Kota Srinivasa Rao

Kota Srinivasa Rao is an Indian film actor, known for his excellent work primarily in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. He has also starred in few films in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam. As former politician, Rao has served as MLA from Vijayawada East in Andhra Pradesh, India from 1999 to 2004. He made his debut with the Telugu film Pranam Khareedu in 1978. He starred in seven hundred and fifty feature films. He has received nine state Nandi Awards as best character, villain and supporting actor. In 2012, he has garnered the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA), for his work in Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum. In 2015, he received India's fourth highest civilian honor Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema.

He received wide critical acclaim for his diverse roles in hits such as Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Julayi (2012), Dookudu (2011), Rakta Charitra (2010), Leader (2010), Ready (2008), Sarkar  (2006), Bommarillu (2006), Pournami (2006), Athadu (2005), Malliswari (2004), Tagore (2003), Idiot (2002), Student No. 1 (2001),  Ganesh (1998), Anaganaga Oka Roju  (1997), Aha Naa Pellanta (1987), Aame (1994), Hello Brother (1994), Govindha Govindha (1993), Gaayam (1993),  Money (1993), Sathruvu (1990), Shiva (1989), Pratighatana (1986), and Repati Pourulu (1986). In 2003, he made his debut in Tamil film Saamy as a suave villain. He played a negative role Saniyan Saggadai in the Tamil film Thirupaachi.

Personal life
His father Kota Seetha Rama Anjaneyulu was a doctor. Srinivasa initially aimed to become a doctor but eventually couldn't make it because of his love towards acting. He started his career on stage in drama plays during college. He has a Bachelor of science degree and worked as a State Bank employee before entering the film industry.

He is married to Rukmini and has three children (2 daughters and a son). He lost his son Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad on 20 June 2010 in a road accident in Hyderabad. Prasad acted in J. D. Chakravarthy's flick Siddham and alongside his father in Gaayam 2 (2010). His acting was critically acclaimed.

Srinivasa's younger brother Kota Sankara Rao is also an actor. He works in a nationalised bank and acts in soap operas.

Awards

 * Civilian Honors
 * Padma Shri (2015)


 * Nandi Awards
 * Nandi Special Jury Award – Pratighatana (1985)
 * Nandi Award for Best Villain – Gaayam (1993)
 * Nandi Award for Best Villain – Teerpu (1994)
 * Nandi Award for Best Character Actor – Little Soldiers (1996)
 * Nandi Award for Best Villain – Ganesh (1998)
 * Nandi Award for Best Villain – Chinna (2000)
 * Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor – Prudhvi Narayana (2002)
 * Nandi Award for Best Character Actor – Aa Naluguru (2004)
 * Nandi Award for Best Character Actor – Pellaina Kothalo (2006)


 * SIIMA Awards
 * South Indian International Movie Award – Best Supporting Actor – Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (2012)


 * Other honours
 * Allu Ramalingaiah Puraskaram