Kota Srinivasa Rao – A Star Among the Stalwarts

Kota Srinivasa Rao carried a unique identity in the film industry. His demise today will remind us of all his great performances in Telugu cinema. With health issues, he has not been active in Telugu cinema in recent times. However, he left an impression that is remarkable and irreplaceable.

Born on July 10, 1945, in Kankipadu, Krishna District, he was the son of Dr. Kota Seetharamanjaneyulu. Though he initially aimed to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor, fate had other plans. He left a stable job in banking and followed his passion. Kota debuted with the film Pranam Khareedhu ,which had Megastar Chiranjeevi in the lead role.

From there, Kota’s journey spanned across Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada cinema, with over 750 films to his credit. Though he began with supporting roles, his shift to villainous parts showcased versatility.

The turning point came with Yadagiri, which won him his first Nandi Award. But it was the cult classic Aha Naa Pellanta, where he played the miserly Lakshmipati, that revealed his gift for comedy and made him a household name.

In the 90s, Kota was unstoppable. Be it as the main villain, a scheming sidekick, or a character balancing both humor and threat, he was always the director’s first choice. Samba Sivudu, a character from the film Ganesh, is one of the most popular ones. His partnership with Babu Mohan in over a 100 films is definitely a treat to watch for the audiences.

Kota’s contribution to political dramas was equally profound—films like Pratighatana, Ganesh, Leader, Chatrapathi, Munna, Pratishta, Saamy, and Sarkar.

Kota also dubbed for Tamil comedian Goundamani and also for Manivannan in several films. Kota Srinivasa Rao was a rare talent versatile, fearless, and deeply committed to his art. His journey from the stage to cinema, his seamless transitions between languages and genres, and his unmatched presence have left a void that will be impossible to fill.