Senior Indian actor and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at his residence in Hyderabad on Sunday morning. He was 83.

The veteran actor, who celebrated his birthday just two days ago, had been ailing for some time, according to Indian media reports.

Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Rao began his acting career in 1978 and went on to become one of the most prolific artists in Indian cinema. Over the span of more than four decades, he acted in over 750 films across multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi.

Renowned for his powerful portrayals of negative characters, Rao earned a place among the most respected character actors in South Indian cinema. His versatility and screen presence brought depth to every role, making him a favourite among filmmakers and audiences alike.

In recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema, Rao was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2015 — one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

Outside of the silver screen, Rao also played an active role in politics. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Vijayawada East constituency representing the BJP between 1999 and 2004.

The news of his demise has led to an outpouring of tributes from across the Indian film industry. Actors, directors, and fans have taken to social media to express their grief and remember the legendary artist’s body of work.

Filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas described Rao as a “pillar of Telugu cinema,” while actor Chiranjeevi called him “irreplaceable in both cinema and public life.”

Funeral arrangements are expected to take place in Hyderabad, with members of the film fraternity and political circles expected to attend.

Kota Srinivasa Rao is survived by his family, including his son, Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, who is also an actor.