Telugu states mourn loss of their reel-life Alluri

HYDERABAD: One of Tollywood’s favourite sons, Superstar Krishna, a path-breaking veteran of  350 films, died of a cardiac arrest on Tuesday, leaving fans across the Telugu states heartbroken. He was 79.

He is survived by his son, the actor Mahesh Babu, and three daughters, Manjula, Indira and Padmavathi.

Krishna’s mortal remains will be kept at the Padmalaya Studios, a production and distribution firm founded by the actor, in Jubilee Hills from 8 am to noon for fans to pay their tributes.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao said that state honours would be accorded to the late actor.

Krishna was admitted to a private hospital in Nanakramguda and placed on ventilator support on Monday, but could not recover from the attack. The hospital the actor was admitted to said that he suffered multiple organ failure and severe hypoxic brain injury. He died at 4.09 am on Tuesday.

Christened G. Siva Rama Krishna Murthy at birth, the actor, director and producer wowed movie-going audiences for over five decades, with his career spanning 350 films.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tribute to the actor. “Krishna Garu was a legendary superstar, who won hearts of people through his versatile acting and lively personality. His demise is a colossal loss to the world of cinema and entertainment,” Modi tweeted.

Several VIPs, including Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao, visited the actor’s home in Nanakramguda to pay tribute and offer condolences to his family.

The Chief Minister, remembering Krishna's services to the Telugu film industry, said that the working class considered Krishna their favourite actor and owned him as their superstar. He also credited Krishna for introducing new cinema trends by establishing his own production company.

He directed chief secretary Somesh Kumar to make arrangements to perform Krishna’s last rites with official honours.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Twitter: “Krishna garu is a Telugu superstar. He is Alluri...He is our James Bond. As a man of heart in real life as well, who earned distinction for himself in the film industry, his death is a great loss for Telugu film industry and Telugu people.”

Former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu visited the actor’s house and consoled Krishna’s son, Mahesh Babu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin termed Krishna's demise “an irreparable loss to Indian cinema.” He said that the actor was known for introducing innovative aspects to the film industry.

Krishna’s son Ramesh Babu, a producer, died earlier this year, followed by the death of his first wife, Indira Devi, in September. Krishna’s second wife, Vijaya Nirmala, died in 2019.

On the political front, Krishna was elected a Lok Sabha member as Congress member from Eluru in 1989. His son-in-law, Jayadev Galla, is a TD Lok Sabha member from Guntur. Krishna was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2009.