Ace Tollywood actor Chalapathi Rao passes away at 78 due to heart attack

<p>The Telugu film industry lost some of its gems in 2022. The untimely demise of superstar Krishna, rebel star Krishnam Raju, and Navarasa Natana Sarvabhouma left the fans disheartened. The absence of these stars is still felt in the film industry, and needless to say, their exceptional work will be remembered by generations. As we bid goodbye to 2022, here is a look back at all the Tollywood celebs who passed away this year.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/year-ender-2022-rrr-to-kgf-2-10-highest-grossing-indian-films-of-the-year/photostory/96256373.cms” target=”_blank”>Year ender 2022: ‘RRR’ to ‘KGF 2’, 10 highest-grossing Indian films of the year</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Tollywood veteran Kaikala Satyanarayana died in the wee hours on Friday (December 23) at his home in Film Nagar, Hyderabad. He was 87 and suffering from age-related ailments over the past several days. Tollywood stars and personalities from all walks of life in the two Telugu states have condoled the death of Satyanarayana who was famed for his acting prowess and kind-heartedness. Born on July 25, 1935 in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Satyanarayana debuted with Telugu movie Sipayi Kuturu in 1959. Satyanarayana went on to act in around 800 movies in a career spanning six decades.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/tamannaah-bhatias-stunning-body-hugging-ensembles/photostory/96447472.cms” target=”_blank”>Tamannaah’s body-hugging ensembles</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Krishna passed away at a hospital in Hyderabad on November 15 while undergoing treatment after he suffered cardiac arrest. He was 79. Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy or Krishna, as he was popularly known, acted in more than 350 films in a career spanning five decades. He also produced and directed a few films. Krishna was elected to Lok Sabha from Eluru in 1989 but lost the election in 1991 from the same constituency. After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, Krishna distanced himself from politics. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/10-times-deepika-padukone-rocked-the-boss-lady-look-in-pantsuits/photostory/96104790.cms” target=”_blank”>10 times Deepika Padukone rocked boss lady look in pantsuits</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Veteran Telugu actor Uppalapati Krishnam Raju has passed away at the age of 83 in wee hours on Sunday (September 11). He is survived by his wife and three daughters. ‘Baahubali’ star Prabhas is his nephew. Popularly known as ‘Rebel Star’ of Tollywood, Krishnam Raju has acted in more than 180 movies in a career spanning over five decades. He acted in movies ranging from social, family, romantic, thriller movies to historical and mythological movies. In his later years, along with films, Krishnam Raju also pursued a career in politics. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/pooja-hedge-to-shruti-haasan-divas-who-nailed-leopard-print-outfits/photostory/96060247.cms” target=”_blank”>Divas who nailed leopard print outfits</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Superstar Krishna’s elder son and actor Ramesh Babu breathed his last on Saturday evening in Hyderabad. It was reported that Ramesh Babu was suffering from liver-related problems for a long time. He was rushed to the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, and the doctors confirmed that he was brought dead. Ramesh Babu started acting from the age of 12, and went on to perform memorably in films such as ‘Bazaar Rowdy’ and ‘Mugguru Kodukulu’, but he eventually became a producer and will be remembered for ‘Arjun’ as well as the two comedy dramas presented by him, ‘Dookudu’ and ‘Aagadu’.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/top-10-most-searched-indian-movies-of-2022/photostory/96128528.cms” target=”_blank”>Top 10 most searched Indian movies of 2022</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Tollywood senior actor Mannava Balayya (92) passed away on April 9. He breathed his last on Saturday morning at his residence in Yousafguda, Hyderabad. Balayya, who entered the film industry with interest in acting, starred in more than 300 films. After that, he became a writer, director and producer while acting in movies. Under the banner of Amrita Films, Balayya produced films like Sobhan Babu starrer Chelleli Kapuram, Neramu Siksha, starring superstar Krishna, Chuttalunnaru Jagratha and Oorukichina Maata, starring megastar Chiranjeevi.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/year-ender-5-controversies-that-shocked-tollywood-in-2022/photostory/96282263.cms” target=”_blank”>Year ender: 5 controversies that shocked Tollywood in 2022</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Senior director Tatineni Rama Rao breathed his last at a private hospital in Chennai on April 20. Tatineni directed NTR’s Yamagola, ANR’s Brahmachari, Sobhan Babu’s Jeevana Tarangalu and others. He made his debut in the Hindi industry with the movie ‘Lok – Paralok’ and later went on to remake many successful Telugu movies in Hindi. The biggest hit in his career is ‘Yamagola’. Tatineni Rama Rao’s native place is Kapileswaram in Krishna district. He was born on November 10, 1938. Rama Rao is the cousin of the famous director Tatineni Prakash Rao.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/we-are-in-awe-of-deepika-padukones-ethnic-style/photostory/96034194.cms” target=”_blank”>We are in awe of Deepika Padukone’s ethnic style</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Popular senior director Sarath passed away on April 1 in Hyderabad. He had been suffering from cancer for a few years. He passed away around 9 am while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad. Sarath was introduced to the Telugu film industry as a director with the film ‘Chadastapu Mogudu’, which is based on the novel Dear. Suman and Banu Priya played the lead roles in the movie. Sarath has directed about 20 films in his career.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/10-most-awaited-upcoming-indian-movies/photostory/96134771.cms” target=”_blank”>10 most awaited upcoming Indian movies</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Tollywood actor DMK Murali who made his acting debut with Andala Rakshasi passed away on November 14 due to illness. Hailing from Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Murali has acted in many mythological and social plays. Duryodhana’s Mayasabha monologue brought him good recognition as a stage actor. Murali came to Hyderabad with a passion for acting and hoping to appear on the silver screen. Murali, who worked in the director’s department for a few years, later became a journalist. Murali played a key role in the movie ‘Bus Stop’ directed by Maruti. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/regina-cassandra-sets-the-internet-ablaze-with-ethnic-looks/photostory/96201932.cms” target=”_blank”>Regina sets the internet ablaze with ethnic looks</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Guruswamy, who played the role of a farmer in Mahesh Babu starrer ‘Maharshi’, passed away in Kurnool on September 9. He had been suffering from health problems for some time. Even after Maharshi, he starred in many films. Guruswamy was born in Veldurthi, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. He had shown his talent as a stage artist before becoming a film actor. Due to financial difficulties, he excelled in the field of drama while, on the one hand, he was working as a central government employee. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/10-surprise-hits-of-tollywood-in-2022/photostory/96228241.cms” target=”_blank”>10 surprise hits of 2022 in Tollywood</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>

<p>Popular lyricist Kandikonda Yadagiri (49) passed away at his home in Vengala Rao Nagar on March 12. He was suffering from cancer before he breathed his last. His native place is Nagurlapalli, Narsampeta mandal. He studied MA in Telugu and MA in Politics from Osmania University. He entered the film industry due to his interest in Telugu literature and works. Late music director Chakri introduced Kandikonda to the film industry. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href=”https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/web-stories/jacqueline-fernandez-is-a-breath-of-fresh-air-in-jaw-dropping-lehengas/photostory/96335458.cms” target=”_blank”>Jacqueline Fernandez is a breath of fresh air in jaw-dropping lehengas</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Pic courtesy: Twitter</p>