Veteran Telugu film actor and former BJP MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao died at the age of 83 due to prolonged illness at his residence in Filmnagar in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

The actor died in the early hours of Sunday, two days after his 83rd birthday, NDTV reported.

Born in Kankipadu in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao made his debut with 'Pranam Khareedhu' in 1978. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he acted in over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi languages, gaining fame for his versatile performances, particularly in villainous and character roles.

Some of his notable films include 'Aha Naa Pellanta!,' 'Pratigatana,' 'Khaidi Number 786,' 'Shiva,' and 'Yamaleela.'