Actor Chiranjeevi expressed his condolences over the reported death of actor Ravi Teja’s father, Bhupati Raju Rajagopal Raju, who passed away on Tuesday night due to age-related health complications. He was 90.

In a message shared online, Chiranjeevi said, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Brother Ravi Teja’s father. I last met him on the sets of Waltair Veerayya. He was very cheerful and spoke with great enthusiasm. In this difficult time, my heartfelt condolences to his family. I pray that his soul finds peace.”

According to reports, Rajagopal Raju had been suffering from health issues for an extended period and passed away at his son Ravi Teja’s residence in Hyderabad. The final rites are expected to be conducted today.

Hailing from Jaggampeta in Andhra Pradesh, Rajagopal Raju worked as a travelling pharmacist, a profession that took him to various parts of India. As a result, Ravi Teja’s education spanned several cities, including Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bhopal. This mobility is believed to have played a part in Ravi Teja’s fluency in multiple languages.

Despite Ravi Teja’s rise to fame in Telugu cinema, Rajagopal Raju maintained a low profile and rarely appeared at public events. Known for his simplicity, he was said to be a supportive presence in his son’s life and career.

Rajagopal Raju is survived by his wife, Rajya Lakshmi, and sons Ravi Teja and Raghu Raju. His younger son Bharath Raju, who had also acted in films, passed away in a car accident in 2017. Condolences continue to pour in from the film fraternity and well-wishers.

Waltair Veerayya starred both Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja, who played stepbrothers on screen.