Renowned actor, writer and theatre personality Gollapudi Maruthi, passed away on Thursday afternoon at a private hospital in Chennai where he’d been undergoing treatment for age related ailments.
A statement from his representatives said, “Gollapudi Maruthi Rao breathed his last at 11.10 am at the Lifeline Hospital in Chennai. His body will remain there till Saturday until his family members arrive from abroad. From Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, his body will be kept at his home for fans to pay tributes. His second son Ramakrishna will perform the last rites on Sunday afternoon in Chennai.”
Having acted in over 250 films, he wrote for films like Doctor Chakravarthy, Tharangini and Samsaram Chadharangam amongst several other notable works. He was known for his versatility and is one of the few veteran artistes to still be around, till today.
Having started his career as a host and station incharge for All India Radion, he went on to become a notable playwright, and author. He wrote several columns for newspapers and is considered a legend of Telugu theatre, with plays like Rendu Rellu Aaru, Patita, Karuninchani Devatalu, Aasayaalaku Sankellu and Mahanatudu to his credit.
He debuted as an actor in the 1982 film Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya for which he also wrote the dialogues. Gollapudi has been honoured with several state and national awards for his literary works and has garnered great respect over the years.
Condolences poured in on social media from several actors and politicians, including CM of AP Jaganmohan Reddy and ex-CM Chandrababu Naidu, soon after the news was announced.
