Last update: December 25, 2022, 12:55 PM IST
Chalapathi Rao died on Sunday, December 25 due to cardiac arrest.
Veteran Telugu actor Tammareddy Chalapathi Rao died of cardiac arrest in Hyderabad. Actor Ravi Babu’s father’s last rites will be performed on December 28.
Chalapathi Rao, who was known for his villainous and comical roles in Telugu films like Chattamtho Poratam, Yamagola Malli Modalayindi and the latest Bangarraju, died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Hyderabad. Rao breathed his last to his son, actor-filmmaker Ravi Babu’s Banjara Hills residence in the wee hours of Sunday. He was 78 years old.
Chalapathi Rao’s family said the actor’s last rites will be performed on December 28 after his daughter’s arrival from the United States. They said the body will be kept at Ravi Babu’s house where celebrities and fans will pay their last respects. He will then be taken to the Mahaprasthanam in Jubilee Hills where he will be given the last rites on Wednesday.
Born on May 8, 1944 in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Chalapathi Rao worked with three generations of leading stars over five decades. He made his debut in 1966 with the film ‘Ghodachari 116’ and acted in supporting roles with leading actors like NT Rama Rao, Krishna, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh. He also produced a couple of films.
After news of his death, Twitter was flooded with condolence messages from fans and actors who remembered Chalapathi Rao for his contribution to Indian cinema. Several celebrities including Pawan Kalyan, Sai Dharam Tej and Nandamuri Balakrishna paid heartfelt tributes to the late film legend.
Sai Dharam tweeted, “Terrible year for Telugu cinema. Saddened by the loss of another gem of an actor #ChalapathiRao Garu. Deepest condolences to Ravi Babu Garu, family & loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.”
Terrible year for Telugu cinema.Grieving the loss of another gem of an actor #ChalapathiRao warts Deepest condolences to Ravi Babu Garu, family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti 🙏— Sai Dharam Tej (@IamSaiDharamTej) December 25, 2022
Saddened to hear the death of Shri #ChalapathiRao garu, he is a kind hearted person..may his soul rest in peace. 🙏 Strength #RaviBabu Garu and family members at this difficult time.— Bobby (@dirbobby) December 25, 2022
Deeply saddened by the death of the most loved human and actor and Tollywood “Chalapathi Rao” garu Babai 🙏 My heart goes out to his family and friends 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HJVStC7rXc— KONA VENKAT (@konavenkat99) December 25, 2022
Chalapathi Rao is survived by two daughters and a son.
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