Hyderabad: Veteran actor Babu Mohan on Sunday paid his last respects to Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away earlier in the day at the age of 83. Speaking to the media after visiting Kota’s residence in Film Nagar, Babu Mohan broke down emotionally while remembering the close bond the two actors shared both on and off screen.
“This is an extremely unfortunate day for me personally,” Babu Mohan said. “More than for the people of the Telugu states, this is a deep personal loss. Kota and I were like real brothers. We acted together in so many films and also shared countless memories off-screen. Just two days ago, we spoke over the phone. I told him I’d visit him soon. By the time I came, he was gone.”
He recalled that Kota, despite having siblings, always treated him like his own younger brother. “He would serve me food himself when we were in a hurry on sets. Wherever the shoot was, we stayed in adjacent rooms. He was warm, affectionate, and full of life.”
An Evergreen On-Screen Pair
Kota Srinivasa Rao and Babu Mohan formed one of the most celebrated comic duos in Telugu cinema, having appeared together in over 100 films. Despite often playing dominant or serious roles, Kota never overshadowed Babu Mohan; instead, their chemistry enhanced every scene.
Their combination was so iconic that filmmakers and actors would often insist on casting them together. “If one was in the film, the other had to be there too—it became an unspoken rule,” Babu Mohan noted.
The late actor’s funeral is scheduled to be held at Mahaprasthanam later today, with members of the film fraternity and political leaders paying their respects.
