Actor-politician Krishnam Raju dies of prolonged illness

Renowned Telugu film actor and former Union Minister of State for Defence and External Affairs Uppalapati Krishnam Raju breathed his last at a Hyderabad hospital at 3:25 am due to prolonged illness. He was 83 and is survived by his wife and three daughters. Krishnam Raju is also the paternal uncle of actor Prabhas with whom he last shared screen space in Radhe Shyam. He won three Nandi Awards and has been honoured with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2014.

The Tollywood veteran had been in and out of the hospital for the last year and his family had hoped that he would get better. Raju had contracted Diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, post cardiac stenting with chronic heart rhythm disorder and heart dysfunction. He underwent leg surgery and amputation for the peripheral vascular disease last year. He has chronic kidney disease, chronic COPD and chronic bronchitis. He was admitted to a private hospital for post-Covid-19 complications in August and has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungal organisms. He suffered rhythm disturbances during the treatment and it worsened his kidney function. He was put on ventilator support and couldn't be revived.

The veteran actor, known to generations of movie buffs as the 'Rebel Star' for his portrayal of the intense, fiery performances in films like Katakataala Rudraiah, Rangoon Rowdy, Trishulam, Bobbili Brahmanna and Tandra Paparayudu, forayed into the showbiz with Chilaka Gorinka in 1996. However, the film bombed at the box office and a distress Raju contemplated bidding adieu to the industry. But destiny had other plans and he attained fame with late Bapu's directorial Bhakta Kannappa and went on to act in over 180 films. Incidentally, Krishnam Raju and actor Chiranjeevi hail from the same village, Mogaltur, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. Krishnam Raju’s popularity in the industry ran parallel to that of the stalwarts of the industry of that era, including NT Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishna. Raju's vivaciousness was very much alive in his eyes and his unique body language and dialogue delivery have been lapped up by the audience.

In his five-decade career, Krishnam Raju portrayed a diverse range of roles and also donned the producer's hat by launching his home production Gopi Krishna Movies. Although he was known for portraying ferocious roles, he was equally successful as a romantic hero in films like Krishnaveni, Amara Deepam and Jeevana Teeralu among others. He also acted in supporting roles and won laurels in films like Two Town Rowdy, Neti Siddhartha, Bava Bavamaridi, Palnati Pourusham and Yevade Subramanyam.

Krishnam Raju had always expressed his desire to remake his path-breaking hit Bhakta Kannappa, favourite film Mana Voori Pandavulu and critically-acclaimed film Visala Netralu with Prabhas. He also readied a script named Okka Adugu and wanted to direct this film with the Saaho actor. Raju also wished to see Prabhas married and these wishes of his remain unfulfilled.

However, Raju felt a sense of fulfilment for the career trajectory of Prabhas, especially after the mammoth success of the Baahubali franchise. He loved life and was always a man of celebrations. He would often treat his co-stars with delicious home-cooked food and this habit of his uncle is now being followed by Prabhas.

Krishnam Raju also had a long stint in politics after he was elected to Lok Sabha in 1998 and 1999 from Kakinada and Narsapuram constituencies on a BJP ticket. Raju also served as the Union Minister of State for four years during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's term as the Prime Minister from 1999 to 2004. Interestingly, he was the first actor to serve as the Union Minister. In 2009, Raju quit BJP to join the Praja Rajyam Party launched by actor Chiranjeevi and contested from the Rajahmundry parliamentary constituency but lost.

The entire Telugu film industry is mourning Krishnam Raju's death and several celebrities have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his message, said, "The coming generations will remember his cinematic brilliance and creativity. He was also at the forefront of community service and made a mark as a political leader. Condolences to his family and admirers."

Expressing his deep sorrow at the demise of Krishnam Raju, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said Krishnam Raju ruled the hearts of the audience as the Rebel Star and proved his versatility with his unique acting abilities. His death has created a void that can't be filled.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the demise of Raju and lauded his contribution to the film industry and public life and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.

Actor Chiranjeevi, who worked with Raju in Mana Voori Pandavulu said, "We both hail from the same village and he encouraged me like an elder brother during my initial days in the industry. He is the true definition of the sobriquet Rebel Star and his passing away has left an incredible loss not only to the film and political fraternities but a huge loss to me, too. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members and my brother Prabhas."

Actor Krishna, who acted with Krishnam Raju in films like Kurukshetram, Adavi Simhalu and Sulthan, said his death was an irreplaceable loss to the film industry and he was an accomplished actor, besides a good human.

Actors Nandamuri Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Mohan Babu, Ravi Teja, Ram Pothineni, Vishnu Manchu and directors Anil Ravipudi, Gopichand Malineni, Satish Vegesna and MS Raju joined thousands of fans, who are mourning the tragic demise of the stalwart.

Krishnam Raju's mortal remains were kept for public viewing at his residence in Jubilee Hills. His funeral procession will begin at 11:30 am on Monday and his last rites will be performed with full State honours at his Kanaka Mamidi farm house, near Chevella, Moinabad.