Veteran Telugu actor and Litterateur Gollapudi Maruthi Rao breathes his last in Chennai

Veteran Telugu actor Gollapudi Maruthi Rao has

passed away

on Thursday afternoon in Chennai. The 80-year-old

Litterateur

breathed his last at a private hospital while undergoing treatment from the past few months. Besides being a versatile actor, he was a theatre performer, screenwriter, dramatist, playwright and dialogue writer known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu Literature. 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).

Born into a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family in Vizianagaram, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao graduated from the Andhra University in 1959 with a specialization in Mathematical Physics. At just 13 years of age, he bagged a job at the

All India Radio

and upon completion of graduation; he started off his professional career as a

journalist

. After working in several leading dailies for close to two decades, the talented thespian forayed into cinema. He holds six Nandi Awards to his name.

Some of Maruthi Rao’s noted films include

Samsaram Oka Chadarangam

, Swati Mutyam, Gudachari No.1, Aalaya Sikharam, Challenge, Murari, Leader and Kanche. He won the Nandi award as the Best Writer for Doctor Chakravarthy.

Maruti Rao

's noted literary works and plays include Rendu Rellu Aaru, Patita, Karuninchani Devatalu, Mahanatudu, Kaalam Venakku Tirigindi and Aasayaalaku Sankellu.