Kota Srinivasa Rao funeral: Chiranjeevi pays floral tribute; Prakash Raj meets actor's family

Kota Srinivasa Rao's funeral was attended by numerous leaders and film personalities, including Chiranjeevi, who honored his memory.

Updated on: Jul 13, 2025, 11:44:11 IST

By Soumya Srivastava

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Veteran Telugu actor and former BJP MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away due to age-related ailments in Hyderabad on Sunday. He was 83. According to film industry sources, Rao, who had been unwell for several years, breathed his last in the early hours of the day at his residence.

Kota Srinivasa Rao's funeral

At the actor's funeral, megastar Chiranjeevi also paid him tribute. He put a wreath of red roses on Rao's mortal remains. He also bowed his head in front of his portrait and met the actor's relatives and family.

Earlier, even actor Prakash Raj met the actor's family at his home and was spotted leaving in his car while media surrounded him.

About Kota Srinivasa Rao

In a prolific career spanning over four decades, Srinivasa Rao acted in more than 750 films. He made his debut with the 1978 film Pranam Khareedu, which also marked the debut of superstar Chiranjeevi. Some of his most acclaimed works include Pratighatana, Satruvu, Ahana Pellanta, Hello Brother, Money, and Ram Gopal Varma’s Siva and Gaayam.

A recipient of the Padma Shri, Srinivasa Rao also served as a BJP MLA from the Vijayawada East assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh between 1999 and 2004.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan were among the many leaders who condoled his demise.

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao, and Andhra BJP chief PVN Madhav also visited his residence to pay homage.

From the film industry, Chiranjeevi, Jr NTR, producer D Suresh Babu, veteran actor Murali Mohan, and several others expressed their condolences.

Actor Sivaji Raja, a close friend of Srinivasa Rao, told PTI that the funeral details would be decided after the arrival of Rao’s younger brother, actor Kota Sankar Rao, in Hyderabad.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soumya Srivastava
Soumya Srivastava is the Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor at Hindustan Times, bringing over a decade of experience covering movies, celebrities, pop culture, and everything that feels current and compelling. With a sharp editorial lens and an instinct for what resonates, she writes stories that balance insight with accessibility — whether she’s reporting from a red carpet, reviewing a buzzy new release, or unpacking the craft behind cinema. An unabashed Swiftie and a devoted admirer of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking, Soumya blends heart and analysis in equal measure. She holds a degree in English Literature from Janki Devi Memorial College, Delhi University, and is an alumna of IIMC Dhenkanal (2013). As a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, her reviews reflect credibility, cultural awareness, and a nuanced understanding of storytelling across genres and formats. She has interviewed celebrities like Celine Song, Zoya Akhtar, Kajol, Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Tripathi and more. She has also reviwes hundreds of movies and written thousands of stories, made videos, special columns and more. While films remain her first love, Soumya’s interests extend deeply into lifestyle and design. She is particularly drawn to décor, thoughtfully designed spaces, and the subtle ways aesthetics influence everyday living. From celebrity homes and interior trends to broader lifestyle movements, she enjoys exploring how personal taste intersects with identity and modern culture. Her voice is informed yet relatable, analytical yet warm — making her work engaging for a wide and diverse readership. Through her writing, Soumya continues to shape conversations around entertainment, lifestyle, and contemporary culture.Read More

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