Veteran actor, writer and screenwriter Gollapudi Maruthi Rao passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday at a private hospital in Chennai. He was undergoing treatment at Lifeline Hospital in T Nagar. The actor debuted in the Telugu film industry with the film Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya which released in 1982 in which he starred alongside Chiranjeevi and Madhavi. He had also penned the dialogues for the film. The actor also starred in numerous films with some of his most memorable roles coming in Kallu, Samasaram Oka Chadarangam, and Challenge.
Expressing grief over the actor’s passing, former Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu stated that it was a big loss to the Telugu film industry and literary world. He said, “As an actor and writer, his services were commendable. As a radio presenter, editor, commentator, author and actor, he was a man with multiple talents. Deep condolences to his family and fans."
Born at Vizianagaram on April 14, 1939, Maruti Rao began his career as a journalist with the Telugu daily ‘Andhra Prabha’ as a sub-editor in Chittoor in the early 60s. He received six ‘Nandi’ awards from the AP government including the best writer for ‘Atma Gauravam’, best comedian for ‘Tarangini’, best supporting actor for ‘Ramayanam Lo Bhagavatham’, best screenplay for ‘Prema Pusthakam’. He also got an award as the best actor (television) in 1996.