Governor, Chief Minister Condole Death of Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao

 Vijayawada: Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer has expressed profound grief on the passing away of versatile Tollywood actor and former MLA Sri Kota Srinivasa Rao in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Governor Nazeer said Srinivasa Rao made a lasting impact with memorable roles on stage and screen over the last four decades and won the hearts of Telugus. The governor offered his condolences to the bereaved family.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deepest sorrow and condolences to the Kota family. Naidu paid tribute to the mortal remains of the deceased by visiting his residence at Filmnagar in Hyderabad and consoled the family members.

The Chief Minister recalled, ‘‘I have a close relationship with Srinivasa Rao. In 1999, he became an MLA on behalf of the BJP. He did a lot of public service. Kota acted in about 750 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi languages. He could make people cry and scare them in a single scene. His hard work and talent were the reasons for the Padma Shri and 7 Nandi honours he got. I pray that his soul rests in peace. I express my deepest condolences to his family members."

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said, “The news is deeply saddening. Versatile talent Kota, who has acted in more than 700 films in various roles in almost all Indian languages, is no more. This is a great loss to the film industry. He started his film journey with the film Pranam Khareedhu. Acting in more than half a dozen films with him will remain a memory forever. I express my deepest condolences to his family members and fans.”

Education minister Nara Lokesh said, “I express my condolences. Padma Shri Kota Srinivasa Rao, who played many distinctive roles in his four-decade film journey, has earned a special place for himself in the hearts of the Telugu audience. He brought many characters to life with his distinctive acting styles. He acted in other languages as well. He won the Vijayawada East constituency MLA seat in 1999 and earned a reputation through his public service. His death is a great loss to the Telugu film industry.”

YSRC president and former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the demise. He said, “ Kota has left behind his inimitable mark on the film industry with his diverse performance. His demise is a loss to the film industry. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.”