Veteran Tollywood actor & ex-MP Kaikala Satyanarayana dies at 87

Hyderabad: Legendary Tollywood actor and former MP, Kaikala Satyanarayana, popularly known as ‘Nava Rasa Sarvabhouma’ who predominantly performed in many Tollywood films, passed away at his residence Film Nagar here in the wee hours on Friday after battling with age-related health issues for the past couple of years.

He was 87 and survived by his wife Nageswaramma, two sons and two daughters.

Kaikala, who was born to Kaikala Laxmi Narayana from Kavutaram village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, studied his primary education in Gudlavalleru and intermediate education in Vijayawada, He graduated from Gudivada College.

In 1959, Kaikala, who entered the industry with the movie 'Sipayi Kuturu' directed by Changayya, starred in more than 750 movies in his career spanning nearly six decades.

He also played dupe to NTR in several movies. NTR offered Satyanarayana a role in his film Apoorva Sahasra Siraccheda Chintamani in 1960, directed by S. D. Lal. Satyanarayana where he played the of a prince.

He played a wide variety of roles in films, especially with the role of 'Yama' he stayed in the hearts of the audience.

B. Vittalacharya casted him in a negative role in Kanaka Durga Pooja Mahima and from then on, Satyanarayana established himself as villain.

Besides acting, he also produced various films under his home banner Rama Films.

He was last seen in the 2009 film ‘Arundhati’.

In 1996, Kaikala, who was a close follower of legendary actor and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao, stepped into politics and served as the Member of Parliament in the 11th Lok Sabha representing Machilipatnam constituency from Telugu Desam Party but withdrew from politics after 1998.

His body was kept at Film Nagar residence for the public and family members to pay their last respects.

He is the recipient of the 2011 Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, and 2017 Filmfare Award for lifetime achievement in Telugu cinema

In 2012, he served as the jury member for South Region II at the 59th National Film Awards

His last rites will be performed tomorrow at Mahaprasthanam in Hyderabad.

The entire Telugu film fraternity has expressed shock at the demise of Kaikala.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, Telangana Chief Minister K.chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) and his cabinet Ministers, former AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and several others, condoled the death of veteran actor.

In his message, KCR recalled his friendship with the famous actor.

He said Kaikala Satyanarayana has endeared himself to Telugu people with his innate ability to play any different type of characters in Telugu films.

He termed Satyanarayana’s death as an irreparable loss to Telugu Film Industry. (UNI)