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Kota Srinivasa Rao Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth10 July 1942

Age83 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceKankipadu, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)

ProfessionActor, Politician

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseRukmani Rao

FamilySon (Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, deceased); Daughters Pavani Srinivasa Rao and Pallavi Srinivasa Rao; Father Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu; Siblings include Kota Sankara Rao, Kota Narasimha Rao, Annapurna

Kota Srinivasa Rao Biography

Kota Srinivasa Rao was an Indian actor and politician whose career spanned decades across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema. A versatile,奖

Early life and background
Kota Srinivasa Rao was born on 10 July 1942 in Kankipadu in what was then the Madras Presidency of British India (now part of Andhra Pradesh). He completed a Bachelor of Science and during his college years took part in numerous stage plays, representing his college in theatrical productions. After graduating he qualified in the All-India Banking Services Examination and joined the State Bank of India, working as a banker before leaving that career to pursue acting.

Career
Kota made his Telugu film debut in 1978 with Pranam Khareedu and went on to build a prolific filmography across several South Indian film industries as well as in Hindi cinema. He became known for playing a wide range of characters — from strong supporting parts to memorable villains and fully rounded character roles. Over the years he appeared in landmark Telugu films such as Pratighatana (for which he won a Nandi Special Jury Award), Gaayam, Teerpu, Little Soldiers, Ganesh, Chinna, Prudhvi Narayana, Aa Naluguru and Pellaina Kothalo. His performance as Mallesh Goud in Dookudu earned him further recognition.

Kota’s credits also include notable appearances outside Telugu cinema. He acted in Hindi films including Pratighaat (Hindi version of Pratighatana), Sarkar, Ek: The Power of One, Rakta Charitra and Rakta Charitra 2, and Baaghi. His Tamil film appearances included roles in Aai, Jaisurya, Jore, Kanagavel Kaaka and Saamy 2; he also worked in Kannada and Malayalam productions such as Raktha Kanneeru, Namma Basava and The Train. In addition to on-screen acting, he contributed as a voice artist, dubbing Tamil films into Telugu for titles such as Gentleman, Majaa and Sivaji: The Boss.

Throughout his career Kota received many accolades from the Andhra Pradesh state government and the wider film community. He won multiple Nandi Awards across categories including Best Villain, Best Character Actor and Best Supporting Actor for a series of films from the mid-1980s through the 2000s. He also received a South Indian International Movie Award (SIIMA) for Best Supporting Actor and the Hyderabad Times Film Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role. In 2015 he was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Politics
Kota entered electoral politics as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He contested the 1999 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections from the Vijayawada East constituency on a BJP ticket and won, defeating the Indian National Congress candidate Ilapuram Venkaiah. He served as an MLA during that term. He did not receive a party ticket for the 2004 assembly elections.

Public profile
Kota was widely regarded as a prolific character actor whose range allowed him to portray both dramatic and comedic roles as well as antagonists. He frequently worked across language industries and was known for his distinctive presence and voice. Personal details reported in public sources include a height of approximately 175 cm, dark brown eyes, and salt-and-pepper hair. He was a practicing Hindu and identified with the Brahmin community.

Personal life
Kota was married to Rukmani Rao. The couple had three children: one son, Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad (who predeceased him and was also an actor), and two daughters, Pavani Srinivasa Rao and Pallavi Srinivasa Rao. His father was Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu, a doctor. He had siblings, including brothers Kota Sankara Rao and Kota Narasimha Rao and a sister named Annapurna.

Controversies and public incidents
Over the years Kota attracted public attention not only for his work but for remarks he made in interviews that provoked debate. Reports record instances where his comments about other public figures prompted strong responses. In 2023 false reports of his death circulated on social media; he later appeared in a video reassuring followers that he was alive and asking people not to trust the rumors.

Latest updates
Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away on 13 July 2025 at his residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. He was 83 years old and his death was reported as due to age-related illness.
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Recent Work

Oorantha Anukuntunnaru

Played the character Oori Pedda in this 2019 Telugu film.

2019
Saamy 2

Cameo role as Ilaiya Perumal (Perumal Pichai) in the 2018 Tamil film.

2018
Baaghi

Portrayed the character Dasanna in the 2016 Bollywood film alongside Tiger Shroff.

2016
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Career Highlights

  1. Made Telugu film debut with Pranam Khareedu (1978)
  2. Multiple Nandi Awards across different categories including Best Villain and Best Supporting Actor
  3. Won Padma Shri from the Government of India (2015)
  4. Elected as MLA from Vijayawada East on a BJP ticket (1999)
  5. Worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kota Srinivasa Rao born?

10 July 1942

What is Kota Srinivasa Rao known for?

Actor, Politician

What is Kota Srinivasa Rao’s marital status?

Married

Who is Kota Srinivasa Rao married to?

Rukmani Rao