Kaikala Satyanarayana, the Yama of Telugu cinema, passes away

Senior actor Kaikala Satyanarayana, who has been battling health issues for a while now, passed away in the early hours of Friday. Age-related issues have been cited as his cause of death. He was 87.

Having made his debut with Sipayi Kuthuru in 1959, Satyanarayana is one of the few in Telugu cinema to complete 60 years as an artist. Over the course of his long and vibrant career comprising nearly 800 films, the actor has explored every genre and role there is and best known for playing the villain in numerous films. 

Like NTR immortalised Lord Krishna through cinema, Satyanarayana brought Yamadharma Raju to life on screen in multiple films such as Yama Gola (1975), Yamakinkarudu (1982), Yamuduki Mogudu (1988), Yamaleela (1994), Yamagola Malli Modalayindi (2007) and finally, Daruvu (2012). Some of his other remarkable films include Narthanasala (1963), Sri Krishnavataram (1967), Kathanayika Molla (1970), Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971), Manavudu Danavudu (1972), Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973), Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu (1973), Sita Kalyanam (1976), and Vetagadu (2019). More recently, he was seen in a guest role in Maharshi (2019).

Satyanarayana won three state-presented Nandi Awards. He is survived by his spouse and 4 children.