Veteran actor and former Union Minister Krishnam Raju dies at 83, PM Modi pays tribute

PTI

Hyderabad, September 11

Former Union Minister and veteran actor Uppalapati Krishnam Raju passed away on Sunday wee hours while undergoing treatment at a private hospital here, hospital sources said.

He was 83 and is survived by wife and three daughters.

PM Modi extended his condolence over the demise of a Telugu actor. He wrote, "Saddened by the passing away of Shri UV Krishnam Raju Garu. 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. Om Shanti."

Saddened by the passing away of Shri UV Krishnam Raju Garu. 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. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/hJyeGVpYA5

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2022

Saddened with the veteran actor's demise, Amit Shah tweeted, "Pained to learn that the beloved star of Telugu Cinema and former Union Minister, U Krishnam Raju Garu has left us. He won millions of hearts with his versatile acting & worked for the betterment of society.His passing away leaves a deep void in our Telugu cinema. My condolences."

Pained to learn that the beloved star of Telugu Cinema and former Union Minister, U Krishnam Raju Garu has left us. He won millions of hearts with his versatile acting & worked for the betterment of society.His passing away leaves a deep void in our Telugu cinema. My condolences.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 11, 2022

Raju was uncle of ‘Baahubali’ star Prabhas.

Hospital sources said he was suffering from post-COVID-19 ailments. He was admitted to hospital on August 5.

He was a two-time Lok Sabha member and served as Union Minister of state in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

Known as ‘Rebel Star’, Raju acted in over 180 films and remained a trendsetter with his rebellious characters. He started his film career with Telugu movie ‘Chilaka Gorinka’ in 1966.

He won several awards and accolades for various roles he portrayed in films.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao in a statement condoled his death.

KCR said that the death of Krishnam Raju, who acted as a hero in many films during a fifty-year career and won the hearts of moviegoers as a ‘Rebel Star’ with his unique acting style, is a great loss for the Telugu silver screen.

He further said Krishnam Raju served the people of the country as a member of the Lok Sabha, as a Union Minister and through the field of political administration, is sad.

Condoling the former minister’s death, Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a statement said the death of Krishnam Raju is painful and a big loss to the BJP, Telugu film industry and people.

The AIG Hospitals where he was undergoing treatment, in a statement, said he was admitted for post COVID complications on August 5. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia caused by multidrug resistant bacteria and fungal organisms, severe infective bronchitis.

He had heart rhythm disturbances during the hospital stay and worsening of kidney function. He was managed on ventilator support since admission.

He was on appropriate treatment and close monitoring was done.

“He succumbed to severe pneumonia and its complications on 11.9.22 and expired at 3.16 am today due to cardiac arrest,” it said.

Earlier, Rajnath Singh took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "Shocked by the demise of Legendary Actor and former MP, Krishnam Raju garu. He will be remembered for his excellent performances in several Telugu films. He had a wonderful and magnanimous personality. My condolences to Prabhas, his entire family and admirers. Om Shanti."

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the demise of actor Prabhas's uncle Krishnam Raju.

The Chief Minister lauded the contribution of the rebel star, as he was popularly known, to film land and public life and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members.

Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan also expressed grief after the demise of a veteran Tollywood actor.

Governor Harichandan said, Krishnam Raju served as a Member of Lok Sabha from 1999 to 2004 and held the portfolios of Rural Development, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Defence and External Affairs as Union Minister.

The Governor offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

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