Kota Srinivasa Rao was not just an actor but a legend in Telugu cinema, known for his effortless transitions between comedy and villainy. As he passed away at the age of 83, here are 10 rare and interesting facts about him that many may not know.
— His journey began and ended with the Mega family
Kota Made His Debut In Chiranjeevi’s Film Pranam Khareedu and Ended His Career With Hari Hara Veera Mallu, Starring Chiranjeevi’s Brother Pawan Kalyan.
— Kota’s political stint was short but bold
He won as an MLA from Vijayawada East on a BJP ticket in 1999. However, he later distanced himself from politics, saying it required constant dishonesty, which he didn’t believe in.
— He had three children
Two daughters and a son, Prasad. Kota hoped his son would become a hero, but sadly, Prasad died in a road accident in 2010. After this tragedy, Kota stayed away from films for nearly three years.
— He turned personal pain into public awareness
Following his son’s accident, Kota collaborated with the state government to promote road safety awareness among the public.
— Generous in real life, unlike his on-screen image
Though he often played greedy or stingy characters, in real life, Kota was known for quiet acts of generosity and charity.
— He once played a character that critiqued NTR and earned NTR’s praise
In Mandaladeesudu, a controversial film critical of NTR’s politics, Kota played a version of NTR himself, and NTR surprisingly appreciated his performance.
— A financial mentor in the industry
Kota was known for his strong financial discipline and even advised fellow actors on saving money and managing wealth smartly.
— Started his career in banking
Before films, Kota worked at SBI in Vijayawada as a cashier and later as a manager. He only quit the job after getting a film offer.
— He openly criticized casting outsiders in villain roles
Kota believed local talent deserved more chances and openly slammed filmmakers for choosing villains from other states, even at the cost of losing roles himself.
— He never chased fame
Despite his legendary status, Kota stayed grounded. He focused on performance, never public image and that’s what made him truly timeless.
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