Veteran Tollywood actor and politician better known by the stage name Krishnam Raju. He is popularly known as the “rebel star” of the Telugu film industry. He was born Upplapati Venkata Krishnam Raju on 20th January. He passed away on September 11th at the age of 82 at AIG hospital, Hyderabad.
He is an uncle to the most popular actor Prabhas. Krishnam Raju was last seen in the film Radhe Shyam, which also starred as nephew Prabhas. Krishnam Raju’s popular films included Sitha Rammalu, Radhe Shyam, Prema Tarangalu, Yuddham, Bebbuli, and many other notable works. He had also won the Filmfare award, Filmfare lifetime achievement award, and other notable awards.
He also had a political career, which started in the year 1992. He had a major role to play in the cow slaughter prohibition. Though he started with a Congress ticket, he later joined BJP as he got an offer from the current ruling party.
The main reason for death was cardiac arrest. The cardiac arrest was preceded by his brief health complication, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic heart dysfunction, and pneumonia. Previously, he also underwent leg surgery and amputation for the peripheral vascular disease last year.
He was on ventilator support in his last days. In his last moments, he succumbed to two complications from severe pneumonia on September 11 at 3:16 am.
According to sources, he also got infections of COVID which ultimately lead to his death Many famous film industry personalities like Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Narendra Modi (PM), and many other south stars paid homage to the late actor. Prabhas broke down at the funeral. The video surfaced when the actors were assembled at the place where the body was kept.
Many politicians also conveyed their condolences on Twitter. The news of his death came as a shock to many actors not only in the Telugu industry but also to his fans as well. The last rites were performed by his nephew Prabhas.
The late actor turned politician is survived by his wife Shyamala Devi and his children, Sai Praseedha, Sai Pradeepti, and Sai Prakeerthi. He also belonged to the political party Praja Rajyam Party which he joined in 1992. During his political career, he was the minister of rural development, minister of defense, minister of food, consumers, and minister of external affairs. He was laid to rest with state honors
