Veteran Telugu actor Gummadi Venkateswara Rao passed away after prolonged illeness. He was 83. He was admitted to CARE Hospital in Banjara Hills after he complained of chest pain. Gummadi had been suffering from paralysis and the malfunctioning of both his kidneys.

Gummadi acted in more than 500 films in a long career spanning over five decades. He made his grand entry as a hero in Adrusta Deepudu in 1950 but soon settled down as an endearing character artiste.

His last film assignment was in 2008 when he acted in Kasinarayana Charitra. He had been offered a few roles later but as a true performer would respond, he refused them all because of his failing voice.

With Gummadi’s demise, the mythological masterpiece Maya Bazaar loses one more of its dream team. Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao is now the only surviving member of the cast.

Gummadi received numerous awards, including the Raghupathi Venkaiah honour, during his long, illustrious career