared in over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi languages. He was celebrated for his versatility, often portraying complex characters—ranging from comic villains to stern politicians and warm-hearted elders. In addition to his film career, he served as a BJP MLA from the Vijayawada East constituency between 1994 and 2004. In 2015, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian award.
As one of the most respected figures in Indian cinema, Kota Srinivasa Rao leaves behind a towering legacy. His loss has cast a long shadow over the Telugu film industry, and his contribution will be remembered for generations to come.
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