Veteran actor, writer, director and screenwriter
Gollapudi Maruthi Rao passed away in Chennai on Thursday (November 12) afternoon. The 80-year-old thespian has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in T Nagar and according to reports; he breathed his last at around 12 noon due to age-related ailments.
In a film career spanning for close to four decades, Maruthi Rao featured in over 250 films and played a multitude of roles. He made his acting debut with
Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya
(1982) and his last film was the Aadi Saikumar starrer Jodi (2019). Besides his on-screen performances, the talented personality was best known for penning down films like
Doctor Chakravarthy
, Tharangini, Samsaram Chadharangam and Kallu among more. He won the Nandi award as the Best Writer for Doctor Chakravarthy.
Gollapudi’s immense contribution towards Telugu theatre includes literary works and plays like Rendu Rellu Aaru, Patita, Karuninchani Devatalu, Mahanatudu, Kaalam Venakku Tirigindi and Aasayaalaku Sankellu among more. Some of his noted films include Samsaram Oka Chadarangam, Swati Mutyam, Gudachari No.1, Aalaya Sikharam, Challenge, Murari, Leader and Kanche.
From
Mahesh Babu, Nani and Sudheer Babu to Anasuya Bharadwaj and
Anushka Shetty, several
celebrities
from the
Telugu film fraternity
expressed shock over Maruthi Rao’s death and offered their condolences on
social media
.
Mahesh Babu
Anushka Shetty
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Nani
Manchu Manoj
Nikhil Siddharth
Gopichand
Srinivasa Reddy
Eesha Rebba
Pragya Jaiswal
Anasuya Bharadwaj
Allari Naresh
Kona Venkat
Sudheer Babu
Anil Ravipudi
Indraganti Mohan Krishna