Hyderabad: Veteran Telugu actor Chalapathi Rao passed away on December 25 following a cardiac arrest. Rao was best known for his comic and villainous roles in Telugu cinema. In his career spanning over six decades, Rao had starred in over 600 films and was last seen in the 2022 film Bangarraju. He was 78 years old.
Born in Balliparru village of Krishna district in 1944, Chalapathi debuted in the film industry with Gudachari 116. According to reports, it was senior actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao who helped Rao to enter the filmdom. In his decades-long career, Chalapathi has acted with three generations of Nandamuri family – NT Rama Rao, Balakrishna and Jr NTR.
After the news of his death broke, there was an outpouring of condolences and grief on Twitter, with many calling him the ‘finest and boldest’ actors of the current generation. Fans took to social media and shared old videos of him from films.
Condolences poured in for the veteran actor from various quarters including Telugu film industry and audiences. A fan wrote, "Finest and boldest actor of the past and present generation Miss you and your apt roles Om shanti.” Another condoled, “We lost another great actor…” A third added that it was a ‘terrible’ year for Tollywood.
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Chalapathi Rao babai is very dear to me as a person and to my family as well. His sudden demise has come as an absolute shocker for our whole family. Words cannot explain this loss. May his family be blessed with the strength to go through this pain.
— Kalyanram Nandamuri (@NANDAMURIKALYAN) December 25, 2022 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
Om Shanti 🙏🏽
">Chalapathi Rao babai is very dear to me as a person and to my family as well. His sudden demise has come as an absolute shocker for our whole family. Words cannot explain this loss. May his family be blessed with the strength to go through this pain.
— Kalyanram Nandamuri (@NANDAMURIKALYAN) December 25, 2022
Om Shanti 🙏🏽Chalapathi Rao babai is very dear to me as a person and to my family as well. His sudden demise has come as an absolute shocker for our whole family. Words cannot explain this loss. May his family be blessed with the strength to go through this pain.
— Kalyanram Nandamuri (@NANDAMURIKALYAN) December 25, 2022
Om Shanti 🙏🏽
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Deeply saddened by the demise of the most loved human being and actor & the Babai of Tollywood “Chalapathi Rao” garu 🙏
— KONA VENKAT (@konavenkat99) December 25, 2022 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
My heart felt condolences to the family & friends 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HJVStC7rXc
">Deeply saddened by the demise of the most loved human being and actor & the Babai of Tollywood “Chalapathi Rao” garu 🙏
— KONA VENKAT (@konavenkat99) December 25, 2022
My heart felt condolences to the family & friends 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HJVStC7rXcDeeply saddened by the demise of the most loved human being and actor & the Babai of Tollywood “Chalapathi Rao” garu 🙏
— KONA VENKAT (@konavenkat99) December 25, 2022
My heart felt condolences to the family & friends 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HJVStC7rXc
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Terrible Year for Telugu cinema.
— Sai Dharam Tej (@IamSaiDharamTej) December 25, 2022 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
Saddened at the loss of another Gem of an actor #ChalapathiRao Garu.
Deepest condolences to Ravi Babu Garu, family and dear ones.
May his soul rest in peace.
Om Shanti 🙏
">Terrible Year for Telugu cinema.
— Sai Dharam Tej (@IamSaiDharamTej) December 25, 2022
Saddened at the loss of another Gem of an actor #ChalapathiRao Garu.
Deepest condolences to Ravi Babu Garu, family and dear ones.
May his soul rest in peace.
Om Shanti 🙏Terrible Year for Telugu cinema.
— Sai Dharam Tej (@IamSaiDharamTej) December 25, 2022
Saddened at the loss of another Gem of an actor #ChalapathiRao Garu.
Deepest condolences to Ravi Babu Garu, family and dear ones.
May his soul rest in peace.
Om Shanti 🙏
His body will be kept at his son Ravi Babu’s residence for fans and well-wishers to pay their respects on Sunday, and his last rites are likely to be performed after his daughter arrives from the United States. Chalapathi Rao is survived by his wife Indumathi, two daughters and his son Ravi Babu.
